Recommend a mid weight bike please
Discussion
Hello,
Looking for some advice please. Sold up my last bike and missing it quite a lot. Call me a sadomasochist but I enjoy riding in the winter just as much as summer so would really like to buy another.
Started off on a Honda CB125F and then got an NC750X. Loved the CB, though obviously a cheap low powered bike. Liked the competence and utility of the NC but derived no enjoyment from it all all.
I've now moved to Cornwall so need to be far less concerned about theft than I was in London. My bike insurance is genuinely about 8% of the price I paid in London, it's now ridiculously cheap.
Looking for a mid weight bike, that's going to be comfortable for me at 6'2. I'm relatively slim so weight isn't a problem.
It's really hard to test bikes in Cornwall as there are so few dealers. Would really appreciate some recommendations so I can create a better shortlist. Would ideally like to spend about £4k, could push to £6k but equally happy spending far less if there was something suitable. Needs to be reliable, comfortable and have abs. I like the upright riding style much more, I've no interest in sports bikes.
I love the look of the triumph scrambler, but more power than I need and way over budget.
I've ridden a tracer 7 and loved it. A touch tight on leg room but otherwise very comfortable, very light, nice engine. Prefer more classic looks but the riding experience was the best I've ever had.
I've very limited experience of other bikes, maybe ridden about 10 different bikes in my life so open to suggestions in case there's other suggestions. I've covered 40k ish miles on bikes in the 5 years of riding so don't consider myself a novice on that front.
Other contenders:
Kawasaki z650rs
Honda Hornet (2023)
Honda CB650R
Triumph Trident
The Yamaha tracer 700 seems a sensible choice, largely the same as the newer tracer 7. £4k ish. Don't like the looks much though.
What else should I be looking at?
Thank you!!
Looking for some advice please. Sold up my last bike and missing it quite a lot. Call me a sadomasochist but I enjoy riding in the winter just as much as summer so would really like to buy another.
Started off on a Honda CB125F and then got an NC750X. Loved the CB, though obviously a cheap low powered bike. Liked the competence and utility of the NC but derived no enjoyment from it all all.
I've now moved to Cornwall so need to be far less concerned about theft than I was in London. My bike insurance is genuinely about 8% of the price I paid in London, it's now ridiculously cheap.
Looking for a mid weight bike, that's going to be comfortable for me at 6'2. I'm relatively slim so weight isn't a problem.
It's really hard to test bikes in Cornwall as there are so few dealers. Would really appreciate some recommendations so I can create a better shortlist. Would ideally like to spend about £4k, could push to £6k but equally happy spending far less if there was something suitable. Needs to be reliable, comfortable and have abs. I like the upright riding style much more, I've no interest in sports bikes.
I love the look of the triumph scrambler, but more power than I need and way over budget.
I've ridden a tracer 7 and loved it. A touch tight on leg room but otherwise very comfortable, very light, nice engine. Prefer more classic looks but the riding experience was the best I've ever had.
I've very limited experience of other bikes, maybe ridden about 10 different bikes in my life so open to suggestions in case there's other suggestions. I've covered 40k ish miles on bikes in the 5 years of riding so don't consider myself a novice on that front.
Other contenders:
Kawasaki z650rs
Honda Hornet (2023)
Honda CB650R
Triumph Trident
The Yamaha tracer 700 seems a sensible choice, largely the same as the newer tracer 7. £4k ish. Don't like the looks much though.
What else should I be looking at?
Thank you!!
I think your height could make all the middle weight options feel a bit cramped. Most have low seat heights for the female and first big bike market.
I found a gen 3 SV cramped at 5’10”.
You could get a Tracer 900 in your budget.
V Strom 1000 would be worth a look at the lower end of your budget.
I found a gen 3 SV cramped at 5’10”.
You could get a Tracer 900 in your budget.
V Strom 1000 would be worth a look at the lower end of your budget.
If you want to ride all year I think you need a faired bike. A naked this time of year is brutal even with decent heated gear.
Versys 650 if you want a bike to get around but can tour. I did 23,000 miles on mine over 3 years and loved it. Its a first big bike like the NC so not much more exciting to what you had. I'd say a tracer 7 is going to be in the same category. The 9 is more expensive and small.
I would go 1000cc + if you want something exciting. I went versys 650 to 1290 super adventure and its got excitement by the bucket load. Actually it's too much excitement for me and in rain mode until I grow a set haha.
Versys 650 if you want a bike to get around but can tour. I did 23,000 miles on mine over 3 years and loved it. Its a first big bike like the NC so not much more exciting to what you had. I'd say a tracer 7 is going to be in the same category. The 9 is more expensive and small.
I would go 1000cc + if you want something exciting. I went versys 650 to 1290 super adventure and its got excitement by the bucket load. Actually it's too much excitement for me and in rain mode until I grow a set haha.
I'd be interested to know what midweight bikes are tolerable for 6'2". I'm an inch taller and find all the midweights are all just too small.
I've got a Dorsoduro which has the right sort of posture not to feel cramped, but it's not great for winter riding as it's a naked upright.
Well within your budget, mind you, and it's got plenty of character.
I've got a Dorsoduro which has the right sort of posture not to feel cramped, but it's not great for winter riding as it's a naked upright.
Well within your budget, mind you, and it's got plenty of character.
