Suggestions for fun, sub 4 cylinder, preferably naked bike?
Discussion
Hello all,
Just wanted to see if anyone had any interesting suggestions beyond bikes I've already considered.
Owned a Bandit 600 and then changed for an SV650. Loved the low-down torque but wanted more top end so changed it for a Triumph Sprint 955. The Triumph was fantastic out of town but around the city was rather unwieldy. Unfortunately, it got pinched. Shortly after that we had an unexpected family tragedy and then the missus got preggers. Now, 3 years later of dreaming about bikes and I'm about to come into some money. I need to use my car for work/baby duty so it will mainly be for s
ts 'n' giggles / nipping to see mates / the odd 120 mile A-road blast to see family / going out for a 2 hour hoon 'to pick up a pint of milk' etc. I'm 5' 9" and 9 1/2 stone by the way.
4 cylinder bikes don't really do it for me.
Bikes I have tried:
2018 Speed Triple 1050 RS - absolute blew me away. Best bike I've ever ridder, the low-down torque was intoxicating. Haven't ridden the new 1200 speedy but as it's more powerful and lighter than the old 1050, it is currently top of the list.
2018 Street Triple 765 - very nice bike but rode it straight after the speed triple and definitely missed that incredibly powerful low down surge.
Monster 1200s - didn't really do it for me. Too lumpy. Preferred the speedy.
Yamaha XSR700 (MT07 but retro styled) - fantastic fun, very easy to power-wheelie, super chuckable, very good value but ruled out as it made my hands completely numb after 20 mins.
ZH2 - Too big and heavy for me.
Ducati Hypermotard 950SP - seat height too tall. Didn't like riding position.
Bikes I'm considering but haven't ridden:
Duke 890R - This would probably be top of the list but the styling/orange is a tough pill to swallow.
S1000R - it's a 4 pot so I suspect won't do it for me but I find something about it incredibly alluring.
MT09 - looks are a bit marmite but I'll definately want to test-ride one before ruling it out and going for the speedy.
Any other bikes I should be considering? Aprilia Tuono 660? Never ridden a V4 bike, are they much like an inline 4 in-terms of power delivery? If so, I'd rule out without test riding.
Just wanted to see if anyone had any interesting suggestions beyond bikes I've already considered.
Owned a Bandit 600 and then changed for an SV650. Loved the low-down torque but wanted more top end so changed it for a Triumph Sprint 955. The Triumph was fantastic out of town but around the city was rather unwieldy. Unfortunately, it got pinched. Shortly after that we had an unexpected family tragedy and then the missus got preggers. Now, 3 years later of dreaming about bikes and I'm about to come into some money. I need to use my car for work/baby duty so it will mainly be for s
ts 'n' giggles / nipping to see mates / the odd 120 mile A-road blast to see family / going out for a 2 hour hoon 'to pick up a pint of milk' etc. I'm 5' 9" and 9 1/2 stone by the way.4 cylinder bikes don't really do it for me.
Bikes I have tried:
2018 Speed Triple 1050 RS - absolute blew me away. Best bike I've ever ridder, the low-down torque was intoxicating. Haven't ridden the new 1200 speedy but as it's more powerful and lighter than the old 1050, it is currently top of the list.
2018 Street Triple 765 - very nice bike but rode it straight after the speed triple and definitely missed that incredibly powerful low down surge.
Monster 1200s - didn't really do it for me. Too lumpy. Preferred the speedy.
Yamaha XSR700 (MT07 but retro styled) - fantastic fun, very easy to power-wheelie, super chuckable, very good value but ruled out as it made my hands completely numb after 20 mins.
ZH2 - Too big and heavy for me.
Ducati Hypermotard 950SP - seat height too tall. Didn't like riding position.
Bikes I'm considering but haven't ridden:
Duke 890R - This would probably be top of the list but the styling/orange is a tough pill to swallow.
S1000R - it's a 4 pot so I suspect won't do it for me but I find something about it incredibly alluring.
MT09 - looks are a bit marmite but I'll definately want to test-ride one before ruling it out and going for the speedy.
Any other bikes I should be considering? Aprilia Tuono 660? Never ridden a V4 bike, are they much like an inline 4 in-terms of power delivery? If so, I'd rule out without test riding.
MrSanti said:
Thanks for suggestions so far.
The Aprilia sure does look interesting on paper.
The Ducati is a good shout. Might look at the Streetfighter as well.
Thanks for Moto Guzzi suggestion, they look gorgeous but I highly suspect they don't deliver the riding experience I'm after.
I have a new Monster 950, absolutely love it and would definitely recommend getting a test ride. Does everything I could want for a fun and usable road bike. Its super light (166kg dry) but still really stable, comfortable and easy to ride at any speed. The Aprilia sure does look interesting on paper.
