... bored with your GS500. Yeah I said that. Bash me if you want. I don't care.
I am asking because recently after couple, few hundred miles trips I feel like something is missing. The seat is not comfy, engine power is sufficient but sometimes I wish there was more, just to increase fun factor, vibration (buzz) on handlebars, footrests and mirrors is annoying.
Before you say that I should inspect my bike for cause of vibrations, I will just say that there is noting wrong with the bike. It is just old design and it does vibrate/buzz.
Recently I started looking around for other bikes, and I found FZ6 and even though I am not a big fan of half-naked bikes there is something that I absolutely love about this bike. When I went to get inspection for my GS I sat on SV650 and on FZ6. The FZ6 just felt like home, it was super comfy, riding position is even more upright than GS, and overall FZ6 gave me a feeling that I was sitting on a cloud :thumb:
So what do you do in moments like that? On one hand I would love to upgrade, because of many reasons, on the other hand, I know that I should get more experience with my GS before getting bigger bike.
I really curious if you have similar feelings and how do you manage them.
Thanks
KML
If you want more power than a GS500, a FZ6 probably won't do it for you. I am bored with the mighty GS as well. Great bike, but I feel the need for more power. I will be selling it whenever I have enough money to buy a SV1000.
I get that way sometimes, I want to buy a 600 so bad, ZX6R, GSXR600, CBR600RR, I love all three of those, but I've pretty much decided to just wait until I'm done with the payments on the GS and just keep it with liability insurance and buy a new bike with full coverage. I ride two up a lot as well, which contributes to my desire for a faster bike, since I weigh about 225lbs at 6'2, and my wife is 135 at 5'8. Don't sell the GS imo though, I think it's worth it to keep it, always more fun to have two bikes than one :)
I have felt the urge to upgrade to a gsxr600 or cbr600 after the first 6 months of having my gs. it now been two years. Whats my secret, you ask in anticipation?
answer: mods. I have been slowly modifying my gs for the last year and a half. I have added every HP mod possible without tearing into the engine, stock was 39whp now she has a whopping 44whp :icon_rolleyes: yee haw... honestly though it fells like much more simply because the stock usable go-fast power band was 7000-9800rpm. now its 7000-11000. top speed went from 114 to 130. also I have lightened the bike considerably, best guess 25lbs ish. then I did braided brake lines and 15t front sprocket and 20w fork oil.
But even after all this The upgrade bug has started biting again, but the one thing that has led me to keep the gs is, complexity. have you ever seen the procedure to do a valve adjustment on a gsxr ?!? its freaking crazy. the old/low-tech simplicity of the gs may be the Achilles heal of the gs500, but its also the greatest factor for durability, reliability, and ease of maintenance/repair.
if you want more my opinion is to modify. if you then later on want even more then up grade, at least you will have had the experience to know if you really want more.
Quote from: kml.krk on August 02, 2010, 07:31:31 PM
... bored with your GS500. Yeah I said that. Bash me if you want. I don't care.
I am asking because recently after couple, few hundred miles trips I feel like something is missing. The seat is not comfy, engine power is sufficient but sometimes I wish there was more, just to increase fun factor, vibration (buzz) on handlebars, footrests and mirrors is annoying.
Before you say that I should inspect my bike for cause of vibrations, I will just say that there is noting wrong with the bike. It is just old design and it does vibrate/buzz.
Recently I started looking around for other bikes, and I found FZ6 and even though I am not a big fan of half-naked bikes there is something that I absolutely love about this bike. When I went to get inspection for my GS I sat on SV650 and on FZ6. The FZ6 just felt like home, it was super comfy, riding position is even more upright than GS, and overall FZ6 gave me a feeling that I was sitting on a cloud :thumb:
So what do you do in moments like that? On one hand I would love to upgrade, because of many reasons, on the other hand, I know that I should get more experience with my GS before getting bigger bike.
I really curious if you have similar feelings and how do you manage them.
Thanks
KML
I'm not bored with mine because I got my seat reupholstered with multi-viscous dry polymer padding. Not the memory foam that's been in beds for 30 years, (although it's good) the new stuff. It does the same thing but needs less thickness. I can ride my bike until it's out of gas and my arse still isn't tired. It sounds like that's your problem. You like the bike. You're not addicted to horsepower. Make the seat more comfy. Mine looks just like stock. www.knoplace.com but there are others.
I have had my motorcycle license since 1980. Power is not the answer. The right bike for you is the answer. The most enjoyable thing to me about motorcycling is having a bike that's set up just right for your needs, taste, and budget. The rest is bling if you ride a lot, I know that much. I can't argue against the new Yamaha except for the payments, bad gas mileage, and its design that draws you to the dealer for maintenance rather than doing it yourself. The reason I like the GS so much is it gives me a perfect everyday ride for dirt cheap and the style which I like is a bonus. You said you like it too. Make it what you want it to be. Get the seat reupholstered, and put a 17-tooth front sprocket on it while you're at it. If you're anything like me it'll be your #1 bike long into the future. Yes, I have other bikes. The GS gets the most miles because it's best for most situations. When I need to take my g/f on a trip I take the shaft drive triple, but when I'm riding alone give me the GS every time.
If I were you I'd buy used bikes to fill every need you have. For instance, I have my GS for everyday riding, the shaft drive triple for two-up trips, and a dirt bike. By doing so I have a bike for every situation for a grand total outlay of about $3,500. I can tell you this too. All multis buzz the bars and pegs at some point. The bike you have gives a lower frequency vibration that doesn't tire you out. That's the important thing. That 4-cylinder buzz gets old fast.
Buy a ninja 1400........argueably the fatest bike out there........Friend of mine has one.....removed the electronic speed limiter.........0-200 in 9 seconds......topped out at 218 (gps)......
Or get real and realize that if you intend to obey the law, the gs 500 is nice bike...........
I think all of you road warior types should take up track or darg racing..........there you would see that there are some out there with REAL driving talent, and really fast machines too........but done safely......
Cookie
I did a tail swap on mine, newer tank, new shock, and some other random things, and it's an ok bike around town. I did eventually get kinda bored on it as well. I was less impressed with the suspension than the power, and REALLY wanted to do a fork swap like a couple people on here have recently but there's absolutely no way I'm going to spend as much on my GS as it would take to buy a gsxr and know that it's money I'll never be able to get back when I sell the bike.
I just bought a bigger bike. I'd had bigger/faster(and slower) bikes before the GS so I already knew what I was missing. The GS is great for around town and twisty roads because you can toss it around like a bicycle, but it's also obnoxious having to rev it so high just to leave a redlight, and still get toasted by old people who aren't even trying, not to mention the vibrations I got any time I went over 50. I need to finish cleaning up the GS this fall/winter, and then it's going to be sold next spring because I know I'm never really gonna ride it. It might be easier to maneuver, but it still feels bigger and more stretched out than my new bike so I can't say it's more comfortable.
The GS is a great bike if that's what you want, and people here definitely get offended when you say you want to move on but there are plenty of things you can do on faster/stronger bikes that just aren't fun on the GS.
Quote from: bill14224 on August 02, 2010, 11:48:43 PM
seat reupholstered with multi-viscous dry polymer padding.
Where'd you get that done, Bill? Sounds nice.
Quote from: Iroquois on August 02, 2010, 07:34:04 PM
If you want more power than a GS500, a FZ6 probably won't do it for you. I am bored with the mighty GS as well. Great bike, but I feel the need for more power. I will be selling it whenever I have enough money to buy a SV1000.
really ? the fz6 doesn't have more power ? ooooook man. the fz6 has an incredibly smooth i4 with significantly more power than the gs. upright, very comfy ergos, and 23,000 (or is it 17,000) mile valve checks ? SWEEEEET ! ride one and see !
