Less Power = Better??
Discussion
I am having a internal debate and I need some opinions
I am after a commuter / tourer / shopping / wet weather / pillion bike. I've had an r1100rs for years and its getting a bit long in the tooth and needs replacing. I have about $9k to spend and I have an RC8 that I love for sunday morning blasts so I want something adventure style.
My budget gives me a choice of lower powered (relatively) adventure bikes GS1200s, Tiger 1200 Explorers, VRF1200x or some of the higher powered Multistrada, Super Adventure, Superduke GTs - I very much doubt I will do any offroading tbh - I have an enduro bike for the lanes and woods.
I have discounted the higher powered bikes as I don't need it, I have the RC8 for faster runs meaning I don't need a performance bike for those thrills. However clearly the throttle goes both ways and just that a bike has more power doesn't need to change how you use it!
The answer is probably buy a GS - id be on a 2014/2015 vintage with plenty of toys which is clearly a wonderful bike. However before I go test riding should I be considering the faster stuff?
I am after a commuter / tourer / shopping / wet weather / pillion bike. I've had an r1100rs for years and its getting a bit long in the tooth and needs replacing. I have about $9k to spend and I have an RC8 that I love for sunday morning blasts so I want something adventure style.
My budget gives me a choice of lower powered (relatively) adventure bikes GS1200s, Tiger 1200 Explorers, VRF1200x or some of the higher powered Multistrada, Super Adventure, Superduke GTs - I very much doubt I will do any offroading tbh - I have an enduro bike for the lanes and woods.
I have discounted the higher powered bikes as I don't need it, I have the RC8 for faster runs meaning I don't need a performance bike for those thrills. However clearly the throttle goes both ways and just that a bike has more power doesn't need to change how you use it!
The answer is probably buy a GS - id be on a 2014/2015 vintage with plenty of toys which is clearly a wonderful bike. However before I go test riding should I be considering the faster stuff?
It's horses for courses. A 2014/15 GS with 115/120 bhp has plenty of power for your needs. Having just ridden my 2018 GSA with 125 bhp from Andorra to Luxembourg over the past 2 days I had enough power for all the A and B road stuff combined with loads of comfort. I have a K1300S when I want something with more power but the K13 wouldn´t have got here any quicker.
I have just sold a Multistrada 1260 Enduro and bought an R1250GS. The main reason being that the Enduro was too tall and top heavy. Although the power was great, it was almost unusable (I'm not new to big bikes having proddy raced in the 1300 class in the early 80's) At 130+BHP the BMW has enough power for the road and is much more comfortable. Just my 2p's worth.... Just have to get used to the stigma that aparently comes with the GS :-)
GG33
You don't need the power for that kind of use and with the RC8 in the garage, but with the bigger capacities you often get better suspension and brakes.
If the smaller engined stuff you look at is still well specced, you'll spend less like-for-like than on a bigger capacity bike.
If the smaller engined stuff has also had some cost saving in the suspension and brakes to get it down to a price, get the bigger variant with better peripheral bits. You can never have too much brake and the extra quality and/or adjustability of better suspension is invaluable.
Unless of course the best bet is to replace the fork innards and rear damper anyway, in which case get what you like
If the smaller engined stuff you look at is still well specced, you'll spend less like-for-like than on a bigger capacity bike.
If the smaller engined stuff has also had some cost saving in the suspension and brakes to get it down to a price, get the bigger variant with better peripheral bits. You can never have too much brake and the extra quality and/or adjustability of better suspension is invaluable.
Unless of course the best bet is to replace the fork innards and rear damper anyway, in which case get what you like
FNG said:
You don't need the power for that kind of use and with the RC8 in the garage, but with the bigger capacities you often get better suspension and brakes.
If the smaller engined stuff you look at is still well specced, you'll spend less like-for-like than on a bigger capacity bike.
If the smaller engined stuff has also had some cost saving in the suspension and brakes to get it down to a price, get the bigger variant with better peripheral bits. You can never have too much brake and the extra quality and/or adjustability of better suspension is invaluable.
Unless of course the best bet is to replace the fork innards and rear damper anyway, in which case get what you like
Ill still get the big motor'd stuff. Just the lazier big motors I think. People seem to agree with my thinking. If the smaller engined stuff you look at is still well specced, you'll spend less like-for-like than on a bigger capacity bike.
If the smaller engined stuff has also had some cost saving in the suspension and brakes to get it down to a price, get the bigger variant with better peripheral bits. You can never have too much brake and the extra quality and/or adjustability of better suspension is invaluable.
Unless of course the best bet is to replace the fork innards and rear damper anyway, in which case get what you like
I went even further to that extreme.
Went from 150+bhp sports bikes and nakeds to having a Royal Enfield Classic 500 for my weekends and a Himalayan for my commutes both under 30bhp and I couldn't be happier.
Yes they struggle a bit on motorways etc but it's more of an excuse to take the scenic routes.
Went from 150+bhp sports bikes and nakeds to having a Royal Enfield Classic 500 for my weekends and a Himalayan for my commutes both under 30bhp and I couldn't be happier.
Yes they struggle a bit on motorways etc but it's more of an excuse to take the scenic routes.