I'm the same size as you – I think the size of the Trident would make you feel cramped on a longer day. I've just checked eBay and the new Tiger Sport 660 can be had for about £6.5k with barely any miles on. If you could stretch to it it'd fit your needs really well – it's actually a really fun bike, and with far more character than your Honda!
Edit: ah, looks like most are still going for 7.5k-8k, there's just one person who's clearly keen to shift theirs so it's up for £6.6k...
Edit: ah, looks like most are still going for 7.5k-8k, there's just one person who's clearly keen to shift theirs so it's up for £6.6k...
For someone of your height I would be looking at an adventure style bike with a seat height of 830mm and above.
I'm 5'8" and have quite long legs for my height and found an SV650 and Z650 ever so slightly cramped on recent test rides. I could manage fine for an hour or so but would need to stop and stretch my legs sooner rather than later.
The Tracer 700 is a good shout. Another option might be the Yamaha XSR700 as they also do a higher seat option and it has the traditional looks with a round headlight.
I'm 5'8" and have quite long legs for my height and found an SV650 and Z650 ever so slightly cramped on recent test rides. I could manage fine for an hour or so but would need to stop and stretch my legs sooner rather than later.
The Tracer 700 is a good shout. Another option might be the Yamaha XSR700 as they also do a higher seat option and it has the traditional looks with a round headlight.
KTMsm said:
ER6n or F or MT07 are great cheap middleweights but might be too small
Versys 650 is bigger but might be a bit dull, Tiger 800 ?
KTM 950 / 990 SM are fantastic but possibly heavier / more powerful than you're looking for
Ducati scrambler ?
I found the Ducati scrambler way too small. Versys 650 is bigger but might be a bit dull, Tiger 800 ?
KTM 950 / 990 SM are fantastic but possibly heavier / more powerful than you're looking for
Ducati scrambler ?
As a taller rider living somewhere with a lot of twisty bumpy backroads, it's well worth looking at adventure type bikes. A colleague's just bought a Tiger 900 which is lovely. For something with a bit less power maybe take a look ay the Tenere 700, V-Strom 650, F800/850GS or Versys 650.
The Z650/Ninja 650 have a lower seat height than its predecessors the ER6N/F. I had the F and found it cramped after about an hour or so , but I dont know what the foot peg position is like on the newer bikes, I'm 5ft 11" , I also think these bikes will be perfect for the Cornwall roads, low down torque, able to punch away quickly from a stand still and great handling, I recently sold mine after 6 years of ownership.
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, will take a look through them. Was initially trying to avoid going up a class of bike as don't really need the extra power and I certainly enjoyed the low weight of the Tracer 7.
Ducati Scrambler is way too low for me, don't find it comfortable although I do like the brand and like the styling.
I will try and do some commuting on it, but nakeds are still fine. Reason being is I own a building company and still on the tools. Have plenty of multi-week or even multi-month work which enables commuting to and from on a bike possible. Have a particular job coming up in March which is 1hr 15 away by car so would love the bike so I could shave a bit of time off. That being said if the weather is bad there's no necessity to commute by bike and traffic is never that bad in Cornwall (except perhaps Fridays during school holidays). Long weekend rides are out as well as I've got a newborn. Wife will pop out as pillion with me though when the in-laws watch the baby. Will be infrequent though so pillion comfort not a priority, certainly won't do anything more than 20 mins each way.
I've not ridden a V-strom 650 but have sat in one and found the seating position awkward. On paper it's a brilliant option though so I won't write it off.
Royal Enfield is out completely. Was really keen on the looks, reviews and heritage etc so took one on an extended test ride. Honestly I thought it was absolutely awful and I couldn't understand the favourable reviews. I was so keen on it as well before I went, power seemed good, price, looks etc all there. That's actually how the test ride of the Tracer 7 came about as the garage were keen to find me something I'd like. Hadn't even been on my radar but loved it.
Will look into all of the above and see if I can nab a winter bargain. Thanks everyone!
Ducati Scrambler is way too low for me, don't find it comfortable although I do like the brand and like the styling.
I will try and do some commuting on it, but nakeds are still fine. Reason being is I own a building company and still on the tools. Have plenty of multi-week or even multi-month work which enables commuting to and from on a bike possible. Have a particular job coming up in March which is 1hr 15 away by car so would love the bike so I could shave a bit of time off. That being said if the weather is bad there's no necessity to commute by bike and traffic is never that bad in Cornwall (except perhaps Fridays during school holidays). Long weekend rides are out as well as I've got a newborn. Wife will pop out as pillion with me though when the in-laws watch the baby. Will be infrequent though so pillion comfort not a priority, certainly won't do anything more than 20 mins each way.
I've not ridden a V-strom 650 but have sat in one and found the seating position awkward. On paper it's a brilliant option though so I won't write it off.
Royal Enfield is out completely. Was really keen on the looks, reviews and heritage etc so took one on an extended test ride. Honestly I thought it was absolutely awful and I couldn't understand the favourable reviews. I was so keen on it as well before I went, power seemed good, price, looks etc all there. That's actually how the test ride of the Tracer 7 came about as the garage were keen to find me something I'd like. Hadn't even been on my radar but loved it.
Will look into all of the above and see if I can nab a winter bargain. Thanks everyone!
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