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Question for the motorcyclists here

Blue in Munich

Blue in Munich

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Work is shortly to be moving to a location far more suited to commuting by motorcycle so I am considering going back on 2 wheels and looking at secondhand bikes. Because of my size I would not be looking at any of the race replicas, but more in the BMW F800GS or R1200GS mould. However I'm open to alternative suggestions. The Ducati Multistrada or the Buell Ulysses look interesting and would potentially be within budget (5k max). Anyone got any experience of these two and any thoughts on them or suggest anything else in a similar vein, perhaps an XJR1300 or similar? Thanks.
 
A nice Lambretta GS 160? Or perhaps a GP 200, maybe a Vespa Li 125? ;)
 
Honda Deauville works for me!

Still reasonable performance without being too 'dangerous'! And I can actually lift it - just!
 
With the lack of awareness of a great deal of modern motorists must be crazy to go on a bike these days - especially with the increased volume of traffic.

I guess you're not a fan of Harley's ? Or too much ?
 
No to the Duke and the Buell. You might be lucky and get a good one but quality control isn't great. The F800, not bad but not BM's best. The 1200 is pretty decent. XJR, very nice oldie worldy bike and pretty much bulletproof. If you're considering the XJR, you could also look at the GSX1400. Similar style...

How about a Triumph Tiger, 1050cc engine, and you could pick up a decent one kitted up?
 
Foxholer said:
Honda Deauville works for me!

Still reasonable performance without being too 'dangerous'! And I can actually lift it - just!
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Still on the small side for me Foxholer, but thanks for the thought.

Liverpoolphil said:
With the lack of awareness of a great deal of modern motorists must be crazy to go on a bike these days - especially with the increased volume of traffic.

I guess you're not a fan of Harley's ? Or too much ?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the concern, but I'm quite happy that I can keep the risk to an acceptable minimum. As for the Harley, I want something that goes round corners & stops, so that rules them out.

Hobbit said:
No to the Duke and the Buell. You might be lucky and get a good one but quality control isn't great. The F800, not bad but not BM's best. The 1200 is pretty decent. XJR, very nice oldie worldy bike and pretty much bulletproof. If you're considering the XJR, you could also look at the GSX1400. Similar style...

How about a Triumph Tiger, 1050cc engine, and you could pick up a decent one kitted up?
Click to expand...

Thanks Hobbit, Tiger's worth a look. Any particular issues you are aware of with the Duke & the Buell or is it just general quality control? I know where you're coming from, but something about them appeals, particularly the unconventional nature of the Buell. considering the R1100S as that isn't too small either.
 
Hobbit said:
No to the Duke and the Buell. You might be lucky and get a good one but quality control isn't great. The F800, not bad but not BM's best. The 1200 is pretty decent. XJR, very nice oldie worldy bike and pretty much bulletproof. If you're considering the XJR, you could also look at the GSX1400. Similar style...

How about a Triumph Tiger, 1050cc engine, and you could pick up a decent one kitted up?
Click to expand...
do they still make these? had one at 16 and rode through the city streets with no protection of any kind- Mental!
 
Blue in Munich said:
Thanks Hobbit, Tiger's worth a look. Any particular issues you are aware of with the Duke & the Buell or is it just general quality control? I know where you're coming from, but something about them appeals, particularly the unconventional nature of the Buell. considering the R1100S as that isn't too small either.
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The Duke's; if there's a problem, its usually 'lectriks. Buell's, its just in general, but also getting the parts/support. Its almost non-existent.

CMAC said:
do they still make these? had one at 16 and rode through the city streets with no protection of any kind- Mental!
Click to expand...

Not the old Triumph Tiger that was a cheap Bonnie, one carb etc. The newer Tiger/Explorer looks like a big traillie bike with panniers etc.
 
Was speaking to my bro last week on the rough topic of this actually, basically BMW is the bike to buy at the min, well at the min, has been for the last few years!!

my bro is the editor for a motorbike magazine btw...
 
Foxholer said:
Yeah I figured it might be! :rolleyes: Fine for me though!

Big Brother Pan?