Quote from: kml.krk on August 02, 2010, 07:31:31 PM
... bored with your GS500. Yeah I said that. Bash me if you want. I don't care.
I am asking because recently after couple, few hundred miles trips I feel like something is missing. The seat is not comfy, engine power is sufficient but sometimes I wish there was more, just to increase fun factor, vibration (buzz) on handlebars, footrests and mirrors is annoying.
Before you say that I should inspect my bike for cause of vibrations, I will just say that there is noting wrong with the bike. It is just old design and it does vibrate/buzz.
Recently I started looking around for other bikes, and I found FZ6 and even though I am not a big fan of half-naked bikes there is something that I absolutely love about this bike. When I went to get inspection for my GS I sat on SV650 and on FZ6. The FZ6 just felt like home, it was super comfy, riding position is even more upright than GS, and overall FZ6 gave me a feeling that I was sitting on a cloud :thumb:
So what do you do in moments like that? On one hand I would love to upgrade, because of many reasons, on the other hand, I know that I should get more experience with my GS before getting bigger bike.
I really curious if you have similar feelings and how do you manage them.
Thanks
KML
no one will bash you for looking around and finding a better bike. man, there are tons to choose from !
i'd suggest riding / renting another bike for some long distance jaunts. the fz6 is a very, very nice touring bike. very good commuter, and very comfy. iirc there is a very slight buzz at around 4600 rpm on some fz's. not to mention there is buttery smooth clutch, very forgiving fuel injeciton (SWEEET) and the seems-like-forever valve adjustment schedule. ;-)
the sv650 also comes to mind, but it's torque may be too much for you. those things will tote the front with little effort at all.
kawasaki concours, zx1100, vfr, and a few others come to mind. keep in mind the gs is likely one of the most FUN bikes for commuting short distances and riding in the twisties. the ninja 500 is also another one.
i got tired of my gs and sold it. sure, i miss it somedays, but with bikers dropping like flies all around me, i'm going to stay off a little while. head traumas, broken legs, etc convinced me.
keep us posted with what you RIDE and your impressions. looks only matter when you turn it off ;-)
I can see where your coming from and Ive only had my GS for a month and a half. Its a fun bike, no doubt. Its zippy, turns well and is great for an hours ride through the twistys. Its a forgiving bike thats easy to ride, which I like. Ive ridden bigger bikes and see myself having one in the future. I know you can upgrade the GS A LOT, but in the end is it worth the $ that can just go toward a new bike that doesnt need to be tuned as much? I plan to keep my bike through this season and possibly get a bigger one next spring.
How is the SV650 over the GS? Ive never ridden one but was told that its just as "slow" and barely faster. Im not looking for much more speed honestly, just a bigger sized bike with better suspension and more sporty feel.
Tom
The SV650 is a ton more bike than the GS. It has a great flat torque curve and a decent top end rush. The last one I had put out, IIRC, 68hp at the wheel and the torque was above 40ftlb. I have owned 3. 1st one died of big end bearing issues, read... very easy to wheelie for days. Second one went because I was running out of room in the garage. Then I sold the third one because it was going the same route as the first. The SV will outrun, out handle, and just plain run circles around a GS with the same riders aboard. If you get bored on a SV650 there is something wrong with you. With that being said, the SV1000 is a huge disappointment. Bought one since it had a rendition of the mighty TL motor in it, but it did not stand up to the performance of my old 01 TLS. They chopped the nuts right off. So if your considering a SV650 vs. 1000, buy the 650 it's a much better bike and does everything right. Honestly the SV650 is probably my third favorite bike. Runner up to the 1050 Speed Triple and 955i Daytona. Then there is the GS, with 4 bikes in the garage, it is the one that I grab the key for most of the time....just so easy to ride!
I have test ridden a couple of SV650's recently and wanted to buy them every time. The torque is just amazing, coming off of my GS.
When the GS was totalled, I came within a hair of buying an SV but just couldnt find a faired one for the right price. Ended up buying the GS back for $450 and gettin her fixed back up.
BTW, 03+ SV650's are fuel injected. I tested one and it just.... started.... no warm up or anything, just ride out of the parking lot. Amazing. I almost bought it but it had too many 'modifications...' Aftermarket headlights with 'interesting' connections, clip-on handlebars, not the right one for me. If it had fit better I would probably still have ridden her home that day though....
I think if you test ride the right SV, and have the money, you will buy it. That torque is so addictive.
I think about getting rid of mine everyday. My GS is a piece of shaZam!.
I loved my GS, but I-95 moves pretty fast in my area, and I would be riding with friends, and when it came time to pass a car or truck, they could just hit the gas and GO, but my GS would go for a little bit....85...90...then fuel starvation would kick in and it would stall.
There is a lot to love with the GS, and, depending on where & when you ride, it may be everything you'll ever need in a bike. It just wasn't everything **I** needed, and I replaced it with a650 Wee-Strom 3 years ago. Love it, BTW!
Quote from: black and silver twin on August 02, 2010, 10:48:19 PM
.....also I have lightened the bike considerably, best guess 25lbs ish.
How did you do that? I found that by removing the fairings the bike seems a bit lighter, even though the fairings don't weigh that much.
Quote from: viggen on August 03, 2010, 08:15:46 AM
BTW, 03+ SV650's are fuel injected. I tested one and it just.... started.... no warm up or anything, just ride out of the parking lot.
Yea, thats one of my main reasons for considering one.
Quote from: rock_rebel on August 03, 2010, 09:22:08 AM
Quote from: black and silver twin on August 02, 2010, 10:48:19 PM
.....also I have lightened the bike considerably, best guess 25lbs ish.
How did you do that? I found that by removing the fairings the bike seems a bit lighter, even though the fairings don't weigh that much.
I kept the fairings, thats why I bought the f model in the first place. Most of the weight savings came from the exhaust, the stock one is over 35# (!!) whereas the jardine is 15#. the rest came from removing all 3 grab handles, center-stand, significantly lighter (and much better looking) turn signals, removing the PAIR system, and a few other small things have been removed/trimmed. The only place I added weight is the Buddha fork brace, but its only 1/2#ish and the added stiffness is well worth it. Now that I think about it Ive probably removed more like 30# total. also the fairings and mounts weigh 8# total, but i love the look and aerodynamics of them so there staying.
Quote from: Homer on August 03, 2010, 04:26:18 AM
Quote from: bill14224 on August 02, 2010, 11:48:43 PM
seat reupholstered with multi-viscous dry polymer padding.
Where'd you get that done, Bill? Sounds nice.
Kno-Place Upholstery in South Dakota. www.knoplace.com
Quote from: DaytonaDave on August 03, 2010, 06:47:07 AM
The SV650 is a ton more bike than the GS. It has a great flat torque curve and a decent top end rush. The last one I had put out, IIRC, 68hp at the wheel and the torque was above 40ftlb. I have owned 3. 1st one died of big end bearing issues, read... very easy to wheelie for days. Second one went because I was running out of room in the garage. Then I sold the third one because it was going the same route as the first.
If I understand correctly you trashed two SV 650 bottom ends in a relatively short time and your GS still runs even though it's been ridden the most? If that doesn't show how good the GS is I don't know what will!
The best bike is the bike THAT RUNS! :woohoo:
Race it. It'll take years for me to get bored of riding my GS.
The GS belongs to the wife and is lowered front and rear. It would take an act of God to get the front wheel off the deck. Therefore it has no issues keeping the oil flowing to critical parts.
thanks for replies guys, I especially liked replies by: Bill, ohgood, black and silver twin and tt_four.
I don't know where some other guys got impression that I want FASTER bike. That's totally not what I need, I am not a wacko squid, who had GS for past 2 moths and wants more power.
I have owned my GS since 2006, I wear full gear even if it's 100/100 outside.
I have done few mods to my bike, but I just don't want to invest more money into it, although I will seriously consider re-upholstering my seat to increase the comfort level. Thanks for link Bill.
