Bike quandary

[Esceptico]

I love my Tuono. Probably best bike I’ve owned, all things considered. But. In the last few months I’ve managed to pick up a couple of speeding tickets and NZ equivalent to points.

I am being a lot more careful. And yes I know the throttle goes both ways. Still it is so easy to go from slap on the wrist to ban/prison with the Tuono. For example just keeping the throttle open a bit too long when overtaking.

Main reason for coming to NZ was to get residency/citizenship. Don’t want to screw that up with a speeding conviction.

What I really enjoy on the bike is cornering. Well that and the power! The latter is not as important to me though as the handling.

I am trying to think of alternatives to the Tuono (other than just stop riding) that will still be fun to ride through the bends but slow enough in a straight line that I won’t be tempted/able to hit big speeds.

For various reasons I’m not interested in track days or off road.

Suggestions?

[Steve Bass]

We're not back to the RS250 are we??

[trickywoo]

I bought a sv650 for similar reasons but it’s still too fast for the road if you don’t have any self control. What it does give you is a bit more time at full throttle and high revs before you are too fast.

With that qualifier I genuinely think a 125 is all you can get to ride hard but still stay inside speed limits.

I know you’ve said handling is important and I fell a bit dirty saying this but does anything like an Indian scout appeal? I’ve not ridden one but I kind of like the idea for steady rides out.

[srob]

If you were asking a couple of months ago you could've bought my Bimota BB1!

Incredible handling, fun thing. Cheap to run, not particularly quick in a straight line and exotic enough to stop people in the street when you ride past.

Felt like a four stroke RS250 without the stress of wondering if it was going to go pop

[neelyp]

RSV660 sounds like the bike for you

[Jazoli]

neelyp said:

RSV660 sounds like the bike for you

Thing is they are still 100bhp which is quite a bit in reality

I've found a completely naked bike with zero wind protection is the best way to keep the speed down, you can still have blasts of acceleration but it gets tiring at higher speeds and the windblast is an instant reminder to how fast you are going, something light and flickable and with an engine with a bit of character is what I'd go for, I reckon an MT07 would be perfect after you'd spent a few $ on sorting the suspension.

[Steve Bass]

So you have 3 options really..

1. Stop speeding on the Tuono and enjoy it for what it is
2. Buy a cheaper, smaller and less powerful bike and hate it for the lack of power, compromising ergonomics and low rent equipment.
3. Buy a bike that doesn't "encourage" speeding etc. Something like a GS, RS, Adv type bike and enjoy the ride for what it is, not what the bike is capable of.

Problem is, no one makes a low powered, high quality, small capacity machine, just no buyers out there. Even a 125 can break the speed limit so ultimately it's down to you....

[Krikkit]

Jazoli said:

I've found a completely naked bike with zero wind protection is the best way to keep the speed down, you can still have blasts of acceleration but it gets tiring at higher speeds and the windblast is an instant reminder to how fast you are going, something light and flickable and with an engine with a bit of character is what I'd go for, I reckon an MT07 would be perfect after you'd spent a few $ on sorting the suspension.

Yeah I'd say that sounds like the best approach... Easy to wind off when the wind's whipping at you.

Other choices would maybe be a Monster x96/797, KTM 690 Duke/Husky 701, new Triumph Trident, all quite light and flickable, sub-100hp.

Of course, as Steve says they're all easy to be over the limit on, but nowhere near as easy as a quick blat through a couple of gears on the Tuono and doing 3-digit speeds.

[Iamnotkloot]

Steve Bass said:

So you have 3 options really..

1. Stop speeding on the Tuono and enjoy it for what it is
2. Buy a cheaper, smaller and less powerful bike and hate it for the lack of power, compromising ergonomics and low rent equipment.
3. Buy a bike that doesn't "encourage" speeding etc. Something like a GS, RS, Adv type bike and enjoy the ride for what it is, not what the bike is capable of.

Problem is, no one makes a low powered, high quality, small capacity machine, just no buyers out there. Even a 125 can break the speed limit so ultimately it's down to you....

My z125 was doing 47 in a NSL uphill in Saddleworth the other day; I dreamt of breaking the speed limit!

" low powered, high quality, small capacity machine" - what about a CCM Spitfire? That might do the job (only 55 BHP)

[klootzak]

Maybe take a look at the Duke 890, which is supposed to handle better than practically anything else on the road and should be fast enough without being mental.

