Motorcycles
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Since i have a girlfriend who likes going out on the bike and due to be a homeowner i can't justify more than one bike, i've been looking at one of these to replace my Suzuki (RIP)
Anyone ever owned one of these who can give me some input?
not sure if i prefer this version either.
Looks a bit like a Cylon i think… which is never a bad thing -
I heard that there were a lot of problems with the K1200, and the K1300 range are (or were) more reliable.
The K1300R is a cool bike. I had a test ride on one some years back, and I remember it being very smooth and easy to ride. I was in central London, so limited to 30 or 40 mph, but they are apparently hugely fast.
Plus there's a matt black version.
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Moto Strada built a Moto Guzzi Bobber, which was displayed at The Bike Shed show, and featured in BikeEXIF's custom bikes of the week. It's also up for sale.
My brother's visited them a few times, and he says that they offer Guzzis with mild custom tweaks, and a new paint job, for not a lot more than a standard bike.
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I really like that Moto Guzzi bobster. I know bobsters are supposed to be done in garage, not from factories….like Triumph did, but both look so good!
Everyone see the new Yamaha Venture? Pretty impressive bike, just not into the looks much.
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@Sam:
What sorted of problems @Graeme
@Sam I think that there are mechanical issues. The K1200 engine was heavily revamped by Ricardo for the K1300 series, and solved a lot of the problems.
Kevin Ash (RIP) wrote a couple of reviews when the bike was released: one at [http://www.ashonbikes.com/bmwk1300s]Ash on Bikes, and another at The Telegraph. They both state that the K1300 is a lot better than the K1200.
If you're looking at a big naked, other things to consider would be a Yamaha MT-01 and Suzuki B-King. The Honda VFR1200 was (and still is) a competitor to the K1300S.
This is the Yamaha MT-01, which is a big V-twin in a naked bike chassis. There was a tweaked version, the SP, with Ohlins forks, but that's incredibly rare.
A fairing kit was also available.
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Thanks @Graeme! Food for thought.
I've always quite liked the MT-01. The only down side that i can see is that it doesn't look comfortable for a passenger. I guess my ideal bike would be one that's find to ride solo but also comfortable for two over a relatively long distance… or i could just end my relationship and get the R Nine T Racer :-\
I'd definitely like to move away from Suzuki. The engine on my GSX 600 FW was amazing IMO but everything else was a bit of a nuisance.
I shall post more images of potential new bikes soon!
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@Sam tell your girlfriend to get her licence too. I bumped into a couple in Melbourne a few weeks back, she had a little, retro styled bike, and he had an R nineT Racer.
If you're thinking of something capable of doing two-up over distance, the BMW R1200R and R1200RS could be worth considering. They're probably better bikes than the R nineT, being built around the next generation platform, but lose the retro looks.
The Thruxton can be outfitted with a two-up seat, and it's pretty easy to swap them over. However, there's rumoured to be a new model, the Speed Twin, which has the high powered engine, Ohlins suspension and straight bars. If you can hang on until next Spring, it'd be another option.
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HP4 Race on the Isle of Man. :o
i like this
when i tested the g310r (didn't really like it), i was talking to the rep at the bmw dealership the other day about the hp4 race and he said that there was going to be 2 firm orders in perth, but because it couldn't be road registered, that's what broke the deal..
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Grips got a bit better looking
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1299 superleggera…
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Soooooo special.
I'm currently sniffing around the 1299 Panigale S market. Going to test one and the 959 back to back as soon as I get a chance. I'm sure I'll love the 959, but the simple fact that it's lacking a single-sided swingarm could've killed it already for me.
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i did test that 1299s earlier in the year when i was debating between a few litre bikes to aim for. i didn't test the 959 but looks aside, the 1299s was such a great fun to ride. the only thing for me was the ohlins valve sticking out the side was a little painful for my thighs and not to mention the heat soak which can be overlooked.. that single sided swing arm though.. makes it a beauty sitting there just looking at it.
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You're not the first person I've heard mention that valve. I'm 6'3 so wonder if that will make a difference.
Have you ridden an 1199? I had a play on one a few years ago and didn't exactly fall in love with it.
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yeah.. i'm about 5'10 or 177cm or so but i guess the difference is in the proportion between your upper body and legs. i haven't had the chance to ride the old 1199. from reading about it, i would say there's much difference except the power band, whether it's the 1199s vs the base 1299 and the other gadgets like active suspension and brakes.
what did you not like about the 1199?
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Went to an event in Wildwood,NJ called The Race of Gentleman. It's a recreation of a race that used to take place at Pismo Beach,CA The bikes must be circa 1947 and I'm not sure how old the cars have to be. Anyway it was a lot of fun. Decided to post here because most of the pictures have motorcycles.
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yeah.. i'm about 5'10 or 177cm or so but i guess the difference is in the proportion between your upper body and legs. i haven't had the chance to ride the old 1199. from reading about it, i would say there's much difference except the power band, whether it's the 1199s vs the base 1299 and the other gadgets like active suspension and brakes.
what did you not like about the 1199?
It didn't feel like it was on my side, basically. The general consensus seems to be that it's overly stiff with a slightly elusive front end and I'd agree with that. The 1299 is a far friendlier beasty apparently.
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@Streetwise:
It didn't feel like it was on my side, basically. The general consensus seems to be that it's overly stiff with a slightly elusive front end and I'd agree with that. The 1299 is a far friendlier beasty apparently.
hmm likewise, without actually riding the 1199, the 1299s felt very stiff on the front end for me. it's very aggressive on your wrists in daily traffic, which would be the situation i'd find myself in if i'd get one. not too sure how'd the front end would be comparing both. but between the bmw and the ducati, the bmw felt way easier to go side to side. the s1000rr on the other hand as well, was much forgiving on the wrists…
