What about a ktm superduke, had the 990 and now the 1290, both cracking bike and you can pick up a 990 cheap now
Great feedback - thanks. If only making my indecision worse. Hadn’t considered the GSXRs up until this point but they seem to be getting some positive feedback. Reference the BMWs I previously through that the 1200 RS would be what I was after but just found it a little bit bland. And bizarrely, out of all the BMWs the RR was the only one I like doing the looks of. I guess it’s extra weight goes a way towards making it a well mannered road bike and the gadgets help. Whatever the bike I will add heated grips and probably a throttle lock in place of electric cruise control.
This is dangerous talking now. I had deliberately been avoiding the supernaked route as it would probably have resulted in the supermoto getting chopped in. I may be a little tall for a tuono (6’1 with long legs) and if you go down this route the MT-10 starts to look very tempting (screen, heated grips, cruise control, comfy seat, luggage)
Re: bland... ride one, then ride it some more... all the time you're consciously thinking "bland" the damned things are busy working their way under your skin. OK, might not be universally true and some people won't like them but they are insidious little buggers the flat-twins and over a period longer than a short test ride they reveal how wickedly competent they are and how their nice farty globs-of-torque character shows itself. The RS was a weapon, hit the apex and then just let the electronics do the heavy lifting... like being drop-kicked out of corners (a bit like a well-sorted 2v Ducati)... Which brings me to the one I should not have overlooked... the 2v 1000/1100 Multistrada! Fewer things to go wrong, bloody marvellous engine and even the looks are alright on the later ones, and viewed from rear 3/4 they are actually pretty nice looking. Just get 5l of ACF-50 and a Scottoiler and have at it, change from £4k for an 1100! : I love bike shopping... it's my favourite thing, especially with someone else's wallet!
I thought the engine was fantastic. Not exciting but ruthlessly efficient with waves upon waves of torque. More then enough for everything you need but not necessarily what you/I want. The looks aren’t “too” bad either but it was the combination of everything which left me a little deflated. Can’t explain why - I wanted to want one but it wasn’t to be.
I know what you mean. I liked it but it didn't seem to have the same "reason to exist" as a GS or an RR. I find the same with the R1200R, a bike that on paper should be about perfect for me, but that I can't seem to muster any enthusiasm for. As a datapoint I have a 2014 S1000RR, it has the same ruthless efficiency that you mention and it makes a glorious noise. The practicality of the heated grips etc. is ace, and sometimes I do wish I'd gone for the 2018 RR, which I almost did, for the cruise control and fancier suspension. I went for an HP4, taking a punt on the residuals being better than a "normal" RR... time will tell. If you're using one as day-to-day transport then it's worth considering buying from a BMW dealer as stuff like the switchgear seems variable in it's weatherproofedness... all BMW dealers put a two year warranty on their bikes. You pay a premium for it but the warranty seems like a no-quibble affair. For day to day getting about I tended to grab the keys to my GS more than my RR. Then stupidly sold the GS because a Multistrada caught my eye... Multistrada now for sale at local dealer and have secured another GS for when the Multistrada sells... they get under your skin.
Still looking around. Thinking I may drop a little less cash, so that a change in 18 months won’t be too painful (if a Daytona 765 ever arrives...) Which is putting me in VFR territory. Seen the paint scheme below, is it a bit much? Maybe it is just making up for the fact I always wanted a Repsol blade.
The fire blade is a great everyday day tool as well to be fair. I can use my r1 every day it's so comfy and smooth.
If I had a supermoto I think I’d want a blade as my second bike. In fact, with my main bike being a monster I am actually trying to figure out how I get a blade in to my garage 2007 in HRC colours would be my choice. Dub Ps owning a supermoto implies you have hooligan tendencies and therefore you need a blade.. not a GS!
Is there still the 2006 with the Repsol paint scheme (wheels don’t match the fairings)in completely motorcycles staverton........?
The big problem I have with the blade is mission creep. As in I like the old 2006-2007 model but I also like the 2007 model, I’m particular the SP paint scheme, with a stubby can. And that is getting in to danger money territory.
Blades are great but pretty boring. I love how the 08-12 looks and it rides great, but you need to be cranking it to get the thing into its operating window and providing feedback. And day to day that’s too fast. For a daily I’d go for a slower bike, that you can have a bit of fun with but that is going to be well-behaved. CBR650F?
ive had a few fireblades from 2003 the way up to 2013. The 2006/07 models are a good bike and finish etc. I did a lot of miles on mine, including a 12hr stint to catch a ferry in europe. but the S1000RR would be of interest to me from 2015/2018 , as you say, cruise control , elec suspension etc, it has it all. In saying that , for the price of a high ticket item you could buy a decent blade and a new forza 300 scooter or an Tmax 500/530 cc Yamaha scoot OR a 800cc honda crossrunner from 2012 onward. Good engine, comfy bike and plenty of oomph and if you aint tearing it up, will return 45/50 mpg 21ltr tank. Also worth considering, a k1300s. They are a bit lardy looking and when you pick them off the stand, but they can hustle on a/b roads ok and have elec suspension etc, but no cruise control. they are sh!t quick if you need it and not to bad price wise used. dont knock the scooters, im the only one out of my mates using one, a forza 125 ( in and around Dublin & some motorway stints ) and they are great for zipping in/out of the city, oodles of storage and ok at 60 mph all day long , 100 mpg, comfy etc, i wouldnt do miles and miles of m/way riding on it, id buy the 300cc if i needed. food for thought.
I ride a Daytona 675R most of the time, haven't gone through Winter but even though it's all relative it's much much more comfortable than any of the Ducati's I've had, although I found the 899 very comfortable. For commuting though, in honesty, I think you should look at the sportier tourers like the Z1000SX (or whatever it is) and maybe even think about CBR650 etc, they will all hustle with some tweaks and be much more appropriate.
Can’t get on with the qwak’s looks. Loved my 899 for short term comfort (motorways another issue) but it wasn’t a year round bike. A. I felt bad when it was constantly mingling. B. It didn’t like water. C. The Italians metal was a little too precious for our weather/roads/salt
Looks like it may be a high mileage VFR for a couples of years. Until the motorway miles drop and a blade is back in play (sensible thoughts!)
I'd seriously consider a Blackbird for motorway miles and winter comfort - a VFR is probably pretty close though
All day comfort, big miles and a pillion perch... the '97 RRY Fox eye Blade. Toured all over Europe two up, commuted and scratched. Absolutely brilliant and I just wish I had held on to it...
