Hi,
Been away for a few week but am back on line again.
So for the new riders here - what will your next bike be and why.
Just curious....
I have a number of bikes on my possible list if I decide to upgrade:
- Suzuki GSX1400 - the torque king!
- Suzuki GSR600
- Suzuki GSX650F - great allrounder
- Suzuki 1250S - next best thing to the GSX1400
- Honda Hornet 900
- Honda VFR800
I have particular tastes, I like the sports tourer types, not interested in sports bikes or cruisers at all. I haven't ridden any of these yet, but have sat on all of them.
I may keep the 500F for the daily commute as it's perfect for that, and get one of the other bikes for weekend jaunts.
I'll be heading back into the sport bike world shortly... got my eye on somethin' special. Gotta sell the Dr. Z first though.
Either an Ural or a diesel KLR.
Something bigger/taller! With at least 60hp!
Hornet 919, maybe, V-Strom, maybe a used BMW or Triumph.
Oh yeah, fuel injected!
But I want something nimble, too.
I chose a GSXR 750, it is a wonderful machine even though i need to do a couple things such as change brake fluid and the chain. On the bright side I found a mechanic that will check and adjust the valves for me if i so choose for 100 beans, that's almost worth not dealing with it myself :icon_lol: :icon_lol:
gotta be fuel injected. If I could get a naked SV650, or if I somehow find some money a Monster would be fantabulous.
Oh man, I love these conversations! mostly because I'm a couple months from being in the market again. I don't know exactly what I'll end up with because I'm not looking to spend a ton, so I'm just gonna see what the best deal is when the time comes. Whatever it is will probably be neglected or crashed, because I hate fairings and love streetfighters, so if I'm going to strip the plastic off anyway, I might as well buy something with a little road rash on it so I can save some money, as long as all the main components are still in good shape. I'd love something big, cbr900rr, tlr/s, Z1000, or one of the newer buells(although they don't sell cheap secondhand) but I think it worries my wife, and I'm not really a big guy, so I'm really hoping to find a 750, preferrably gsxr, but I'd be happy with a zx-7r as well. Otherwise I'll just grab any of the 600s that have been out since about '95 or so, they're plenty fast for me, and I don't spend much time on the highway, so I won't have any issues if I want to gear it down a bit for more pull.
I'd also like to find a small faired sportbike down the line too. It would be less of an every day ride, and more for riding back roads, riding 2up, and for Heather to ride if we want to go somewhere together, since I'm not crazy about her being on the back of my bike.
There's a little triumph streetfighterish thing for sale locally, I may go take a look at it soon.
Quote from: Flanders on August 12, 2009, 10:41:30 AM
gotta be fuel injected. If I could get a naked SV650, or if I somehow find some money a Monster would be fantabulous.
+1 on the efi. i'd like a klr 650 with efi, or anything similar (besides bmw) that is fun to plonk around on
Not really a New rider but my next one will be a Kawasaki H2. :thumb:
CBR1000RR REPSOL!!!!! Or another old bike. I want a CBX Super Sport, or a KZ1300, or a CBX tourer, or a..... Well, nevermind. There are a BUNCH of them!!
I'd love to get a r6 for my next bike. I'm partial to yamaha's, mainly because that's how my dad is. They look sick in flat black.
Those wanting KLR's as a next bike PLEASE go and ride one before buying one. There are so many RT's out there so much more reliable than the KLR 250/650. The suzuki Road trail (DR650 DRZ450) is a much better option, more reliable and cheaper as it is air cooled.
Not wanting to put you guys off but riding with the ADVrider.com boys on weekends the KLR struggles due to it's underpower and heavy ass body. Riding in anything more than a gravel or light sand road the KLR is a poor choice.
The new 08/09's look great with their new body but it is the same junk underpower engine. The GS has LOADS more power than the KLR and that is saying something.
Diesel KLR = too expensive as this version is mainly made for American/ Australian army and special forces only though soon to be made in small numbers for the general population at an inflated 25 to 35% price jump from it's petrol cousin (could buy a BMW GS650 cheaper)
But each to their own. and yes I did own a KLR 650 for several years.
