Awesome to see a motorcycle thread here Hope to join you blokes once my bike arrives from Aus.

Nice one! KTM's are nice, but need looking after imo. If you're riding every day i wouldnt bother but if its just for nice days and a hobby thing, i wouldnt get hung up on it. Just gotta find a well looked after one and continue to look after it.

The Bmw's a parralel twin, which is a different ball game isnt it.. Love or hate.

The 650 vstrom is a nice bike, with the SV650 engine in. The engines are very reliable but not massively powerful, especially in a big bike like the vstrom.

Be interesting to hear your thoughts on them!

Yes. Understand what you say about the KTM, and if I could find a truly immaculate one, I'd be tempted as its a hobby/pleasure bike for me.

The BMW is a light bike and should go well, even in the slightly retuned state on the F700GS. I have ridden an older V Strom and recall it being quite bulky and feeling tall. It was, if my memory serves me well, very very comfortable. However I do like the v twin configuration. There are lots of good deals on the Suzuki, on both new and nearly new machines.

Looking forward to the rides. ( I shall also check out the Versys)

Yes. Understand what you say about the KTM, and if I could find a truly immaculate one, I'd be tempted as its a hobby/pleasure bike for me.

The BMW is a light bike and should go well, even in the slightly retuned state on the F700GS. I have ridden an older V Strom and recall it being quite bulky and feeling tall. It was, if my memory serves me well, very very comfortable. However I do like the v twin configuration. There are lots of good deals on the Suzuki, on both new and nearly new machines.

Looking forward to the rides. ( I shall also check out the Versys)

Shiuld be okay then. aprillia's are abit like that. They show it if they arent looked after. I looked at quite a few n was beginning to think i wouldnt find one i would be happy with (im abit ocd!) but you would find one eventually if you decided thats defo what you want. You can easily spot a well looked after one, and have to snap it up whilst you can.

The v-strom will be the slowest i think, but i imagine you'd have to work the IL2 of the BMW more to get the power out of it?

Have you thought about an R1200GS?

Shiuld be okay then. aprillia's are abit like that. They show it if they arent looked after. I looked at quite a few n was beginning to think i wouldnt find one i would be happy with (im abit ocd!) but you would find one eventually if you decided thats defo what you want. You can easily spot a well looked after one, and have to snap it up whilst you can.

The v-strom will be the slowest i think, but i imagine you'd have to work the IL2 of the BMW more to get the power out of it?

Have you thought about an R1200GS?

R1200GS is a definite possibility. I used to have a RT1100 which was a fantastic machine. However, "Maturity" means I need a lighter bike nowadays with a relaxed riding position for my left knee. I know the R1200GS is a lot lighter than the older models. The issue around weight is manoeuvring into the garage and nothing to do with riding.

I fear the F700 engine may be a little lacking in soul, but won't know until I ride one of course. I still like the boxer twin, even in the modern guise.

I too, am rather ocd. Many of the immaculate used bikes I see fail to meet my expectations. Sometimes I wish I was less fussy.

You'll find the f 700 absolutely gutless. Had the 800 as a loaner, kept looking for pedals.

Not my cuppa at all and very low on grunt. You won't be able to compare to a gs, very very different lumps.

Keep us all posted on the search !

You'll find the f 700 absolutely gutless. Had the 800 as a loaner, kept looking for pedals.

Not my cuppa at all and very low on grunt. You won't be able to compare to a gs, very very different lumps.

Keep us all posted on the search !

 

Was it loaned whilst you owned a K1300S though? . 

Lol very funny. My push bike had more grunt.

Lol very funny. My push bike had more grunt.

 

ahaa. Was it that bad? I've never ridden one. I've ridden a GPZ500 n didn't like it, that put me off IL2's abit. 

 

I did look at the F series of BMW's before i bought the VFR. If it was an 800 boxer twin id of probably got as far as a test ride. . 

You'd have been very disappointed mate. Viffer is a totally different beast.

You'd have been very disappointed mate. Viffer is a totally different beast.

 

I even found that a little peaky. 

 

I'm a big fan of midrange for the road. Not mashing down the gears to get the best from it  . 

Couldn't agree more mate, grunt grunt grunt.

Bit like Chris on the hunt for cake.

Finally cured (I hope) my sticking front disc pistons by pushing them almost out of the caliper cylinders and cleaning them with muc off before lubricating them with brake fluid. With new EBC HH pads all round and fresh brake fluid I am sure that along with fresh filters plugs oil and coolant and new zorst that my VFR750 is now in good shape. Fingers crossed for the brake bleeding tomorrow. After I put the new pads in my friend told me that I should have taken some of the brake fluid out of the master cylinder. Wished I had known that before as it makes the job of pushing the pistons back in sooo much easier especially now they're clean. Live and learn.

Finally cured (I hope) my sticking front disc pistons by pushing them almost out of the caliper cylinders and cleaning them with muc off before lubricating them with brake fluid. With new EBC HH pads all round and fresh brake fluid I am sure that along with fresh filters plugs oil and coolant and new zorst that my VFR750 is now in good shape. Fingers crossed for the brake bleeding tomorrow. After I put the new pads in my friend told me that I should have taken some of the brake fluid out of the master cylinder. Wished I had known that before as it makes the job of pushing the pistons back in sooo much easier especially now they're clean. Live and learn.

 

Maybe he's right.. it would make sense in theory. 

 

I've always put the pads in before filling up with brake fluid and bleeding. 

 

There should be a min and max mark though? 

Copied from my Triumph site.

Now the swing arm is at the powder coaters, area in front of the rear wheel all cleaned up from chain lube and crap. more bits taken apart and cleaned, painted and fettled. Belt primary drive on plus all the bearings and sleeve bits ordered for the swing arm.

One issue is that the rubber boot that covers that rear brake switch located beside the rear wheel is a bit knackered.

To order a new one from Triumph is £550 because you have to buy the wiring harness as well!

Spoke with Pete Clarke, that many of you also know who kindly gave me the name of the company in..............................................................guess where?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China. What a surprise. Anyway trying to contact them in the vain hope of buying one. You can only try however remote. Will continue to look at suppliers of "boots" on the tinternet.

 

£550. WTF? 

 

Whens the swingarm due back mate? I'm looking forward to seeing pics of it... 

Kev I suspect you know I will suggest this but...Tiger?  The 800 is still a cracking tool and loads of fun although obviously I prefer the 'full fat' version.

R1200GS is a definite possibility. I used to have a RT1100 which was a fantastic machine. However, "Maturity" means I need a lighter bike nowadays with a relaxed riding position for my left knee. I know the R1200GS is a lot lighter than the older models. The issue around weight is manoeuvring into the garage and nothing to do with riding.

I fear the F700 engine may be a little lacking in soul, but won't know until I ride one of course. I still like the boxer twin, even in the modern guise.

I too, am rather ocd. Many of the immaculate used bikes I see fail to meet my expectations. Sometimes I wish I was less fussy.

The 1200GS LC is 238kg fully fuelled up. At the launch in 2013 they had one of those blue plastic containers off a water dispenser like you see in office blocks to show how much weight they'd shed off the previous GS. If you have a smooth garage floor then one of these or something similar makes it a lot easier to move it around.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Motorbike-Turntable-Mover-Skate-Wheel-Dolly-ConStands-red-/391424781463?hash=item5b22bc2c97:g:TBIAAOSwGOxXAdHW

 

Book a decent test ride to see if you like the GS or not.

Bike weight is all about where it is on the bike IMO. 

 

If its low down, you wont notice it so much, but if its higher up its harder work and easily noticeable. 

 

Dads a big guy, and he notices a big difference just fulling up the 33 litre tank on his GSA. Then put luggage in the panniers and topbox too and its not very light. 

 

Just a normal GS will be much lighter and easier all round though id guess? 

Kev I suspect you know I will suggest this but...Tiger?  The 800 is still a cracking tool and loads of fun although obviously I prefer the 'full fat' version.

Chris.

I am up for any bike, and will check out the Tiger. I do like twin cylinder machines though especially v twin and the horizontal twin of the traditional BMW.

It's a peculiar thing though. You can check out all the facts and figures, read all the reviews etc etc. At the end of the day, you still have to like the ride and savour the aesthetics. I ride a CB500x which is a fine machine. It looks good, rides great and is well finished, but I do want a bit more oooooomph

The KTM I rode was lovely but the finish was nowhere near as good as the Honda. It's a pity the new NC750x is a bit too cramped for me as I would buy one otherwise. I am looking forward to the test rides. I think the two bikes will be very different.

Bike weight is all about where it is on the bike IMO.  

 

If its low down, you wont notice it so much, but if its higher up its harder work and easily noticeable. 

 

To a certain extent yes, especially at low speeds/pushing them round though this is more noticeable the smaller/shorter/older/weaker you are

 

Dads a big guy, and he notices a big difference just fulling up the 33 litre tank on his GSA. Then put luggage in the panniers and topbox too and its not very light. 

 

The GSA does have a huge tank though adding panniers and top boxes to any bike then filing them up makes things more of a handful, especially for ADV bikes again the  shorter/smaller/older....... :peek: 

 

Just a normal GS will be much lighter and easier all round though id guess? 

 

It is lighter than the GSA, but as above some of that is down to the extra fuel it can carry, but the seat height on the GSA is taller too which again is more of an issue for shorter/smaller...........

 

There seems to be a theme here   Perhaps I should have got a Harley....

£550. WTF? 

 

Whens the swingarm due back mate? I'm looking forward to seeing pics of it...

I am hoping end of week maybe start of next week.

Bike weight is all about where it is on the bike IMO.

If its low down, you wont notice it so much, but if its higher up its harder work and easily noticeable.

To a certain extent yes, especially at low speeds/pushing them round though this is more noticeable the smaller/shorter/older/weaker you are

Dads a big guy, and he notices a big difference just fulling up the 33 litre tank on his GSA. Then put luggage in the panniers and topbox too and its not very light.

The GSA does have a huge tank though adding panniers and top boxes to any bike then filing them up makes things more of a handful, especially for ADV bikes again the shorter/smaller/older....... :peek:

Just a normal GS will be much lighter and easier all round though id guess?

It is lighter than the GSA, but as above some of that is down to the extra fuel it can carry, but the seat height on the GSA is taller too which again is more of an issue for shorter/smaller...........

There seems to be a theme here Perhaps I should have got a Harley....

You'll find something buddy. Its worth spending the time now rather thwn buying something and regretting it, eh

I've always thought that the Honda badging on the Forza was a little too discreet

 

So this happened..........

 

 

Chris.

I am up for any bike, and will check out the Tiger. I do like twin cylinder machines though especially v twin and the horizontal twin of the traditional BMW.

It's a peculiar thing though. You can check out all the facts and figures, read all the reviews etc etc. At the end of the day, you still have to like the ride and savour the aesthetics. I ride a CB500x which is a fine machine. It looks good, rides great and is well finished, but I do want a bit more oooooomph

The KTM I rode was lovely but the finish was nowhere near as good as the Honda. It's a pity the new NC750x is a bit too cramped for me as I would buy one otherwise. I am looking forward to the test rides. I think the two bikes will be very different.

Quality of the finish on bikes these days is something Madrunner and myself were discussing at the weekend.  As others in here have said as well even the BMW brand is falling down on this these days.  My Triumphs have been poor in this respect but then my 07 plate VFR 800 was not as good as my 98 registered one.  I think it is a case of you keep on top of the cleaning the best you can and give your ride the best chance of surviving the rigours of our weather system here in the UK.  If you buy new that isn't as difficult as inheriting someone else's cleaning regime with a second hand purchase.  For example I ride rather than clean so whoever has the TEX after me will not have an immaculate never been ridden in the wet bike.

 

A relative has one of the KTMs and the alloy drop bars on the suspension at the rear have corroded so much they just snapped!  I have little doubt that had they been cleaned better and more often before he purchased it they would not have been as bad though.

 

As for deciding what bike to go for well that isn't always easy either.  I recently bought my Triumph Daytona second hand which meant I was unable to take a test ride and could only sit on it to gauge whether it would be comfortable enough for me.  That tells you nothing about what it will be like after a few miles of course.  So buying from a dealer where you can have a test ride is the best way obviously.

 

What to buy is usually based on a few things but the looks is major as none of us would buy something we just couldn't stand the sight of.  Then there are a whole load of other things you mention as well.  I am now hooked on the sound of the triples and indeed would have considered a V twin/four as well. I am not keen on the sound of in line fours but it would not have been a deal breaker if the right bike came along.

 

I think you will have fun and frustration in equal measure in your hunt but wish you the best for it and hope you find what you want.  Whatever you do don't forget the only rule in here. If there are no pictures it didn't happen!

"I think you will have fun and frustration in equal measure in your hunt but wish you the best for it and hope you find what you want. Whatever you do don't forget the only rule in here. If there are no pictures it didn't happen!"

Thanks for the thought and you are right re fun and frustration. I will abide by the picture rule, but I have an awful sneaky feeling that it may be some time away before I find what I want.