Verging On Buying A Second Bike - What would you have?

[fazersharp]

Nick, if you really like MT09, have you considered selling the FZ1 (I know... hear me out) and buying a brand new MT09 Tracer thing that's coming out in 2015? It's an Yamaha, it's an MT09, and it has about as much fairing as a Fazer, and it sure looks comfortable!

That looks much better with some fairing and comes with hand guards that I have been trying to fit, but why do they insist on using gold folks they don't go

[JoeRock]

Nick, i heard you need one with stabillisers

Mate, I need stabilisers just for walking 

have you considered selling the  Fazer

What? WHAT??!! Have you taken leave of your senses?! Go and wash your mouth out with soap! 

Seriously, I love the     too much. This isn't about finding a replacement for it, it just does everything too well. This, for me, is just about a passion for bikes, and wanting to try some different stuff. I am in the enviable position of being able, if I really wanted, to go and buy a Kawasaki H2R, or a KTM1290 SDR, and still carry through with the plans for my move next year. But I do still have a more practical side (     ), and £5k seems a reasonable spend to start with. Can get a choice of some pretty good stuff at that price. I will never buy new again. It's an experience that everyone should have at least once in their life perhaps, but been there, done that, not going to take the depreciation hit anymore. And as I said, for me, the MT09 is yet to prove itself. I've read of a number of people who have bought them and then immediately gone and splashed out £100s of pounds to upgrade the suspension for one thing. Why should anyone need to do that if they've just laid out for a brand new bike? Seems daft to me. Ok, you might do it on a 2nd hander, but if I ever did buy new again, it had better be right from the start.

And people haven't done that exact same thing with the rather poor suspension on the FZS 1000?

[Hedgetrimmer]

Yeah, but I bought that for much less money 2nd hand, and with 17k on the clock when I got it, the rear standard shock didn't have much left in it. But I'd have thought twice about buying a new one and needing to replace the shock straight away. And the standard front suspension doesn't seem too bad. Plus, being a model I really love, I don't mind spending a bit on it - didn't do anything much to my last three, but decided this is the one that gets the treatment 

It's paying all that money for a brand new bike, and needing to sort the suspenders immediately, that I balk at. They probably put cheap stuff on for the reasons they always do - introducing a new model, get it in the showrooms at an affordable price, hope people are so knocked out by a great new motor that they're prepared to forgive the crap handling, and maybe it'll get a good reputation anyway. Trouble with that view is, it can shoot them in the foot, as if everybody pans the handling from the get-go, they'll lose sales anyway.

Although having said that, the gen 1 thou hit the showrooms at a stupid high price, proving there's always an exception to the rule 

[dazza]

Thinking about this idea of what would you have as a second bike,  my imagination starts to go a bit wild.
First thought was a sm but then a dedicated track bike springs to mind as it's so much fun and I wouldn't want to bin my every day ride.
Then there is a turbo 'd Busa so I could hit that 200 mph + Mark.
Then for those long touring trips an FJR 1300 or a big old Goldwing.
Then there is the 1980's two stroke classic route.
I suppose you've got to stop and think about what would get the most use or what you really want.
I'm afraid I can't make my mind up so would have to work my way through all the above and then probably some more.

[JZS 600]

Saw the Tracer at the NEC, V nice.

[noggythenog]

Thinking about this idea of what would you have as a second bike,  my imagination starts to go a bit wild.
First thought was a sm but then a dedicated track bike springs to mind as it's so much fun and I wouldn't want to bin my every day ride.
Then there is a turbo 'd Busa so I could hit that 200 mph + Mark.
Then for those long touring trips an FJR 1300 or a big old Goldwing.
Then there is the 1980's two stroke classic route.
I suppose you've got to stop and think about what would get the most use or what you really want.
I'm afraid I can't make my mind up so would have to work my way through all the above and then probably some more.

Hey Dazza.....simples.....jus buy my gen2....£2500 mate for a track toy that you can ride there and back......it's too foccin stiff for the road i know that much......then i can buy somethin sensible.


Strangely enough i seen one o those TDR 250 on ebay and the guy was willing to swap for a track bike.....but it said pre 1990 track bike.

[noggythenog]

Hey Nick, some bike porn for ya.

for a mere £1800 Powerbronze now do this café racer kit for the Triple which is carbon fibre and completely bolt on everything. Just read about it in MCN.

LED front lamp, floating rear number plate holder, you swivel the bars down to look like clip ons.

not saying youd have and extra 2k kicking about just for cosmetics but it does give options to those who wouldn't have a street because they are common.

[bri h]

Im starting to feel my ripe old years now and have to admit my reactions are even slower than they used to be. I could never let the fazer go but i do fancy a guzzi grisso.It would be safer for everyone

[ChristoT]

Hey Nick, some bike porn for ya.

for a mere £1800 Powerbronze now do this café racer kit for the Triple which is carbon fibre and completely bolt on everything. Just read about it in MCN.

