What Next?

[Saul]

Sunday morning navel gazing, what are you realistically thinking about for your next bike?

My thinking room. 

Something retro or retro styled for me, middle weight around, 60 to 70 ish BHP, 200 ish KG or less. 

Twin or 4 pot.   

Probably less than £5K budget for me, or else I would be in domestic strife.   Lot of interesting stuff out there for £2 to £2.5 K

I like sports bikes but prolly would rarely ride such a thing, to uncomfy and don't really care about boasting numbers or tearing around like a nutter bastard.   

I ride with a group of old feckers so big 1000cc plus blasters are pointless given where I live and ride most of the time.    Rather use the rev range on something smaller than have to tickle a beast 100+ Bhp around.   

Also I'm average height and getting smaller and older so big adventure stuff doesn't interest me really.  

Thinking Bonneville/Scrambler/Speed twin, W800, Intercepter (really), type of stuff.     BMW R series stuff or older K75 Bricks.  Do like a Z650RS, Do like a older 90's CB750 retro or a Kawasaki Zephyr.   

I like older 70's and 80's Japanese 4s but don't know if i can be arsed to fettle them commensurate to their age.    Just want to get on and ride.  

 

[Pedro]

35 minutes ago, Saul said:

don't know if i can be arsed to fettle them commensurate to their age.    Just want to get on and ride. 

That’s what you say you want, but what you really want is a project. 

I think you need two more bikes, really: the second one to “just get on and ride” and the third one to “paint brake callipers and rebuild stuff with needles and new seals”.

Tell your wife this is what keeps a man out of extra marital habits.

[Saul]

Just now, Pedro said:

That’s what you say you want, but what you really want is a project. 

I think you need two more bikes, really: the second one to “just get on and ride” and the third one to “paint brake callipers and rebuild stuff with needles and new seals”.

Tell your wife this is what keeps a man out of extra marital habits.

I love the way you're thinking.    Only problem is  I'm too old to shag away half of everything I own and my Mrs knows that, plus I have gotten used to her now.  

[Pedro]

40 minutes ago, Saul said:

what are you realistically thinking about for your next bike?

I think I want a big displacement traillie with more offroad ability. Something that can go on long trips easily and relaxed in doing road miles but is better suited for a little more offroad than a GS. It has to be nice enough of a road bike for a quick 300km on the motorway without feeling stressed and exhausting, and have creature comforts.

The R12G/S seems almost perfect on paper except it’s got a baby fuel tank. I had a sit on one and I honestly I didn’t really feel interested on taking it out for a testride.

The new R1300 Adventures are growing on me, they seem strong mechanically so maybe I’ll test one in a year or so and see how they are.

I’d like a R1200GS rallye to maybe treat in a different way than I do my bike.

The RT is a fantasy bike for me, but maybe in a few years.

I like the Harley Low Rider ST a lot, but can’t see me enjoying riding that on any of the roads I enjoy except on the motorway, plus can’t see me turning it around in the garages I park either And also I would feel like a show off on a Harley.

I am probably going to be flying to London in October and riding a Scrambler 1200XE home along with Sofia on another one. That will certainly tell me if I want a traillie like that or not.

[Pedro]

9 minutes ago, Saul said:

I love the way you're thinking.    Only problem is  I'm too old to shag away half of everything I own and my Mrs knows that, plus I have gotten used to her now.  

The problem is that she knows it!

[Saul]

That 1200XE is a bloody big bike.  I know you are used to that sort of thing but are you ready to ditch the shaft? 

[Pedro]

Just now, Saul said:

That 1200XE is a bloody big bike.  I know you are used to that sort of thing but are you ready to ditch the shaft? 

I don’t think so, no. The thought of having to lube a chain again is annoying even before I have to do it. But that bike isn’t meant to be for me.

I haven’t ridden one yet, but at 230kg wet I’ll be surprised if it feels more agile than my bike.