It's time for a bike change - Cornish is on the hunt again..

[Cornish]

Well gents as I can't really ride the Zx-10r I'm thinking on changing...again...

What should I go for considering my riding consists of mainly;
- commuting
- weekend catch up with the biker lads
- one or two long distance trips a year (1k or less)
- nipping out for some time on my own

I've been thinking these bikes:-
- Thruxton Type R (demoed it at the weekend and didn't love it)
- Speed Triple R
- Diavel
- Monster (Evo1100 or 1200)
- 899
- 1199 (if cheap enough)
- Yamaha XSR900 (had the MT-09 and loved it yet wanted a more retro look)
Or keep the ZX-10R

What's your views?


Carpe de Pasty...

[Cav]

Go all out and get the Ducati 939 SP Hypermotard !!!

[Kwacky]

Speed triple is good. Try the S1000r if you're after a sporty naked.

Diavel is ugly
XSR900 is boring

[Cornish]

Go all out and get the Ducati 939 SP Hypermotard !!!

Hmm, good suggestion Cav, i was looking at that yesterday, not sure it's really me though, lush bike and a weapon on the roads for sure

[Cornish]

Speed triple is good. Try the S1000r if you're after a sporty naked.

Diavel is ugly
XSR900 is boring

Hey Kwacky,

I'm thinking more 'cafe racer, old school or retro' looks wise hence the DIavel and XSR900 going into the mix.

I've looked at the S1000R though, and clearly it has amazing reviews, yet not for me i feel

[Perkles]

Monster 1200 is a do it all beast

[Kwacky]

Is the MT10 off the radar as well?

[Cornish]

Monster 1200 is a do it all beast

Ah yes Perkles, the Monster 1200, yeah i've been thinking about it too, as it sorts the 'cool factor, easy to commute on and still have some fun at the weekends'.

It's the slimline version of the Diavel in my mind, of which i do like the Diavel, yet not sure what it would be like to live with on an everyday basis.

[Cornish]

Is the MT10 off the radar as well?

Hey Kawcky, no, not off the radar, yet too extreme in look i think for me fella, at the moment

[Kwacky]

I agree about the looks, but going on the tweets I see everyone who takes one out for a test ride seems to end up buying the MT10.

Of the bikes mentioned so far the Speed Triple or the 1200 monster would be the two on a shortlist. I prefer triples to twins though.

[Cornish]

Sorry gents i should say I'm looking at a budget of approx. £8-£9k really

[Cornish]

I agree about the looks, but going on the tweets I see everyone who takes one out for a test ride seems to end up buying the MT10.

Of the bikes mentioned so far the Speed Triple or the 1200 monster would be the two on a shortlist. I prefer triples to twins though.

YEah, the MT-09 is certainly ticking all the boxes for those coming from Sportsbikes; which clearly I'm keen on, yet i think the looks thing is more of a driver for me than zooming it on the bike now.

[Cav]

The triple just isn't powerful enough though... I'd like one but having sat on one it felt heavy, that and the distinct lack of power put me off !!

Tuono V4......

[Kwacky]

The only time I noticed a lack of power when I had the speed triple was on the straights when the litre sports bikes would hit warp and disappear.

[duke63]

I wouldn't buy an 899/1199 to commute on. Your thighs will get roasted.

[Cornish]

Well I'm off to test ride the XSR-900 on Saturday morning. I'll send an update after.


Carpe de Pasty...

[Cornish]

I test rode the XSR-900 and the MT-10 on Saturday...

The XSR-900 is a lovely looking development of the MT-09 i used to have, simple to ride, looks good and better set up on the suspension. it rides and feels better than the MT-09, great same pokey engine and fun. the only downside i found was the tank is now longer and is permanently in your groin, whereas on the MT-09 you could choose to get over the front if you wanted, now you cant. Would i spend the extra money for the cool looking front headlight, better display and rear end....nope. i'd get a 2nd hand MT-09 flat tracker instead.

The MT-10 had a real presence to it, a big naked R1, lovely seating position, loads of info on the dash (yet not too distracting), great engine sound and performance coupled with smooth and accurate handling. i loved it, the power delivery was spot on, even if in A mode it was a little jumpy when filtering, a cracking engine and very addictive! Seating position is great, with that I'm on the road' commanding position that other road users cant ignore, well especially as it was the light grey and florescent wheeled version. And that brings me to the looks, they're not for everyone, i like it, apart from the headlights, which like a lot of naked's these days seem to be positioned far forward of the head-stock and 'dropping' downwards. if it wasn't for those, and the flou colours i'd had put an order in.

So, where does that leave me now on the bike front? Well, i'm going to go and test ride the Monster 1100 EVO and 1200 to compare them, as you all know I've had a few Ducati's in my time, and seem to be drawn back to them. I was thinking the Diavel, which i like, yet i don't think it'll work well for me considering i commute most days.

[Cornish]

So all this test riding brings me onto another thought about my ZX-10R, the suspension bushes are in at P&H for the work to be done a week on Saturday, meaning I've not been able to really ride it until this is done. however, although its a cracking bike, handles like a 600, (one of the best handling superbikes I've had) i'm falling out of love with it due to no fault of its own. Considering the fairing brackets were damaged, the suspension is where it is and I've not been able to ride a bike that cost a lot of money, a question; am i within my rights to call Jordan's and say have it back and refund my money or have i left it too late? They've been very good in sorting things out, yet at the end of the day I've spent a lot of cash and not had the bike i was expecting?

Clearly, i'm waiting to see what it'll be like when the suspension is sorted yet...just thinking with the cash back in the bank i can get another sooner :-) Saying that, if i do sell it, the prices have gone up so i'd be better off making an extra £500-£750 selling privately anyhow.

Thoughts....

[Kwacky]

If you don't ask you don't get. The bike clearly wasn't as good as they represented, so there's always the innocent misrepresentation route if you want to get technical with them.

[Monty]

Just ride the fecking thing!