Born again Biker

H20MRV · L Plate Warrior Joined: 12 Mar 2021 Karma :

Greetings all,

For the last few years i have had an itch to get a bike again, Not as my everyday transport, Just as a fun day, Sunday run, NC500 that sort of thing, Now i was proficient biker back in the day and had every superbike you could have ( i wish i had half of them now ) and could "Nip On" with the best of them!

Now some 20 years later i am thinking of one of these, Your thoughts would be welcome,

1/ Harley Davidson XR1200, A more basic experience, No Abs, No stability control, No traction control, but raw fun... And of course i have never had abs ect on a bike so i will not miss it, However i am not 19 anymore!!

2/ Triumph Tiger 1050 sport, Sensible, comfy and seems good from what i read / see

3/ BMW R1200rs, loads of them about with good accessories as std ( the se model anyway )

The Harley is the least sensible but it just attracts me even though i suspect it would be the worst bike for any kind of distance but fun in the short term,

Your thoughts?
____________________
Why exactly did i think it would be a good idea to buy a motorcycle?

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Hi

There's not much love for Harley's on here so don't expect many to go for 1) as their choice Laughing

I guess where you're starting from here is that you're sold on getting an motorcycle, but not entirely sure what exactly you're likely to enjoy from it, which is why you've got such different bikes in there.

The 1050 Tiger is an excellent all rounder and the engine is an absolute peach. Of all of them I'd say that's the most user-friendly returning biker suited machine.

The BM is a bit of a heavy old beast and although that's perfectly fine for most, starting out again and from a sportsbike background I'd say no for now. I have a boxer BM and whilst I love the engine characteristics, I don't enjoy its oil usage which is a problem with them that everyone just says 'just accept it' - personally, I'm struggling to take that attitude.

You might want to have a look at www.cycle-ergo.com and enter your dims and see how various bikes you've got in mind line out in terms of position. Clearly what you've picked out is a lot more upright than you'd have been used to in the past.

If you're thinking about the Tiger then I'd say there's the KTM 1190 as an alternative. More problematic, almost certainly, but more charismatic - if less well rounded. The nuttier version of sensible, perhaps.

Good luck.

H20MRV · L Plate Warrior Joined: 12 Mar 2021 Karma :

sulphur · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Karma :

What about a Buell XB12 lightning? Ticks the raw, basic boxes..also look a lot of fun with a thumping Harley engine to boot?

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

Buell went bust because harley got pissed.with them for making their engine usable.

Go with the 1050. Great engine and triumph make good chassis as well.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

to v or not to v · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Nov 2020 Karma :

id say go for something you find comfortable. its a lot more important when you get older.

JackButler · Traffic Copper Joined: 11 Nov 2019 Karma :

I talk with lots of born again & mid life crises. The Harley's are a popular choice they focus on but it soon wears off within a few months of actually buying one.

I dare say that if Harley received sales commision on all the R1200GS's & RT's they've sold they wouldn't be in such financial trouble all the time.

Why not buy 2nd hand & flip a few times till you find something you can live with???
____________________
I clean my guns with the tears of the snivelling, left wing scum.

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

H20MRV · L Plate Warrior Joined: 12 Mar 2021 Karma :

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Small side how? Physical size or engine wise?

It's a bit of a boring choice engine wise IMO - the 1050 triple is a heck of a lot better than the parallel twin.

H20MRV · L Plate Warrior Joined: 12 Mar 2021 Karma :

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Exactly.

I mean - and I mean this totally with respect - you've missed 20 years worth of bike life and I'm assuming that you're no spring chicken any more, albeit not entirely ancient. You've clearly got the cash for a decent enough machine by virtue of what you're suggesting buying and the costs associated.

Life's too short for uninspiring motorcycles and in your case you've already missed out on a fair chunk of it, so even more so.

H20MRV · L Plate Warrior Joined: 12 Mar 2021 Karma :

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Normal service resumed Laughing

Good luck. Look forward to pics / trips etc when you're up and running.

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

In defence of small engines, a cheeky little whipper-snapper like my XSR700 does have some advantages; power-to-weight ratio is still a thing Wink

Fair enough if I were to do triple digit mileage on a regular basis, 4 cylinders and >1 litre would be nice.
____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, ~~Honda Rebel,~~ ~~Yamaha DT175,~~ ~~Suzuki SV650 (loan)~~ ~~Fazer 600,~~ ~~Keeway Superlight 125,~~ ~~50cc turd scooter~~

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Freddyfruitba... · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2016 Karma :

jeffyjeff · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :

H2OMRV welcome to the forum. Any of the three of the bikes you posted would give you a thrill. If indeed you are going to consider Harley, the XR1200 is the one to look at, although you might experience "range anxiety". Doubt that bike goes much over 100 miles between visits to the petrol station. Does look like a proper "hooligan bike", however.
____________________
History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC