New Bike - Can't decide.

Yaayuh! · 24 May 2017 at 12:35

Hi all! As some of you may know, I'm looking to get a new bike hopefully later in the year.

Budget: Lower than I'd hoped, up to £6K tops, could be persuaded to push another £500 if it's REALLY worth it.

I will be using the bike for:

60% Commuting
15% Touring
25% Fun

What I decided to narrow it down after further thoughts, reviewing and/or testing.

- No Full fairing - Cost, gets in the way when cleaning, just not really fussed about them
- Not Adventure style - I much prefer the naked/aggressive feel and style. Don't want a big thing to try and chuck about on a commute or Sunday spin.
- IL4 are a bit boring - Would love to make a change but open to suggestions. I have got a couple on my list still.
- Bigger engine - By this i mean 800cc+ Ideally. I want a bigger bike with more torque.
- No Cheese bolts, thin paint and rusting at the sight of water
- 2013 onwards and less than 10K miles ideally

What I have come up with:
Honda CB1000R - An old bike now, pretty basic but always loved the look of them. Simplicity done well.
Yamaha MT-09 - Kinda ticks all boxes - Will test ride soon
BMW F800R - Lacks power - Will test ride soon
Triumph Speed Triple - It's kinda too expensive - Lovely to ride
~~BMW R1200R - Expensive - Love a BMW boxer~~

Wildcards:
KTM 990SMT - Old
Aprilia Dorso - Aprilia for winter commuting? But 1200 V-Twin madness
Yamaha XSR900 - Cool
~~Yamaha XJR1300 - Heavy but cool~~

I have more, I just shut down Autotrader which had some other examples and i forgot to note them down.

All opinions and advice welcome.

Yaayuh! · 24 May 2017 at 14:03

arfoll said:
I didn't like the F800R much when I tried it, like the looks but engine lacks real character. I'd probably go R1200R with your reqs, can get decent paniers on them too and should hold value quite well.

That's my worry, but the latest one with decent full exhaust helps that.

Maybe a CB1300 would suit you IL4 but a nice engine?

The CBR1000R is a faired bike no?

I meant CB1000R

Have you considered a VFR800F?

Looks hideous IMO, i couldn't live with it despite it being a good bike.

New ones could just slip into that budget or a late model older shape. V4 engine is a peach.

Yaayuh! · 24 May 2017 at 14:39

arfoll said:
Worth trying one out but I can't imagine you'll even consider one after riding an R1200R!

I'd have to really fight down to £6500 for a 2013 (previous model) R1200R and likely to not have many toys, it's basically over/on the limit for me. It's. Whereas the F800R i could get a 2015 with toys and low miles.
Two very different machines but can do the same things.

Test ride will tell me what i need to know I'm sure. I'm expecting a disappointment though.

Snaggle · 24 May 2017 at 17:02

Mk2 Tuono . Np with winters.. there built better than jap bikes . 4kish will get you a minter

whyscotty · 24 May 2017 at 17:37

Rossi~ said:
Honda CB1000R - An old bike now, pretty basic but always loved the look of them. Simplicity done well.

Gets my vote but I'm biased.

Yaayuh! · 24 May 2017 at 18:56

Snaggle said:
Mk2 Tuono . Np with winters.. there built better than jap bikes . 4kish will get you a minter

It'll be old and have too many miles. i'll be putting upto 8k miles a year on in.

TallPaul_S · 24 May 2017 at 18:58

Don't get an f800, the engine isn't exactly 'inspiring'...

And a gen2 tuono for a year round commute? Yeah, IF there's not too much slow speed/filtering but they're awkward in traffic, they feel like a caged lion riding at slow speeds. Don't expect over 35mpg when commuting though unless you're sitting at 70mph on the motorway.

Edit: you might be able to get Ducati monster 821 for £6500, there's a few around just over £7k so a bit of haggling...

Griffo · 24 May 2017 at 19:50

I'll 3rd/4th/infinity'th the don't get an F800 line.

I had an F800ST for 3 or so years. Engine is agricultural, doesn't reward revs (I'm on a K1300 now so I guess I've been spoiled). I expect the engine paint still falls off, but at least they (i hope!) fixed the piston slap issues by now! Also it's been in production since 2007 or so.

R1200R I've had as a courtesy bike I think. I've yet to fall in love with the boxer, but in any event your rear drive will probably corrode where it meets the hub carrier thingy. Many of them do if you actually use them. Manufacturer warranty will replace, the extended insured thing... noooope.

Yaayuh! · 24 May 2017 at 20:50

whyscotty said:
Gets my vote but I'm biased.

Have you got the Mivv double exhaust on yours?

whyscotty · 25 May 2017 at 07:15

Rossi~ said:
Have you got the Mivv double exhaust on yours?

Indeed I have

Yaayuh! · 25 May 2017 at 08:15

whyscotty said:
Indeed I have

Wait....and a de-cat? **** me that must be loud?! How does it run? Surely you must need a re-map and/or PC?

whyscotty · 25 May 2017 at 10:45

Not too loud, it's had a Woolwich remap.

Runs sweet after dyno and remapping.

Yaayuh! · 25 May 2017 at 10:56

Last night I struck some bikes off the list and bumped the CB1000R up. It's not the best bike and MT-09 is probably more sensible. But after finding pannier set (GIVI EasyLock Bags), mods and general browsing CB1000Rs, I bumped it up.

whyscotty said:
Not too loud, it's had a Woolwich remap.

Runs sweet after dyno and remapping.

Cool, did you do the airbox mod too? (Jamming the flap open).

whyscotty · 25 May 2017 at 13:03

No mod to the air box but K+N fitted when remap/dyno done.

The original seat is crap so I replaced mine with a Bagster.

TallPaul_S · 25 May 2017 at 13:06

Is the 2013 or newer requirement a must? As that cuts out a lot of bikes given that you want something 800cc+?

CB1300 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CB1...742764?hash=item2a8341a0ec:g:dMIAAOSwnONZDijS

K1300R - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-K1300...867254?hash=item28350effb6:g:VuMAAOSwdGFYwtoG

KTM 990 Superduke R (over budget but shows they're out there) - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KTM-990-Superduke-R-/302310641488?hash=item46631e4f50:g:uVgAAOSw0hlZEYrj

Ducati Streetfighter 848 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-Duca...807032?hash=item3f7a00b7b8:g:xW8AAOSw~CFY75CT

Just some ideas for you

Yaayuh! · 25 May 2017 at 13:38

TallPaul_S said:
Is the 2013 or newer requirement a must? As that cuts out a lot of bikes given that you want something 800cc+?

CB1300 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CB1...742764?hash=item2a8341a0ec:g:dMIAAOSwnONZDijS

K1300R - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-K1300...867254?hash=item28350effb6:g:VuMAAOSwdGFYwtoG

KTM 990 Superduke R (over budget but shows they're out there) - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KTM-990-Superduke-R-/302310641488?hash=item46631e4f50:g:uVgAAOSw0hlZEYrj

Ducati Streetfighter 848 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-Duca...807032?hash=item3f7a00b7b8:g:xW8AAOSw~CFY75CT

Just some ideas for you

The 2013 is basically a cut-off i thought up because of my mileage and use. I don't want to commute and tour on say a 2011 bike that has only 6000 miles on because of potential issues being sat doing nothing for so long. Things can perish, wear and dry up over time. Obviously i would break this for the right examples.

Like the XJR 1300, the CB1300 is out as i've just struck off muscle bikes. As cool as they are for a Sunday cruise, throwing these brutes about in traffic everyday is a no for me.
The K1300R i thought of previous, but quite high on the budget I'd have to go for a 6+ year old one. One that has done an average of just 1000 miles a year, I'd be a bit wary of, though that one looks clean as a whistle, it's probably the best example.
KTM990 SuperDuke R - Overbudget
Ducati - Nope

Scort · 25 May 2017 at 15:12

Engage bias mode...

Mine

Ducati Hyperstrada 821 - ticks all your boxes imo (unless I scan read!).

The good:

L-Twin goodness
Nice upright position
Decent screen (not pictured) + panniers = handy for a spot of touring
Few bolts to change the screen and it's almost changed into a Hypermotard...
... almost as nutty as a Hypermotard!
Centre stand - damn handy imo
Riding modes - fun to faff with, but not essential
ABS and TC
Long service intervals iirc - 15K miles, and belts every 5 years
Great pillion seat/grabs
Standard can sounds pretty good - though I'd still like to stick an SC Project on
Excellent Brembos

The bad:

Bit lumpy to ride below 4K - throttle can be quite on/off then
Mirrors are ok, but I prefer the older style flappy out ones from the Hypermotard 796/1100
Clearance issues with the centre stand - though MCN took one to Brands and it did well
Tank range isn't great - or I'm just heavy handed - get about 110 before reserve
It's a Ducati! So service costs might make you weep.... unless you go independant. I'm due to find that out in 3300 miles time

Panniers are soft shell ones, and I don't think they're 100% waterproof, as I've seeen liners being sold.

Think thats about it - mines not for sale btw

Scort · 25 May 2017 at 15:18

Bah! Just saw the Ducati stance

Should at least test ride one though, see what a proper bike sounds like