GS absolutely can do 100 miles per hour, but I have been there just once or twice, other that that I do not ride faster than 80MPH indicated, and this is in places where 65MPH is the limit! So I am not about breaking the law either.
It is just that riding at that 60-80 MPH, INDICATED, for longer periods of time is not comfortable in my opinion.
I can't even see other cars clearly in the mirrors because of engine buzz.
Anyways, thanks again for your replies, all good and bad, and if you have anything else to add, I am all ears.
KML
PS. Bill, can I ask you how much did you pay for re-doing your seat? I really would like to do it if it's not very expensive.
For what it's worth...
I race my GS. It doesn't see any street duty.
On the street, I prefer big powerful bikes. The GT makes about 160 horsepower. It weighs >600lbs, and will power wheelie in 1st. Power is fun, once you're ready for it.
^^^^^
that actually makes perfect sense, cause it's much more satisfying to ride slow bike fast than the other way around.
how much money does it cost for 1 session on a racetrack?
Usually you pay by the day rather than by the session, although some tracks will let you practice for a half day instead of paying for a full day.
Depending on the track, the season, and the level of demand, the cost for track time can be as low as $150 (buttonwillow in the off season) to as high as $400 (Laguna Seca.) Other expenses drive the cost up; hotels, transportation, food & tires (might be a good idea to install some sticky rubber.)
I try to keep costs down, in order to maximize my track time. I'll sleep at the track, either in a friend's camper or in a tent with an air matress, and try to sign up for multi-day events.
I have no idea.. I'm a Harley lover. yet the law says im not allowed to ride 1 for another 2.5 yrs. i know i can get harley look-a-likes, but it just wouldnt do it for me. i want the real thing lol..
I guess if i was you, i would go re look at the bikes that you want to upgrade to take em for a test ride and see how you feel. if you feel more enjoyment out of a new one and it gets the blood pumping and seems to be what you are looking for, of course buy it.
Listen to your heart lol, sounds corny but, you will know if you should or shouldnt upgrade, you will feel it.
hope this helps.
I been craving a little more low end torque and a better seat as well....I'm riding my second GS...took Kawasaki Versys for a ride the other day....The GSs days may be numbered... :D
I'm fairly new to the bike world. Only being a rider for two years. In that time I've owned two other bikes other then the GS. (I tend to swap my cars fairly frequently looking for variety so why be different when it comes to bikes.) I am into heavily modding cars. One thing I learnt early on, you never mod and expect to make your money back. You mod for either the love of changing things, making things better, creature comforts or performance. I see no reason not to apply that to bikes either. I put on flush mount indicators cause the stalks look ugh! (English just failed me). I put mirror extensions on cause I prefer to be able to see well around me. I have a bag rack and now some sketchy plans for side boxes for convenience of ridding to work everyday and not using a back pack, being able to stop at the shops to pick stuff up on the way home to save the wife going out in the car and I like long trips. I did these things for me to make me happy not cause I will increase or maintain the value of the bike. If modding no longer excites you or its out weighed by cost (still means it no longer excites you otherwise you would find the dosh), or the ride no longer gives you that enjoyment buzz, its time to find something new.
I've owned *cough* 28 road registered cars in my short 15 years of driving. Of that I've kept one car almost nine years (and still have it sitting in the shed halfway through a rebuild, heart transplant, brakes transplant well lets just say allot of work). The others have lasted on average 1.5 years. Yes that means I normally own at least two cars at anyone time. And currently that is true. I change cars cause I enjoy learning a new machine, got bored modifying what I have, someone would love the car more, I found something better, or I killed it beyond repaired. (Warning Datsun Stanzas fold up when repeatedly jumped over sand dunes, as do RA60 Celicas.)
I think what I'm saying is and I'm not sure anymore, do what makes YOU happy and makes YOU enjoy riding.
Quote from: offcamber on August 04, 2010, 04:05:10 AM
I been craving a little more low end torque and a better seat as well....I'm riding my second GS...took Kawasaki Versys for a ride the other day....The GSs days may be numbered... :D
The Versys, SV650, and VStrom are all outstanding steps up.
For me upgrading from a GS500 had little to do with comfort. I'm a person with the frame of mind "its just pain, it will pass and I'll deal with it later".
However, I did upgrade.
Reasons:
Breaking power!!!! (two people on the bike and the GS felt like I was trying to break on wet pavement)
Accessories (Power outlet, luggage options, lights etc)
Maximum load capacity (people and gear loaded on the bike ~420lbs max)
Carbs
I upgraded to a VStrom DL650.
Compared?
A pile more power
LUGGAGE!!!! I have tail and side luggage now.
12v plug +++ other electrical room.
dual headlight, much better at night (not that the GS doesn't have a good lights)
Fuel injected, when I hit the gas the bike just goes, no delay, no long warmup
Do I still love to ride the GS? HELLO yes! I took it out yesterday for about 100km (on the way to the bike shop).
Would I sell my 07 GS? Nope. (unless I had to). Its only worth 2500$ to 3000$ Canadian these days. For that small amount of cash I'll sit on it and use it as a spare. I figure I can store it (properly) for 5... 10... 15 years no problem except maybe replacing fluids and tires.
If you can manage it, keep the GS. If you sell it you will likely miss it over the years and dream of getting your old bike back.
With what ever you do.... enjoy your ride and ride safe. Good luck.
Quote from: DaytonaDave on August 03, 2010, 03:52:26 PM
The GS belongs to the wife and is lowered front and rear. It would take an act of God to get the front wheel off the deck. Therefore it has no issues keeping the oil flowing to critical parts.
haha, I agree with Dave, saying a bike isn't as reliable just because you have the option to starve the motor of oil because it has enough power to do wheelies isn't really a fair arguement.
My new bike makes 70ft/lbs of torque but it's lowered and it's still a pain to get the front wheel off the ground. I'm working on resolving that suspension issue though. I also don't ride this bike any faster than I rode the GS, it's just nice to not worry about what RPM you're riding at all the time, and to leave a redlight without forcing it. I do on occassion get bored and give the throttle a good twist, but that doesn't mean that having a faster bike means you want to go fast all the time. The biggest plus for me was the upgraded components. It's nice to have a bike that's just put together well. Nice controls, nice seat, good suspension, even nice frame welds, it all helps. Going over 4.5k rpm without my hands going numb.... luxuries.
Aedin: Harley will still sell you that "Real thing" you're looking for regardless of your license class status. Their "real thing" is just the image they sell, their bikes are pretty standard so I wouldn't be too conscerned with what it is actually attached to the bottom of the seat you're sitting on. :thumb:
I'm also interested in some stuff for track days. Not something I'd want to do on a regular basis, but someday when I have a truck it wouldn't be bad to drive my bike out to one. I've always been unsure about all the requirements though. I've heard some people say you need a functioning belly pan, everything on your bike has to be safety wired, you need to wear full leathers. All of that turns into a hassle when you're a city kid who rides a naked bike wearing jeans around town. Eventually I plan on getting a second bike, which will probably be a 600/750 with full fairings just for something to have more fun on, and I could see myself taking the time to modify that bike so it's track ready, but eh. It would be much easier if I could just show up as is, sign a waiver, and go ride around the track. Do any tracks rent out leathers for the day, or is that something you need to own as well?
This is a great thread! I just bought my bike about a month and a half ago and it is my first bike. I know I am by no means a good rider and I respect the fact that I could easily get myself into trouble even with a GS. I bought this bike because I wanted a good beginner bike that I could learn to ride on and so far it has been fantastic and I feel I made a good decision. I do find myself wondering how quickly I will want to upgrade to a bigger bike. Because of this I have been trying to decide how much time, money and effort I am willing to invest into making this bike the bike that I would want it to be. I would love to say that I will keep it forever or try to teach my girlfriend to ride on it, but I just don't know how it would work out or if I would need the money to buy a new bike. So then it comes down to, should I by an intake and pipe, should I bother painting the tank, etc.
