Recommend me a bike.

[noggythenog]

Ok lads & ladettes.....really good input here, i hope it is interesting to see what else is out there, many of you have clearly been in this position before...many seem to perpetually be in this position.

I've been giving it much thought....& i've got time to change my mind....but at the moment it is a matter of narrowing down the test ride bikes.....& i've got quite a short list.....on paper i think i have a clear winner....mainly thanks to some of the others now being discounted really......yes it's a Honda :o .....The CB1000R.
Initial reasons to discount some of the others:-
KTM & Aprillias......i just can't convince myself that they will be long term reliable.
The others - either not sit up positions with wide bars, or not sweet enough in the handling departments, or too much top end.
But in close competition with the CB for the win is the FZ1 8) ....& im not just saying that to humour or keep us fazerists happy...it really is.......Not the gen 1 for me though....very nice bikes but i'm looking to go newer, more advanced technology...less age on the various parts regardless of mileage....& i want a nimble bike........the FZ1 is that nimble bike from all accounts......but one of my main criteria is grunt.....& the FZ1 seems to be about top end.....ok so it will be more grunty than my 600....but compared to the CB1000R then the Honda has the most grunt........so the contest is back to Handling.....for arguments sake i can't see that there is much between them....both have trick parts, good handling, 1000cc, & reliability.......See the pics for the type of trickeduptotheballsness i am after:-

One factor that has already been pointed out though is that the FZ1 is perhaps a little less fashionable at present & i can see this with the prices...there's basically a 1K difference between the Honda & the Yam.......& that's considerable.
but again back to power delivery...some reviews on MCN...ok they can talk shit but will be broadly accurate:-

FZ1:-
[font=]The Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 is derived from the R1 which means the latest technology with proven reliability. Injection is quite sudden on the 2006 machines – it’s something you get used to or solve with a Power Commander and some dyno time - although it's much improved on 2007-on machines. A little more low and midrange power would be nice but the sensation of the top-end rush, amplified by the high bars, is astronomic.[/font]
[font=]ok so basically a really fun bike......but exactly the type of top end rush i am trying to get away from....fun....but licence defying.[/font]

[font=]CB1000R:-[/font]
[font=]The Honda CB1000R uses a 2007 FireBlade unit that has been retuned for maximum torque and midrange. It’s similar to the CBF1000 engine but gives stronger performance. As such, 130bhp is plenty but it’s more about the torque and the way the power is delivered that impresses. It comes on clean and fat to the point where sixth gear will pull 30mph with no shakes just clean drive. That said it doesn’t howl or really get you excited. It has the looks of something really aggressive but it never really wants to kick off. In comparison to the Speed Triple it’s not quite as raw, but that makes it easier to ride than all its rivals.[/font]

[font=]Boom!...just what i was after....but has less character.....but i'm thinking a fat exhaust would go some way to sorting that out...it is what im looking for...something big, handles nicely & has lots of grunt.[/font]

[font=]But there is 1 more important factor which the test rides will clarify......ergonomics......how squashed are my legs..how wide are the bars...how heavy do they feel....but i'll keep in mind that Devilsyam appears to have produced a jack up thingy for the gen 2 now.[/font]
[font=]I'm getting close though i reckon[/font]
[font=]Still haven't heard much about those belt drive BMW F800S....maybe not a big enough jump from the fazer i suspect?
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