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#1 | Another Bike datum

Sun May 19, 2024 12:04 am

Hi All,

I am looking to find another bike for use at my holiday home up the coast. Requirements are:

Twin cylinder up to 800cc, fuel injected

Will always be used on tarmac

Tourer type with upright riding position

With side and main stands

Higher saddle height to suit my 6"2" height

Lighter weight

Reliable with minimum maintenance requirements

Less than 10 years old

Would appreciate your views/experience on what I can consider.

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#2 | RE: Another Bike datum

Sun May 19, 2024 12:15 am

DL650 Vstrom
New Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
MT07 or a variant:
MT07 Tracer
Tenere 700

Honda & Suzuki have a couple of new bikes based around 800cc parallel twins. Not sure if they have the main stand option as some designers seem to overlook this possibility nowadays.

Spam goes here

Paul911 likes the post

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#3 | RE: Another Bike datum

Sun May 19, 2024 11:24 am (Last edited: Sun May 19, 2024 11:26 am)

I like the suggestion of the Himalayan as a second bike but it�s a single. Why the 800cc limit, lots of good twins at 900cc or there abouts eg F900XR, Multi V2. Though not sure of you could class a Ducati as reliable. Is there a budget factor?

Dave H likes the post

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#4 | RE: Another Bike datum

Sun May 19, 2024 12:20 pm

Some of the Triumph twins have fairly long service intervals in terms of mileage, but I'm not sure about the annual requirements. And there's the smaller triples like the Tiger sport and Trident.

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#5 | RE: Another Bike datum

Sun May 19, 2024 3:41 pm (Last edited: Sun May 19, 2024 4:16 pm)

BMW's F800GT could be a good choice. Center stand, good performance, panniers, heated grips, etc. Weight is lighter than RS at 470 pounds. Plenty of good used ones available. I've owned 2 of the F800 GT model and can attest the performance and comfort are good. Very agile in the twisties...

The model was not a huge seller for BMW, so used prices are quite reasonable.

https://www.cycletrader.com/Used-Bmw-F-8...900&condition=U

My only complaint was the OEM windscreen (same with almost every bike I've owned), but that can be rectified with a good Puig screen. No cruise control, either, but I solved that with a Kaoko throttle lock.

EDIT: Forgot to mention the best part - belt drive (no chain, light weight).

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#6 | RE: Another Bike datum

Sun May 19, 2024 11:10 pm

Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #5
BMW's F800GT could be a good choice. Center stand, good performance, panniers, heated grips, etc. Weight is lighter than RS at 470 pounds. Plenty of good used ones available. I've owned 2 of the F800 GT model and can attest the performance and comfort are good. Very agile in the twisties...

The model was not a huge seller for BMW, so used prices are quite reasonable.

https://www.cycletrader.com/Used-Bmw-F-8...900&condition=U

My only complaint was the OEM windscreen (same with almost every bike I've owned), but that can be rectified with a good Puig screen. No cruise control, either, but I solved that with a Kaoko throttle lock.

EDIT: Forgot to mention the best part - belt drive (no chain, light weight).

The only problem with the F800 models' belt drive is that they have become almost impossible to source, now that BMW is no longer making a model with a belt drive - and the scammers are taking advantage of the situation.

Current motorcycle collection: 2002 Yamaha FZ1; 2020 KTM 390 Duke; 2009 BMW F650GS; 2018 Zero S 16.6 kWh

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#7 | RE: Another Bike datum

Mon May 20, 2024 2:49 am

Apparently the belt (OEM) is available. Not cheap, but they last a while:

https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/beltdrive719.htm

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#8 | RE: Another Bike datum

Mon May 20, 2024 8:32 am (Last edited: Mon May 20, 2024 8:36 am)

Zitat von Becksy im Beitrag #3
I like the suggestion of the Himalayan as a second bike but it�s a single. Why the 800cc limit, lots of good twins at 900cc or there abouts eg F900XR, Multi V2. Though not sure of you could class a Ducati as reliable. Is there a budget factor?

Thanks to all for their inputs.

I had to put a limit on 800cc, thinking mainly of the weight factor. I quite like the Yamaha TDM900 or maybe the VStrom 650. Obviously there is a budget (it is a second bike after all!) but I don't mind paying an extra premium for a good used bike that's in good condition. A Ducati wouldn't suit due to servicing and maintenance costs. I think in this case a Japanese bike would be the go.

I considered a Royal Enfield but being stored and ridden by the coast, would be apprehensive of corrosion of the chrome work etc.

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#9 | RE: Another Bike datum

Mon May 20, 2024 3:21 pm

Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #7
Apparently the belt (OEM) is available. Not cheap, but they last a while:

https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/beltdrive719.htm

I note that the "quantity in stock" says "1". Also, BMW recommends that the belt be replaced at 24K miles. I typically have gotten 36K miles out of an X-ring type of chain, which goes for a fraction of that replacement belt price.

Current motorcycle collection: 2002 Yamaha FZ1; 2020 KTM 390 Duke; 2009 BMW F650GS; 2018 Zero S 16.6 kWh

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#10 | RE: Another Bike datum

Mon May 20, 2024 5:59 pm

Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #9
Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #7
Apparently the belt (OEM) is available. Not cheap, but they last a while:

https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/beltdrive719.htm

I note that the "quantity in stock" says "1". Also, BMW recommends that the belt be replaced at 24K miles. I typically have gotten 36K miles out of an X-ring type of chain, which goes for a fraction of that replacement belt price.

Well there's your answer then...chain drive. If it weren't for the belt replacement issue, though, the GT would be a good choice. Oh, well.

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#11 | RE: Another Bike datum

Tue May 21, 2024 7:44 am

Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #9
Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #7
Apparently the belt (OEM) is available. Not cheap, but they last a while:

https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/beltdrive719.htm

I note that the "quantity in stock" says "1". Also, BMW recommends that the belt be replaced at 24K miles. I typically have gotten 36K miles out of an X-ring type of chain, which goes for a fraction of that replacement belt price.

Its pretty shocking that BMW produce a bike that requires a replacement belt every 24K miles and then backs out of providing adequate replacements. If it does, it then charges extortionate prices. No thanks, I don't need the stress!

Just over a year ago, I had to purchase a new front fairing on a Suzuki VStrom belonging to my son. It cost a modest $A86 from a dealer. Very reasonable I thought.

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I bought a VFR 750 � � BMW's 2000cc boxer concept with a hot-pink gas tank