Yet another ‘what bike’

[Drawweight]

I’ve got a Sprint SE which is the perfect seat size for the Mrs and I. Neither of us are svelte and the Sprint fits the bill size wise.

Unfortunately I hate it and really regret buying it. It’s far too heavy and most of the weight seems to be at the top (and that’s coming from someone who ran ZZR 1100’s for years)

Is there anything that would be better (I don’t really want the height of an adventure bike either) I had a seat on my mates Yamaha Tracer and it felt like a toy but that’s what I’d like a bike to feel. Unfortunately the need for a decent pillion seat disqualifies a lot of contenders.

Also it needs to be secondhand and a reasonable price. Probably under £10k if possible.

Am I looking for the impossible or would I need to compromise?

[hiccy18]

We bought the R1200RS after looking at the Sprint GT. It's comfy as hell, economical, a bit lighter than the Sprint and carries its weight low. We got an SE with BMW panniers and lots of toys for less than your budget.

[A500leroy]

fjr1300?

[trickywoo]

GSX1400

[scorcher]

1290 Superduke gt

[snagzie]

K1300S or (later) VFR1200

The K can be track-dayed and the weight is low-down. Pillion seat is superb

[Hungrymc]

I think all the above are good shouts.

I've just got a multistrada 1200 for a similar brief. The pillion loves the seat / comfort, although she's not fully at home on the bike yet, I think that's mainly due to big V-twin "thumpy" power delivery and me still getting used to riding it smoothly.

I'm really enjoying the bike, its very comfortable but is also bonkers fun.

[Drawweight]

My mate has a VFR1200F and seems to like it. However he thinks it top heavy as well. It’s practically the same weight on paper as my Sprint but it seemed lighter when I sat on it. Just shows how weight distribution makes a big difference.

I was tempted by the 1300s before I got the Sprint and I think I made the wrong choice. I think tales of high repair bills scared me off but then again if you look on the net it’s only the bad reports that stand out.

I’ll probably stick with the Sprint for the rest of this year and see how the money goes before I look next spring.

(Then I’ve just got to break it to the OH that I don’t like the bike that she bought me as a retirement present)

[Jag_NE]

H2 SX

[black-k1]

If it were my money I'd be looking at a K1300S (that'll be a big surprise to everyone), an H2 SX, a ZZR1400 or a Z1000SX but it depends how "sporty" and how much bhp it needs to be. A Hayabusa is another good option if you can put up with the looks. Between those, it would be the Mrs who decided which one she liked best.

If touring comfort is a little more important then a R1200RS or a FJR1300 are definitely worth a look. (Before opting for the K1300S anyway! )