Jay
Same thing here - new rider, wanted a safe, proven bike. Not interested in a low rider. Have driven 2500 miles in the last 6 weeks. I imagine I will get a Sport cruiser next spring. Give up the GS? Why? The insurance is $140 a year, maintenance is minimal. its fun to tool around on. Will I want to ride a 1200 all the time? Nah, I will still love tooling around on the GS500. Maybe even get a cute little 250 to go with the 1200.
I am doing some safety things - windshield, flashing tail and headlight, installing a fuse block for my GPS, but that's about it.
Quote from: mass-hole on August 04, 2010, 09:45:14 AM
This is a great thread! I just bought my bike about a month and a half ago and it is my first bike. I know I am by no means a good rider and I respect the fact that I could easily get myself into trouble even with a GS. I bought this bike because I wanted a good beginner bike that I could learn to ride on and so far it has been fantastic and I feel I made a good decision. I do find myself wondering how quickly I will want to upgrade to a bigger bike. Because of this I have been trying to decide how much time, money and effort I am willing to invest into making this bike the bike that I would want it to be. I would love to say that I will keep it forever or try to teach my girlfriend to ride on it, but I just don't know how it would work out or if I would need the money to buy a new bike. So then it comes down to, should I by an intake and pipe, should I bother painting the tank, etc.
Jay
Wife has an '07GS500F we bought with 980km on it.
We put on a throttle sleeve from an SV650 (shorter throw), Sport Touring windshield from DB's factory seconds store, an SW-Motech rear rack with E370 39L Givi Monolock topcase, and an 18tooth AFAM front sprocket.
Bike gets around 70mpg and cruises comfortably at 65mph showing 4500rpm on the tach.
Could still use better graphics, different mirrors and/or integrated turn signals, lower profile bars or clipons.
Someone in Germany put a Honda NC30 single-sided swingarm on his after much experimentation, which I find interesting but not so much that I would want to put the necessary time and money into.
I'd say next bike on the totem pole would be an '03+ SV650 or maybe a Ducati Monster 620/800. Oddly enough she fit pretty good on a lowered GSXR1300 Hayabusa we saw at a local shop, but it would probably be too bulky for her to manoeuvre at lower speeds.
Personally, I really like the older Yamaha R6's but unfortunately they are hard to find in good condition or at a decent price. Honda's CBR600 motors have always been pretty coarse, the newest Ninja's are pretty weak in the mid-range but the older Kawasaki ZX6R/ZZR600 can often be found for a bargain price, and butter smooth like the ZX11D and ZX12R. The Yamaha YZF600R is interesting and I would love to have one in Cocktail Blue but it's so old and rare and parts are expensive ($800+ for a fuel pump in my old '97 YZF750R :mad:), which leaves the Yamaha YZF600R2 although it is kinda homely from certain angles. None of these are low-enough in stock form for my wife to ride :icon_sad:
This spring I rode a 2010 Suzuki GSXR750, Yamaha FZ8, Yamaha FJR, Suzuki C50T Boulevard, C90T Boulevard, Suzuki DL650V-Strom in bike demos. Only one that really impressed was the V-Strom; all the others were good but lacking in one area or another for my riding style.
I was sitting on a SV650SF at the dealer today, I think that may just be my next bike, but I'll wait at least another year I suppose. I think it's probably the next logical step from the GS, still a twin which is ideal unless you're on the highway all the time, fuel injected, which is awesome since I ride year round, and a more aggressive riding position. Only thing I wish it was a little more like a GSXR on is the brakes and maybe the suspension.
If you want a twin that has brakes and suspension closer to a GSX-R, I would take a look a look at the Ducati Monster.
I am happy to see more responses. I really appreciate your opinions.
I also wish that track days were easier, and cheaper. closer to $150 is OK, but if you consider other costs(getting bike to and from the racetrack etc) it turns out to be quite expensive day of fun.
I really wish I could keep my GS but I am pretty sure it will not be an option. I will definitely do more research before getting new bike, and I will try to test ride few.
I am quite sure that I will not upgrade for at least another year or even more, so by that time I will hopefully have much more experience, and therefore upgrade will be easier.
I had the same opinion for a while ago, but eventually I started thinking about the costs associated with riding fast on the street...
$400 for the ticket... $200 a month for insurance. In retrospect, it would have been much cheaper just to stick to the track.
Quote from: burning1 on August 04, 2010, 04:35:43 PM
If you want a twin that has brakes and suspension closer to a GSX-R, I would take a look a look at the Ducati Monster.
Isn't Ducati just a money pit though? not normally a suggestion you would find on this forum! :icon_lol:
Quote from: redhawkdancing on August 04, 2010, 05:38:08 PM
Quote from: burning1 on August 04, 2010, 04:35:43 PM
If you want a twin that has brakes and suspension closer to a GSX-R, I would take a look a look at the Ducati Monster.
Isn't Ducati just a money pit though? not normally a suggestion you would find on this forum! :icon_lol:
They arent like Jap bikes in the way that you can let them sit forever and they will just turn on and go. They need lots of TLC, which = $$$.
From what I've heard, reliability has improved significantly. I've certainly seen a large number of high mileage examples of the Monster available for sale in the Bay Area.
When I get bored, I start looking for a sidehack rig - perhaps a nice BMW /2 or the like - then I notice that they cost as much as my truck. Then I get less bored. One day I'll probably find the bargain (and then it will end up costing me twice as much as my truck by the time it's de-bargain-ified.)
When I get bored I grab the V-Strom 650...if I am really bored I take my GSX650F out for a spin. I love taking the GS500F over mountain passes...I treat mine like a lightweight touring bike :thumb:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/3pass01.jpg)
Quote from: burning1 on August 04, 2010, 05:32:09 PM
I had the same opinion for a while ago, but eventually I started thinking about the costs associated with riding fast on the street...
$400 for the ticket... $200 a month for insurance. In retrospect, it would have been much cheaper just to stick to the track.
What kinda tickets are you getting for $400?! I've gotten multiple tickets, a couple were more than double the speed limit, and I still don't think they were any more than $150-175. Even in that case it would even out with a track day, but only if I want to go fast once every few months :thumb: I can go fast on a daily basis and still only take a chance of getting a ticket. I'm pro-track days for people who want the experience, but it's really not completely practical unless you know what you're doing.
The problem I have with getting other bikes is that I change my mind with what I want so often. For a while I wanted a z1000, then a gsxr750, then maybe a 636r, then a Buell. Every couple of months I seemed to shift. I think when I'm ready for another bike I'm just gonna take whatever comes along as a good deal at the time. There's enough good bikes out there that you have to really really know what you want to plan ahead. It's especially tough because I don't think anyone even makes a bike that is exactly what I want out of one, so which bike I want depends on what kind of riding I've done the most lately.
Quote from: tt_four on August 05, 2010, 05:17:20 AM
The problem I have with getting other bikes is that I change my mind with what I want so often. For a while I wanted a z1000, then a gsxr750, then maybe a 636r, then a Buell. Every couple of months I seemed to shift. I think when I'm ready for another bike I'm just gonna take whatever comes along as a good deal at the time. There's enough good bikes out there that you have to really really know what you want to plan ahead. It's especially tough because I don't think anyone even makes a bike that is exactly what I want out of one, so which bike I want depends on what kind of riding I've done the most lately.
You're right. I want tons of bikes. The only thing I'm sure about is that my next one will be a Ural with a sidecar.
I'd also love:
- Honda PC800 for commuting
- Suzi DRZ400 with offroad & supermoto wheels for having a stupid amount of fun
- BMW F800GS for go-anywhere long distance adventuring
- Sachs Madass 125 for scooting around the city
- an old Moto Guzzi cause they're awesome
and just about anything else.