I got to thinking and i do plan on picking up a metric cruiser maybe a straight cruiser as a second bike. I really dig the Honda ST1100 except every little bit of plastic is made of gold evidently, parts to keep it running aren't so bad though. Also have sat on every Harley and i have to say i am not as opposed to the rolling recliner feel as I used to be :icon_lol: :icon_lol:
a black and green ninja600, the monster edition. beyond kewl
I'm still in love with Flick! BUT, if I could have another well you know!
GSX650F Flick all growed up!
I did like the yamaha ZXR1 I dunno got messed up with all of the letters LOL! But this: (http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Toogoofy317/P1010065.jpg)
And Hayabusa. Yeah, guess that makes me a poser or a squid but I'd like it for sport touring!
Mary
Just purchased the next bike yesterday to add to the ring...1966 xlch with mag (has wierd right side shift thats gonna get some taken used to once shes running again) pics to comes soon. This adds to the garage of the 77 XLCH hardtail/springer (work in progress), 72 CB750 chopper, and 07 gs500............Next bike im thinking vw trike
not a new rider myself, but when I upgraded I went with a 2001 R6, then a 2004 SV650S. Both were great. I currently love my 07 ZZR600, with the caveat that FI would be nice. Next bike... not sure, but it will probably be a little heavier on the touring and a little lighter on the sport. Maybe a BMW F800 ST.
Hmmm.. I don't know but I've been thinking, in no real particular order GS500, Ninja 500, Ninja 650, Versus, Katana. It depends how much money I can get saved up, and what's available somewhat locally.
Tony
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on August 13, 2009, 09:59:41 AM
I did like the yamaha ZXR1 I dunno got messed up with all of the letters LOL!
Bikes have way too many letters. Yamaha's are YZFs, and unfortunately their dirtbikes are YFZs, which gets my hopes up, and smashes them repeatedly every day when I'm browsing and see a "Yamaha YFZ $800" listing and think I found a cheap R6.
Tony, if you take your time any keep an eye out on craigslist you can get just about anything for a good price. I see ninja's and cbr's for the same prices you usually see gs500s and ex500s, that is if money is your main deciding factor, as your post made it sound.
My current list (not really in any order):
- R6s - Cheaper, slower (barely), more comfortable than the latest R6. Also I prefer the looks to the current R6 too
- R6 - Not much to say here. Quality bike, plain and simple
- SV1000 - low insurance :woohoo:, EFI, (reportedly) good suspension, looks like a fun bike
- CBR600 - Not much to say here either
- GSXR-750 - Why not spend the extra $1k for the extra muscle over the 600?
- Ducati 848 - Love the looks, plus its a Ducati. Wouldn't mind finding one of the older, smaller middleweight Ducs though.
Regardless of whether its any of these or something else, my next bike will, with a probability of .99, have EFI. I don't really want to get a superbike, I don't know what the point is if you live in the city hours away from any racetrack.
Quote from: NF11624 on August 13, 2009, 02:10:51 PM
- R6s - Cheaper, slower (barely), more comfortable than the latest R6. Also I prefer the looks to the current R6 too
the old r6 is the best looking yamaha ever....
(http://home.tiscali.nl/~bertie/superbike/img/yzfr6red.gif)
With the exception of the R7, race version only though because those stupid mini headlights look awful.
BMW S1000RR FTW!
German Domination!
But I'll probably keep the 954 as my sport ride and get a wing next year, been jonesin for GL1800 for a few years now.
NF1 that R6 is Hawt! I'd ride that any day.
The only other bike I've ridden is a Honda Shadow Aero. It was different. So, I just don't have a wide experience base in different bikes!
Mary
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on August 13, 2009, 09:59:41 AM
And Hayabusa. Yeah, guess that makes me a poser or a squid but I'd like it for sport touring!
Mary
Just take it to the drag strip once in a while. Then they can't call you a poser.
triumph speed triple
i like the new ninja 250's. i saw a new v-star 950 few weeks ago. i liked it too. :dunno_white:
Parallel twin cruiser - one of the triumph persuasion. Just waiting for shaft or belt drive. Not, I'll get an old rat and put a belt on it.
Or a R1200C.
Cool.
Buddha.
My wish list In random order
RC-51
Speed Triple
GSXR750
CBR1000RR
YZF R1
Quote from: dohabee on August 15, 2009, 08:09:35 PM
My wish list In random order
RC-51
Speed Triple
GSXR750
CBR1000RR
YZF R1
RC51 - I was seriously considering one of these. Someone offered me one in trade for my DR-Z. I started doing research... You want to talk race bike? These things are close to the epitome. They have one of the most aggressive riding positions you will ever encounter, and they are NOT meant for any sort of commuting or stop-and-go traffic. They are geared for the race track, and behave as such when at low speeds. 1st gear? You'd better be at near-WOT and shifting to second, otherwise you're in for a hell of a bike to try and control. They run EXTREMELY hot, and if you're in stop-and-go traffic, they
can overheat, despite two radiators, fuel injection, etc. They are also quite heavy, and not that fast compared to other 1000cc bikes.
Speed Triple - 1050cc or nothing. Surprisingly easy bike to manage, but I wouldn't recommend jumping to that as a second bike unless you REALLY learn how to ride the GS. We're talking multiple track days, etc. It's easy to ride, but it's also easy to get into trouble. The thing is sneaky quick. Unbelievably flat torque curve and linear power delivery mean speed sneaks up on you quick, which can be pretty dangerous if you don't have the necessary skills.
GSX-R750 - A surprisingly livable supersport. If you find one that hasn't been ragged on, they will last you for however long you want. Completely track capable as well, this turns out to be a surprisingly good street bike. Again, as with the Speed Triple, a helluva big jump as a second bike, unless you REALLY know how to ride the GS into the ground, and even then care should be taken.
CBR1000RR, YZF-R1 - These aren't bikes I would recommend as a second bike, or even a third bike. Full on liter sportbikes like these require a lot of control to ride well. They have more than enough power to kill you three times over, and wouldn't think twice about doing so. Generally unridable to the limits by all but the most elite riders, these (in my experience) are ridden by people who are lazy and don't feel like using the available power in a 600 sport bike. Rarely ridden close to their potential, most are duck waving tools so a guy can say, "Yeah, I ride a liter bike." A GSX-R750 is a better choice all around as a street and a track bike. I rarely see someone who can truly ride one of these things, and I doubt you will either. In the twisties, very few riders can get away from a good rider on a smaller bikes. Liter bikes on the street are rarely fun because you don't really get to crank them open at all. It's not really worth it. You're going to have a lot more fun and become a better rider on a 600 supersport, if that's the sort of bike you're after.
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 16, 2009, 01:44:45 AM
GSX-R750 - A surprisingly livable supersport.
They may not be the flashiest looking bikes around, but I've always considered this to be pretty much the perfect sportbike. Weighs about as much as a 600, and pulls like a 1000. This is the bike I'm hoping to find when the time comes, but I'm not picky so if something else comes around for a good deal I'll take it.
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 16, 2009, 01:44:45 AM
CBR1000RR, YZF-R1 - these (in my experience) are ridden by people who are lazy and don't feel like using the available power in a 600 sport bike. Rarely ridden close to their potential,
That's exactly what I've been trying to describe for a while now and didn't really know how to say it right, I think you put it pretty well. That's the reason I'd love a larger bike. Not because I feel like I need to go 180mph, and not because I need to lift the front wheel sitting down when I'm going 130mph, and not because I think I need more power on twisty roads. It would just be nice to not have to keep your shifting in a certain rev range, or really have to think about it. Just twist the throttle and go, but that only works if you think you can remain calm and not be a jerk with all the power.
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 16, 2009, 01:44:45 AM
CBR1000RR, YZF-R1 - Generally unridable to the limits by all but the most elite riders, these (in my experience) are ridden by people who are lazy and don't feel like using the available power in a 600 sport bike.
Hit the nail on the head in my opinion, though I think you could say the same for a lot of people with 600s.
Quote from: tt_four on August 16, 2009, 06:47:20 AM
They may not be the flashiest looking bikes around, but I've always considered this to be pretty much the perfect sportbike. Weighs about as much as a 600, and pulls like a 1000. This is the bike I'm hoping to find when the time comes, but I'm not picky so if something else comes around for a good deal I'll take it.