LED front lamp, floating rear number plate holder, you swivel the bars down to look like clip ons.

not saying youd have and extra 2k kicking about just for cosmetics but it does give options to those who wouldn't have a street because they are common.

Looks cool, but not a fan of the headlight. A single bulb would look way cooler.

[noggythenog]

I've gotta say i'm  still looking at low powered twins.


I do like the sounds of the reviews of the MT07.....riding wise...........but on the whole it looks a little bit small......i think id look like a mutant on it........but perrformance wise i think it is all that i need.


Same goes for the ER6 which is supposed to be a good little bike.


A SM would be perfect for the A and B roads but there just isnt one from the right manufacturer at the right price that i would have.


Twins aside the Street triple looks perfect but again theres the overall size and price etc.....Everything points to it being a perfect UK road bike


Im actually looking at the Kawasaki 650 Verysys now because it has the simillar type twin engine yet it looks more like a grown ups bike that i would fit and will be ample in the 60-80mph area....it's tall for looking over cars and welsh hedges.

[red98]

 Mmmmmmmmmm......noggy on a "grown ups bike "..........

[noggythenog]

Mmmmmmmmmm......noggy on a "grown ups bike "..........

 


I didnt say id ride it like a grown up though.




Here's a little linky to a frenchman showing that they are fast enough even on the track........not bad for a poxy 650 twin eh.

[red98]

 

[JoeRock]

I've gotta say i'm  still looking at low powered twins.


I do like the sounds of the reviews of the MT07.....riding wise...........but on the whole it looks a little bit small......i think id look like a mutant on it........but perrformance wise i think it is all that i need.


Same goes for the ER6 which is supposed to be a good little bike.


A SM would be perfect for the A and B roads but there just isnt one from the right manufacturer at the right price that i would have.


Twins aside the Street triple looks perfect but again theres the overall size and price etc.....Everything points to it being a perfect UK road bike


Im actually looking at the Kawasaki 650 Verysys now because it has the simillar type twin engine yet it looks more like a grown ups bike that i would fit and will be ample in the 60-80mph area....it's tall for looking over cars and welsh hedges.

Noggy, easy question here - did you regularly use all the power of your FZS600, or relatively frequently wished it had more?

[noggythenog]

Morning Joe.........there is no such thing as an easy question when im involved mate, simple one word answer eh......nahhhh .


To a point..........i maxed it out in the first 3 gears and 3rd particularly would be red lined but by 4th i'd say only usually 3/4 way through the revs because again the little 600 could all too easily top a tonne and so id be backing it down to the 85 mark......i would have happily sacrificed its top end to get a bit more oomph lower down.

[stevierst]

You should have geared it down Noggy, massive fun then. Did it to my Fz1, and it was like a high powered 250!!

[noggythenog]

You should have geared it down Noggy, massive fun then. Did it to my Fz1, and it was like a high powered 250!!

It seems the way forward Stevie.


Im not particularly fussed about a small drop in mpg or what it feels lik on a motorway.


Not sure id do it with the thou because it is ample enough by virtue of pure capacity but ill consider it on any smaller future bike for sure.


Im reasonably sensible & ive got no points but i just get the feeling it's a matter of time on the thou and theres one thing getting a few points but i dread getting caught going supersonic....it aint worth the risk, losss of job etc etc.


Granted on a smaller bike i wont be overtaking 10 cars in a row but overtaking aside then im pretty sure fun can still be had at normal speeds.

[stevierst]

I go out on my 600 and have just as much fun as I would on the R1, of not more fun! Even considering a power/capacity drop when the big bike is sold on.

 There's not really a massive need for a thou on UK roads, but it is daft grin factor when you open the taps and hang on for grim life

[jonesthesteam]

I've had a lot of the big singles, Xt600, dominator and a MZ Mastiff, they are GREAT bikes on the B roads and in the twisties but they do run out of puff quite quickly and are pretty uncomfortable in stock fom, the Mastiff had some sort of limiter fitted which meant a lot of short shifting, great fun but a bit tiresome, in between each bike I usually went back to a Fazer as I missed the doitallness of it, but the crap roads and high hedges in Devon always left me wanting a mix of high seat big single with long suspension travel and fazer 600 comfort and speed


So recently I have bought a Versys 650, MK1, 2007 with 9k miles on the clock for a tad under 2.5k


I have to say it is the doitall bike I've been looking for, great low down punch, easy high up riding position, immensely flickable in the twistees but well able to cruise at 80mph for as long you want. (Not as fast as a fazer when the revs are up but pretty nimble and quick in the mid range)


Not the best looking bike (but then the mastiff was no looker) but I may have finally found the bike that ticks most of the boxes I want! Can't wait til next spring to put it thru its paces on a trip to SW France


Jonesy

[Hedgetrimmer]

 There's not really a massive need for a thou on UK roads, but it is daft grin factor when you open the taps and hang on for grim life

This^^

For me, it's one of the main reasons for riding bikes; that massive shove when you wind the throttle open, kinda like engaging afterburner on a jet fighter (I imagine!). I fully understand the risk to my license, but it's firmly ingrained in me. What I need is a legal way to combine drag racing with road racing and touring/exploring, preferably using someone else's bank balance 

The Street Triple idea seems to be going on hold with the coming of wintry weather 

[Paradox]

Thought about a big muscle bike like an MT-01?