The Ducati is a good shout. Might look at the Streetfighter as well.
Thanks for Moto Guzzi suggestion, they look gorgeous but I highly suspect they don't deliver the riding experience I'm after.
Edited by AceOfHearts on Monday 10th January 21:05
MrSanti said:
That Monster is a damn fine looking machine. What are the vibration levels like? I found my old SV650 just about alright but probably wouldn't want anything less smooth/lumpier.
I don't suffer at all with any vibrations, it's much better all round than the older generation Ducatis that I have had in the past (748 to 848 eras). Below 3000rpm the engine is a bit noisy but that's my only real gripe. I will be doing some touring on it this year too.
It sounds right up my street. Definitely going to try and test ride one.
I went to a big dealership (pretty much all brands except for Ducati) and had a look at other bikes - the Tuono 1100 looks great but they don't do test rides and my insurance quotes are in the 1000s. The KTM really didn't do it for me visually, I just can't get past there looks. I think the final running is between MT09, Monster 950 and the Speed Triple, will test ride them and report back on what I buy.
I went to a big dealership (pretty much all brands except for Ducati) and had a look at other bikes - the Tuono 1100 looks great but they don't do test rides and my insurance quotes are in the 1000s. The KTM really didn't do it for me visually, I just can't get past there looks. I think the final running is between MT09, Monster 950 and the Speed Triple, will test ride them and report back on what I buy.
I know you listed it as one you tried, but you can’t beat the 765RS. Granted riding it after a speed will make it feel down on torque, but given your height/weight, the street is perfect for you. I had both the 675 and the 765, and nothing comes close for pure chuckability, performance, looks, Build quality, toys etc.
The 3 cylinder gives more character and a nicer sound than an IL4, I loved mine but after 3 years of them I went and got a scrambler 1200 for a change.
The 3 cylinder gives more character and a nicer sound than an IL4, I loved mine but after 3 years of them I went and got a scrambler 1200 for a change.
Various life/financial commitments got in the way but finally in a new house with a garage so getting a bike imminently. Bit embarrassing it took this long!
Test rode the previous gen Ducati Monster (I think the 821). Great bike. Loads of power. Made me smile. Sounded fantastic but a bit of a pig low speeds which is what I wanted to avoid having had that issue with my last bike (Triumph Sprint). Steering angle on full lock is very narrow so turning it round took forever!
Got to ride the newest Ducati Monster. Great bike all around. Nice and agile at low speed. Would have gone for it but found it not much fun at low speed and begged to be ridden fast. I feel like I'll lose my license if I get one!
MT09 - ruled out due to insurance costs.
Speed Triple - rules out due to insurance costs.
XSR900 - instant smile on my face. Loved the stock sound. Instant torque gave me the stomach butterflies that lacked a bit on the Street Triple RS. Great fun at low speed. Light and nimble at faster speeds.
Going to get an XSR900 next week!
Thanks for input from everyone.
Test rode the previous gen Ducati Monster (I think the 821). Great bike. Loads of power. Made me smile. Sounded fantastic but a bit of a pig low speeds which is what I wanted to avoid having had that issue with my last bike (Triumph Sprint). Steering angle on full lock is very narrow so turning it round took forever!
Got to ride the newest Ducati Monster. Great bike all around. Nice and agile at low speed. Would have gone for it but found it not much fun at low speed and begged to be ridden fast. I feel like I'll lose my license if I get one!
MT09 - ruled out due to insurance costs.
Speed Triple - rules out due to insurance costs.
XSR900 - instant smile on my face. Loved the stock sound. Instant torque gave me the stomach butterflies that lacked a bit on the Street Triple RS. Great fun at low speed. Light and nimble at faster speeds.
Going to get an XSR900 next week!
Thanks for input from everyone.
I really like the look of the Speed Twin 1200 but the insurance was insane (1 quote of over 3000).
The issue is, I hadn't realised that no claims bonus expired if you weren't insured. As I haven't had a bike for 6 odd years now I have 0 no claims bonus meaning I'm uninsurable on a lot of bikes barely insurable on some.
For some reason XSR900 and Ducati Monster are two of the only sub £800/year insurance available. Even the Speed Twin 900 is a lot to insure.
The issue is, I hadn't realised that no claims bonus expired if you weren't insured. As I haven't had a bike for 6 odd years now I have 0 no claims bonus meaning I'm uninsurable on a lot of bikes barely insurable on some.
For some reason XSR900 and Ducati Monster are two of the only sub £800/year insurance available. Even the Speed Twin 900 is a lot to insure.
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