Perhaps that rules the Pan out too! :rolleyes: Your (ex-?)colleagues had a few problems a while back!
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Foxholer, I never had that problem with them (the issue if I remember was where someone mounted the radio kit), preferred them to the BMW for the slightly sportier lean forward position, just with the commute route they might be a bit lardy, even without the panniers, for taking some gaps compared to a big trail, but thanks for the suggestions.

Hobbit said:
The Duke's; if there's a problem, its usually 'lectriks. Buell's, its just in general, but also getting the parts/support. Its almost non-existent.



Not the old Triumph Tiger that was a cheap Bonnie, one carb etc. The newer Tiger/Explorer looks like a big traillie bike with panniers etc.
Click to expand...

Hobbit, thanks for the update mate, I was hopeful that you might get Buell support through the HD network, still might consider the Duke if it's "only" electrics. Looked into the Tiger route as well, might be grovelling to the Chancellor for a budget increase since I found the Tiger Sport.

Rooter said:
Was speaking to my bro last week on the rough topic of this actually, basically BMW is the bike to buy at the min, well at the min, has been for the last few years!!

my bro is the editor for a motorbike magazine btw...
Click to expand...

Rooter, thanks for the input, all my big bikes have always been Beemers, primarily because they are physically bigger than the Japanese offerings which suits me far better. Just fancied something different and the budget rules out a newer BM so was looking at alternatives. If your brother has any specific thoughts on the Multistrada/Ulysses/Tiger/Tiger Sport/XJR I'd be interested to hear them before I start looking in earnest.
 
Blue in Munich said:
Thanks for the concern, but I'm quite happy that I can keep the risk to an acceptable minimum. As for the Harley, I want something that goes round corners & stops, so that rules them out.
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Sorry the risks i was more talking about other car drivers who these days dont appear to show much consideration towards people on motorbikes as opposed to yourself taking risk :thup:
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Sorry the risks i was more talking about other car drivers who these days dont appear to show much consideration towards people on motorbikes as opposed to yourself taking risk :thup:
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I know you were, but as per my original response I'm happy that I can keep that particular risk to an acceptable minimum. I realise you can never completely account for driver's stupidity, but having been taught years ago to think for them as well as myself I'm as happy as I can be that I should be able to keep myself out of trouble, but I appreciate your concern for me. :thup:
 
friend used to race bikes...and cars...pretty much had Ducati's all his career. Always remember him saying if you ride a bike, you're coming off, no matter how careful you are, it will happen at some point.
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Sorry the risks i was more talking about other car drivers who these days dont appear to show much consideration towards people on motorbikes as opposed to yourself taking risk :thup:
Click to expand...

CMAC said:
friend used to race bikes...and cars...pretty much had Ducati's all his career. Always remember him saying if you ride a bike, you're coming off, no matter how careful you are, it will happen at some point.
Click to expand...

Last accident on a bike, spring 1982. Don't believe all the negative rubbish put out by the media/govt. There's bold bikers, and there's old bikers, but not many of are both.
 
If your looking at the Tiger have a look at the Sprint ST 1050 as well.
I've got the 955I Sprint ST which has a couple of mods but not much and it's an awesome bike. I ride it to work everyday, it's great for knocking out millage when you want or need to and it's great for a Sunday howl to boot.
Superb all rounder with factory hard panniers, comfortable ride which is great for work and touring, corners really well and is easy to get off the edge of the rear tyre without feeling out of control. They are also superb when 2 up and stacked with luggage.
Take one for a test drive you'll be surprised at it's versatility and the triple is a great engine combining low end torque with high revving power.
 
FFS, if you want a bike to get to work and back (less than 100 miles) then get a Honda CG125. cheap, good on fuel, bucket of water over it every 6 months and a new plug. Whats the problem?
 
CMAC said:
friend used to race bikes...and cars...pretty much had Ducati's all his career. Always remember him saying if you ride a bike, you're coming off, no matter how careful you are, it will happen at some point.
Click to expand...

I always took the view that the car at the next junction would pull out in front of me, keep my head lights on and to take my position in the road the same as a car.
 
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