Looking for another bike

[Defekticon]

It's all of 10 degrees outside and I'm having bored winter time thoughts. I want to find another bike that has little to no overlap with the capabilities or riding style of an S10. I don't know what I want, but I do know that I'm not replacing my S10, I'm just looking for something different that I can blast around town on.

I want something like an XSR900, super duk or ducati monster. All I know is that I want to try a different riding style than the S10. I'm not interested in a Harley or big metric touring bikes (connie/FJR). I know I can hitup a factory ride event from Kawasaki, suzuki or yamaha. Do the more exotic manufacturers offer these type of ride events? Anything else I should be looking at?

 

[Dogdaze]

Ducati Diavel or X-Diavel, light and extremely quick........ Seriously QUICK, I tried the Diavel about three years ago, oh boy did that wake me up! But did not find it comfortable for my ailing knee and hips, if the X-Dialvel was available that would be in the garage today.

 

[Gobear]

If it's just for around town...don't laugh but my second bike is a 650 Burgman.


It's quick, handles better than my 2010 FLHTC's that I sold ,has ton of storage with out the need for additional farkle, comfortable


What it is not is a look at me ride

 

[Dogdaze]

^^^^^^ What he said, scooters around town cannot be beaten.

 

[JRE]

Yamaha FZ10 - a hooligan bike if there ever was one ::022::

 

[Don in Lodi]

Moto Guzzi makes a few unique/attractive rides. One of our guys here likes the V7 a lot, several models, very retro... ::26::

 

[Checkswrecks]

Agree with the scooters for town or quick shopping errands sentiments.


As for not much overlap, but hearing you may want a bit of hooliganism, try a KTM 690 or the new Husqy 701.

 

[Defekticon]

Hah! Thank you for the suggestions. I should have mentioned that I live in a one stop light town and it's all backroads around here to get anywhere. I'm not sure a bergman suits my needs. The xDiavel looks amazing and would be exactly what I'm looking for, but justifying 20k on a bike would be difficult (although the longer I look at it - not impossible).

 

[skoron]

Understand your idea. I am lucky enough to have an older Boxer Cup Replica to test my knees and wrists. I love it because its different. If I had to replace it (and keeping the S10 of course), I would look at a Super Motard like a DR400SM, Ducati or a KTM Duke or SM. That new 790 looks sweet.

Skoron

 

[RicoChet]

Get a M109R. Its a cool looking, fun city bike. 1800cc v-twin, looks great, sounds cool and is great for just doing short rides

 

[Gobear]

..well then, buy a good used Dr650.. Fix the jetting, add an IMS tank , Shinko 705 , Bach plate..

Now you have a cheap go anywhere mount.

I built up one last year ...see photo attached

....that loves to wheelie

 

[Davesax36]

Gen 1 Vmax...

 

[Squibb]

The trouble with second, or even more bikes, is that you need to weigh up how/when you will use them carefully, if the expenditure is to be justified. Currently I run four, but this does impinge on the time I have to enjoy my SLK250, & you need to factor in the time/cost of keeping them up to scratch mechanically, clean & tidy.

In the OPs case, I would have thought something a little modern retro would be in order. The XSR900 sounds good, or an R9T, or 1200 bonneville. I have had Ducatis, but found them rather too service hungry & costly. I was running an immaculate PC800, but this felt just too lame & scooter like after more modern bikes & tended to languish at the back of the garage. I swopped it for an F650GS (800 twin), which is a light, quick handling little bike, great in traffic, but does rather cut across the S10s normal duties. My neighbour runs three 1960s classics - 2 Bonnevilles & an RGS replica. Nice bikes but he spends huge money fettling & loves to show them off, but never seems to ride them anywhere, ever. They go to the odd Show .......... in a van. Each to their own I guess.

Anyway, I sure you will enjoy the search whatever you choose, nothing better at this time of year ...................... KEN

 

[Chuck B]

A second bike for 'fun' is really in the eye of the person looking. I've been fortunate that I own multiple bikes and buy/sell on the side for fun. Needless to say I've gone thru a lot of bikes over the last few years. A couple bikes that I really enjoyed; Aprilia SXV550 (good luck keeping your lic!), Suzuki TU250, Ducati Sport Classic, Triumph Thruxton and BMW S1000R. One bike that I've kept around for a number of years and a bike that if you told me I would own AND enjoy 10yrs ago I'd have laughed out load thinking no way. What bike?...my stupid 1992 KLR650. Overweight, under powered and used to be poorly suspended but just a perfect bike for blasting around town and occasionally beyond. I threw on some soft bags, installed Motard wheels, upgraded brakes. Its ugly, still slow but its a bike that you go everywhere at WOT, don't care where you park it, what you roll over or if it falls over. Old school bike thats just basic fun.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Gen 1 Vmax...

::026:: ??? ::26::

 

[Defekticon]

The trouble with second, or even more bikes, is that you need to weigh up how/when you will use them carefully, if the expenditure is to be justified. Currently I run four, but this does impinge on the time I have to enjoy my SLK250, & you need to factor in the time/cost of keeping them up to scratch mechanically, clean & tidy.

In the OPs case, I would have thought something a little modern retro would be in order. The XSR900 sounds good, or an R9T, or 1200 bonneville. I have had Ducatis, but found them rather too service hungry & costly. I was running an immaculate PC800, but this felt just too lame & scooter like after more modern bikes & tended to languish at the back of the garage. I swopped it for an F650GS (800 twin), which is a light, quick handling little bike, great in traffic, but does rather cut across the S10s normal duties. My neighbour runs three 1960s classics - 2 Bonnevilles & an RGS replica. Nice bikes but he spends huge money fettling & loves to show them off, but never seems to ride them anywhere, ever. They go to the odd Show .......... in a van. Each to their own I guess.

Anyway, I sure you will enjoy the search whatever you choose, nothing better at this time of year ...................... KEN

Had four:
DR200
KLR650
S10
Road King

Just down to the S10 now and looking for something else. Was talking to the wife about it, as she was looking at possibly getting her own bike - CB500x, we've been looking at them for several months. We are also thinking instead of buying the cb500x, buying something more touring oriented that handles two up duties with more ease than the S10. I'm adding the FJR and Concours to the list of potential bikes if we go that route.

 

[Chuck B]

I've owned many FJ's/FJR's over the years and purchased the first year C10. My better half wouldn't consider any of them a 'good' 2 up bike. Particularly the C10. She much prefers the S10 for 2up...thats the main reason we purchased it. Both the FJR and C10 were just too cramped for her (seat to peg distance). On my S10 I added the FJR passenger peg extensions. There's only been three other bikes she rates as more comfortable that we've owned; HD Road King, K1200LT, ST1300. We've been on a GW a number of times and of course she loved it...I hated it.

 

[Defekticon]

I've owned many FJ's/FJR's over the years and purchased the first year C10. My better half wouldn't consider any of them a 'good' 2 up bike. Particularly the C10. She much prefers the S10 for 2up...thats the main reason we purchased it. Both the FJR and C10 were just too cramped for her (seat to peg distance). On my S10 I added the FJR passenger peg extensions. There's only been three other bikes she rates as more comfortable that we've owned; HD Road King, K1200LT, ST1300. We've been on a GW a number of times and of course she loved it...I hated it.

I'm also very cautiously($$$$$$$$) researching the k1600GT. I'm surprised the FJR and C14 are substandard pillion touring machines. The S10 gets the job done for two up, but I find it difficult to believe that the suspension, brakes and engine of the S10 do a better job at handling the weight of pillion, luggage and rider than an FJR. My wife is 150, I'm 235, the S10 feels a bit stressed at our combined weight, but I loved the performance of it when we were doing some of the fire roads at the Romney Camp and ride this year.

 

[ST-venture]

If you are considering the K1600GT, you should check out the R1200RT. I just bought a 2016 R1200RT and love it. I replaced my ST1300, still keeping the Tenere for now. BMW made some major improvements to the RT in 2014 - might be worth looking.

 

[Chuck B]

If you are considering the K1600GT, you should check out the R1200RT. I just bought a 2016 R1200RT and love it. I replaced my ST1300, still keeping the Tenere for now. BMW made some major improvements to the RT in 2014 - might be worth looking.

I think the RT is a better two up sporty bike as well... The K16 was much like my K12LT...pretty boring behind the handlebars. Can't compare engines but certainly comfortable...just boring.