I'm with tt_four on this one. I change my mind all the time. I sold my GS to buy something faster. I used to live in more of a rural area, lots of back roads to blast and speed on. So this past spring I sold my GS to buy a Speed Triple 955i. But, I've moved to Pittsburgh, and there's a lot more city riding and traffic. The S3 isn't too much fun in that nonsense, and I really don't get to "use" the bike as much as I'd like. I commute every day, about 5 miles through heavy traffic.
So now I'm on a supermoto kick. Small, quick, and easily maneuverable. And better gas mileage. That's one thing I miss about the GS.
I would suggest to really evaluating what type of riding you do, what you really need (not just want) a bike for.
Jeremy what kinda gas mileage is that thing getting? My xb9 gets about 50-52mpg, but I remember my speed four getting low 40s, can't remember the exact number though. Someday I'll fill up the tank and go for a ride where I'm really pushing it and see if the number changes. I think I got 50mph on the GS too.
Quote from: romulux on August 05, 2010, 06:08:51 AM
I'd also love:
- BMW F800GS for go-anywhere long distance adventuring
- Sachs Madass 125 for scooting around the city
I had a bmw f650gs once for a service loaner. That thing was a turd. A little more power adn some abandoned roads I could see it being ok.
those madass 125s look like fun. I have a 70cc 2 stroke moped that doesn't currently run, but it's fun to ride around the city. Wheelies like nobody's business and only weighs 100lbs. It's nice because I don't feel like a motorcyclist sinner if I ride it in a t shirt and tennis shoes. I doubt I'm going to have the motivation to get it running well before next spring though. I'm hoping to clean up the GS all fall/winter so I can sell it in spring, and my buell will hopefully be how I want it by spring as well, so that should leave some time for me to tinker with the moped.
Out here in California, a typical speeding (15 over the limit) or red-light ticket costs around $400. Insurance costs a $60+ a month premium per ticket, given the level of insurance I buy. With all the $50,000+ cars driving around out here, I don't feel comfortable with a minimum liability insurance policy.
Racing changes your perspective on fast. I'm not the fastest guy on the race track... Hell, Brian Barlow is about 5 seconds a lap faster riding a Ninja 250. Despite that, I get my GS around a top tier race track like Sears Point faster than most track-day only riders can go on a literbike.
kml.krk
If you were More Comfortable on the bike, would you still feel that you are Bored with it?
If you had less emotion involved (say, for Example Only, from peers who ride Bigger bikes) would you be less picky/annoyed at the little things?
*I* find the GS to be quite comfortable - I'm 6'2 - even on lo-o-o-ong rides of over 300 miles and two hours in the saddle at a time. But my bike is stock - handlebars, exhaust, air filter, front cog. A previous bike gave me back aches and a sore butt. I put on an airhawk seat cushion and all Physical Issues went away. Whether the cushion made a slight posture change or prevented vibration coming up through the seat and into my back I cannot say. Just that is worked.
So if your seat and handlebar issues were resolved, would you still want to Upgrade?
If so, in what ways is the GS then not satisfying your needs?
It's plenty fast enough. You can easily come in to any twisties with enough speed to throw you off. So it's not really speed, is it? Is it, you feel (cause you are used to it) that it lacks acceleration between bends? I notice the 15 tooth front cog and it makes me wonder if that is it?
It's been said "people buy on emotion and justify it with logic" which is why I mentioned the emotion thing above. That is, emotionally you Want something else - for whatever emotional reason, be it peer pressure, comment from girlfriend, etc. Logic comes to your aid by making you annoyed with all the little things.
I'm not trying to dis your reasons. If I was uncomfortable, had buzz and unusable mirrors, I'd want to get rid of the bike too. Then again, I wouldn't have bought a bike with those issues in the first place. Just curious, if those things were resolved, if the seat was ok for you, the mirrors able to be seen out of and the handlebars fine, would you still feel you need to upgrade? If the FZ6 had the same power/performance specs as the GS would you feel you still want it?
No matter what you ride, you Have to be comfortable on it. Foregoing comfort for ego boosting and imagined kudos from people whose opinions don't really matter is dangerous.
If it's about comfort, then make the GS comfortable if it's not too costly.
If it's about Power I'd then ask, why do you feel you need the extra power?
I ride with a woman who used to ride a CB400. She said she needed a bike with more power and got a CBF1000. And still she cannot keep up with me in the twisties and doesn't go roaring off in the straights. So what was the point of more power? It's there IF she needs it. All the other times, she rides her own ride regardless of others or what others might think of her. And while some might think she's boring to follow, she won't come off, will she?
I think, regardless of what we write here, you'll do what you want to in the long run anyway. And also, that in 20 years time when you are more mature you'll wonder why you felt the need for ever more faster bikes. Cause no matter what bike you have, there is always an upgrade to be had and you'll get bored with something and want the new faster bling machine.
Michael
Quote*I* find the GS to be quite comfortable - I'm 6'2 - even on lo-o-o-ong rides of over 300 miles and two hours in the saddle at a time. But my bike is stock - handlebars, exhaust, air filter, front cog. A previous bike gave me back aches and a sore butt. I put on an airhawk seat cushion and all Physical Issues went away. Whether the cushion made a slight posture change or prevented vibration coming up through the seat and into my back I cannot say. Just that is worked.
Really? I'm 6'2 and I find the GS kind of a pain in the ass after 2 hours. My CBR was the most comfortable ride I've had, and I haven't distance ridden a SV650 yet but it feels just perfect sitting on it at the dealer. I guess everyone is different though.
You gotta have fun when you ride, and I think the GS is a very FUN bike.
As i mentioned before, im on the fence about how long i will keep my plucky little GS. After a ride through some twistys up a mountain yesterday i realized how fun this bike is to to lean over and ride! I also realized im no where near ready for something that is bigger and more difficult to handle. I made a few mistakes that a more powerful and heavier bike would not have forgiven me and all i would have is a scratched up fancy bike and road rash to show for it.
So right now, i think that giving this bike a "full tune" with firmer front suspension, a kat shock, sticky tires and a nice exhaust/ intake combo will more then likely create a bike that is still fun and easy to ride with a bit more balls so to speak :D. Throw in good pads and SS lines and i think she will stop on a dime too ;)
Tom
Mister, you asked many questions and made me think heavily, I like it. I am 'junior 'programmer for living so I like thinking :thumb:
I will try to answer most of your questions:
Quote from: mister on August 05, 2010, 06:24:22 PM
kml.krk
If you were More Comfortable on the bike, would you still feel that you are Bored with it?
- I have been thinking about that today, before I even saw your post, and I think I came to conclusion that I would NOT be bored as much, that is why I am researching options to reduce vibrations in handlebar and mirrors. I think I will try split lead shot to reduce handlebar vibrations. In addition I will try to make the seat more comfy if it doesn't cos too much
Quote from: mister on August 05, 2010, 06:24:22 PM
kml.krk
If you had less emotion involved (say, for Example Only, from peers who ride Bigger bikes) would you be less picky/annoyed at the little things?
- there is no emotion involved. No one ever said to me that my bike is: slow/ugly/stupid/boring or whatever else. No one ever tried to make mme buy bigger bike or make me regret buying GS500.
Buying GS500 was my decision. I bought it 4 years ago at age 20, because I wanted to learn riding, and not get in trouble. I had opportunity to buy 2005 CBR600 for just a $1000 more but I chose GS500 anyways!!!
