Motorcycles

[the Ferret]

If someone ever offers me a ride on ANY Moto Morini 3 1/2 on up, You bet I'm riding it! Lol

[Capo]

I do likes me the inline 4's. But overall, the Triumph Triple, in every form, is my favorite, and by a good margin. I prefer a wide torque band, smoothness across the range, little vibration, and less of the bucking 'character' that Ducati v-twins provide. The triple has it all, and I've got them in 800, 885, and 1050 sizes.

I sold my ZRX1200, which was a fantastic retro, to buy a 2012 Speed Triple. I can't rave enough about the overall engine and handling package, the perfect feulling and rheostat- like throttle, and with the Arrow cans, the sound. I know there are more sophisticated roadsters out there now, but on the road, for most riders, like me, who aren't scraping knees, it's pretty ideal.

I really want to try a KTM V-twin, to see if it is as good as the write ups, the BMW S1000R, and the new VFR. Ferret, I envy your access, perhaps you can start a thread section just about your tests!

[Lord Popgun]

Ferret,

Have you ridden the Yamaha FJR 1300? How does it compare to the ST1300?

[the Ferret]

Capo..one series of bikes I have not ridden are the new Triumph triples ( had a BSA 750 triple years ago but doubt there is any comparison). Part of the problem for me is they are so tall, but I have a friend with the 800 and will try and get a ride someday.

I have ridden the Yamaha FZ-09 triple, but didn't like it very much. Also rode the old Yamaha XS750 Triple. I liked the Europeanish 77 model, but not as much as the XS1100 I4

Funny story..when I rode my nephews KTM 690 Duke it was so tall, he held it up, I climbed on put it in gear and took off, and when I came back, they caught me and held it still while I climbed off. If I were 6' tall that would open up a whole new world of motorcycles I could own.

Ferret,

Have you ridden the Yamaha FJR 1300? How does it compare to the ST1300?

Popgun, I've ridden several FJR's. a bike that on paper sounds perfect for me. Especially since I loved my G en 1 FZ-1 enough to buy 2 of them. I thought the FJR would be a better FZ-1. In 06 I test rode one for 60 miles, with the intention of buying one. My wife loved it. Me not so much. It was tall, and top heavy, and I didn't feel confident cornering with it. It had a strong throttle spring and a moderately strong clutch pull. It wore me out. I brought it back and ordered an ST 1300 without a test ride. The ST has been a great touring bike.

Earlier this year I rode one of the new FJR1300ES. The clutch and throttle were better, but it still felt tall and top heavy. I had ridden my ST 1300 to the test ride, and when riding it home I still felt it was the better bike for me for touring long distance. The CB 1100 is better than both for everyday riding.

My buddy with the 800 Triumph had sold his Goldwing and bought an FJR. Got a text a couple days ago that he never bonded with the FJR and traded it in on a BMW R1200RT.

[Henrik_imp]

I too like the Triumph triples. I spent a lot of time on a Sprint RS which I thought was a great bike, and the engine was very nice. Still, at the time I more enjoyed the Italian twins.

As to the KTMs, I have tried pretty much all their big twins and I am not a fan. When I first tried the Super Duke I was actually really disappointed because all the magazines had made it out to be this incredible beast, and I thought it was only so-so. Then I tried the Corsaro, and I found out what a twin should really be like! Also, I really wanted an RC8. I had been reading about it, loved the looks, and figured as a sports bike it should be perfect for a tall person like me. Well, I suppose the early models lacked refining, but there again it was just no. I had the money ready, but left the shop without the bike.

[redbirds_imp]

I had a Triumph Tiger 1050 for 5 years and it was a fine bike with an engine that made generous torque throughout the rev range. The sound it made was the best part however. A triple at full song is hard to match for sound, fabulous. My only problem with my Tiger was it's height. I'm 5'6" and with my arthritis getting worse I needed a bike with a lower seat. Next bike was a Guzzi 1100 Breva which I mistakenly thought would have a good torque spread but no. Below 4K it was gutless and the engine was smooth as long as you kept the revs up, 4K or better. The CB1100 has proved perfect for me. Outstanding torque spread, good handling at any sane speed and a seat height that allows me to get my feet down comfortably. It's a keeper.

[Lord Popgun]

Thanks for the info Ferret.

I looked at the FJR this spring, but it was so tall I wasn't really wanting it. Was going to consider dealing on it though when Ridem's ST came along and I got a good deal on it. Never could get my Honda dealer interested in getting an ST so they didn't get to sell me one.

I agree with you that on the road I want the ST, but around town and the local area, I want the CB!

[flynrider]

I have ridden many...many motorcycles. Worked in the industry from 1972 to 1989 and rode about everything produced during that time period from Japan, England and Italy. I test ride a lot of bikes even now since I live near a shop that lets me test drive anything on the lot or in the building, any time I want. A new model comes out, I go test ride it (Honda or Yamaha). They get something in used I haven't ridden, where's my helmet? be back shortly. I go to Demo days and ride everything they have, from R-1s to Strykers, from Piaggio 3 wheeled scooters to Can Am Spyders. I will ride anything.

