I'm looking to change my 18 month old GSX-R750 next spring. Mid-40's and arthritis in both knees is starting make it more of a chore than a pleasure to ride.
I'm thinking about a ZZR1400 or GTR1400 (I'm swaying towards the GTR and the shaft drive). I want a fast Sports Tourer.
What else should I be looking at (with two wheels that requires an A-something on my driving licence) ?
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The latest VFR1200 is a beaut. Forget the 800 it'll kill your knees. Friend is buying a Honda Blackbird - can't go far wrong....of course there is always a BMW that fits the brief.....biased of course but a GS. In the right hands it will outsmart a sports bike...:-)
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Have you been spying on me? I had thought of the VFR800 and came to the same conclusion.
I liked the idea of the Blackbird but then moved onto a Hayabusa. I use the bike more for distance and commuting than out and out ragging 'round the back roads.
BMW I won't rule out, it's about time I had a look at them, they have a decent tourer in the range with a shaft drive just need to check out what the performance is like.
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Well they do say that a certain brand of American motorcycle is more geared towards arthritis sufferers... ;-)
Bit of a niche thing but the XR1200 has gained a few fans. Sports tourer it ain't though.
Personally I'd go for the Kwack or a Beemer if I were looking for that sort of thing. It would have to be shaft driver whatever.
Last edited by: Harleyman on Tue 15 Oct 13 at 20:17
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I've never really got H-D's. The chrome is enough to put me off, all that cleaning.
One of the lads at work has some big H-D but it never sees the light of day when there's a cloud in the sky.
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I'm the first to concede that they're an acquired taste.
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I have a FB friend who's looking for one now....I'm trying to convert the heathen.... :-)
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My XL1200R is currently for sale; 20K miles, 2005 bike, stage 1 fitted.
tinyurl.com/ygby5mk
The one at the back. :-)
That was taken just after I bought it; relatively unchanged, has single seat and small rack (double seat comes with it) Hagon shocks and a rather loud set of Vance & Hines Straightshots.
I'm looking for £4500 but will haggle.
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Placed it on my friend's wall....he's been loitering in Electra Glide country....even the name scares me !
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As you probably know I've just bought another ElectraGlide; 1979, 1200 Shovelhead model.
He's welcome to register on my club's website, plenty of advice to be had there on choosing the right bike.
www.hdrcgb.org.uk/
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Plenty of legs on the GS - I bought my original one from an ex-Traffic cop, he told me that it was more than capable of keeping up with sports-bikes, if ridden properly - (I guess it was given the minimal chicken strips) - You may recall I bought an RT (DOHC) to replace it - sterile, but very quick and a delightful handler given its bulk....My current GS (also DOHC) is an absolute gem - loads of grunt and character. It thrives on every type of road I throw at it, and can be ridden for 250 miles with no bother (enforced stop at those miles for fuel) - You can cruise it, scratch it, pack it full of luggage but it never fails to engage with the rider.....in a town it is absolutely peerless...as mentioned before I rode into Liverpool on Sunday, I felt a rush of adrenaline as I rode in through Walton, the bike was on its home turf, so quick on the turn, so fast out of rounda bouts, like a little 125 at these speeds.....superb handling, suspension - everything is just right. Motorcycle Sport did a feature on them a couple of months ago - paraphrasing their report, they said its immense height and bulk puts the newbie off - but once you're on it it's as if Paul Daniels is in one of the panniers - it turns itself into a lithe athlete...absolute class bike.
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250 miles between stops would be nice. The splash and dash can be a bit wearing when you've got 700+ miles to cover.
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How about a Triumph Trophy? Three cylinder shaft drive.
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It's a huge humongous beast - nowhere near the RT's lines...I really dislike it....sorry :-(
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I thought about the Triumph but that is one heavy bike tipping the scales at over 300kgs.
Some interesting advice and bikes for me to go look at and try out. Hopefully some physio over the winter and see what the specialists recommend will see me fit for springtime.
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Do you suffer with stiff necks?