Even though I am only 24 I think of myself as very mature person. I got married at age 19 :thumb:
Quote from: mister on August 05, 2010, 06:24:22 PM
kml.krk
*I* find the GS to be quite comfortable - I'm 6'2 - even on lo-o-o-ong rides of over 300 miles and two hours in the saddle at a time. But my bike is stock - handlebars, exhaust, air filter, front cog. A previous bike gave me back aches and a sore butt. I put on an airhawk seat cushion and all Physical Issues went away. Whether the cushion made a slight posture change or prevented vibration coming up through the seat and into my back I cannot say. Just that is worked.
So if your seat and handlebar issues were resolved, would you still want to Upgrade?
I thought it was comfortable until recently. I went for a couple of long rides (150 and 280 miles) and during those trips my back was killing me, and I had a rash on my @ss...... The rash was probably caused by frequent changes in position to relieve back pain.
Quote from: mister on August 05, 2010, 06:24:22 PM
kml.krk
It's plenty fast enough. You can easily come in to any twisties with enough speed to throw you off. So it's not really speed, is it? Is it, you feel (cause you are used to it) that it lacks acceleration between bends? I notice the 15 tooth front cog and it makes me wonder if that is it?
GS is fast enough, 120 indicated is even more than plenty. I have never done more that 100 anyways. So I really am not looking for more speed. It is about comfort again. When I was riding back home from my last trip (280 miles) I just felt that riding 65-75MPH indicated (speed limit was 65) was quite exhausting: vibration, seat, suspension...
The suspension is yet another issue. I changed rear to R6 and it's great, but front is still poor even though I have progressive springs installed and fresh 15W oil. It is neither stiff for aggressive riding nor soft for smoothness and pleasure riding.
Quote from: mister on August 05, 2010, 06:24:22 PM
kml.krk
I'm not trying to dis your reasons. If I was uncomfortable, had buzz and unusable mirrors, I'd want to get rid of the bike too. Then again, I wouldn't have bought a bike with those issues in the first place. Just curious, if those things were resolved, if the seat was ok for you, the mirrors able to be seen out of and the handlebars fine, would you still feel you need to upgrade? If the FZ6 had the same power/performance specs as the GS would you feel you still want it?
- First part of your question is answered above. Second part is the question I like most - that one made me think. And the answer is I am not sure. Maybe yes, because I commute during the winter too, and fiddling with the choke was driving me nuts over past winter, and FZ6 is fuel injected, plus there is this lovely sound of inline 4, but I will get to that later.
Quote from: mister on August 05, 2010, 06:24:22 PM
kml.krk
If it's about comfort, then make the GS comfortable if it's not too costly.
If it's about Power I'd then ask, why do you feel you need the extra power?
- I am trying to make it more comfy. Just need to figure out how much it will cost to get the seat fitted wit gel pad and re-upholstered.
- I don't think it's about power. However sometimes I feel that it would be nice to have more torque and learn wheelie for example. Not to show off, I don't do that. But just for myself, to see if I can do it. I used to wheelie on a bicycle, it was fun ;) But it is definitely NOT why I would like to upgrade.
No going back to that sound I mentioned. It is the only emotion I can think of that comes into play here. Ever since I can remember I loved the sound of inline 4 engines. They are like a music to my ear ;) I never really liked parallel twin's sound, and that's why I decided to upgrade my muffler to Leo Vince. It helped making my GS not sound like a scooter. Not that there is anything wrong with scooters. I used to have very cool moped. 50cc, 1975 French made Motobecane. That thing didn't have electric start or even kicker. I would have to pedal to get it started ;) Fun times...
I hope I answered all of your questions.
Thanks again for your great post!
Kamil
Quote from: mister on August 05, 2010, 06:24:22 PM
It's plenty fast enough. You can easily come in to any twisties with enough speed to throw you off.
Sometimes acceleration is fun. :thumb:
There is also the opposite problem: too much power.
Although there may be times where you might say you can never have enough, most of the time there is a limit to what you truly need, or should I say what you can truly use regularly.
Case in point ~ tonight I went for a ride with a friend who has a 2009 Yamaha R1. Consider that it is the least powerful of the current crop of 1000cc superbikes at 180bhp. It gets to 200km/h as easy as the GS gets to 80km/h ~ no kidding. Accelerates hard enough past 10,000 rpm (13,500 max in standard trim) to push your helmet against your face. Nearly as smooth as a Goldwing, too.
All of which is fine and good and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Except for it gets less than 30mpg no matter what speed you go ~ 100 miles and you are out of gas. Even at night when the temperature is only about 65 degrees outside, the motor throws off enough heat at highway speed to be uncomfortable. I can't even imagine this thing in slow-moving traffic in 85+ weather ~ Yamaha could market it as a birth control device for men.
So the point is it's only really worth it when you're laying flat on the tank on your way to 200 miles per hour. It was terrific fun, but if you gave me one tomorrow I'd have to sell it and buy something else.
Litre bike were made and intended for one thing and one thing only. Racing. They have just just been adapted for street use but are still raw, hot, uncomfortable and just plain useless for cruising around. They are fun and will but a big smile on your face like you said, but nothing i would want to spend a hell of a lot of time on if it wasnt the track.
speaking of vibrations and pain on long rides does anyones upper back lower neck feel like crap after about 200 miles? that and handlebar buzz gets me, and i wish i had better acceleration at interstate speeds my dads 800lb harley can take off better. i think living in somewhat country area is what gets me on the interstate if your not movin 75-80 you better get the f outta the way here or you get this :flipoff: and my daily ride is 95% interstate and sometimes you need the acceleration when soccer mom starts stealing your lane then only thing i got helping me there is a freaking loud airhorn i just added and before people bash me for wishing faster thats not the case just wishing more comfort (aka less buzz in handlebars and mirrors) and peace of mind knowing at higher speeds if i NEED not want more its there.
Quote from: romulux on August 05, 2010, 06:08:51 AM
The only thing I'm sure about is that my next one will be a Ural with a sidecar.
There was an old Ural with a sidecar at bike night last night. I was gonna take a picture of it for you but I think the guy was sitting by it and I didn't want to be creepy.
---------------------------
I used to want a liter bike. Well, I should say I used to want a 1000cc inline 4. my xb9 is 984ccs but it's a very street friendly motor that gets 50mpg and doesn't even want to lift the front wheel off the ground with the lowered suspension it came with. To be honest the thought of getting a 1000cc I4 scares me a bit even after 40k+ miles of riding experience. I love fast bikes but I think 750 is the biggest I would ever want to go for a bike that I actually ride on twisty roads. I don't like the idea of having to make sure my front wheel stays on the ground when I accelerate half way through a turn.
On the other hand, low end RPMs are a whole different story. If I rode nothing but back roads and twisties all day long I'd never give buying anything bigger than a 600 a second thought, but if you like to ride like I do by keeping your RPMs as low as possible but still keep up with traffic and have fun on back roads I think a 1000cc bike sound reasonable. Even new 600s with 120hp will sputter and choke if you come out of a turn 1 gear too high. The convenience of a liter bike is your ability to put it in 3rd gear and just leave it. It'll pull you out of a corner whether you're at 3k rpm or 11k rpm. If you do a lot of time on the highway it also gives you the convenience of real acceleration in 6th gear when you're at 4k rpm, as opposed to a 600 where you still usually downshift a gear or two if you really want to move. It's definitely a matter of riding style. I still like to ride fast but have no desire to rev a motor to 9k rpm to do it. I can keep up with 600s on my bike on back roads and I'm only riding at 4-4.5k rpm, which you can't do on smaller bikes.
Its also a matter of what type of powerband you prefer. I dont like riding in the high end of my rpms for a long time, so an I4 is not something im interested in.
In general I'm not either, but that's why I think some people prefer the 1000cc i-4s. There isn't a great selection of sportbikes that aren't I-4s, so you can but the 1000cc bikes and just cruise in the lower rpms. Unfortunately that's where the most technology/development goes, so that's where a lot of consumers go.