[stevierst]

That's why I built this.



I've been after a gen I for the last decade, but this is just that little bit better.
Fazer thou with 30kg less weight, better suspension, and bigger fairing. Just been out for a 20 mile short blast, and its almost perfect for my needs

[Hedgetrimmer]

Hey Nick, some bike porn for ya.

for a mere £1800 Powerbronze now do this café racer kit for the Triple which is carbon fibre and completely bolt on everything. Just read about it in MCN.

LED front lamp, floating rear number plate holder, you swivel the bars down to look like clip ons.

not saying youd have and extra 2k kicking about just for cosmetics but it does give options to those who wouldn't have a street because they are common.

Something not right there though. Take a modern styled bike, fit with a 70s/80s Ducati 900SS rip-off fairing with LED headlamp, add spoked wheels? Hmmmm, doesn't work for me.

To deliberately avoid a bike because it is common seems daft to me. It has to be popular for a reason, which seems to be it's a bloody good bike by all accounts. Fazers are pretty common as far as bikes go, but think what you'd have missed if you applied that logic. Hence wanting to try the Triumph.

Here's a little test. Make a list of the top ten bikes of the last ten years, notwithstanding your own personal requirements and practicalities, but just focussing on how well you think those bikes do what they are designed to do. I think quite a few would put the Street on that list if they were being perfectly honest about their choices. Anyway, it'd be interesting to see what people here come up with, if nothing else 

[noggythenog]

I've had a lot of the big singles, Xt600, dominator and a MZ Mastiff, they are GREAT bikes on the B roads and in the twisties but they do run out of puff quite quickly and are pretty uncomfortable in stock fom, the Mastiff had some sort of limiter fitted which meant a lot of short shifting, great fun but a bit tiresome, in between each bike I usually went back to a Fazer as I missed the doitallness of it, but the crap roads and high hedges in Devon always left me wanting a mix of high seat big single with long suspension travel and fazer 600 comfort and speed


So recently I have bought a Versys 650, MK1, 2007 with 9k miles on the clock for a tad under 2.5k


I have to say it is the doitall bike I've been looking for, great low down punch, easy high up riding position, immensely flickable in the twistees but well able to cruise at 80mph for as long you want. (Not as fast as a fazer when the revs are up but pretty nimble and quick in the mid range)


Not the best looking bike (but then the mastiff was no looker) but I may have finally found the bike that ticks most of the boxes I want! Can't wait til next spring to put it thru its paces on a trip to SW France


Jonesy

Cheers jonesthesteam, thought you still had the fazer.


But this matches what i am after so nice to hear someone else say it.


I see the 2015 has a more pretty front fairing but to be honest im an ugly foccer so the old version would match me well.......i seen one online with a Leo Vince exhaust can and man does it sound foccing sweeeeeeeet!.

[Hedgetrimmer]

I've had a lot of the big singles, Xt600, dominator and a MZ Mastiff, they are GREAT bikes on the B roads and in the twisties but they do run out of puff quite quickly and are pretty uncomfortable in stock fom, the Mastiff had some sort of limiter fitted which meant a lot of short shifting, great fun but a bit tiresome, in between each bike I usually went back to a Fazer as I missed the doitallness of it, but the crap roads and high hedges in Devon always left me wanting a mix of high seat big single with long suspension travel and fazer 600 comfort and speed


So recently I have bought a Versys 650, MK1, 2007 with 9k miles on the clock for a tad under 2.5k


I have to say it is the doitall bike I've been looking for, great low down punch, easy high up riding position, immensely flickable in the twistees but well able to cruise at 80mph for as long you want. (Not as fast as a fazer when the revs are up but pretty nimble and quick in the mid range)


Not the best looking bike (but then the mastiff was no looker) but I may have finally found the bike that ticks most of the boxes I want! Can't wait til next spring to put it thru its paces on a trip to SW France


Jonesy

Cheers jonesthesteam, thought you still had the fazer.


But this matches what i am after so nice to hear someone else say it.


I see the 2015 has a more pretty front fairing but to be honest im an ugly foccer so the old version would match me well.......i seen one online with a Leo Vince exhaust can and man does it sound foccing sweeeeeeeet!.

Yes, but what would you have as a second bike?!

By which I mean, foc off Noggy, haven't you got your own twenty gazillion threads in your search for Fazerlessness?