New bike vs upgrade dilemma!
Discussion
New account due to the recent login changes, I'm unable to log in with the old one or reset my password
How do you get over the dilemma of new vs upgrade?
I've had my Africa Twin 1000 for a while now (new 8 years ago), and I'm finding I like riding it a bit less than I used to. Some of this is likely due to some wear items which need replacing (e.g. head bearings), and the generally rubbish weather we're getting at the moment.
I use it for a range of activities, from green laning and rallying to touring with pillion and luggage. When touring, the suspension isn't great even with stiffer springs, it tends to get quite wallowy. I would also like cruise control as I don't mind getting through the boring bits on the motorway but I'd love to give my right hand/wrist a rest every now and again, although I can't spend more than one hour on that seat without having to get off anyway.
I'm also finding that my fitness and skill level isn't as good as I thought and I would probably enjoy myself more with a crf250 for the lanes and rallies.
All that makes me spend some time on eBay to look at what's out there, and there is quite a bit under £8/9k. Bikes like the Triumph 1200 Explorer, with all mod-cons for example, I can even get an early S1000XR for that. People rave about the 1200GS but I can't say I've been a fan of the looks until the 1250, and that's going to be over budget.
However, I could also spend a bit of cash on upgrading the suspension and the seat, and live with the other issues. I could probably go full Touratech or Ohlins with the cost to change to one of the bikes above, and who's to say those bikes won't be in need of a refresh anyway?
Back to my original question, how do you get to the "right" decision, so you don't waste a load of cash and still decide to go the other way?
This is probably more of a brain dump than looking for actual answers, but I've changed my mind so many times I felt I had to share.
How do you get over the dilemma of new vs upgrade?
I've had my Africa Twin 1000 for a while now (new 8 years ago), and I'm finding I like riding it a bit less than I used to. Some of this is likely due to some wear items which need replacing (e.g. head bearings), and the generally rubbish weather we're getting at the moment.
I use it for a range of activities, from green laning and rallying to touring with pillion and luggage. When touring, the suspension isn't great even with stiffer springs, it tends to get quite wallowy. I would also like cruise control as I don't mind getting through the boring bits on the motorway but I'd love to give my right hand/wrist a rest every now and again, although I can't spend more than one hour on that seat without having to get off anyway.
I'm also finding that my fitness and skill level isn't as good as I thought and I would probably enjoy myself more with a crf250 for the lanes and rallies.
All that makes me spend some time on eBay to look at what's out there, and there is quite a bit under £8/9k. Bikes like the Triumph 1200 Explorer, with all mod-cons for example, I can even get an early S1000XR for that. People rave about the 1200GS but I can't say I've been a fan of the looks until the 1250, and that's going to be over budget.
However, I could also spend a bit of cash on upgrading the suspension and the seat, and live with the other issues. I could probably go full Touratech or Ohlins with the cost to change to one of the bikes above, and who's to say those bikes won't be in need of a refresh anyway?
Back to my original question, how do you get to the "right" decision, so you don't waste a load of cash and still decide to go the other way?
This is probably more of a brain dump than looking for actual answers, but I've changed my mind so many times I felt I had to share.
I balance between what I want and what REALLY annoys me or knocks my confidence.
I had a VFR1200F
I wanted - Cruise Control (same reasons as you), an IMU (wasn't willing to spend money on a new to me bike without it) and more comfort/tank range. Some of those could ve amended and some couldn't. I still wanted at least 100hp to have some get up and go when I wanted it.
I knew I'd hate something that was unreliable or that I'd worry would turn out to be (I knew deep down certain bikes would literally keep me awake at night worrying). I didn't want anything that would give me back pain or cost me ludicrous amounts in servicing.
Hence why I got my V Strom 1050xt and also kept my old 500 for shorter trips/where damage wouldn't bother me etc. I do occasionally yearn after some ludicrous power but know I'm not a good enough rider to work it and dont want to deal with the headache of potential reliability issues. The VFR really blew me over with the build and quality but was lacking in the other areas.
I had a VFR1200F
I wanted - Cruise Control (same reasons as you), an IMU (wasn't willing to spend money on a new to me bike without it) and more comfort/tank range. Some of those could ve amended and some couldn't. I still wanted at least 100hp to have some get up and go when I wanted it.
I knew I'd hate something that was unreliable or that I'd worry would turn out to be (I knew deep down certain bikes would literally keep me awake at night worrying). I didn't want anything that would give me back pain or cost me ludicrous amounts in servicing.
Hence why I got my V Strom 1050xt and also kept my old 500 for shorter trips/where damage wouldn't bother me etc. I do occasionally yearn after some ludicrous power but know I'm not a good enough rider to work it and dont want to deal with the headache of potential reliability issues. The VFR really blew me over with the build and quality but was lacking in the other areas.
Alex9 said:
New account due to the recent login changes, I'm unable to log in with the old one or reset my password
How do you get over the dilemma of new vs upgrade?
I've had my Africa Twin 1000 for a while now (new 8 years ago), and I'm finding I like riding it a bit less than I used to. Some of this is likely due to some wear items which need replacing (e.g. head bearings), and the generally rubbish weather we're getting at the moment.
I use it for a range of activities, from green laning and rallying to touring with pillion and luggage. When touring, the suspension isn't great even with stiffer springs, it tends to get quite wallowy. I would also like cruise control as I don't mind getting through the boring bits on the motorway but I'd love to give my right hand/wrist a rest every now and again, although I can't spend more than one hour on that seat without having to get off anyway.
I'm also finding that my fitness and skill level isn't as good as I thought and I would probably enjoy myself more with a crf250 for the lanes and rallies.
All that makes me spend some time on eBay to look at what's out there, and there is quite a bit under £8/9k. Bikes like the Triumph 1200 Explorer, with all mod-cons for example, I can even get an early S1000XR for that. People rave about the 1200GS but I can't say I've been a fan of the looks until the 1250, and that's going to be over budget.
However, I could also spend a bit of cash on upgrading the suspension and the seat, and live with the other issues. I could probably go full Touratech or Ohlins with the cost to change to one of the bikes above, and who's to say those bikes won't be in need of a refresh anyway?
Back to my original question, how do you get to the "right" decision, so you don't waste a load of cash and still decide to go the other way?
This is probably more of a brain dump than looking for actual answers, but I've changed my mind so many times I felt I had to share.
An 8k GS, Tiger or S1000XR will absolutely need some suspension work by now. How do you get over the dilemma of new vs upgrade?
I've had my Africa Twin 1000 for a while now (new 8 years ago), and I'm finding I like riding it a bit less than I used to. Some of this is likely due to some wear items which need replacing (e.g. head bearings), and the generally rubbish weather we're getting at the moment.
I use it for a range of activities, from green laning and rallying to touring with pillion and luggage. When touring, the suspension isn't great even with stiffer springs, it tends to get quite wallowy. I would also like cruise control as I don't mind getting through the boring bits on the motorway but I'd love to give my right hand/wrist a rest every now and again, although I can't spend more than one hour on that seat without having to get off anyway.
I'm also finding that my fitness and skill level isn't as good as I thought and I would probably enjoy myself more with a crf250 for the lanes and rallies.
All that makes me spend some time on eBay to look at what's out there, and there is quite a bit under £8/9k. Bikes like the Triumph 1200 Explorer, with all mod-cons for example, I can even get an early S1000XR for that. People rave about the 1200GS but I can't say I've been a fan of the looks until the 1250, and that's going to be over budget.
However, I could also spend a bit of cash on upgrading the suspension and the seat, and live with the other issues. I could probably go full Touratech or Ohlins with the cost to change to one of the bikes above, and who's to say those bikes won't be in need of a refresh anyway?
Back to my original question, how do you get to the "right" decision, so you don't waste a load of cash and still decide to go the other way?
This is probably more of a brain dump than looking for actual answers, but I've changed my mind so many times I felt I had to share.
In your position I would do a full strip down and clean/refresh of your Africa Twin. Sort the bearings, grease all the linkages, calliper refresh, new pads/lines (if they’re rubber), wheels off etc and fit an Ohlins/Nitron/K Tech etc rear shock and fresh oil and springs in the front. You’d have a bike that felt like new for £1500 or so. A lot of money, but much cheaper than buying one of those other bikes and then having to do exactly the same.
TT1138 said:
An 8k GS, Tiger or S1000XR will absolutely need some suspension work by now.
In your position I would do a full strip down and clean/refresh of your Africa Twin. Sort the bearings, grease all the linkages, calliper refresh, new pads/lines (if they re rubber), wheels off etc and fit an Ohlins/Nitron/K Tech etc rear shock and fresh oil and springs in the front. You d have a bike that felt like new for £1500 or so. A lot of money, but much cheaper than buying one of those other bikes and then having to do exactly the same.
My thinking was that those bikes would have been designed with pillions in mind, much more so than my Africa Twin which seems to be sprung for a 60kg rider as standard. So even with tired suspension, they might cope better?In your position I would do a full strip down and clean/refresh of your Africa Twin. Sort the bearings, grease all the linkages, calliper refresh, new pads/lines (if they re rubber), wheels off etc and fit an Ohlins/Nitron/K Tech etc rear shock and fresh oil and springs in the front. You d have a bike that felt like new for £1500 or so. A lot of money, but much cheaper than buying one of those other bikes and then having to do exactly the same.
I've done quite a bit on the Twin already to be fair (most of what you mention), I'd just put off the head bearings because they are a pig to do and I like to do things myself (it's booked in to get that sorted in a garage though).
Alex9 said:
TT1138 said:
An 8k GS, Tiger or S1000XR will absolutely need some suspension work by now.
In your position I would do a full strip down and clean/refresh of your Africa Twin. Sort the bearings, grease all the linkages, calliper refresh, new pads/lines (if they re rubber), wheels off etc and fit an Ohlins/Nitron/K Tech etc rear shock and fresh oil and springs in the front. You d have a bike that felt like new for £1500 or so. A lot of money, but much cheaper than buying one of those other bikes and then having to do exactly the same.
My thinking was that those bikes would have been designed with pillions in mind, much more so than my Africa Twin which seems to be sprung for a 60kg rider as standard. So even with tired suspension, they might cope better?In your position I would do a full strip down and clean/refresh of your Africa Twin. Sort the bearings, grease all the linkages, calliper refresh, new pads/lines (if they re rubber), wheels off etc and fit an Ohlins/Nitron/K Tech etc rear shock and fresh oil and springs in the front. You d have a bike that felt like new for £1500 or so. A lot of money, but much cheaper than buying one of those other bikes and then having to do exactly the same.
I've done quite a bit on the Twin already to be fair (most of what you mention), I'd just put off the head bearings because they are a pig to do and I like to do things myself (it's booked in to get that sorted in a garage though).
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