10K - What bike next?

[ujio]

Probably like a lot on here, I’m spending too much time on Autotrader and Marketplace/Ebay now it’s rainy and st out there and I’m going in perpetual circles on what to get next (I think I have motorcycle ADHD).

I’m acutely aware as I approach my mid-40s I want to get the most enjoyment out of the few times I go out to ride. Background is that I've had sportsbikes in my 20s/30s and after a break I got an MT07. I have to say it’s quite a fun bike for 90% of my riding (B-road quiet weekend mornings), but now I’m looking for something which is more of an ‘event’ to ride.

I will probably only do 2k miles/pa, 1-2 TD a year with maybe one or two longer tours. Fairly standard stuff, but mostly sunny weekend jaunts. However, I want my next bike to be EMOTIVE, ideally something that will excite me to open the garage door to look at before I ride it. More importantly I want the ride to be absolutely giggle inducing and when I stop for that coffee I want to sit and admire it (being fickle would also want others to double take like with a stunning woman).

I have a short-list which keeps getting longer. The exotica is there but it would be good to hear if anyone here has any ownership experience or other suggestions. Bearing in mind I’m looking for something second-hand:

Ducati

• X-Diavel – Rode the first Gen Diavel and had a hoot. I’m drawn to these.
• 1299 Panigale – Always wanted the last of the twins, but now getting on a bit (2015/16). Also not sure if I can take harsh sportbikes anymore on these crap roads.
• 1200S Monster – As above but with more road character
• 950 Hypermotard – I’ve heard these raise an absolute smile to ride!

Aprilia

• Tuono V4 – Everyone on here seems to rave about them. Not sure which model would fit best.

KTM

• 1290 Superduke – This is a very very strong contender, biggest issue will be my local dealer (P&H) seems to have gone kaput.
• 890 R – Cam shaft issues and not sure if it’s worth getting the ‘lite’ version of the above. But heard these handle like nothing else (with money to spare for a load of trackdays).

BMW

• S1000RR – The boring safe choice. Supremely capable and mind melting fast, but maybe bland? Again, not sure on sports bikes ergos these days.

Yamaha

• MT09/10 – This would be the sensible choice. I’ve ridden both and loved their engine characteristics. They would be Japanese reliable, but sorry to sound a bit crass, would be like dating a fat chick who is a demon in the sack.

Triumph

• Rocket 3R/GT – I swear I need to tick this off my list after watching all the review. Looks the absolute bomb too. Will have to drop a few more K and not sure if all that heft will make it tiresome to find an excuse to take out and ride.

Does anyone have any views in actual ownership of the above or any suggestions?
Maybe I’m looking into this too much and the ones that are absolutely intoxicating to ride/own will get the most tiring to own in the medium term and I need to look more at where my riding enjoyment comes from rather than the steed I'm on!

[trickywoo]

Tuono 1100 from 2021 or newer if in budget. Should be some good deals with new ones at £14k and the base spec new at £12k.

It’s the most Superbike naked which might suit given you are thinking about sports bikes as well.

You also have a good independent in crowhurst. Could also go to dealers in Brighton or Croydon.

[Triaguar]

I have an S1000rr and love it. It's a lot of things but bland and safe it most certainly isn't. Extremely fast and capable in all conditions it certainly is!

Don't be put off by presuming the ergonomics of a sports bike is not for you anymore due to age, I'm nearly 70 and I sit on mine for hours on end....whatever choice you make enjoy

[nute]

MV Agusta? Dragster or Brutale.

Perhaps not to everyone's taste but I think they look great.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20240131...

[black-k1]

Kawasaki H2 SX. A bit of time shopping and £10k will get you a 2020 with all the extras. I recently sold my 2018 (on a 19 plate) for £8k



If you've not ridden one then do try one.

[Time4another]

Tuono would be my choice.

[Altitude]

Had a 950 hypermotard. Honestly the single most fun bike I have ever ridden,

However, you are 100% not doing a tour on it. Even with the comfort seat and padded shorts, I was ready for a stop after an hour.

4 hours black from Blackpool in the rain and I would have happily never seen it again.

Fantastic bike, nothing else like it in the right roads, but it's not your only bike.

Take a look at KTM Superduke GT's

[SAS Tom]

1290 superduke for me. My uncle has one and all I did was laugh when I rode it. It’s stupidly fast and wants to wheelie everywhere. I’ve not ridden anything else that’s as fun.

[KTMsm]

I suggest you'd be better off getting two bikes

Something suitable for track days and long tours is incompatible to me

I too have a wandering eye, but a diavel x and a sports bike cannot logically be on the same list with the same criteria

Hence why you need (at least) two bikes

I'd suggest for two track days a year, just get a cheap sports bike than you won't mind if you drop it and it still leaves you with an 8K budget for a road bike

[robinh73]

I cannot recommend the KTM Superduke enough. Such a brilliant bike and will do everything. Very civilised when you want, a loon when you want and will happily cover distance with ease. I think the fact it has been built from the ground up as a super naked makes it more rider friendly personally. I am probably alone here but I tried a friend's Tuono and whilst the engine was a gem, I struggled a bit with the riding position. This however is my short experience and there are plenty of Tuonos about so they are definitely doing something right!

[Michael_B]

ujio said:

I’m acutely aware as I approach my mid-40s I want to get the most enjoyment out of the few times I go out to ride....but now I’m looking for something which is more of an ‘event’ to ride...

I want my next bike to be EMOTIVE, ideally something that will excite me to open the garage door to look at before I ride it. More importantly I want the ride to be absolutely giggle inducing and when I stop for that coffee I want to sit and admire it (being fickle would also want others to double take like with a stunning woman).