Only issue will be the dealer you'll have to use

k

[Hungrymc]

Jazoli said:

Thing is they are still 100bhp which is quite a bit in reality

I've found a completely naked bike with zero wind protection is the best way to keep the speed down, you can still have blasts of acceleration but it gets tiring at higher speeds and the windblast is an instant reminder to how fast you are going, something light and flickable and with an engine with a bit of character is what I'd go for, I reckon an MT07 would be perfect after you'd spent a few $ on sorting the suspension.

I had the same worries as the OP with an S1000RR. It felt like a matter of time before something bad happened. I bought an older cb1000r. No electronics etc and no fairing. It really has knocked 50mph of the speeds I see on the road. I’ve also enjoyed being out on it and just rolling around the lanes which isn’t something I did on my sports bikes (you can, but it didn’t work for me).

There is a but.... I keep having the urge for something mental in the garage as well but I’m resisting it. I’m not sure that want will ever go away.

[Junior Bianno]

Steve Bass said:

3. Buy a bike that doesn't "encourage" speeding etc. Something like a GS, RS, Adv type bike and enjoy the ride for what it is, not what the bike is capable of.

This doesn't work. I'm going faster on my Multistrada than I ever did on a Naked. The wind protection is the problem - you can be hitting 3 figures and it doesn't even feel like you're breaking the speed limit. Thinking of getting another naked to slow myself down!

Self-control is really the only way I fear

[T5Pilot]

Really?

OP, you need to get a grip.

You can break speed limits on pretty much anything, so a change is a complete waste of time.
Keep the bike you love, continue to enjoy it, but just watch the speedo. It really isn't more difficult than that.

[lazybike]

I would suggest a 3/400 scooter but they're so much fun to hoon about on that it defeats the purpose, I had a Z300, that was sensible fun.

[conkerman]

CBR250 or a 250 Hornet.

Light, flickable and you need to thrash them to get speeds up 20k rpm on the CBR from memory.

It'll be an appreciating asset too I reckon.

[crusty]

Put a moody plate on it - problem solved

[Iminquarantine]

I'd say you must avoid anything which will place a barrier into getting NZ citizenship. You must avoid any court appearance and since you have had non-court speeding tickets, you now must avoid any more. Otherwise it could be considered a habit of lower level offending, which could still see you being denied citizenship. Everything else is secondary to this, including your bike.

I'd sell the Tuono and buy something with an upright riding position. Anything sporty will make you want to go faster, even if it is only a 250. Buy something under 500cc which doesn't rev out, for example a Honda CB500X.

[jjones]

Hungrymc said:

I’ve also enjoyed being out on it and just rolling around the lanes which isn’t something I did on my sports bikes (you can, but it didn’t work for me).

There is a but.... I keep having the urge for something mental in the garage as well but I’m resisting it. I’m not sure that want will ever go away.

Exactly this. Changing the road types I used, got an africa twin and now enjoy pootling around the lanes finding new places rather than spanking a sports bike on the same old roads. I still have the gsxr1000r, it just never gets used.

[gareth h]

Start riding off-road, same buzz at a fraction of the speed, I’m sure there must be loads of places to ride in NZ, and you’ve always got the option of SM Wheels

[Stuart Fordyce]

Steve Bass said:

So you have 3 options really..

1. Stop speeding on the Tuono and enjoy it for what it is
2. Buy a cheaper, smaller and less powerful bike and hate it for the lack of power, compromising ergonomics and low rent equipment.
3. Buy a bike that doesn't "encourage" speeding etc. Something like a GS, RS, Adv type bike and enjoy the ride for what it is, not what the bike is capable of.

Problem is, no one makes a low powered, high quality, small capacity machine, just no buyers out there. Even a 125 can break the speed limit so ultimately it's down to you....

Your last paragraph is kind of it: low capacity bikes are seen as for learners and often are physically small, with poor brakes and suspension.

There are exceptions: I've owned two BMW F650GS singles, which are a nice sounding bike with a naughty can. They are flat out at 108mph and feel strained above 70. Suit a six footer like me too. However, BMW claimed 48bhp - must have been using Shetland ponies in Berlin. Fine on twisty roads where power is less of a concern

Honda's CB500R is another one I'd consider (possibly even for myself to replace my Fazer).