Hi Janus;
I'm in my early 40's, currently riding a Gsxr11 (which I intend to be my last bike and to keep forever) and have been through so many bikes it is
unreal.
I too have come to the end of the line with the 'head down, bum up and clip-ons so low they're somewhere around the front wheel axle' malarky, my
last bike (a Gsxr750wn) got my back to viciously kill me after the 100 - 150mile mark.
No more.
If I can offer you a little advice and some thoughts?
(I'm assuming you mean brand new machines?)
Triumph Speed Triple:
good machine, radical looks (esp the latest version), very well built with very few vices although the latest torque monster 'big bore' motor has
only just come out and may be a little unproven.....but Triumph do have an excellent reputation for reliability and, rather nicely, excellent
aftersales customer service.
Many have said for years this is the best bike in the Trumpet range and they're said to be a ton of fun.
Very different to the Honda CBR600 in terms of weight and acceleration (the difference between a peaky machine like your old 600 and a big-bore torque
monster has to be felt to be believed, the big motor just makes life so effortless and so much less hassle.....and if there is also a heavy heavy
horsepower hit up top so much the better
) and the immeadiate sharpness of handling will feel very different - especially on a bike without
a fairing.
It'd be a good choice but as you say has zero weather protection which makes 80mph+ a pain in the neck for any length of time and our colder months a
bind too.
Something not to be overlooked.
Suzuki Bandit:
another excellent machine, been around for ages so spares are easily available and there is a massive custom scene (you can really personalise a
Bandit), it has a peach of an unburstable engine even if it is the older 'oil and air cooled' Gsxr motor, vast potential to tune for more reliable
power when you get too used to it - over 400bhp is possible if you have the budget and inclination!, great value for money too, again few vices (maybe
very heavy compared to that 600 you had).
New model in the shops next march/april so good deals to be had on the existing stocks.
Also if that kind of thing appeals how about the Gsx1400?
It's more up to date with the 2-butterfly EFI (as per the latest Gsxrs) and is also hugely tunable (have a look around the net for the various owners
groups, you'll see a ton of possibilities out there and many owners are happy to let you know some of their experiences.
The trick is stopping them!
)
GSF750F:
Another worthy machine; based on the older 'oil and air cooled' Gsxr750 motor (so as bullet-proof as they come). Not the greatest finish though,
needs keeping out of the weather (but don't they all) and looking after (again, but don't they all).
A workman like machine and good value too.
It's just a though but before you ditch the 'first division' bikes entirely -
Have you thought about something more sporty but just with
different bars?
You can get a set of excellent quality fully adjustable Giles bars for around £300 brand new (if you are lucky and have the time you could try ebay,
I got mine for £100 on ebay) and they even do a set of 'risers' to make them higher and pull back more for a further £70 brand new.
They're very easily fitted (at worst you'll need 1 or 2 new brake hoses and a couple of cables) and mean you don't have to give up the premier
league sports bikes.
Fully adjustable pegs are also readily available (many people just consider using them as rear sets but the adjusters can be used to drop and move
forward the peg position).
That way you can stay with a sporty power-monster and you do not have to trade down in the handling, weight or all round high-spec department
either.
The only downside I can see is a little less weight over the front but I'd pit the handling of my Gsxr against that of any retro big-bore bike anyday
of the week (and the wheelies are mouth-watering!
).
When you change bike you just change the bars & pegs back and fit them to your new bike. Easy.
There are some great deals out there on all of the current crop of 1000's (all facing new versions in mar/april 06 although the Suzuki is mostly just
a new paint job.....with the 1000's they are a year out of synch with the other 3 and the Gsxr1000 gets it's big update in 07).
By the way if you are buying brand new, why?
Why not look out a seriously mint *whatever* 1-2yr old machine with a genuine main dealer full history and let some other sucker take the knock on
depreciation?
If the SV650 appeals think about the SV1000 too, they didn't sell as well as hoped in the UK and there are some great deals out there.
I know a (very well off) guy who loves the big V twins and has had almost all of them (inc Foggy replica Ducati and is currently on a 999. He also
owned the SV650 & 1000) funnily enough he rates the big air cooled 900ss/944 (not the 916/955/996/998) Ducati as the most practical and enjoyable of
the big V's in a day to day riding sense (and reliability is much better than it used to be........if you buy a minter that has been looked after by
a pukka Ducati main dealer).
They'll happily do trackdays too if you are into them.
There are a million and one great bikes out there, take your time (don't buy the first one you see and like.....unless it's an amazing deal you just
can't say no to!).
The best advice is always to try and get someone very laid back, not easily impressed and who knows a lot more about them than you to go along with
you if you can.
Good luck.
[edit on 10-10-2005 by sminkeypinkey]