To be quite honest, I am far more partial the the ZX-6R Ninja with the 636 motor and the Daytona 675 than any of the plain jane 600cc supersports. You want livable? The 636 is a surprisingly easy to ride bike on the street, faster than pretty mcuh every car out there, and that small increase in displacement really helps with the day-to-day ridability of the thing. The Daytona is a bit more drastic, from what I've gathered. Loves being in the twisties and on the track, easy to manage around town, but not as easy as the 636. The 636 can be a killer track tool as well. I'd choose either of these bikes over the GSX-R750 any day.
Quote from: tt_four on August 16, 2009, 06:47:20 AM
That's exactly what I've been trying to describe for a while now and didn't really know how to say it right, I think you put it pretty well. That's the reason I'd love a larger bike. Not because I feel like I need to go 180mph, and not because I need to lift the front wheel sitting down when I'm going 130mph, and not because I think I need more power on twisty roads. It would just be nice to not have to keep your shifting in a certain rev range, or really have to think about it. Just twist the throttle and go, but that only works if you think you can remain calm and not be a jerk with all the power.
The 600s can pull very, very quickly. Way faster than any car. 1000cc supersport bikes, in my opinion, are far faster than they need to be on the street. As for the not having to think about it part, that's exactly why these bikes are so dangerous. When you're riding, you SHOULD be thinking about it. You should be actively engaged riding the motorcycle. Lazy riding is BAD riding.
Quote from: NF11624 on August 16, 2009, 07:08:01 AM
Hit the nail on the head in my opinion, though I think you could say the same for a lot of people with 600s.
Yes, but 600s are far easier to ride quickly than a 1000. Normal people like you and me, with lots of practice, can begin exploring the boundries of a 600cc bike. I will never be able to ride a 1000cc bike to the limits. I know this, I accept this.
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 16, 2009, 02:40:52 PM
Quote from: NF11624 on August 16, 2009, 07:08:01 AM
Hit the nail on the head in my opinion, though I think you could say the same for a lot of people with 600s.
Yes, but 600s are far easier to ride quickly than a 1000. Normal people like you and me, with lots of practice, can begin exploring the boundries of a 600cc bike. I will never be able to ride a 1000cc bike to the limits. I know this, I accept this.
Thanks for calling me 'normal' ;). Haven't heard that one in a looong time. I'm not giving up on my dream of becoming an elite superbike rider though :).
Around here, there are no tracks (at least not for hundreds of miles afaik). I guess I am jaded because a lot of guys on 600s around here apparently have no idea how to
ride. I saw one guy pull out into the street and he had to stop, put his feet down, and make sure he didn't fall over... and I had been talking to this guy a few days before and he is an 'experienced' rider. I've ridden with guys who were afraid to go down a sweeping hill at more than 55 mph because it had rained 6 hours earlier and there were damp spots on the ground (cause the sun wasn't out). I'll take the guys (and gals :thumb:) who put in the time on the little Ninjas and the GS over 90% of the SS crowd.
All that said, I would still love to have a SS in my garage :laugh:.
Quote from: NF11624 on August 16, 2009, 04:45:31 PM
Around here, there are no tracks (at least not for hundreds of miles afaik). I guess I am jaded because a lot of guys on 600s around here apparently have no idea how to ride. I saw one guy pull out into the street and he had to stop, put his feet down, and make sure he didn't fall over... and I had been talking to this guy a few days before and he is an 'experienced' rider. I've ridden with guys who were afraid to go down a sweeping hill at more than 55 mph because it had rained 6 hours earlier and there were damp spots on the ground (cause the sun wasn't out). I'll take the guys (and gals :thumb:) who put in the time on the little Ninjas and the GS over 90% of the SS crowd.
All that said, I would still love to have a SS in my garage :laugh:.
That's pretty standard wherever you go. New, idiot riders flood the 600cc sport bikes like raccoons on, well, anything. However, I've seen more truly good riders on 600s than on 1000s. And as for tracks near you... I've driven 150+ miles to go to track days before, and I don't see that as unreasonable at all.
