Why is choosing a new bike so haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd!!!!!!!!

[pave_spectre]

Been looking into purchasing another bike lately, so decided to go out and have a look at what was around, in all two of the bike stores.

It's so damn hard to decide what kind of bike I want.

Do I want a sport bike, to be able to accelerate like an idiot when the mood takes me and the road is clear, gsxr600, or R6 or similar(not ruuling out the 1000s but I don't feel the need for capacity over everything else).
Do I want a retro styled bike in the vein of  Ducati Sport Classic, or Triumph Thruxtons. Bikes I really like the look of, with more of a performance bent, but not out and out sports bikes.
How about something 'practical' like a Triumph Sprint GT, with its integral panniers and top box, no slouch out in the twisties, but with enough carrying capacity for all my usual weekly grocery or work gear needs.
Or do I want the Honda CB900 Hornet, "a more powerful, slightly bigger version of the GS500. " as Mister described it.

Maybe something a little rarer in these tropical locales, like a Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport, Aprilia Shiver, or MV Brutale (with all the associated parts and servicing hassles that would entail).

Or do I really just want to win lotto so I can have all the bikes my heart desires, and somewhere suitable to put them.  

Indecision is such a pain.

It might be so much easier if I lived somewhere, where I could do test rides.

[Yuri.]

Or you could live where I live, where there are very few reasonable options to decide between.
There is no such thing as too many options.

[mister]

Pave:

Decisions decisions.

A little heads up... the MV is NOT very forgiving; make a mistake and it Will bite you hard (I've heard this from three owners).

Thruxtons and the other 875cc options from Triumph don't have much difference performance than the GS500. A little more torque is about it.

With bike decisions.... first and foremost, be a loner. Avoid your well-meaning buddies who all ride X cause That's the direction the peer pressure will steer you (remember remko or whatever from Sydney who couldn't handle the pressure and embarked on making his GS500 look like a GSXR). Make the bike one that suits YOUR needs and wants. And, make it a bike you will feel comfortable riding. Aching hip flexors, wrists, calves, lower back, etc., will see you not want to take the bike out for a spin - defeating the purpose of having the bike in the first place.

Luggage options can be added to most any bike. A simple Ventura Rack being the most flexible I think.

Acceleration-wise, bikes like the 900 Hornet and Z750 can accelerate quite well indeed.

With only two stores in town, it's gonna be tough for you. You might need to go for a little holiday down to Bris, Syd or Melb and see whats what down there - and go for test rides of everything.

Michael

[pave_spectre]

the MV is NOT very forgiving; make a mistake and it Will bite you hard (I've heard this from three owners).

Yeah, I have heard similar, along with QC issues. Some guys seem to have no problems and others spend more time in the workshop than on the road. That and the fact that there are no authorised service centres for anything that even hints at exotic in Darwin put things like Aprilia, MV, and Guzzis firmly at the bottom of the list. Be nice to ride something a bit different, but not if I have to put up with second-rate/no ability to get things fixed if/when they need it.

Make the bike one that suits YOUR needs and wants.

That's what I am trying do. Would be so much easier if I really knew what it was I wanted out of a bike. I m leaning more towards the touring side of things, but want some performance too.

Your review of the Hornet, and pics of it with the luggage racks do place it highter on my list. I like the GS500 and the way it handles so a bigger version if that is appealing. However I am really tempted by the Sprint GT, reviews (limited as they are in their real world application) are quite positive, and got to look at one in person, for some reason I had the thought that it was much bigger. Not nearly as physically intimidating as I had pictured in my mind.

If I had the cash and the space I suspect that there would be two bikes that I would buy.

Triumph Sprint GT.

And one of, Ducati SportClassic, Triumph Thruxton, or possibly one of the new Norton Commandos. Haven't seen the commando in the flesh though.

You might need to go for a little holiday down to Bris, Syd or Melb and see whats what down there - and go for test rides of everything.

Have actually considered that, though I was thinking more along the lines of Adelaide, that way if I did buy, it would just be a straight shot up the centre to ride the bike home if I chose. Not sure what Adelaide is like for model variety/availability though.

Not rushing into anything though, not sure if I will be in darwin after this year, so will most likely hold off till then , plus it will giver me more cash to play with.

[Twism86]

I guess your not state side, finding a 919 Hornet over hear is IMPOSSIBLE! 

[murf425]

I guess your not state side, finding a 919 Hornet over hear is IMPOSSIBLE! 

Amen! There was one in the local dealership several years back (whatever year it was that they did actually sell 'em here), and it was the most insanely-comfortable non-cruiser I've EVER sat on. I would LOVE to have one of those.

[Twism86]

I guess your not state side, finding a 919 Hornet over hear is IMPOSSIBLE! 

Amen! There was one in the local dealership several years back (whatever year it was that they did actually sell 'em here), and it was the most insanely-comfortable non-cruiser I've EVER sat on. I would LOVE to have one of those.

I just found 3 on ebay but none nearby.

[tt_four]

I'm completely in love with the MV Brutale, always have been, but doubt I'll ever own one. I've owned a Triumph and now Buell, and even though both bikes worked great, there's just something to be said for having a japanese bike where you can get parts everywhere. I've never seen a brutale in person, but there is an MV dealership half way between Pittsburgh and DC, so I've plotted it out on my route to visit my sister in a few weeks so I can go sit on one.

