| Author | Message | ||
     Rick_a |
 Considering another bike...something that's going to rack up miles a bit better than what I've currently got (Buell S1 and Suzuki DR650SE motard).  The XSR is cool, and would get a cafe style fairing. The FJ would suit my purposes perfectly, though is a bit bland and the riding position on such bikes tends to feel a bit awkward. They both sound kinda terrible, which is an annoyance. The FZ is incredible, and would get a touring screen, though it may be a bit too manic for my purposes. The fuel mileage is terrible. The sound of that engine is intoxicating. The BMW I've admired for a long time, and is the best handling big bike I've ever rode. It's a bit of a Cadillac-like ride rocket. It would probably be kept as-is. The kid likes the retro, the wife likes the sport-tourer, and I'm not so sure. The modern retro is capable, classy and cool, the FJ should be fun and practical, the FZ is most me, but may be too much, and the BMW is a smooth stable road burner. | ||
| Fast1075 |
My 2 cents: I like Yamaha. You couldn't pay me to ride a Bee Emm Trouble-u. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Ever consider this? I think it's way more attractive than the FZ (mostly because the FZ is transformer hideous IMHO) and a you get some Italian status for bike nights...It's probably what I am looking at after my Buells die.  | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Ever consider this? I think it's way more attractive than the FZ (mostly because the FZ is transformer hideous IMHO) and a you get some Italian status for bike nights...It's probably what I am looking at after my Buells die. | ||
| Rick_a |
In my research of that particular Bimmer I've found that the final drive output seal/bearing can be a failure point...but not much else for regular troubles. I've rode the last generation of V-twin Tuono, and it was amazing...it's just a bit too refined for me, and it was also incredibly thirsty, which is an annoying trait...especially for bikes with small tanks. They also have regular stator failures. Not cool. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Stator failure? Where have I heard that one before? Hmmmm.... | ||
| Henshao |
What's wrong with the S1? Too vibey? | ||
| Rick_a |
From my own experience I've had a couple using an improper primary drive lubricant. No issues using proper primary lubes. | ||
| Sifo |
I'd be in on the FJ-09. Could have better styling, but is a cool bike. | ||
| Rick_a |
No...the S1 is too explodie. In its last iteration it did pretty well, but still ended up having an unexpected engine failure. Granted, it's far from stock, but I'd like to go longer between rebuilds. The forks and shock also need rebuilding every 15K miles or so, and my race header cracks at about the same frequency. That's a lot of work to put in. It's worth it...it's just a pain on a yearly basis, however. The Suzook has had various engine seals leak and fork seals blow within 25k, but nothing major has gone wrong. I don't expect it to last forever and it's kinda marginal for highway use. I'd like a long termer to take a brunt of the miles, reduce my work load some, that's faster than necessary. | ||
| Henshao |
If I was going to give up on the S1 for general A-B I'd pick a soulless Honda of some kind and ride the wheels off it. | ||
| Rick_a |
This seems like it would make a perfect touring bike  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtOvMXmjtSY That's the stock muffler with an aftermarket link pipe.  | ||
| Rick_a |
Blasphemy! My ultimate vision is using the big DR during the summer, the Buell through spring and fall, and another bike with wind protection to ride through the winter/tropical storm season. The only Honda I'm remotely interested in is the CB1100. It's rather bland, and sounds kinda aweful...even with a full race system. The ergonomics are right and it would surely run forever.  The wife would like me to get a big GS, but I told her that I'm going across town, not across the country. It told her that they're huge, heavy, and expensive, and only got a shoulder shrug in return.  | ||
| Ratbuell |
The FZ's are fun. And, you don't see the "face" while you're riding it... There's also GSX-S models now too, if you like the naked look. Quite competent, nice ergos. Although...if you like the S1 but are tired of grenading it...you could always build it closer to stock. Oughta net you longer intervals between detonations - my bone stock S1W has never given me a lick of trouble other than right after I bought it, in '06, with 1,100 miles on it. The bike was on the sidestand too long (never ridden) and the output shaft bearing corroded and locked up after my first five miles of riding. That's it. 10k or so miles on it now, only issue is not enough riding time because of work! But one that keeps catching my eye at work is the Concours. That looks like a pretty competent sport-tour to me! | ||
| Robertl |
I test rode a FJ09 last year and also a Vstrom 1000. I preferred the FJ09. The 3 cylinder was super smooth and plenty of power. Comfortable, nice oem accessories, etc. I just didn't want to spend that much yet. Vstrom was comfortable but had horrible wind buffeting with the oem screen. Someone mentioned the GSXS above. I almost bought one of these merely b/c of the price, 2015 new for $5300: http://www.skypowersportsorlando.com/default.asp?p age=xNewInventoryDetail&id=3802724&p=1&make=suzuki &s=Date%20Modified&d=D&t=new&fr=xNewInventory | ||
| Rick_a |
The S1 as stock was not treated well. I wrung its neck to get anywhere. It was bouncing off the limiter regularly. Once I got 'er as I liked it, it commanded respect and restraint in regards to the throttle. The GSX-S is not my cup o' tea. The Concours is nice. Too much bike for me. I rode a Vstrom 1000 a few years ago. It was kinda awkward and uninspiring. Would definitely prefer something sportier. Most people seem to have complaints with most every OEM windscreen. Strange, that. They can build a perfectly good motorcycle, but use a windscreen that turns riders into a bobble head. | ||
| Rick_a |
I did pass an FZ-10 with bags and a screen on it in traffic today. That's a funky looking bike in person. | ||
| Rsh |
I got an FZ-10 in April of this year, lot of fun and a lot of bang for the buck. It has cruise control, ride modes, traction control, ABS, LED lighting and best of all the great crossplane sound. If there is a down side, it would be the fuel mileage goes to hell when ridden at a spirited pace. Yamaha also has a touring version, the FZ-10 SP, its got electronic Ohlins suspension Pretty descent package, and if you are worried about the looks, you cant see it when riding it. | ||
| Hughlysses |
The XSR is cool, and would get a cafe style fairing. The FJ would suit my purposes perfectly, though is a bit bland and the riding position on such bikes tends to feel a bit awkward. They both sound kinda terrible, which is an annoyance. I'm confused- reviewers generally rave about the awesome exhaust note of the triple, at least as it winds up. | ||
| Robertl |
The FZ10 is funky looking but I found it comfortable when I sat on one. Didn't have enough time to ride it. Maybe if they have them at Biketoberfest. The FJ09 was a ride all day/week type of bike and I was surprised how well it handled for a tall bike. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
LOL. I don't get the "you can't see when you are riding it comments". What about when you are OFF the bike? The FZ-10, is absolutely alot of bang for the buck, but my God it's damn ugly. YMMV of course. The Concours is the sport-touring bike I would buy hands down, if in that market. I have liked it for a LONG time. The only complaint is no cruise control. For a sport-tourer, this is a MUST. Heck they are putting cruise on alot of more sporty bikes these days....and for good reason. | ||
| Henshao |
Who cares what it looks like??? It's a mule for going back and forth! | ||
| Rsh |
I don't mind the looks of it, I even got the one with the day glow rims. Compared to the Buells I own (XB9R and 1125R) the FZ is like a starship. | ||
| Rick_a |
Well, I like the sound of big singles and twins...the FZ gets a pass as it sounds like a hi-po muscle car. The Yamaha triple sounds like a flat four racecar...which I don't find particularly pleasing. The BMW sounds the worst and would keep its stock exhaust. The typical I-4 drone is an annoyance...save for the classic 2V bikes. Those are okay. | ||
| Rick_a |
I think it's so ugly, it's cool. It looks better to me with the screen, which works out. I'm not a fan of vehicles that guzzle gas. That would be hard to deal with. Most reports seem to have it hovering around 30MPG. 35+ would at least be acceptable. A decat pipe and remap has them at nearly 150 RWHP, which is pretty damn good. | ||
| Rsh |
I think the FZ-10 looks better in person than in pictures. I think my lobster claw 1125r is the ugly one. I should switch out the pods with the Flexi-Glass version, they look better and improve the cooling efficiency. Since getting the FZ I've only ridden the XB9R and 1125R to keep the batteries charged. The XB is like a lawn mower, and the 1125R which did seem like a modern sport bike just isn't anymore in comparison. | ||
| Rick_a |
Wow. That's quite an endorsement. One thing I love about the Muell and Suzook is that despite being based on 80's and 90's technology, they work extremely well with some tweaks. I'm getting to the point where I'm weary of building things and just want to ride and use them. How's the big FZ on the slab? Seems it wouldn't be an ideal highway bike. | ||
| Greg_e |
You need to lay out the priorities for this bike. What will it be doing? How many miles at a stretch? Is passenger comfort important? If you will have a passenger for lots of miles, I'm guessing #3 is going to be at the top on the list. This puts you squarely in full touring bike mode. Hard bags, comfy seat, backrest, etc. Why torture your passenger when you could buy a nice used full touring bike, and keep the current bikes for short trips and solo rides? An old S3T would be about the closest I would get to sport touring. My choice was a monster Harley touring bike of Ultra level (used 'cause I'm a cheap guy). The other bikes I was looking at had no soul. | ||
| Rick_a |
#1. Commuting. #2. Fifty miles a day. #3. Not at all. Most of all it's gotta be fun. The big touring barges are great bikes, but totally skip the fun factor. An S3T would be my last choice, personally. | ||
| Henshao |
Here's the soulless Honda I personally was thinking of  Comfortable, quick workhorse (VFR800) |