Quote from: SAFE-T on August 05, 2010, 11:54:16 PM
[...]~ Yamaha could market it as a birth control device for men[...]
Good one :thumb:
I fixed the rattling noise!! It WAS the windshield. The bike already feels more comfortable. Seriously. It is amazing how much this sound annoyed me without me even realizing that. In addition that awful rattling noise was making me more aware of vibration that is going through my bike.
No I will just add some lead shot to the handlebar to eliminate vibrations even more, and try to modify the seat.
if you have more opinions about the upgrade dilemma, please keep them coming. It's great to read them and see others point of view.
KML
just to clarify: I have never even though for a second about upgrading to a 1000cc bike.
They just scare me. The reason why selected FZ6 for my eventual upgrade is they are 600cc and actually they use older R6 engines. They produce 80 few horses on the rear wheel which is twice as much as GS have. So it's is much more but it's is still manageable. Front wheel does NOT come off the ground with every blip of the throttle. Besides, the riding position on a FZ6 is very comfy, and the seat on 2009 models is super comfy seat that used to be sold as aftermarket seat. Besides FZ6 gets really good gas mileage, folks on FZ6 forum say it gets around 50mpg on a highway. my GS gets about 55 on a highway so it is not dramatic drop in MPGs!
Quote from: SAFE-T on August 05, 2010, 11:54:16 PMAll of which is fine and good and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Except for it gets less than 30mpg no matter what speed you go ~ 100 miles and you are out of gas. Even at night when the temperature is only about 65 degrees outside, the motor throws off enough heat at highway speed to be uncomfortable. I can't even imagine this thing in slow-moving traffic in 85+ weather ~ Yamaha could market it as a birth control device for men.
That's just the nature of sport bikes. At 160 miles on a tank, I used to have to push my GSX-R.
Case in point, my K1300GT makes about 160 horsepower, and pulls from 2000. At 630 pounds, it's a bit heavy, but can still loft the front wheel under power in 1st. I get 37 city, and average 43 freeway, though it would get as high as 50MPG american if I cruised along at 65MPH. The 6.4 gallon tank always makes 200 miles between fills, and could go to 300 miles easily enough.
Quote from: tt_four on August 06, 2010, 12:56:11 PM
In general I'm not either, but that's why I think some people prefer the 1000cc i-4s. There isn't a great selection of sportbikes that aren't I-4s, so you can but the 1000cc bikes and just cruise in the lower rpms. Unfortunately that's where the most technology/development goes, so that's where a lot of consumers go.
Are you kidding?
Honda Superhawk
Aprilia Turno Factory
Suzuki SV1000
Suzuki TL1000
Triumph Speed Triple 1050
BMW R1100S
BMW R1200S
BMW HP2
Ducati Sport Classic GT 1000
Ducati 1198
Ducati (assloads of other models...)
Buell (pretty Much everything)
Harley XR1200 (If you can call it a sport bike...)
Other exotic, lesser known brands, including Benelli and Bimota.
And that's just the sport bikes...
I really enjoy the ability to get good acceleration without having to spin a bike's motor into 9K or more, but the bleeding edge 1000cc stuff is just too race focused to be realistically enjoyable on the street. Of course, there is a company in the US that makes a Supercharger kit for the VFR800 that helps it put out between 170-180 hp...
I wish Honda would revisit their design of the VTR1000F Superhawk with the now-fuel-injected liter V-Twin currently in the Varadero.
Quote from: burning1 on August 06, 2010, 02:42:11 PM
Are you kidding?
Honda Superhawk
Aprilia Turno Factory
Suzuki SV1000
Suzuki TL1000
Triumph Speed Triple 1050
BMW R1100S
BMW R1200S
BMW HP2
Ducati Sport Classic GT 1000
Ducati 1198
Ducati (assloads of other models...)
Buell (pretty Much everything)
Harley XR1200 (If you can call it a sport bike...)
Other exotic, lesser known brands, including Benelli and Bimota.
And that's just the sport bikes...
Sorry, when I think "sportbike" I'm thinking about gsxrs and cbrs. I know there's plenty of naked bikes that are great for the street. I've owned a naked triumph and have a buell at the moment, but I've always just considered them more of street bikes that are easy to go fast on. My general point was that most people want the lightest and fastest race bikes covered in plastic, which really leaves you with slim pickings of Ducatis, RC51s, TLRs, some Aprilias, but that's still not where the market is focused, they're all still considered 'exotics' to some extent.
Here's the same list limited to pure sport / race bikes, ~1 litre or larger in capacity:
Honda Superhawk
Aprilia Turno Factory
Suzuki TL1000
BMW R1100S
BMW R1200S
BMW HP2
Ducati 1198
Buell 1125R
(Obviously, a lot of older models aren't included in this list.)
IMO, if you're going to buy a I4 sportbike for the street, a 1 liter bike would be preferable to a 600 cc bike, just for the bottom end. 600cc bikes tend to be more high strung, and suffer for it if used on the street.
With that said, my experience has been that standards are better for sporty street use. The ergonomics aren't ideal for hanging off, but again, I would discourage riders from hanging off their bikes on the street. When sitting upright on the bike, a good standard will typically out handle a sport bike.
I always sit upright anymore when I'm on twisty roads. With my bars its just as easy to steer through turns. Hanging off is fun sometimes, but I still don't hit the edges of my tires on the street, so there's no need to lean my body off even further just to offset the lean of the bike.
I definitely like twins more but cheap I4s with nice parts are usually easier to find used. Vtwins are great but the selection is a little too off the wall. Ducatis are super expensive, rc51s are heavy and way too race focused to be good street bikes(although I do love them), tlrs are bulky(and way too much bike for my 5'8 self to want to ride), sv650s are soft, sv1000s just don't appeal to me. I wish suzuki would make a seriously nice vtwin version of the gsxr750, faster than the 650 and slower than the mind numbingly fast liter bikes out there now. A good looking bike with 125hp and a decent bottom end. It'll never happen though, with Japanese bikes it's either ridiculously fast, or a budget bike. I think my xb9 is a nice medium with its 70 ft/lbs and 92 hp, although I kinda wish I had the 12, 80ft lbs and 103hp. Still very manageable. People pick on them for having low HP numbers, but I think it's a great mix of usable low end without the top end that's almost unusable.
I have a similar riding style on the street. I found that by using a relaxed static body position, it was easy to keep my mind out of the 'race' mentality I use on the track. I'm a much safer rider for it.
For what it's worth, the BMW boxer twins are very good street bikes. My Rockster had no issues playing with the sport bikes in the mountains, and the upright body position made it a pretty good commuter. Naked styling helped keep the speed below 80 on the freeway... But that was also part of why I eventually bought the GT.
My K1300GT is a total touring bike. Sporty enough to be fun in the mountains, but big enough that I don't really push it. Overall, I have more fun riding long distance, focusing my time on exploring new roads, rather than constantly repeating the ones I already know.
Ducati for their part make a rather muscular monster with an 1100CC engine. It's a great bike for this kind of riding, but again, I wanted bags and a windscreen, so it was out.
Quote from: tt_four on August 10, 2010, 06:43:21 PMI think my xb9 is a nice medium with its 70 ft/lbs and 92 hp, although I kinda wish I had the 12, 80ft lbs and 103hp. Still very manageable. People pick on them for having low HP numbers, but I think it's a great mix of usable low end without the top end that's almost unusable.
Having ridden both the XB9 and XB12, the larger bike was a real disappointment. Lower rev limit that made you shut off just when the party got started at the top end and really poor low speed fueling on the low end.
Quote from: tt_four on August 10, 2010, 06:43:21 PMWith Japanese bikes it's either ridiculously fast or a budget bike.
Pretty much my primary complaint when it comes to Japan inc. engineering. It's either not enough or way to much, and often they give up good traits in a bike's design along the way.
