Pick me a bike
Discussion
Any advice appreciated, I don’t know much about bike choices out there at the moment. I have had a Harley fat bob for the last 5 years. I’m 50 years old, no racer, like comfort, ride 50% of the time with a pillion. We are both average build but I’m 6’2”.
£7k cash in my pocket. Bike is unlikely to do more than 2000 mile/year. Running costs not important. All I have looked at in passing are:
T100 - looks nice, not sure if it’s slow or not, might be small for me/us? Very customisable so I can pose.
Africa Twin - top of budget, like the idea, looks good for pillion and longer runs.
XJR 1200 - like the retro muscle idea, comfortable for two
CB1300 - as above but a fairing might be worth trying?
That’s about the limit of my thoughts so far….
Any advice? Links to bikes for sale?
Cheers
Jas
£7k cash in my pocket. Bike is unlikely to do more than 2000 mile/year. Running costs not important. All I have looked at in passing are:
T100 - looks nice, not sure if it’s slow or not, might be small for me/us? Very customisable so I can pose.
Africa Twin - top of budget, like the idea, looks good for pillion and longer runs.
XJR 1200 - like the retro muscle idea, comfortable for two
CB1300 - as above but a fairing might be worth trying?
That’s about the limit of my thoughts so far….
Any advice? Links to bikes for sale?
Cheers
Jas
Cb1000r? I'm biased as I've just bought one. I bought it because out of all the modern naked bikes it was the only one with any sort of real pillion seat.
I was also looking at an mt09 tracer but didn't feel ready for something quite so sensible yet as I'm still early 30s.
The tracer looks like a good package, comfortable upright position, decent rider and pillion seats and comes with the stonking mt09 engine. I've not ridden one but on paper it should be a decent bike.
I was also looking at an mt09 tracer but didn't feel ready for something quite so sensible yet as I'm still early 30s.
The tracer looks like a good package, comfortable upright position, decent rider and pillion seats and comes with the stonking mt09 engine. I've not ridden one but on paper it should be a decent bike.
Janluke said:
Early Z900rs are just about in budget, a fairly modern retro
Never even knew these existed https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-Z900RS-best-co...
Looks stunning though.
You’ve suggested three different types of bike there OP.
Are looks important? I like the idea of the muscle bikes and probably fine with a pillion. Triumph bonneville less good with a pillion I’d have thought.
How about a tourer? loads of BMW RTs to chose from and they handle well enough to have fun by all accounts.
Are looks important? I like the idea of the muscle bikes and probably fine with a pillion. Triumph bonneville less good with a pillion I’d have thought.
How about a tourer? loads of BMW RTs to chose from and they handle well enough to have fun by all accounts.
Cakey_ said:
I was also looking at an mt09 tracer but didn't feel ready for something quite so sensible yet as I'm still early 30s.
The tracer looks like a good package, comfortable upright position, decent rider and pillion seats and comes with the stonking mt09 engine. I've not ridden one but on paper it should be a decent bike.
I bought an MT09 Tracer brand new and sold it after 3 months / 1500 miles. Riding position and seat comfort worse than an R1 by a factor of 10 and wife’s opinion of pillion seat was the same. The tracer looks like a good package, comfortable upright position, decent rider and pillion seats and comes with the stonking mt09 engine. I've not ridden one but on paper it should be a decent bike.
Engine was nice though, next year’s R9 should be nice
I’ve just bought a 2017 KTM 1090, 5k miles, full dealer history, mint and I paid 7.5k.
I think it’s got to be one of the best do it all bikes, it’s comfy, carries a pillion in comfort, it handles extremely well, it plenty quick enough, and it’s a bike that’s definitely got something about it that makes it exciting, and being a KTM there are plenty of trick bits for it.
I think it’s got to be one of the best do it all bikes, it’s comfy, carries a pillion in comfort, it handles extremely well, it plenty quick enough, and it’s a bike that’s definitely got something about it that makes it exciting, and being a KTM there are plenty of trick bits for it.
GM182 said:
You’ve suggested three different types of bike there OP.
Are looks important? I like the idea of the muscle bikes and probably fine with a pillion. Triumph bonneville less good with a pillion I’d have thought.
How about a tourer? loads of BMW RTs to chose from and they handle well enough to have fun by all accounts.
If I’m honest, that’s part of the problem… I don't know what I want.Are looks important? I like the idea of the muscle bikes and probably fine with a pillion. Triumph bonneville less good with a pillion I’d have thought.
How about a tourer? loads of BMW RTs to chose from and they handle well enough to have fun by all accounts.
I like the classic look…. But I’m a pretty practical guy so the faired/touring does speak to me. I like the idea of longer runs/touring….but it won’t happen. I have a camper van that I’d take on tour and if we wanted a fast blast through the hills… I’d take the Porsche. So the bike is really a toy that I’d like to take a pillion on and I don’t like being scrunched up.
Sporall said:
T100 is a bit wheezy on fast A roads and probably more so two up. I liked mine but stayed off faster roads if I could and was only ever solo. T120 is a better choice. Have you considered a Speedmaster?
Or Tiger 1200 explorer?
Yeah, think I’ve ruled the bonneville out… ok for one up on a country r.lad but I don’t think it’s the right choice at the minute.Or Tiger 1200 explorer?
black-k1 said:
This needs definite consideration. All day comfortable. Integral luggage. Good pillion provision. Great performance. Reasonable handling. One of the best "do it all" bikes you can get.
I did well over 100k miles on my two and loved every mile.
I’m going to see that one that castex linked to above. It’s not far from me.I did well over 100k miles on my two and loved every mile.
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