You definitely want to pick something you want, but you do need to at least partially consider what/how your friends ride when you shop. Motorcycling is a pretty social thing and if you already know how you're gonna end up riding you might get bored/tired with YOUR decision if it doesnt line up with your friends. I love my buell, and it was 100% the bike I wanted, suits me very well, but sometimes when I go out with friends who have japanese and more sporty bikes and we end up zipping down the highway, all I wish is that I had a gsxr750. As soon we we're on a back road or it's just me again, I'm back to being in love with my bike. It's definitely good advice to buy the bike YOU want, but you've just gotta take into account all the riding you're gonna be doing, not just your ideal riding. I'm sure that's not too much of an issue though if you're looking at sport touring bikes though.

I go back and forth all the time debating what kind of bike I want, but it's usually bikes in very similar classes, I'm glad I'm not all over the showroom floor like you are!

[Twisted]

If you were gonna go with the Sports Classic you would want to check you have a pretty reputable Ducati mechanic up that way. They require a bit a love from someone who specialises in them.

[pave_spectre]

you would want to check you have a pretty reputable Ducati mechanic up that way. They require a bit a love from someone who specialises in them.

Very true. Last I heard there was exactly one ducati trained mechanic in Darwin and he didn't even work for the ducati dealership any more.

[Twism86]

If you were gonna go with the Sports Classic you would want to check you have a pretty reputable Ducati mechanic up that way. They require a bit a love from someone who specialises in them.

The main reason i wont own a Duc even though I love them.....

Twisted, dont make another post!! Your at 666!

[skirecs]

im gonna get a 650 dual sport

[ivany]

I've thought about this for a while myself. I think my next bike will be a VFR800. I like everything about the GS500 except the lack of power (which isn't that bad...but maybe 50% more would be nice) and lack of wind protection. I had a 600 for a while; that thing was seriously fast but honestly for commuting it was too much and touring wouldn't be comfortable at all. A VFR800 seems like a very practical bike; still being sporty enough to have fun in the canyons, and comfortable enough to tour on. Plus it's a Honda, so it should basically go forever as long as you change the oil once or twice.

[adidasguy]

Don't buy because you feel you "have to buy a new bike".
Just wait. Be patient and one day it will hit you: "This is what I want!" then buy it. You'll be happy and no regrets of "Should I have bought that other one?"
I was going to buy a GSX650F. Test rode it and loved it. Then I wondered what I would be really getting for $4000 more? Better instruments and 100 more pounds of bike. Nothing more. So I bought a used GS500 and restored him (that's Junior). Then I bought Trey. He's going through identity crisis. Right now he's ghey, turned purple and fell in love with Junior. (At least he didn't put on that red tank with the pink squiggles   ) The day I decide to die, I'll put on that tank, matching tail and go park in front of a Harley heavy leather bar and yell "Pink bikes rule! Chrome is for sissies!". With my luck there'd be a Harley girl in there that loves a pink bike  
Thinking of painting it black, but I hate ruining brand new factory originals. I do have that yellow tank from Trey to paint  

So the short of it is: wait until you see what you just can't live without. Don't buy because you feel you have to or because a sales weasel is making you a "special deal".

(PS: Why does the filter screw with the word g a y ? )

[Twisted]

The filter is a homophobe adidas.

The Thruxtons are a very good bike, I just would not call them much of an upgrade in the performance of a GS is all. If I remember correctly they're only pumping out 60 horses from that 900. Sure they spank the GS in the looks department but I think you will find yourself in the same boat as now if you do buy one as you are not really upgrading. I was considering the Thruxton as my next bike. I took one for a run and almost had a deposit down until I went home and thought it over.

Best bet is to be patient and ride as many bikes as you can. I rode quiet a few and after most I just could not wait to get on back on my GS. You will soon realise how good a bike your little GS is until you ride a few different bikes. That was of course until I took a 900 Ducati Monster for a spin  .

Everyone's different but it helps to think a bit with your head more than your heart till you find the bike that appeals to both.

Have you taken a Street Triple for a run yet?

[tt_four]

Ride a lot of bikes! I never did before but really wish I had. Once it warms up and I find more people to ride with I'm gonna hop on any bike I can get permission to ride. It's a pain trying to decide which bike you want 100% based off of what you think a bike would feel like.

The thruxtons look great, I just can't wrap my mind around people paying that much money for a bike that's pretty much equal to an $800 craigslist cb750 with $200-300 worth of modifications.

When you're done with that Street Triple, bring it by so I can try it out!

[pave_spectre]

Have you taken a Street Triple for a run yet?

Would love to, but can't take anything for a run unless I know someone who owns one and is willing to let me hop on for a spin. No test rides.

A mate did offer to let me go for a blat on his monster though, I should see about taking him up on that.

[mister]

The Striple has decent enough Go. Not much space for a pillion. But man, the heat radiating through the seat from the exhaust turned me off all together. People rave about the S3, but I thought the Striple was more comfy. And seriously, where on the road am I gonna use what the S3 can do - I don't ride that way and have no desire for track days.

Why no Test Rides where you are?

Michael

[pave_spectre]

The bike stores up here just don't allow test rides. No idea why, not worth the hassle arguing with.

Aesthetically I don't like what the are doing to the new street triples either. Same stupid bugeye headlights as the speed. The round headlights were much better to look at.

[mister]

The bike stores up here just don't allow test rides. No idea why, not worth the hassle arguing with.

Aesthetically I don't like what the are doing to the new street triples either. Same stupid bugeye headlights as the speed. The round headlights were much better to look at.

So that means you're only option is to get rides from private sellers, right? So let's see...

Honda 919 - none available in your state
Striple - none available in your state
Sprint - one available
Ducati - no private sellers bikes
Kawasaki - only a 1999 KAWASAKI ZX-9R.

Geez, might as well have no selection at all - according to bikesales.com.au

BTW, even though you could ride the bike home, consider having it transported as well. Maybe from someone like Bikes Only http://www.bikesonly.com.au/ (Of course, if you relocate from where you are then that's different.)

Michael