This is what turned the 50-60 mpg ZX11 into the 30-40 mpg ZZR1200.
That's also my slight dissapointment in the cbr600rr. I think it's a gorgeous bike, and would love to find one, but they went from having the F4i which was known to be a great all around bike, to the CBR600rr which is still a great bike, but only for top end RPMs and constant acceleration. They squeezed any midrange out of it just for a tiny extra bit of top end. They fixed that a bit in 05, but the 03-04 has a very un-street friendly motor which is unfortunate. I really like the 636 for these reasons. It's still a 600 but you get that little extra so you can have a bit more power for the street without going straight for a 1000. I would love a bike with a 1000cc low end but still just a 600cc top end to kinda even things out a bit.
I've heard the xb12 is a bit rougher down low which I wasn't sure about. Even at good paced riding I'm still only around 4-5k rpm so I'm not too concerned with the extra 1000cc of rpms, but I'd definitely wait until I rode one before I ever decided to buy it. I'm hoping the new exhaust/air filter/map will give me enough extra power so I don't think about it anymore.
QuoteI would love a bike with a 1000cc low end but still just a 600cc top end to kinda even things out a bit.
You just described a gsxr750
tt_four,
If you wanted a street friendly bike, why did you buy a race bike?
Quote from: burning1 on August 17, 2010, 09:44:29 AM
tt_four,
If you wanted a street friendly bike, why did you buy a race bike?
I didn't....?? I've owned a couple bikes but none were ever race bikes. Started on a dual sport, then a ninja250, then the Triumph Speed4, then rode the GS, now I have the xb9s. The Speed four was still an I-4 600 but it was tuned for pretty decent midrange. I think next fall I'm going to find a second bike, just something to beat on, leave parked on the side of the street for a few hours, use in the rain, and rack up general miles to keep my buell around for a while longer, and when I find one it'll probably just be a beat up japanese 600-750, but I don't have one yet.
The reason I still complain about them even though I don't actually have one is because it still affects my choices when I go shopping for a bike. I'd love the conveniences that come with having a japanese bike, but if you want nicer parts you have to get something with a sportbike motor, if you want the road friendly motor you have to deal with budget components, so that's why I'll probably still end up with one someday even if the motor isn't ideal.
Does the gsxr750 have a different power curve than the 600 or 1000? It's at the top of my list for bikes I want to find(others being the 600rr or 636r), but I still assumed it was the same engine type as the other two. It's half way there because it has more low end than a 600 and less top end than the 1000, but it still has less low end than the 1000 and more top end than the 600. Managable but still not perfect. I wish they'd make a 600-750cc version of the TLR/TLS. I know they made the SVs, but again it has a weaker motor and cheaper parts than other 600s.
There are some nice street bikes with a big catalogue of parts. The BMW R1200GS comes to mind, although it's a bit tall for my tastes. In some cases, bikes like the FZ6 can be extensively modified.
I have friends who go the other direction. One started out with a GSXR, and added pegs, a seat, and handlebar risers to convert it to a standard.
I note that many of you talk about how fun this bike is in the twisties. My 19 year old son has had his 05 GS500F for 2-3 weeks and has mentioned that he doesn't feel confident turning with this bike - complaining about the chicken strips on the tires :laugh:
He has ridden an 07 R6 for the last year and a half and was very confident with that bike. The bike currently has stock size BT45s. The front has a fair bit of tread left and the rear has lots but we've been wondering if newer rubber, in particular the sport demons or pilot activs, would make a big difference. Would a 140 in the rear make any actual difference or just look sexier?
Quote from: burning1 on August 17, 2010, 01:25:48 PM
I have friends who go the other direction. One started out with a GSXR, and added pegs, a seat, and handlebar risers to convert it to a standard.
Nothing against them, because I know they're technically nice bikes, but I don't think I'll ever buy a bmw. They're just not for me. If it's going to be European it would most likely be a triumph again. I would consider a Ducati only if I got a great deal on one.
Thecdn, not sure what to tell you about your son. He probably just needs some time to get used to the new bike. He's probably used to turning by throwing his weight around because of the clipons. Steering the GS is a pretty different style of riding. Without his weight on the front wheel it probably makes the bike feel squirrely and unstable. Maybe have him try some slower sharper turns instead of faster speed stuff so he can get used to the handling without going fast enough to really notice the difference in stability. He could always try some clubmans or clipons for it as well.
Quote from: tt_four on August 17, 2010, 05:08:45 AM
I would love a bike with a 1000cc low end but still just a 600cc top end to kinda even things out a bit.
Haven't ridden one myself. But the Honda CB900 Hornet - or I think it's the Honda 919 in the states - seems like that this fits the bill. Same top end as GSR600 and maybe even the Gladius. There's a youtube vlogger - dprider02 - who got one, rode it for a couple of weeks, then flogged off his SV650 cause he liked the 919 better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj_6zbjGMhk & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj_6zbjGMhk
Michael
Yeah they're called 919's here. I've always liked them, but they're not all that common. Someday I may end up with a 1st or 2nd generation Z1000 or something along those lines. We don't get that new CB1000R which is unfortunate. I wish Yamaha would make a 900-1000cc version of their MT-01, and do something different for the exhausts. That's looks like it would be a great bike, just way too big for what I'd need.
Quote from: tt_four on August 17, 2010, 07:58:30 PM
Yeah they're called 919's here. I've always liked them, but they're not all that common. Someday I may end up with a 1st or 2nd generation Z1000 or something along those lines. We don't get that new CB1000R which is unfortunate. I wish Yamaha would make a 900-1000cc version of their MT-01, and do something different for the exhausts. That's looks like it would be a great bike, just way too big for what I'd need.
I noticed no new CB900s for sale by dealers near me. But it is listed still on the Honda website. A quick call to the local Honda Dealer.... no more CB900s for Aust. No more CBF1000s either. It's the CBF1100 or back down to a 600 if you want a Honda. He also said, he thinks people are holding onto their 900s cause you hardly see any for sale. I did manage to fine a Demo and a Single new one for sale in another state - 2007 models as that's the last production run year according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CB900F). But that's it for the entire country. So it's looking like being a bit of a rare bird here too now. (Want to Force people to buy the 1100 which you've just spent millions $ developing? Remove the other bikes people were buying instead.)
And unless you like the GSXR750 or the Z750, your only New Bike choices for greater than 650 but less than a liter is a Ducati, Triumph Bonne or BMW.
Michael
I love the gsxr750. I really wish they put more effort into the Z750 because I would have really been into it. All they did with that bike is take the z1000, replace some of the parts with cheaper ones, and change a few internals of the engine to bring down the displacement so in the end you end up with a bike that's even heavier than the original Z1 was, and barely makes any more power than a 600. I don't understand why nobody else aside from suzuki can grasp the concept of a 750.
Every Honda 919 I've ever seen for sale is always about $4500-5000 no matter what. That's not an awful price for a bike in good shape but it's pretty high when it's pretty easy to find other 10 year old bikes in the same condition for $3k. You could get a good Z1000 or a Speed triple for $1000-1500 less than that.
Oh well, I'm satisfied with what I've got now, and the next bike I get will probably be whatever pops up for a good deal at the time because I'm still pretty undecided(although I always end up coming back to the gsxr750, zx636, or a cbr600rr), but I'm not gonna complain if I'm on something else.
Quote from: tt_four on August 10, 2010, 06:43:21 PM
I wish suzuki would make a seriously nice vtwin version of the gsxr750, faster than the 650 and slower than the mind numbingly fast liter bikes out there now. A good looking bike with 125hp and a decent bottom end.
I'm pretty sure the SV1000 fits that bill. I wish they would bring the SV1000 back.
Still had a cheap suspension, and I'm sure plenty of other bargain parts. For some reason as much as I like the sv650, I feel like the sv1000 completely lacks soul. They should've just updated the TL.