When I was in my mid-40s, I ticked most of the boxes above and bought a Ducati 748R, definitely an 'event' to ride, easy to admire whilst stopped for coffee, etc. Admittedly I also had a KTM 950 Adventure for touring stuff, so it really was a Sunday plaything. That was in 2012 and the bike was a 2001 model. So going by the same logic (the equivalent 11 year old Ducati sportsbike for today's discerning buyer) you should immediately purchase the following:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20240625...

PS. After twelve years of enjoyment (mostly around the Alps and the Route Napoléon to the south of France and back), the 748R riding position has become too much for my ageing shoulders, neck and back. So yesterday I took it to Ducati Geneva who now have it on SOR. I can't be arsed to deal with tyre-kickers and time-wasters visiting my private address, so I am happy to give them a cut for publicising it and processing any enquiries. I am in discussions with a Lausanne dealer over an ex-demo Moto Guzzi V7 Special (in Blu Formale) which will probably take over the Italian V-twin[1] weekend toy role, in a more relaxed fashion

[1] Even if they've put the engine in the frame the wrong way round

[TurboHatchback]

It's clear from your post that practicality is irrelevant so the correct answer is whichever bike tickles your todger the best. Spec sheets tell you nothing about the experience, looks are totally subjective as is sound, and the only opinion that matters is your own. Go look at them, sit on them, listen to them and the answer will become clear.

Personally from your list the only bikes that would make me stop and admire are the Rocket 3 and the Diavel, the others are all great bikes but very much function over form.

For 10k where the criteria is looks, sound and experience, I would be looking at the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello, Triumph Speed Twin 1200 and Kawasaki Z900RS SE.

[timbobalob]

ujio said:

I will probably only do 2k miles/pa, 1-2 TD a year with maybe one or two longer tours. Fairly standard stuff, but mostly sunny weekend jaunts. However, I want my next bike to be EMOTIVE, ideally something that will excite me to open the garage door to look at before I ride it. More importantly I want the ride to be absolutely giggle inducing and when I stop for that coffee I want to sit and admire it (being fickle would also want others to double take like with a stunning woman).

Triumph

• Rocket 3R/GT – I swear I need to tick this off my list after watching all the review. Looks the absolute bomb too. Will have to drop a few more K and not sure if all that heft will make it tiresome to find an excuse to take out and ride.

Does anyone have any views in actual ownership of the above or any suggestions?
Maybe I’m looking into this too much and the ones that are absolutely intoxicating to ride/own will get the most tiring to own in the medium term and I need to look more at where my riding enjoyment comes from rather than the steed I'm on!

I'm in a very similar position to you, and had the same wants from a bike. I originally had my heart set on a Triumph Bobber, but accidently came across the Rocket. It was pretty much double what I originally wanted to spend, but having collected it in August I absolutely love it. It does exactly what I was looking for; looks, performance, and generally being an event! It's a bit of a beast to move around the garage, but once moving you don't notice the weight at all.

A couple of weeks ago it went in for it's service and I had a Tiger 650 (?) as a loaner - I did a couple of hours on it and whilst it was light, chuckable, plenty of real world performance, once I got back on the Rocket to ride home I remembered why I like it so much. Any gear, any speed, you just twist the throttle and it just goes. Pinning it in third gear at 3k revs is quite alarming!! (not even in sports mode ) I take it to work when I can (45 miles each way, mixture of dual carriageway, town and country roads) and the torque means you can just pootle along ever so easily.

If you're ever Oxford way let me know and you're welcome to come and chat/go on it

Gratuitous pictures (I am a rubbish photographer!)

[KTMsm]

timbobalob said:

I'm in a very similar position to you, and had the same wants from a bike. I originally had my heart set on a Triumph Bobber, but accidently came across the Rocket. It was pretty much double what I originally wanted to spend, but having collected it in August I absolutely love it. It does exactly what I was looking for; looks, performance, and generally being an event! It's a bit of a beast to move around the garage, but once moving you don't notice the weight at all.

They look great to me too

I test rode one at the bike show, felt fantastic even just sitting on it

Unfortunately the riding position didn't suit my back, the Diavel X is the same but the Diavel has different position

Ultimately none suit how I actually ride which is why a decent test ride is so important

[carinaman]

timbobalob said:

Gratuitous pictures (I am a rubbish photographer!)

The photos are fine.

[Steve_H80]

Something old, then every ride will be an event. Even more so if you make it home again under your own steam

[moanthebairns]

Having just got a Tuono I'd normally rave on about how good I've found it so far. But you have listed such an array of bikes that you really need to go and sit on them, and try them and decide that way.

[timbobalob]

KTMsm said:

Ultimately none suit how I actually ride which is why a decent test ride is so important

Completely agree - I found my friend's Indian was comfortable enough for 15 minutes, but after 45 my back was not happy at all! For me it's the foot pegs - anything too far forwards doesn't seem to suit me

[MDUBZ]

Anything that is slightly different from your current riding position can cause issues as even if you're using the same muscles you are using them through a slightly different range you'll need to go through some adaptation. Pain obviously needs to be avoided bit a few aches should fade with a bit of use.. that said for the OP 2k miles pa probably won't promote adaptation so you will want it to be comfortable from the off.

[carinaman]

I think those are an eyeful. I cannot comment on the ride or reliability or spares availability now the KTM mobility group are dealing with them.



I love that shade of blue.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226390346464?_skw=MV+Ag...


Why aren't Honda doing the CB1000 Hornet SP in HRC colours?

Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 23 October 12:55