The hunt for a new bike...

[sledge]

You shouldnt be to critical of the modern Brit bikes.....ok it is true to say the old stuff was absolute crap and people like Triumph were ripping the punters off big time with their archaic technology and unreliable designs simply because at the time there was no alternatives on the market. When the Japs arrived the Brit makers were not in a position to design and manufacture similar bikes due to decades of under-investment in the industry. Buyers wanted style,performance and reliabilty, electric starters, disc-brakes and oil-tight engines, things that Brit makers couldnt at the time deliver. Thats basicaly why the UK bike industry went down the toilet.
These days things are very very different, Triumph is a very well respected maker here in the UK and Europe and their products have a high reputation for performance and reliability. The modern machines are a world away from the crap that was made in the 50s 60s and early 70s. The Triumph designers took the Japs on at their own game  and the latest machines are a match for any potential Japanese competitor. I wouldnt hesitate for a minute to buy one.........but I would go for a BMW first 

[jbeaber]

So, talking to my favorite mechanic....  The selling point differences between the Duc and Triumph may boil down to front suspension.  Please tell me if I am wrong in this, but it looks as though the front suspension of the Duc ain't adjustable.  It is how it is.  The suspension on the Triumph TT's is evidently reknown.  That could make up the price difference right there...  Yes, new model is an issue, but it does have a 2 year warranty on it. 
I will look at MotoJava...  Thanks for the idea, Scratch!

[jbeaber]

Nice commentary on Triumph...
So, BMW...
Looked at the bikes being sold around here and the bikes that would be in the style I want are much bigger than I really want and cost jst a bit into the 5 figure range.  Good ideas, but not quite yet for me.  Don't make that kinda money...   yet...

[sledge]

This is a tasty looking bike........you have to admit it. It has an SV look about it, I wonder who copied who 

http://www.triumph.co.uk/uk/3932.aspx

[jbeaber]

Even sexier with me on it....

[manofthefield]

Kind of OT, but I think Triumph needs to make a scaled down Speed Triple based off of the Datona 675... something to take the Speed Four's place.  Might give the SV650 a run for its money.  But maybe that is what they already have in mind???  I know I would be interested in one someday.  [/OT]

If I were looking for a mid sized sporty touring bike for 2up riding I would probably be looking at the YZF600 and the Kawa ZZR600 and maybe the Honda Interceptor, though its just above 5 figures

[Wrecent_Wryder]

r4

[sledge]

Fair comment. each to their own   

[gsmetal]

I would suggest you ride a Honda VFR Interceptor.

New or used it's a very comfortable bike and handles really well.

I have a 1991 VFR750 - I find the power delivery never ending and the motor "intoxicating".

[xtalman]

Kind of OT, but I think Triumph needs to make a scaled down Speed Triple based off of the Datona 675... something to take the Speed Four's place.  Might give the SV650 a run for its money.  But maybe that is what they already have in mind???  I know I would be interested in one someday.  [/OT].

That's what I want too.  I'd love a naked version of the Daytona 675, I hope one is in the works.

Honestly though, since I already have a Speed Four, I'll most likely add the Speed Triple to my stable at some later date.  Unless a naked 675 looks damn good.

[fettcols]

I've been looking at the 800ss for a couple years now. I almost bought one before I found the deal on my GSXR.

There always seems to be a dealer with some left over duc's from the previous year. Last fall I had a dealer down to $7950 out the door a couple days before before I bought my GSXR outright.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

d35

[pookiebear]

Vfr ....I had an 87 model in the late nineties. You can't even find them used for under $2500 if you do get it. They are worth it. 87 and up models though. The 85-86 had oil issues. I put 12k on mine the first year I had it. Commutted to work on it in Atlanta. If I had a choice though I would get the pre VTEC and pre ABs version though. Like an 95-97 one. Porbably be aorund $4-5k. Single Sided swingarm. V4 engine (torque of a v-twin with Revs of a I4). Adjustable suspension. Although I think the Vtec versions are the ones with fuel injection. Another option would be a late nineies FZR and trade out the clipons to a handlebar. But if you want naked and fuel injection for the trouble free operation how about a honda 919 with a windscreen? I would say even the 599 but they are not FI. After all the bikes i had the one thing that cause starting trouble was the Carbs. and how many times do we see post about needing to clean carbs after the bike sits. FI is the way to go and get a power commander and remapp the fuel delivery for any aftermarket goodies. You pay the extra up front for the FI but it gives you back all those hours of carb cleaning time to put back in the pot for riding time. Just my 2 cents.

[poormanracing]

Even sexier with me on it....

...no way....you got to sit on a 675 already?  ....man...i thought most of those would be here by late march...thats gonna be my second bike too so you know.....

[JohnPGS]

Yeah you can get a used Busa For around 8000, i recomend that if you wanna go all out. Ha Ha  

[fettcols]

Yeah you can get a used Busa For around 8000, i recomend that if you wanna go all out. Ha Ha  

Not the best ride for twisties... Go 800ss

[dgbernstein]

Also, you know of MotoJava.  You know that Paul there, is very thorough when it comes to the bikes he resells.  I know you didn't want to go used, but I would definitely buy a used bike from him.  Just my opinion, though.

Great shop. Bought my GS500 from them. Check their site for deals (and steals).

http://motojava.com/index.html

David.

[ZeeC]

I think you are looking at this all wrong, you seem to be wanting to go for the touring sportbike route but you are looking at more outright sportbikes. the 675 is a sweet bike but I think after riding it a couple hours your butt will be sore, (not as bad as the 600RR)In all honesty you should be looking at FZ6, FZ1, ZZR600, YZF600R, F4i or the Interceptor.  All these bikes are sporty yet fairly comfy to ride on. I have an R6 as my main bike but my wife has a ZX6 which we take for long rides together, very comfy bike.  And to top it off it handles the twisties nice when asked, this is a 99 bike I believe in 03 or 04 they took the ZX6-R 01 design and call it the ZZR now so I would stay away from that bike for comfort reasons.   

   

[aplitz]

Buy mine, its for sale.
My TL1000S is along the lines of the SV series (actually it came first) but used more race quality suspension.  Unfortunately, the rotary damper out back turned out to be a POS so I like many people put in a Bitubo rear.  I love the v-twin and the full Yosh together.  I have taken my wife on some long rides, and she was happy with the comfort of the TL.  It could be a strong touring bike with some Heli-bars if the clipons are too aggressive for you. 

I am including unused Suzuki accesory tail bag and saddle bags along with the un-installed 6-pot front calipers and stainless lines.  The bike has the Yosh full race w/ti cans, Yosh re-map, Geelong cf tank guard, new Metzler M1 rear, Bitubo rear shock, Targa lower, Intuitive frame, bar and swingarm sliders, manual fan switch, new battery, pit bull rear stand, moto power front stand, all stock parts, about 5400 miles.  Delivered to the Bay Area for $5,500.

[Egaeus]

jbeaber, if I may ask, why don't you trust your GS anymore?