Additionally we have 13 members in our family who ride. I get to ride all their bikes as well. My sons Ducati 696, my nephews NC 700X, my daughter in laws Ninja 300, another nephews SV 650, and another nephews KTM 690 duke, my brothers Triumph 790 (which used to be mine)

If a friend offers me a ride on his bike, chances are I will be back in 15 minutes. I've ridden Versys, and Vstroms, and R1150 and R1200R Beemers, and and Guzzi Brevas

I like ALL motorcycles!

But....the bike I find MOST satisfying to ride is a big torquey inline 4 cylinder liter plus bike. I like bikes that pull like a train, in any gear, at any time, that have a little bit of size to them, and a little bit of weight. When I roll the throttle on, I want the scenery to go blurring by..now. Don't want to wait for the revs to pick up. I don't want the power band of a 2 stroke in a 4 stroke. I want the power to be linear, building like a long low slope. When I'm rolling down the road at 55 in high gear and hit a little Burg with a 35 mph speed limit I just want to slow down to 35 cruise thru and then roll it back up to 55 when coming out the other side, without downshifting. Liter bike torque baby!

There used to be lots of them..GS Suzukis, XS Yamahas, KZ Kawasakis and CB Hondas. I was afraid the manufacturers would quit making them. Instead there seems to be a resurgence of this type of bike. Yamaha and Suzuki have both announce big " road burners" and of course thank goodness we have the CB 1100. Figure Kaw will be bringing their big Zrex back soon too. Great bike. They won't want to be left out of the market.

Thank goodness they are making a comeback!

I recall that Yammie announced a facelift for the 20 yr. old XJR (still Euro/Japan only). Did I miss something from Suzuki? They discontinued the Bandit and the GSX1400 (again Euro/Japan only) years ago I hadn't heard that they were getting back into the "big standard" business.

[the Ferret]

I have ridden many...many motorcycles. Worked in the industry from 1972 to 1989 and rode about everything produced during that time period from Japan, England and Italy. I test ride a lot of bikes even now since I live near a shop that lets me test drive anything on the lot or in the building, any time I want. A new model comes out, I go test ride it (Honda or Yamaha). They get something in used I haven't ridden, where's my helmet? be back shortly. I go to Demo days and ride everything they have, from R-1s to Strykers, from Piaggio 3 wheeled scooters to Can Am Spyders. I will ride anything.

Additionally we have 13 members in our family who ride. I get to ride all their bikes as well. My sons Ducati 696, my nephews NC 700X, my daughter in laws Ninja 300, another nephews SV 650, and another nephews KTM 690 duke, my brothers Triumph 790 (which used to be mine)

If a friend offers me a ride on his bike, chances are I will be back in 15 minutes. I've ridden Versys, and Vstroms, and R1150 and R1200R Beemers, and and Guzzi Brevas

I like ALL motorcycles!

But....the bike I find MOST satisfying to ride is a big torquey inline 4 cylinder liter plus bike. I like bikes that pull like a train, in any gear, at any time, that have a little bit of size to them, and a little bit of weight. When I roll the throttle on, I want the scenery to go blurring by..now. Don't want to wait for the revs to pick up. I don't want the power band of a 2 stroke in a 4 stroke. I want the power to be linear, building like a long low slope. When I'm rolling down the road at 55 in high gear and hit a little Burg with a 35 mph speed limit I just want to slow down to 35 cruise thru and then roll it back up to 55 when coming out the other side, without downshifting. Liter bike torque baby!

There used to be lots of them..GS Suzukis, XS Yamahas, KZ Kawasakis and CB Hondas. I was afraid the manufacturers would quit making them. Instead there seems to be a resurgence of this type of bike. Yamaha and Suzuki have both announce big " road burners" and of course thank goodness we have the CB 1100. Figure Kaw will be bringing their big Zrex back soon too. Great bike. They won't want to be left out of the market.

Thank goodness they are making a comeback!

I recall that Yammie announced a facelift for the 20 yr. old XJR (still Euro/Japan only). Did I miss something from Suzuki? They discontinued the Bandit and the GSX1400 (again Euro/Japan only) years ago I hadn't heard that they were getting back into the "big standard" business.

I recall that Yammie announced a facelift for the 20 yr. old XJR (still Euro/Japan only). Did I miss something from Suzuki? They discontinued the Bandit and the GSX1400 (again Euro/Japan only) years ago I hadn't heard that they were getting back into the "big standard" business.
Yes Suzuki is bringing back the Bandit 1250 shown at Intermot show. Not sure it will make it to the states but I imagine it will.

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/s...s-abs.html

[redbirds_imp]

The Bandit is a really great bike that should be in the US line up. I wonder if Honda CB1100 sales have had an influence on other makers.