Distances:
Texas World Speedway - 128 mi
Grand Sport Speedway - 200 mi
MSR Cresson - 208 mi
There are a few other tracks closer to me, like Harris Hill and Eagles Canyon, but I haven't been to those. All of these tracks are in Texas too! Driving to get to a track is part of the deal. Leave Friday evening after work, camp that evening, ride on Saturday, go home Saturday night. :thumb:
Could be an option... but I don't have a truck >:(. And I think the closest ones are 400+ miles from me :dunno_white:
I plan on someday moving out west where there are plenty of tracks, but until then I will continue to work on my skills in what twisties I can find around here :cheers:
Quote from: NF11624 on August 16, 2009, 05:45:33 PM
Could be an option... but I don't have a truck >:(. And I think the closest ones are 400+ miles from me :dunno_white:
I doubt that... check local forums, talk to your local dealership, someone out there knows some more local track days. Someone in your area is going out that direction undoubtedly, see if you can bum a ride. Honestly, totally worth it.
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 16, 2009, 02:40:52 PM
As for the not having to think about it part, that's exactly why these bikes are so dangerous. When you're riding, you SHOULD be thinking about it. You should be actively engaged riding the motorcycle. Lazy riding is BAD riding...........
.........Yes, but 600s are far easier to ride quickly than a 1000.
I just have a hard time describing how I ride. There's a big difference between riding lazy(not looking before you change lanes, not actually putting effort into turning, not knowing every possible move of other cars around you), and treating the motor in a lazy manner(riding around in a higher gear below the peak hp, shifting less and not caring if you're using every last hit of hp you can squeeze out of an engine). Riding lazy will get you killed in a hurry, but trading up for some more hp instead of treating your bike like it's on a race track all the time sounds a lot safer to me. The fact that everyone always responds with something to do with using a bike beyond it's abilities and being faster on twisty roads and every thing else implies that I have absolutely no self control, and you're only trying to limit the amount of hp I should be able to have because I'm always going to be pushing a bike as hard as I can, and if i have more than 110hp I'm going to accelerate myself into some kind of black hole. There's more than one way to ride a motorcycle, and they don't all involve wringing your bikes neck just to see how far you can lean over in a corner, and how fast you can do so. I like to take my time, and if I happen to want to accelerate while I'm in 4th gear at 5k rpm, instead of having to drop down into 2nd gear like you would on a 600, I don't see what makes that so dangerous. I think hp is just a touchy subject with people who have smaller displacement bikes, and for some reason I always see people here encouraged to ride a smaller bike extremely hard instead riding a bigger bike responsibly, just to prove that they can? :dunno_white:
I live in the city and work 4 miles from my house, and considering I'm not going to pay $15 a day just to be lazy and drive a car 5 minutes into the middle of downtown(25 minutes considering the rush hour of my standard 9-5 job), I just bicycle to work. Not to mention my 15-20 minute ride is faster than it would be to walk from the parking garage to my building, and I'm not even going to describe what a mess it would be if I rode the bus, so anyway, if there's one person here that can survive in a world a car drivers who refuse to pay attention, road hazards, and fine control of a vehicle on 2 wheels, it'd be me.
Ehh i think my riding days for hte most part are over :cry: , ill ride whatever someone offers me to ride.
I've got mine, 81 Z750. Skinny tyres, tooth picks for forks, average brakes, carbies, it is a hoot to ride, especially when you're pushing it and the bike tells you no more by wobbling and flexing and trying to kill you. I just did 1000km's over the weekend and loved it.
as my gs is my first bike and still learning....im either going kawasaki 650r, a suzuki sv650 or a cbr600...im kind of leaning towards the twins as i dont need that much power
I'll probably go fz6 or fz6r. I like those quite a bit, the gladius isn't looking too bad, sv650s isn't bad, but I want something with more power than all of the above. Who knows, we'll see whats to come.
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 16, 2009, 02:40:52 PM
To be quite honest, I am far more partial the the ZX-6R Ninja with the 636 motor and the Daytona 675 than any of the plain jane 600cc supersports. You want livable? The 636 is a surprisingly easy to ride bike on the street, faster than pretty mcuh every car out there, and that small increase in displacement really helps with the day-to-day ridability of the thing. The Daytona is a bit more drastic, from what I've gathered. Loves being in the twisties and on the track, easy to manage around town, but not as easy as the 636. The 636 can be a killer track tool as well. I'd choose either of these bikes over the GSX-R750 any day.
Those 2 were in the final 5 when I got my gsxr. I have a friend with a mint 675 with not even 3k miles on it, i've been trying to buy it forever but he just keeps it, never rides it and wants a cruiser ... but when he does want to sell it ... the wife might have a problem :icon_lol: :icon_lol:
Thank god my bikes not a full liter, I'm 46cc short at 954 :D or I'd think alpha was ragging on my riding skills and accusing me of duck waving... BTW how do you wave to a duck?
RC51 really is an uncomfortable bike, second to none with the 1098 for absolutley nothing comfortable about it for any amount of time. The Gixxer 750 well it's the only 750 on the market which really pisses me off. I like that displacement level I just generally detest suzuki and it is among all of the supersports the most comfortable of them.
Also avoid the Honda 954 if you don't know what you're doing horrible bike for the uninitiated, twitchy unstsable quick handling think 600 class handling and weight with a 138hp 68ft/lb tourque engine in it.
The beauty of big bikes for twistie riding is while everyone else is stuttering around shifting 90 bazillion times I stick in third and rarely shift unless I reallly need more engine braking.
As a matter of fact I rarely get my bike out of third... There is no place public in the US where you can ride a liter to it's full ptential, hell first gear on any of them will exceed the posted highway speed limit in any state before your ready to click into second.
Quote from: bettingpython on August 18, 2009, 11:10:53 AM
The beauty of big bikes for twistie riding is while everyone else is stuttering around shifting 90 bazillion times I stick in third and rarely shift unless I reallly need more engine braking.
See, I don't like that. When I am out riding, I want to use the engine at least partially to its potential. I don't see the point in just running around in one gear. Not my style, I guess.
yea large bikes sure are fun and a challenge. My triumph daytona 1200 was a big fat WIDE bike and a joy to ride on the open road as you moulded into the bike due to its large tank and low seating. Round town it was a big fat wide PIG that was far too heavy to be nimble in town and you worked every turn of the bars and flick of the bike. Most times riding in town you would get off the bike wet with sweat.
To the point....If you are in the city, town, loads of traffic etc then a word of advice is don't buy anything too heavy as you will possibly regret it. The daytona 1200 dry weight as an example is 500lbs add another 6.6 gallons of fuel and oil along with rider and it makes it a very heavy ride to handle at low speeds.
Large cc is ok just consider the weight. Mid weight class is more my thing (more fun less work)
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 18, 2009, 11:18:52 AM
Quote from: bettingpython on August 18, 2009, 11:10:53 AM
The beauty of big bikes for twistie riding is while everyone else is stuttering around shifting 90 bazillion times I stick in third and rarely shift unless I reallly need more engine braking.
See, I don't like that. When I am out riding, I want to use the engine at least partially to its potential. I don't see the point in just running around in one gear. Not my style, I guess.
Depends on who I am riding with too, If it's just me and a couple of close friends it'll see 1st thru 4th in the twisties and we are talking dancing around in the upper 10% of rev range as well. But as with so many rides you get a couple of n00bs on the ride and we back the pace down so as not to have to wait on someone to drive out and pick up a wadded up bike and give a rider a trip home.
Seconds good for 120 anyway so if I get bored I'll cram it in second for 10miles of twisties and make everyone behind me miserable with the sweet sounds of a race core pipe.
There's a BRG Triumph Trident 900 that's been tempting me for a while, but the guy won't come off his price and has it priced WAY too high.
I would like a Moto Guzzi Griso. Why? Because it's a Moto Guzzi and so very cool. http://www.motoguzzi.it/it_IT/prodotti/naked/griso_8v_se/griso_8v_se/immagini.aspx Just look and you will agree.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Jon-BG2.jpg) :cheers:
Quote from: dadsafrantic on August 18, 2009, 10:25:32 PM
I would like a Moto Guzzi Griso. Why? Because it's a Moto Guzzi and so very cool. http://www.motoguzzi.it/it_IT/prodotti/naked/griso_8v_se/griso_8v_se/immagini.aspx Just look and you will agree.