More power is something you don't need but will miss on a few occasions when you'd like it. I'm sure we've all been in the occasional situation where, whatever the bike, we've found a need to get a little bit more of a move on, only to find that the throttle is already on the stop. Such events are more likely on a bike to be used for 2 up touring. Sure, we could be a gear or two lower, and sure, we could have better planned the maneuver/had slightly more realistic expectations but, at that specific point, more power is the easy answer.
For this reason I would prefer to go for the higher powered alternatives. Getting from A to B is likely to be no quicker and no easier but the extra power means that the journey will possibly be just a little less work and just a little more fun.
For this reason I would prefer to go for the higher powered alternatives. Getting from A to B is likely to be no quicker and no easier but the extra power means that the journey will possibly be just a little less work and just a little more fun.
marcella said:
I went even further to that extreme.
Went from 150+bhp sports bikes and nakeds to having a Royal Enfield Classic 500 for my weekends and a Himalayan for my commutes both under 30bhp and I couldn't be happier.
Yes they struggle a bit on motorways etc but it's more of an excuse to take the scenic routes.
How’s the build quality on the royal enfields? I was thinking about maybe getting a triumph scrambler next spring, but I keep looking at continental GT 650sWent from 150+bhp sports bikes and nakeds to having a Royal Enfield Classic 500 for my weekends and a Himalayan for my commutes both under 30bhp and I couldn't be happier.
Yes they struggle a bit on motorways etc but it's more of an excuse to take the scenic routes.
Tlandcruiser said:
marcella said:
I went even further to that extreme.
Went from 150+bhp sports bikes and nakeds to having a Royal Enfield Classic 500 for my weekends and a Himalayan for my commutes both under 30bhp and I couldn't be happier.
Yes they struggle a bit on motorways etc but it's more of an excuse to take the scenic routes.
How’s the build quality on the royal enfields? I was thinking about maybe getting a triumph scrambler next spring, but I keep looking at continental GT 650sWent from 150+bhp sports bikes and nakeds to having a Royal Enfield Classic 500 for my weekends and a Himalayan for my commutes both under 30bhp and I couldn't be happier.
Yes they struggle a bit on motorways etc but it's more of an excuse to take the scenic routes.
GG33 said:
I have just sold a Multistrada 1260 Enduro and bought an R1250GS. The main reason being that the Enduro was too tall and top heavy. Although the power was great, it was almost unusable (I'm not new to big bikes having proddy raced in the 1300 class in the early 80's) At 130+BHP the BMW has enough power for the road and is much more comfortable. Just my 2p's worth.... Just have to get used to the stigma that aparently comes with the GS :-)
GG33
Its funny how many ex racers road and mx I know that have usernames that are their old/favourite race numberGG33
I could be completely wrong but I'm guessing #33 was yours
I went from a Honda Blackbird which has so much power/torque you can basically stick it in third and ride it like a twist and go, down to a street triple 675.
I much prefer having to work for the power and little bit and being able to thrash it about without looking down and seeing triple digits before it's even really gotten going.
I much prefer having to work for the power and little bit and being able to thrash it about without looking down and seeing triple digits before it's even really gotten going.
kingb said:
I am having a internal debate and I need some opinions
I am after a commuter / tourer / shopping / wet weather / pillion bike.
What you're looking for (except maybe 2 up for the larger framed couples) is a Fazer 600.I am after a commuter / tourer / shopping / wet weather / pillion bike.
I've used mine in all weather for my daily commute with a mix of some country, some motorway, some city with lots of filtering..
It's an old scratched, beat up, ugly looking thing with a topbox.. but it's 100% perfect for that job.
I think I've put around 30k on it and with the exception of upgrading the rear caliper, essential mod, all I have done is service it.
They are great wee bikes and are more fun to ride than they have any right to be..
the cueball said:
What you're looking for (except maybe 2 up for the larger framed couples) is a Fazer 600.
I've used mine in all weather for my daily commute with a mix of some country, some motorway, some city with lots of filtering..
It's an old scratched, beat up, ugly looking thing with a topbox.. but it's 100% perfect for that job.
I think I've put around 30k on it and with the exception of upgrading the rear caliper, essential mod, all I have done is service it.
They are great wee bikes and are more fun to ride than they have any right to be..
You missed the bit where I said I have an r1100rs - its essentially fine for what I'm doing but I fancy something newer and nicer - with the greatest respect a fazer 600 isnt what im afterI've used mine in all weather for my daily commute with a mix of some country, some motorway, some city with lots of filtering..
It's an old scratched, beat up, ugly looking thing with a topbox.. but it's 100% perfect for that job.
I think I've put around 30k on it and with the exception of upgrading the rear caliper, essential mod, all I have done is service it.
They are great wee bikes and are more fun to ride than they have any right to be..
Tlandcruiser said:
How’s the build quality on the royal enfields? I was thinking about maybe getting a triumph scrambler next spring, but I keep looking at continental GT 650s
Can't comment on the 650s, had a couple of niggles with the 500 but nothing I can't sort myself which is the beauty of these bikes that they are so easy to work on. The other good thing with the Enfields is the price of parts, so cheap compared to anything I'm used to.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff