Topic: The Motorcycling Thread

[ktm525]

In a year or two after all the farkle buying covid shut ins dump their bike and/or have a close call there will be ample supply in the classifieds. I hope to find a fully farkled and suspension upgraded  Tenere 700 for significant discount...

[Jaeger]

I said I'd STFU about purchase options until I'd made one - so, sorry. 

Oakville store sold out of Duke 390s. Not getting any more. Only 3 left new in the province, they say. And I was just warming up to the colour orange. 

If I end up on a Z650, don't yell at me.

Sat on the Z400 and did not love it. The Kawis are more compact across the board - so the Z650 felt noticeably smaller than, say, an SV650. Very similar to the Duke 390, actually. Z400 felt REALLY small.

Plan remains the same. I'll buy something in the middle of August.

[dkaz]

Sitting on one for an hour maybe 2 would help you determine if you'd be comfortable on rides.

Are you only looking at new? Would you consider Yamaha and Honda?

[Jaeger]

Sitting on one for an hour maybe 2 would help you determine if you'd be comfortable on rides.

Are you only looking at new? Would you consider Yamaha and Honda?

Much prefer to stick with new, but wouldn't say no to a low-mileage pristine used bike that was reasonably priced.  Problem is, demand is driving up used prices - and those that are low mileage and pristine are generally priced close to new.  Those that aren't - well, the problem is there might be a reason for the low price, and I don't have the expertise to make that determination.

Yamaha - MTO7 has been brutally beaten with an ugly stick.  And some find the combination of a mega-snatchy throttle and mushy front forks to be "fun" and "character". Not me.  MTO3 - Duke 390 is just way better.

Honda - I dig the CB650R.  Downsides are that it is a bit porky for the class, and more importantly, it is priced closer to some competitors' 900cc offerings.  It's literally only 500 or so less than a Kawi Z900, and a couple thousand more than a Z650.

But I will find something, somewhere and start riding this year. I might end up with a less than ideal combinaton of price and bike, but supply and demand is a real problem right now.   

[dkaz]

What about an XSR700? It's a classier looking MT-07.



Z650 is great, just worry about it being cramped for you. There's also the Vulcan S which is a Z650 in cruiser format but I think your preference is a foot down riding position.

[Jaeger]

What about an XSR700? It's a classier looking MT-07.



Z650 is great, just worry about it being cramped for you. There's also the Vulcan S which is a Z650 in cruiser format but I think your preference is a foot down riding position.

That's the thing man - the only bike that felt as good of a fit as the Z650 was the Trident. Like, they both felt absolutely perfect.  Both felt compact, but in a reassuring way rather then feeling cramped. Easy reach to the bars, easy reach to the ground. Pretty upright position. Z400 felt cramped.

XSR 700 is nice, but I think if I were going modern classic / retro I'd go for a Bonneville. But as of now I'm kind of more into the contemporary middleweight naked look.

[Jaeger]

Took a longer look at the CB650R - it's been growing on me slowly.  Definitely fits me very well.

[Triple Bob]

Took a longer look at the CB650R - it's been growing on me slowly.  Definitely fits me very well.

It's a looker too.

[rrocket]

I also like the old Honda 599 Hornet. Always enjoyed the simplicity and nature of riding that bike.

The 650R is the same type of bike.


Oh...My bike is finally picked up by the shipper today...

[Guy]

What bike???

[Jaeger]

What bike???

He's going to keep us in suspense. 

[rrocket]

What bike???

I mentioned I bought one on another thread

[DriverJeff]

Took a longer look at the CB650R - it's been growing on me slowly.  Definitely fits me very well.

Here's one idiot's review of the CB650  :

https://canadamotoguide.com/2019/07/07/test-ride-2019-honda-cb650/

[Jaeger]

Took a longer look at the CB650R - it's been growing on me slowly.  Definitely fits me very well.

Here's one idiot's review of the CB650  :

https://canadamotoguide.com/2019/07/07/test-ride-2019-honda-cb650/

Cool - I shall read every word!

Good review man - thanks for pointing it out.  I think price is its biggest downside - I likewise have commented on how close it sits to the Z900 in price - but that bike is probably a bit imprudent for a beginner.  Speaking of imprudent, it might be a steaming pile of Italian garbage, but I am freaking in love with the Ducati Monster.    Don't worry, I'm not getting one.

As for being less sporty than some competitors - that's not a huge negative for me.  Just rolling on two wheels is going to be MASSIVELY fun to me and I won't be reaching or even approaching the limits of any bike on the road.  At least not intentionally.    But it's more than a fair point that someone prioritizing sport might find other alternatives more appealing.

yammie noob took one to the track. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpZLFHDFTuI

Might have had better tires than stock, but I can say with certainty that my abilities won't exceed the bike's capabilities any time soon, or likely ever. 

And I do love the pearl grey colour available for 2021.

[JohnnyMac]

Jaeger, not sure if someone already suggested it but have you looked at the Husqvarna Vitpilen or Svartpilen.  The 401 is basically  a KTM Duke 390 with different styling.  Obviously the styling is quite polarizing but I love the look of both and don't see many around.

[Jaeger]

Jaeger, not sure if someone already suggested it but have you looked at the Husqvarna Vitpilen or Svartpilen.  The 401 is basically  a KTM Duke 390 with different styling.  Obviously the styling is quite polarizing but I love the look of both and don't see many around.

Yessir and thank you. I totally dig the Svartpilen but haven't been able to find one close enough to look over in person.

[dkaz]

The exhaust pipes are so sex. It being a 4 cylinder is the biggest reason it costs so much but at least it has the displacement and HP to show. Everyone wants a 4 cylinder 250 but no one wants to pay $7-8,000 for one.

Just so you know, a CB650R is more beginner friendly than a Z900 or CBR600RR but not as beginner friendly as a Z650 or SV650. Honda’s official midweight bike is the CB500F and CBR500R.

[ktm525]

What bike???

He's going to keep us in suspense. 

It should be a street legal KTM 300 2 stroke.

[rrocket]

What bike???

He's going to keep us in suspense. 

It should be a street legal KTM 300 2 stroke.

It should be.

But those are going for $8k-$10k these days.

And I refuse to pay that kind of stupid money.

[Jaeger]

The exhaust pipes are so sex. It being a 4 cylinder is the biggest reason it costs so much but at least it has the displacement and HP to show. Everyone wants a 4 cylinder 250 but no one wants to pay $7-8,000 for one.

Just so you know, a CB650R is more beginner friendly than a Z900 or CBR600RR but not as beginner friendly as a Z650 or SV650. Honda’s official midweight bike is the CB500F and CBR500R.