If so - go with a BMW.... I have never seen a BMW rider nodding at other bikers.... ;-)
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If its the knees that's giving you the gip then you are looking for something a bit more upright and less 'sports'. As RP suggests the BMW GS fits the bill as do others in their range or alternatively there are the Triumph Adventurer equivalents. I have the Yamaha FJR which falls in the 'sports tourer' range and is comfortable but it is heavy. Triumph did make the Sprints and laterly the GT which are in the 'sport tourer' bracket but they no longer make then but there is a new Trophy out there.
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A couple of cheaper options: Suzuki GSX 1250 is a cracking bike, and way cheaper. Ride have just tested the Kawasaki 1000 SX and rate it as an excellent sports tourer for the money (£9K).
Also Triumph Sprint? A late one would be a bargain.
Must admit the VFR 1200 looks the business, although a bit thirsty I hear.
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My original GS and the VFR I owned a the same time - just before the nice man from BMW delivered my RT.....
VFR was a fine bike but not for comfort.
www.flickr.com/photos/67389469@N02/10298637144/
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Matey swapped his gsxr750 for a Hyabusa and fitted bar risers as well after suffering similar ailments as yourself. Problem solved. He was also a bit short so also fitted an adjustable dogbone at the back to lower it a bit.
Last edited by: VxFan on Sat 19 Oct 13 at 18:23
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Brother in law sold his Ducati about 6 months ago due to aches and pains. Bought a Nissan 350Z with the dosh. Well, lo and behold the car was sold this week. New Duke on order. Silly old ....
:-)
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No that's perfectly normal behaviour....
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Aim is to get some weight off over the winter and see how I go in the spring.
Still tempted by the ZZR1400 but sensible head is saying the shaft drive tourer.
Took the Gixxer out today as it was such a nice day. 18C, finished putting the winter tyres on, saw the bike sitting glinting at me, dropped the pegs to the lowest setting, asked SWMBO if she'd like to go for a spin, she has a licence herself but hasn't ridden since the little ones were born, and off we went leaving Granny in charge.
SWMBO complained when we got back that the seat wasn't very comfortable after an hour or so. I don't know what she was moaning about.
www.flickr.com/photos/gmac2013/10363014803
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I always look at that type of bike as being the two wheeled equivalent of a 4x4. I don't do any trail or rough stuff driving or biking so it would be pointless.
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>> I always look at that type of bike as being the two wheeled equivalent of
>> a 4x4. I don't do any trail or rough stuff driving or biking so it
>> would be pointless.
>>
You'd have to be brave or bonkers to take one of those off road. As a tourer with decent performance it hits a few spots, though tastes differ of course and if it doesn't appeal you wouldn't be happy with one.
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>> SWMBO complained when we got back that the seat wasn't very comfortable after an hour
>> or so. I don't know what she was moaning about.
Respect to her for putting up with that plank (the bike I mean!) for 59 minutes more than I would.
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The other plank is coming up for 12 years ;-)
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Bit of drift, but at the Pavilion Gardens Buxton this morning a guy running a music event (evening) got some pals to bring along some suitable older machinery to attract interest. Among the Chevrolets and enormous 40's Fords (don't know much about American iron) were 1) 1948 Triumph 500 GP, 2) BSA RGS, 3) Indian side-valve, possibly 1940's. The GP was warmed up for a few minutes on open megaphones, fittingly. Drowned out the live "music" which was sort of country and western? Not that I know much about that either.
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VFR - keeps coming back to that....I folded my unwieldy frame around it - furthest I rode it in one sitting was a 163 miles.....no aches no pains..
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Honda Blackbird.
I am 50 years old and too fat...yet I can ride it comfortably.
If you want to tuck down a bit and throw it around a bit, you can...but equally so, you can sit up and toodle.
In normal riding it has enough grunt to not matter what gear you are in...yet if you wind it up properly it'll seriously give ANY bike on the road a run for its money.
It's not the fastest any more, but isn't far off...yet has the Honda build quality.
Why have Honda never updated it? That tells a story in itself.
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A mate with a Hayabusa swapped with me on a long ride. I was glad to get my Blackbird back.
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Never ridden a Blackbird - but rode and loved its predecessor the CBR1000 for many miles...
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GSX1400 comfortable as old boots!
Now to watch the MotoGP live!
Pat
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One for the bikers to get their teeth into - R.P.
