Advice for next bike?
Discussion
Evening.
Could I lean on the collective experience for a moment?
Passed my DA test earlier in the year and have been charging round on a Transalp 650 which generally speaking is a great first bike. However, I’ve quickly identified what I do and don’t like and I’m thinking about what I could progress to next, but I don’t really know ‘bikes’ like I know cars, especially at my budget (not much).
Things I like:
Adventure styling - it’s mainly used for an hour each way commute in fair and better weather and the wind protection from the fairing is welcome.
Chunky looks - I like the idea of being able to head up a gravel track if so desired (not that that has happened yet). It’s on TKC80’s which are admittedly a bit off roady for my needs. My next machine will be on much more road-biased tyres.
The seating position - ‘Sit-up-and-beg’ is preferred to ‘arse-up-racer’ for my type of riding, I do however look at more road biased bikes for my next one so accept it might be a bit more ‘arse-up’.
A bit of suspension - the condition of the roads is almost dangerous in places and I’d like to be able to hit the odd pothole without cracking my teeth or spine, nor am I looking at ‘the last tenth’ on my bimble to work.
Thinks I don’t like so much:
The bike is a bit agricultural - perhaps something with efi next time?
Legroom - overall height is fine, but I’m 6’4” and I’d like more leg room (seat to peg).
Opomph - whilst you can ride at motorway speeds, you’re ringing it and it’s not comfortable doing so, I’d love something with a higher cruising speed (and definitely a 6th gear).
Bikes I’ve seen and like-
Africa Twin
Tenére 700
Tiger 900 and the new one
Fazer
Seen these new but out of budget, what’s similar but about £2/3k? I saw an old Tiger that was a tall bike (desirable trait) but I just didn’t like the look of the thing. Old Africa Twins are nice but out of budget. Are the old Fazers any good?
Sound I just stick some road tyres on the Transalp and see what it’s like?
All counsel gratefully received.
Could I lean on the collective experience for a moment?
Passed my DA test earlier in the year and have been charging round on a Transalp 650 which generally speaking is a great first bike. However, I’ve quickly identified what I do and don’t like and I’m thinking about what I could progress to next, but I don’t really know ‘bikes’ like I know cars, especially at my budget (not much).
Things I like:
Adventure styling - it’s mainly used for an hour each way commute in fair and better weather and the wind protection from the fairing is welcome.
Chunky looks - I like the idea of being able to head up a gravel track if so desired (not that that has happened yet). It’s on TKC80’s which are admittedly a bit off roady for my needs. My next machine will be on much more road-biased tyres.
The seating position - ‘Sit-up-and-beg’ is preferred to ‘arse-up-racer’ for my type of riding, I do however look at more road biased bikes for my next one so accept it might be a bit more ‘arse-up’.
A bit of suspension - the condition of the roads is almost dangerous in places and I’d like to be able to hit the odd pothole without cracking my teeth or spine, nor am I looking at ‘the last tenth’ on my bimble to work.
Thinks I don’t like so much:
The bike is a bit agricultural - perhaps something with efi next time?
Legroom - overall height is fine, but I’m 6’4” and I’d like more leg room (seat to peg).
Opomph - whilst you can ride at motorway speeds, you’re ringing it and it’s not comfortable doing so, I’d love something with a higher cruising speed (and definitely a 6th gear).
Bikes I’ve seen and like-
Africa Twin
Tenére 700
Tiger 900 and the new one
Fazer
Seen these new but out of budget, what’s similar but about £2/3k? I saw an old Tiger that was a tall bike (desirable trait) but I just didn’t like the look of the thing. Old Africa Twins are nice but out of budget. Are the old Fazers any good?
Sound I just stick some road tyres on the Transalp and see what it’s like?
All counsel gratefully received.
I had an FZ1 Fazer for 10 years from new and not a single thing went wrong with it. It was also bloody quick if you wind it up, and merely quick if you didn’t. It had a very decent half fairing which made motorway cruising easy and a comfortable riding position. My only complaint was the seat’s a bit hard. I sold it to a mate for £3k with 15k miles which was a steal really, but a quick, easy sale.
I loved that bike, but it was time for a change of scenery.
I loved that bike, but it was time for a change of scenery.
My first thought was Vstrom, either 650 or 1000 are available for your budget. TDM was my second thought and will give a nice increase in performance over the Transalp.
I think you will find the FZS600 far too small, I'm 5'11 and could only just get perfectly comfortable on a long run. The FZS1000 is a nice big bike but if you were looking at that you should also look at the Suzuki 1200/1250's as you could get a much newer bike for similar money. Tiger 1050's are almost within your budget and will give you the adventure styling in a very road focussed package. CBF1000 might suit?
If the Transalp is a chore on the motorway then changing tyres won't help.
I think you will find the FZS600 far too small, I'm 5'11 and could only just get perfectly comfortable on a long run. The FZS1000 is a nice big bike but if you were looking at that you should also look at the Suzuki 1200/1250's as you could get a much newer bike for similar money. Tiger 1050's are almost within your budget and will give you the adventure styling in a very road focussed package. CBF1000 might suit?
If the Transalp is a chore on the motorway then changing tyres won't help.
Edited by hiccy18 on Saturday 14th August 07:26
I’ve a 2013 FZ1, had it since 2015. Only issue has really been an injector failing, once upon a time.
I’m 6’2” and fitted Gilles rearsets to give me a little more ground clearance, don’t find it too cramped, but it’s a bit of a compromise between comfort and usability.
This might well get deleted, but I will be selling it once it is MOT’d. Just over 30k. Bit tatty, but everything works. Would be happy to let it go for a low price in return for a hassle free sale….message me if any interest.
I’m 6’2” and fitted Gilles rearsets to give me a little more ground clearance, don’t find it too cramped, but it’s a bit of a compromise between comfort and usability.
This might well get deleted, but I will be selling it once it is MOT’d. Just over 30k. Bit tatty, but everything works. Would be happy to let it go for a low price in return for a hassle free sale….message me if any interest.
head on fire for the last few days and haven’t had a chance to have a good look at all the suggestions yet, but the Fazer 1000 sounds exciting Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff