Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

Kwacky wrote:It is Blade. To be honest if I'm going to keep two bikes I'll keep the two I've got. Both are paid for and owe me nothing and as a pairing they cover all bases.

I dunno what to do

Sounds like you need to do nothing but enjoy them.

I know yiur not getting the use out of the st in winter but come spring you will be glad you have it.

what i like about having two bikes is that if there's something amiss with one then i've got the other, it might be a puncture, an ailing battery, bulbs that i haven't got a replacement for or some kind of mechanical issue. Of course, with my bikes being older, getting a replacement part can take a while.

Changing bikes is expensive.

Upgrade cost, insurance and tax and that's before you start buying new bling. Keeping 2 bikes you enjoy surely has to be the best and most financially beneficial decision.

i understand that you have your reasons for contemplating a change of motorbike

incidentally, this thread reminds me of a trait that i noticed with all bikers, especially me

ie: - the feeling that there is another bike round the corner so you spend your time looking for the next machine

then later on you look back and think, 'i wish i hadn't sold that bike'

anyway this is what i wrote on the subject for the VJMC magazine just under a couple of years ago.

no offence or comment intended, simply rang a bell as it were, maybe inapropriately i don't know

As weather improves, won't you commute on the street?

Nope. It doesn't compare to the Versys as a commuter. The big greenie is much better suited.

DMC are in the process of swapping over their KTM demo fleet so no new bikes for me to have while the Versys is in for repairs.

The 1090 S looks decent but it was sat next to the 1290 Adventure S, which turned my head. It's a 160bhp beast though and they're less than cheap. They also look pretty big as well, probably too big for my commuting needs.

DMC have said I can take any of their bikes out for a test ride.

I've ridden similar to one of those - bloody massive. Handles well for a big bike, but i wasnt keen. It's how big the front and the tank seems that puts me off.

The 1090 is a lot slimmer. It's got 125bhp on it which is probably enough for my needs.

Plus a quick online search shows I can get it insured with MCE for £325. The cheapest 1290 is more than double that with a load of insurers looking for 4 figures!

Kwacky wrote:The 1090 is a lot slimmer. It's got 125bhp on it which is probably enough for my needs.

Plus a quick online search shows I can get it insured with MCE for £325. The cheapest 1290 is more than double that with a load of insurers looking for 4 figures!

Not a bad option. I'm a big fan of the LC8 variant engine.

The only downside I can see is that the 19 inch front wheel will restrict tyre choice.

I don't think my feet would touch the ground on something like that.

duke63 wrote:The only downside I can see is that the 19 inch front wheel will restrict tyre choice.

Black Circles.com are showing over 50 options, ranging from £66 to £95

D41 wrote:I don't think my feet would touch the ground on something like that.

The KTM bikes are tall.

Tell me about it.

(No, don't!)

That engine wont be easy in traffic but they do pull well

Bike buying is on hold until we sort out what's happening on the house front.

I think I've decided I want a bigger adventure style bike, so something like the Tiger800 or 1200 (I don't like the look of the 1050), Multi, S1000xr or a KTM 1090/1190/1290

I've only been on Duke's Multi and ridden a couple of the Tigers so test rides are in order. The local BMW dealer has loads of bikes so I might try some of the others. The R1200 RS is a wild card.

Kwacky wrote:Bike buying is on hold until we sort out what's happening on the house front.

I think I've decided I want a bigger adventure style bike, so something like the Tiger800 or 1200 (I don't like the look of the 1050), Multi, S1000xr or a KTM 1090/1190/1290

I've only been on Duke's Multi and ridden a couple of the Tigers so test rides are in order. The local BMW dealer has loads of bikes so I might try some of the others. The R1200 RS is a wild card.

I like that 1200RS. Might be a good option.

It's shaft drive so the PITA of dealing with a chain over winter is taken away.

On that theme, how about something like this.