Not that I'm actually in the market for a new bike right now, but I want to know people's opinions of the best "naked" bike on the market right now. Basically, when I upgrade from Archangel ('07 Ninja 500) I want to get a powerful bike, with a low, forward riding position, as few fairings/cowls as possible. Here is my short list: Yamaha FZ8: http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/models/fz8 Kawasaki Z1000: http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/2015-Z1000-ABS Honda CB1000R: http://powersports.honda.com/2015/cb1000r.aspx Ducati Streetfighter: http://www.ducati.com/bikes/streetfighter/index.do Ducati Monster 1200: http://www.ducati.com/monster1200.do BMW RnineT: http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/…/en/fascinat…/nineT/main.html Triumph Speed Triple R: http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/…/speed-triple/2015/speed… Suzuki GSX-S750: http://www.suzukicycles.com/…/Pr…/GSX-S750/2015/GSXS750.aspx Yes there are two Ducatis, yes there's no Harley...I can't decide which of the former I like better, and I can't find any of the latter I actually like anymore (I used to lust after an 883 Iron, but I'm just out of love with the styling now). Give me your opinions on any of the list, and feel free to suggest others!
It's nice, but way too upright for what I want. When I was building out the HD 883 Iron, I was already going to swap for clip-ons, V&H sraight shots and custom rear-set controls, and I still didn't really like the way it looked at the end.
I must start by asking what do you consider "best"? You've got a pretty big range of styles on there even within the streetfighter category. If you're looking at top raw performance I'd go KTM Super Duke 1290 R. Best value for the dollar would be the new FZ09 rather than the FZ8. In the Triumph line personally I like the 675 Street Triple over the bigger Speed Triple, the styling and lighter weight are more attractive to me. Ducatis are great bikes if you don't mind paying out the wazoo for more-than-should-be-regular maintenance. Harleys.......... well I think you're best to avoid that one. The V-Rod is their best running bike but I don't think it holds up to the others on your list for value or performance. The BMW is interesting, I haven't gotten to play with that one yet but if it's like other BMWs it's great until it breaks, then you're gonna pay big time. These of course all my opinion your mileage may vary and others will have differing opinions as well. Some reading for thought: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/blogs/thrust-we-trust http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ultimate-naked-bike-comparison-mc-comparo http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/06/3...comparison-test-review-photos-specifications/
for me it's a combination of the whole. It's going to be my daily driver on good weather days (most days in TX), so comfort of ride and ease of use is a significant factor, I've been on Supersports that are twitchy as fuck, to the point where they're not enjoyable to ride, and Cruisers so heavy that continents turn and accelerate faster than they do. I have a 20 minute ride to work, and much of it on highway, so I need to juice to get up and go when some no-neck rancher with a dually truck tries to merge on top of me. Other than those two, it's the appearance of the thing. Something about the hyper-fairing liter bikes just hits me the wrong way, like a super-model crush I'd never be able to actually date because then I'd find out she farts like every other girl. I really like my EX500 without all the plastic shielding on it, it's raw and lean and I don't have to worry about crap like little pebbles pinging up off the road and costing me $500 in repairs to a purely cosmetic piece. I forgot about KTM...and I should be shot for that. Look at this fucking beast: http://www.ktm.com/us/naked-bike/1290-super-duke-r/highlights.html#.VRWKGPnF8Ro it's nice, but that riding position is so upright. I mean sure, the FZ8 isn't that much lower, but the whole chassis just looks so much more stretched and forward leaning. Yeah, it's a tough toss for me, I guess I don't mind the heavier look That's been my hesitation on Ducati and BMW bikes, the expense of repair. Now I'm a pretty handy fellow, rebuilt both the EX500 after my wreck and maintained my RX-7 racecar for 7 years of track days and autocross competitions, but if I'm going to have to start dealing with all this newfangled fuel injection and whatnot, maintenance costs is something I'm going to have to factor in... Good stuff! I'll dig into them when I'm not at work.
I think I see where you're coming from. I've got very similar taste except I like my bikes to be more upright and lightweight, that's why I've got a supermoto, but I try not to ride long highway stretches and I don't ride interstate period. The KTM is going to be a bit more upright but you won't find anything else out there with that kind of pavement-destroying horsepower and torque short of an open class race bike. As far as the Ducati and BMW, doing your own maintenance will be a big plus but I was thinking more about cost of repair parts. All the new electronic aids these days make people better riders (or at least work to hide their deficiencies) but they also add more things that can go wrong. I've been lusting after the new Ducati Scrambler, if I get some wiggle room in the finances next year I'd really like to get an Urban Enduro model.
I like the Scrambler, but it's too Moto Guzzi/Triumph for my tastes, I'd just go with one of those if I wanted a Cafe Racer
Daily rider huh? This is what I'm looking at, or a Ducati scrambler classic but you turned that down already. Still want the gt1000 that came out a few years ago but are so hard to find. Aprilia dorsoduro, supermoto /street fighter with a 750 v twin, abs. ~94 hp. http://www.apriliausa.com/mobile/motorcycles/dorsoduro-750-abs/overview.html
First, you're looking at the wrong BMW. The S1000R is the one to get! That or the KTM. As the former owner of a Harley Davidson Street Rod I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt that I'll never own another VRod. I loved my VRSCR. Now that I'm on a properly made bike I can see, in sharp relief, the glaring deficiencies of the VRod. Too heavy, too long, too little power, low (no) tech, gas hog, lousy long range comfort, etc, etc. And that was the Street Rod, the best bike HD ever made. The current VRods all have 240mm tires and forward controls. Now on to what I would recommend. Get an adventure bike. I went through a lot of bikes before I "discovered" ADV bikes. They are 90+% the perfomance of naked bikes, 90+% the comfort of touring bikes, mildly off-road capable, and loaded with all the tech to keep you alive. I personally just bought a KTM 1190 Adventure after a 3 month search for the VRod's replacement. I couldn't be happier. My dealer had these sitting right next to Super Dukes. I kept going back and forth. The Duke would be more fun on the track. The ADV is much better for daily use and I'm nowhere near its limits on the street. If the KTM doesn't blow your skirt up, check out the BMW R1200GS and the Ducati Multistrada. The Triumph Tiger 800 and the Yamaha Super Tenere are also in the class. If those all feel too big or "old man" for you check out the Ducati Hyperstrada or Hypermotard. Oh, and an upright seating position is definitely something I'd recommend. My VRod had me hunched over and it was terrible on my wrists, shoulders, hips, and back. Go for up right and get some wind protection. The more comfortable the bike is to ride the more you'll ride it. Just my $0.02.
I've found as I ride more that I like to stand on the pegs and ride when my rear end gets tired, plus it's just fun to pass people and see the looks they give when you're riding a motorcycle standing up.
LOL! My best friend (R6 owner) actually just pointed me at the Aprilia Shiver 750, which I think fits the esthetic I'm aiming for a little bit closer than the Dosoduro. Actually pretty surprised at the $8k price point, considering it's an Italian bike. I was expecting it to be $10k+ Can't tell if serious or not. The S1000R definitely scratches my high-tech styling itch, but the RnineT has that old school look...not sure... Yeah, I've really looked into the Adventure/All-Sport bikes before, and they just don't really appeal to me for some reason...Maybe it's the super-high dirt-bikey mud guards? Anyway, I know I'll never take it off-road, so those features are basically a moot point. I participated in the Distinguish Gentleman's Ride last year to benefit prostate cancer research, and there was a chick who rode her Triumph sidesaddle in a full skirt the whole time. Pretty epic shit, and got a ton of looks.
Had a 07 R6, sold it a few months back because I couldn't ride it as much as I would have liked because of how busy I had been. Still very busy with college and work. Helped me buy a car though, a Abarth 500. still have my gear, which makes me cry every time I see it sitting there.
I'm more inline with Skwi on riding position and what I'm looking for in a bike these days. Currently I have a Honda RC51 track bike, its spoiled me as far as bikes go. Its incredibly uncomfortable on any ride more than 30min, it's milage is the same as my car, I can't truly ride it hard on the street as its built for road courses. That said it is a beast, to say that the engine defines the bike is an understatement, the power delivery of even an early 2000's 1000 v-twin race bike leaves you with a huge smile every time you crack the throttle, and the noise produced just begs that you thrash it harder and harder. Most recently I rode the desert southwest on a KLR650, its about as far from the RC as you can get in a street bike and I absolutely loved it. I'm with Skorn on ADV riding, if there was more dirt in florida I would buy a DR650 in a heartbeat, but the lack of a need for any offroad has me looking along the lines of what Skwi has. My preference is for a more upright riding position and something light and nimble, the total reaction against the RC, basically something that begs you to be a hoonigan. The super motards are up there on my list, there are also some crazy displacement increases for the Suzuki 400's and 650's that are nice if you want to go a bit off the beaten path with a larger displacement thumper. Still a vintage looking bike is something that I'd like to build, mainly since I can't justify the price of buying one of the new Ducati scramblers or the BMW you listed. For me from that list the Ducatis are nice, the engines are what make it for me there. The Aprilia is also up there for the engine, the Speed Triple is always nice, my friends that have them all swear by the way they preform. The KTM is a bike I'd love to try myself, but really the styling of the BMW is the winner for me. I might consider a used SV650 and then with the money saved over a new bike, also get a DRZ-400 SM or a Husqvarna supermoto. You could also look at the SFV650 as a newer bike with slightly smaller engine with the v-twin power delivery, but I think it doesn't have enough to stand on against the ones you listed.
They have a scrambler at 8,500 about a hundred miles away from me. so fucking torn right now. Wait your in Fl....as well.... damnit.. http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2015-Ducati-SCRAMBLER-ICON-113531734
very nice bike but since I'm moving to Indonesia for my job buying a bike is a bit pointless at the moment since I'll be gone for the next 4 years. Granted you better believe that I'm hunting for a honda CRF250 or an XR200 or 250 as soon as I get off the plane (250cc motorcycles are as large as you can realistically get in Indonesia without tons of bribes and payoffs)
MH I'd love to get a DR650 or another bigger air-cooler thumper like an XR400, build a down pipe, throw away the body work and build an old school 70s tank and flat seat to give it a vintage look. Maybe even go down to a 19" front wheel for a late 60s scrambler feel. Honestly I think Id' rather build something like that than buy a Ducati Scrambler but finding the time is always an issue. Here's my inspiration:
