New Bike Choices

[no8080]

Hi All,

I wanted some advice, but some history on me first,

I pasted my A license just over 3 years ago, I went out and bought a 93 fireblade which I restored and drive almost daily, mostly commuting. (I know, typical first time rider buying a sports bike)

I bought a harley night rod 2 years ago, from new.

I recently picked up a R1 SP to restore.

My questions, or rather my thoughts, although I love riding my fireblade, I am thinking of changing it, as I find I prefer riding my night rod, I might be getting a bit old for a sports bike, and anyway, my R1 will be back ready for riding soon. It sort of over shadows my fireblade. I don't want to put massive miles on my harley, and also, it is no good for filtering, too wide.

So I am of thinking of swapping my fireblade, but I have no idea what for. Buying another bike and keeping the blade is out of the question, no way I will get that one past my other halve, 3 bikes is pushing it already.

I have no idea what I should be looking for, so I want some opinions, I want something I will be putting miles on, to use most days. So a top box or other luggage is a must, but saying that, I have a massive top box on my blade anyway. It needs to be narrow, to filter, which I do a lot. As for comfort, well that is not much of a consideration, my harley has rock hard suspension, the blade is a sports sitting position.

I really like the look of the triumph thruxton, maybe a ducatti monster, either way, the bike has to be quick, I do mean quick, my harley is fast, faster in a drag race than most sports bikes, so don't think it is slow. Especially since I fitted the stage 1 upgrades.

As to my riding skills, I recently past my IAM advance rider, and unless I am up against a skilled sports bike rider on a 1000cc+ machine I leave them behind on my harley, grinding the pegs as I go. So a new bike has to handle well.

So, erm to sum it up, something that handles like a sports bike, is a rocket off the line, but a more relaxed upright sitting position, ideally with a screen/fairing, as hitting high speed on a harley without a screen means the wind is always trying to throw you off. Oh, and top speed, must be 150mph+, not saying I do that though. I am thinking of a new, or nearly new bike.

I don't fit convention stereotypical biker roles, I wear jeans with a touring jacket and full face helmet on my harley, which gets me odd looks, but it is practical. I don't own leathers for use on my sports bike either. So bike suggestions that stand out, maybe don't fit the normal mold are welcome, for example, I love the acid green triumph street bikes from a few years ago, only because of the loud colour

Thanks for reading my long post, and for any suggestions,

Neil

[Landy10]

Suzuki gsxs 1000

[AshWebster]

blacked out street triple (or is it speed triple? the 1050) might fit your books?

(was gonna say Ducati monster too)
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[stevo as b4]

I'm sure Chickenstrip would be along to advise, but your requirements sound very Fazer 1000'ish with some suspension upgrade/setting up.

The half faired version of the Suzuki GSXS and the Z1000 also sound like good possibilities.

At a much higher budget that BMW S1000XR thingy, or an Aprilia V4 tuono might suit you.

How about the Triumph tiger 1050 Sport too? This to me sounds like a more interesting option than any of the above, and looks better too IMO.

Lastly if you like your Harley's engine and performance, have you thought about a good secondhand Buell?

[no8080]

OK,

for the gsxs1000F, and the speed triple R.

They will make my short list.

I am not a fan of BMW bikes, to blend in for me. I don't like their cars either.

It needs to be reliable, so that sort of discounts an aprilla, Shame, as they look great.

Going to google the tiger sports now, never heard of a Buell, so will google that as well.

Neil

[Tracer1234]

The MT09 Tracer certainly fits some of your requirements!
____________________
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Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15

[fatjames]

XJR1300. I just like the look of them

[Kentol750]

Why must it be narrow to filter? What's wrong with a 1200gs adventure with silly alanminimum panniers? I never worried about 'my' space. And it was comfortable. (2010 model, pre headshake).
Maybe you should follow a courier through that there London and see what a gap really is.
Oh, a z1000sx(with panniers)or cb1000r (givi rack and box) would tick the box.
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Some bikes.

[chickenstrip]

MT10, and looks and wind protection be damned.
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[BrownTrousers]

Speed Triple seems to suit your requirements and is my top recommendation partly because i wants one.

Z1000 might be a good shout - similar idea as the Speed Triple but more 'divisive' styling and louder colours available!

Be a shame to put a top box on either though.
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[chickenstrip]

[chris-red]

You will adapt your filtering style for a wider bike. Wider bikes tend to have tighter turning circles which means you can do 90 degree turns through traffic easier.
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[Polarbear]

[no8080]

I think my point on filtering is not clear,

I don't need a narrow bike because I can't filter, I can. The issue is I filter through gaps that my blade just fits through, I mean just.

My harley has no chance of getting through the same size gaps.

I commute a lot on the M6, which is in constant road works, which means narrow lanes, then stationary traffic which is tight together, I don't like waiting so I filter. I also commute through birmingham/manchester at rush hour, so worming through and around traffic is a must.

I prefer a narrow bike, so it does not stick out further than me, mirrors for example, as they are the same height as most car mirrors. can't stick out. So no cruiser width sized bikes.

Top box is better than panniers for me, as unless they were thin panniers I would not make it through gaps I take, well I would make it through, but would take car mirrors and paint with me.

For example, try fitting past a HGV in the middle lane of a narrow road works section of motorway, with a long wheel based van on the outside lane.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

Neil

[stevo as b4]

I know the shitty M6 well around Birmingham, as well as the M5 carpark that leads to it.

From what I've seen of Buell sports versions, they look as narrow as you can get for a sportsbike. I doubt they are any wider than something like an Aprilia RS125? I've not seen one with a top box, but it must be possible.

[no8080]

[no8080]

I should add my reasoning for luggage, I commute to work daily, with a top box full and my backpack, getting a shower in work.

I often use my bike to go away for work,

so for me, I carry a mammoth chain and padlock, disc lock, screen wipes, clothes for the day, water proof bike cover, 2 laptops for the day.

Then I use my top box to put my helmet in for the day.

So space to fit all this is needed.

Also, I am tall, with long legs, so a small bike is no good, for example I can not fit on a GSXR600, or a triumph 675.

The 675 was an awesome bike, rode my brothers, but way too small for me, my elbows kept hitting my knees.

Neil

[jjdugen]

Having just picked up an Aprilia Falco, that or the more expensive Tuano for the upright riding psition. Slim as an anorexic, goes like stink as standard, can be hopped up cheaply well into brown undercracker territory. Ear plugs mandatory, especially after the watch like smooth 'blade. I'm in the same boat, do I sell the 'blade? No, I never will, I've put too much into it, but the Falco has certainly reawakened my interest.
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[Waaarrrggghhh]

[ThatDippyTwat]

[quote="Polarbear"]

[ZX-7R]

Depending on your budget,the new Z900 or a late model CB1000R.
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Current Bike - 2000 ZX-7R

[Blah blah]

You've got an IL4, what do you want another for?

You mentioned Ducati Monster... the 1200 is pretty quick but have you considered a Hypermotard ? Ok, new ones 'only' have 110hp but that should be enough sitting upright and they do touring stuff for it. Certainly looks different...

No ridden one but what about the Tuono?

[arry]

I'm gonna do what most people do and recommend my own bike. KTM 990 SMT.

[pepperami]

[wristjob]