I used to work for Ducati Austin when they started dealing in Moto Guzzis. They were heavy, underpowered, slow, poorly built, and not that much fun to ride. I don't like how they look either.
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 19, 2009, 11:13:33 AM
Quote from: dadsafrantic on August 18, 2009, 10:25:32 PM
I would like a Moto Guzzi Griso. Why? Because it's a Moto Guzzi and so very cool. http://www.motoguzzi.it/it_IT/prodotti/naked/griso_8v_se/griso_8v_se/immagini.aspx Just look and you will agree.
I used to work for Ducati Austin when they started dealing in Moto Guzzis. They were heavy, underpowered, slow, poorly built, and not that much fun to ride. I don't like how they look either.
how long ago? i just rode the stelvio press bike when it was in san francisco and it was not any of the things you mentioned. the griso isn't either i think.
The Griso is nearly 500lbs dry and only makes 110hp (maybe 85 on the wheel............nah, this is MG, 75) I would call that heavy and underpowered for the crowd they're marketing towards.
The stelvio is reported to have too small a fuel tank, to heavy of a design (another 500+) and an engine 'that feels as if it is constantly out of tune'
I know a guy who bought an Moto Guzzi and sold it at a serious loss less than a month later because it was such a POS.
Quote from: dadsafrantic on August 19, 2009, 05:54:12 PM
how long ago? i just rode the stelvio press bike when it was in san francisco and it was not any of the things you mentioned. the griso isn't either i think.
About two years ago. Moto Guzzi hasn't changed much since then.
Quote from: spc on August 19, 2009, 11:04:10 PM
The Griso is nearly 500lbs dry and only makes 110hp (maybe 85 on the wheel............nah, this is MG, 75) I would call that heavy and underpowered for the crowd they're marketing towards.
Bingo.
I just put a deposit yesterday on my next bike. 2008 Suzuki GSR600 with 1,290 kms on the odometer, saving me lots of $$$ off new.
^^^ nice buy. I looked at the GSR as well but decided on cheaper running costs so went the GS instead. I did however test ride the GSR and lets say you are going to have fun with that one. :thumb:
Quote from: 08GSSteve on August 26, 2009, 01:48:06 PM
^^^ nice buy. I looked at the GSR as well but decided on cheaper running costs so went the GS instead. I did however test ride the GSR and lets say you are going to have fun with that one. :thumb:
Thanks. I must admit I love the GS500 for it's low running costs, it's one of the things that made me wary of upgrading.
Was thinking of an R6 but then i tooled around on my hubby's '04 R6 for a while and found that it puts out an awful lot of heat. After lengthy discussions with my brother-in-law about this topic (he's got an '05 R1) and some serious humming and hawing I've decided to stay with the GS and just mod the hell out of it. The GS may not be a ripping machine but with the right mods it'll do the job and you've got to admit it's a hell of a fun ride. It's also unique enough that you might stand out from the other guys. That's why I'm here - looking for all the help and advice I can get. Unfortunately there is not much aftermarket stuff in the US and Canada geared to the GS - unlike the European market. But with the right advice I hope to get it done.
My wish list, in order:
1) Kawi Vulcan 900 - would love to have this for out of town trips and to tote the old lady around.
(http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr234/jdw03n/Wish%20List/kawasaki-vulcan-900-classic-blue.jpg)
2) Royal Enfield - I just love the look of this bike. It would stand out around here.
(http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr234/jdw03n/Wish%20List/lg2006_Royal_Enfield_Bullet_500_Mil.jpg)
3) Vstrom 650 - This would be a fun commuter.
(http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr234/jdw03n/Wish%20List/VSTROM650-1.jpg)
Quote from: jdw03n on September 10, 2009, 10:32:14 AM
3) Vstrom 650 - This would be a fun commuter.
(http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr234/jdw03n/Wish%20List/VSTROM650-1.jpg)
I had a bmw gs650 as a service loaner once, similar bike. I thought the bmw lacked any personality at all, but could be a good commuter if that's what you're looking for. It was fun when anything less than a foot tall was in your way, such as a curb or any other various object you would have to go around on other bikes.