Next bike? I think I know the answer but does BARF?

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Dave H

Well-known member
Beginning to think seriously about my next bike. I've been riding a Kawi Z650 for 1.5 years and ridden a thoroughly enjoyable 11k miles (mostly at weekends and mostly on the twisty stuff). I really like my current bike, I recognize that I don't need a new bike but I can also feel the truth that regularly gets expressed on these pages; life is too short to not change MC regularly, perfect number of bikes is 1 more than you have etc etc. Notice I'm choosing to ignore the less CC's is more fun view point...

So... my next bike... friends and colleagues will attest that for a number of months I've changed my mind at least once per week. But, for the last month I've been set on "the one". Before sharing would love to get BARF's thoughts on bikes I should consider. Here's what I'm thinking:

  • Use: this will be my only bike so flexibility is important. I typically ride at weekends for pleasure and, weather / light permitting, once a week in the evening. I do a few all-day rides per year. I haven't been to the track yet but like the idea of hitting the track (not literally) at some point.
  • Style: No to Supersports; I love the look of them but at 6ft 6in I just don't fit them very well. Preference a street / naked style.
  • Suspension / Brakes: I had a brief ride on a friends S1000RR and was blown away by the brake feel. I've upgraded my front fork with an Ohlins cartridge which made a big difference. In other words I'm looking for good brakes and suspension. Open to the idea of aftermarket but don't want to pay top $ for the bike and then need to spend additional money to upgrade.
  • Engine / Power: I've liked my parallel twin engine but interested in a different configuration next up. Not really shopping based on horse power figures but if you twist my arm I'd say ~100hp (i.e. I'm not looking for Super Duke R type power... next one maybe!).
  • Maintenance: Bike that's easy to perform basic maintenance on myself that also isn't so specialized that I have to take it to a specific dealer for work.
  • Age: leaning towards new / nearly new
  • Price: ~$12k

So... what should I get? Thanks in advance!
 
Gary856

Gary856

Are we having fun yet?
Adventure bikes work well for tall people. With $12k, KTM Adventure 1190. You can rent one on Riders-Share to see how you like it. I did; loved it.
 
banshee01

banshee01

Well-known member
701 Supermoto is good for tall people. I am 6'1 and ride that currently.

Ducati 848 streetfighter is setup nice for a tall guy also. You can easily do oil changes and chain adjustments on it but probably don't want to tackle 15k mile valve and.

Ducati hypermotard 939 sp can be found for close to $12k with a drive. That is the bike I am looking at also.

Fz09 is good for a tall guy but the suspension and brakes will need upgrade. You can get one for well under $12k and have money left over for upgrade
 
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banshee01

banshee01

Well-known member
Have fun man! Thinking about buying a new bike and then shopping for one is a good time.

I always say "life is too short to ride the same bike for more than 2 years"

There are so many good ones out there you have to try them all
 
Roadstergal

Roadstergal

Sergeant Jackrum
I am jelly of your height. Get an ADV bike for all of us what can't get 'em. :teeth

Ducs and KTMs don't hit your Ease Of Maintenance point, but they hit the rest. A slightly used 1190 ADV would fit you well, has great suspension, lots of happy torque, and good hard luggage options, as well as being comfy for a passenger. Or one of the newer Multistradas.

On the more budget side, a Super Tenere or Africa Twin.
 
D

Dave H

Well-known member
Gary856 said:
Adventure bikes work well for tall people. With $12k, KTM Adventure 1190. You can rent one on Riders-Share to see how you like it. I did; loved it.
Click to expand...

I like Adv bikes and suspect I'll end up on one longer term. Not sure I'm ready for one at this time though. Should probably ride one just in case though....
 
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NoTraffic

Well-known member
I question why flexibility has to be important when the only times you'll ride is on the weekend and possibly in the evenings.

You're not commuting on it, you won't have a pillion, you don't need storage . . get the fastest thing possible.
 
M

Michael1013

Active member
The Duke 790 looks sweet; doesn't hit all your criteria though.
I just can't stand how adv bikes look.

kawi z900
fz09 with full aftermarket suspension (you could afford to put some nice parts on it)
street triple rs
Ducati Hypermotard
Ducati streetfighter (super good looking)
Duke 690 (probably too small)

I've seen an fz09 fully tricked out and it looked like the closest thing to a perfect bike. great engine, reliable, full ohlins, under your budget even after thousands in aftermarket parts
 
Smash Allen

Smash Allen

Banned
I’m 6’5” and my s1000rr fits me like a glove... after working on my flexibility for a couple weeks after purchasing. Well worth it!
 
Roadstergal

Roadstergal

Sergeant Jackrum
Michael1013 said:
Duke 690 (probably too small)
Click to expand...

The dude who bought my 690 was somewhere in the 6'2" range, and he made that bike look pretty small. That being said, the FZ-09 feels smaller than the Duke, to me, and my 5'1" arse felt really comfy on my Street Triple R. The standard-height Hypermotard might be more tall-person size - although that is not exactly 'cheap DIY maintenance,' nor a practical trip-bike. A Hyperstrada ticks that latter box more.
 
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Dave H

Well-known member
NoTraffic said:
I question why flexibility has to be important when the only times you'll ride is on the weekend and possibly in the evenings.

You're not commuting on it, you won't have a pillion, you don't need storage . . get the fastest thing possible.
Click to expand...

Fair question... not sure I've got a good answer...

Like your thinking!
 
D

davidji

bike curious
Dave H said:
.
[*]Maintenance: Bike that's easy to perform basic maintenance on myself that also isn't so specialized that I have to take it to a specific dealer for work.
Click to expand...
If you give high priority to this, a BMW R1200R seems like a good choice. I think I saw a nearly new one (2016) today in your price range.

Access to the engine is about as easy as it gets.
 
moto-rama

moto-rama

Well-known member
Roadstergal said:
I am jelly of your height. Get an ADV bike for all of us what can't get 'em. :teeth

Ducs and KTMs don't hit your Ease Of Maintenance point, but they hit the rest. A slightly used 1190 ADV would fit you well, has great suspension, lots of happy torque, and good hard luggage options, as well as being comfy for a passenger. Or one of the newer Multistradas.

On the more budget side, a Super Tenere or Africa Twin.
Click to expand...

Ditto on the leg-length. The Africa is a fucking great bike. We rented one in Italia, rode 2 up all over Tuscany, and other than the fact that I was relying on my wife and our luggage to compress the suspension so I could tippytoe through traffic in Roma, Milano, it was a dam near perfect as a do-it-all.

Your legs and that bike's height are a great match. Me at 5'7", I dreaded every toll station, but once we were rolling...Dolce Vita!
 
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