Advice on a new or used bike for special need

[Saleenguy]

I have been riding for over 30 years.
I have ridden insanely fast bikes, to cruisers, dualsports, raced offroad and motocross.
I recently totalled my goldwing when a jeep ran a red light.
I have bikes, lots of bikes actually.
What I want to do is sell off most of them, keep a few, and add a new bike to the stable.

My wife has really gotten into riding with me.
Usually we go explore trails, and backroads on the KLR 2-up.
But i want to get a good bike for 2-up, but not a heavy, slow, boring tank of a bike.

I want lots of power, great cornering, brakes, and comfort for us both.

We have been test riding bikes, and still nothing that is really impressive.

I do not want another wing, its too heavy for exploring, and around town.

Tried the Ducati multistrada, it was boring as heck.

Want to try a Honda cbf 1000, but cannot find one to try.

I love the Honda viffer, but its not the perfect 2-up bike.

Oh, and as if my wish list was not already big enough, i want it to be fun when riding solo.

Not to offend you cruiser folks, but no cruisers please.
If i want slow, and poor cornering I could drive the F350 diesel 4x4 truck.

Every cruiser i have owned or tried, i am dragging parts by the second or third corner, and am always hoping if i twist really hard it will accelerate faster, but its already wide open.

I wonder about the new connie 1400, but again its not the rocket i hoped for when alone.
The yami fjr1300 bores me silly, i have ridden 3 of them.

maybe a good shield, and trunk on a zrx1200?
or make a good seat, and somehow get the ergonomics more friendly on a cbr1000rr?

Who knows, thats why i turn to all of you for help.
My recently sold Yami R1 was not a good 2-upper....and i could live with slightly less power and ornering than my R1 had, if its okay 2-up.
Oh and she wants a bike a trunk can be mounted to also, so she has a backrest, and a place to put crap in thats dry and locked up....but then I can take it off when its time to play alone.

Thanks again.

I am open to sugesstions from all brands...but the bike must be reliable, and have a decent range on a tank of gas, not obnoxiously loud, or uncomfy.

[skewterdewd]

How about one of these, with bags?

BMW Motorcycles: Bikes: K 1200 R Sport

[eidian]

Originally Posted by skewterdewd

How about one of these, with bags?

BMW Motorcycles: Bikes: K 1200 R Sport

Exactly what I was thinking. That or a ZX-14 with risers and hard luggage.

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by skewterdewd

How about one of these, with bags?

BMW Motorcycles: Bikes: K 1200 R Sport

Maybe that would be okay....I have a bit of a bmw phobia after owning one before....it was pure garbage....so bad that it would likely make any other bike in existance look as reliable as its possible to be.
You would have to ride a Harley 1,000 miles everyday, for 80 years, to finally get the same amount of break downs as my pampered, new, low mileage BMW had.

[Musgofasa]

The ZX-14 can be worked, but might not be the best for 2 - up. Have you looked at the yama FZ1? I like it better than the honda.

If you are selling bikes and putting money in the bank for something like this, maybe a new V-Max? Cornering might not match that of the R1, but it's supposed to have over 200 ponies.

Interesting question. I also looked at the triumph Speed Triple recently for a very similar reason, but after riding one, I decided that it wasn't the best 2-up bike either. Of course, the bike I bought isn't really good 2up at all lol.

Keep us posted on your choice.

Take care,
Robert

[trikebubble]

I have my eye on a Triumph Tiger 1050 myself. Their is a delaership in Kelowna, and they will allow test rides.

Brent (bross) here on the forum just purchased a CBF1000 and seems to like it a lot.

Good luck.

[cmptrmn.1]

Ervins told me that the GXR - 750 would be/could be a great bike with few mods to make it touring. I am short and the FJR/Connie do not fit me.

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by Musgofasa

The ZX-14 can be worked, but might not be the best for 2 - up. Have you looked at the yama FZ1? I like it better than the honda.

If you are selling bikes and putting money in the bank for something like this, maybe a new V-Max? Cornering might not match that of the R1, but it's supposed to have over 200 ponies.

Interesting question. I also looked at the triumph Speed Triple recently for a very similar reason, but after riding one, I decided that it wasn't the best 2-up bike either. Of course, the bike I bought isn't really good 2up at all lol.

Keep us posted on your choice.

Take care,
Robert

We tried a speed triple out, and it was very uncomfy for the wife.

I used to own an FZ1, and found it boring....its so generic its not good at anything.....its slow, corners just so so, not a good cruiser, not a good tourer, it never made me smile like a fool, even just oneday.

I would rather have a bike that really is great at one thing at least.
A bike that makes me smile, and that I just cannot wait to ride.

I cannot see a V-max as being a good 2-up bike, but may have to look at the new one again.

Does a seat manufacturer by chance make a good aftermarket seat for 2-up riding for the ZX-14?

Thanks

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by trikebubble

I have my eye on a Triumph Tiger 1050 myself. Their is a delaership in Kelowna, and they will allow test rides.

Brent (bross) here on the forum just purchased a CBF1000 and seems to like it a lot.

Good luck.

I was just there, but no demo tiger in sight....the owner of that shop is really cool and had several demos though.
He was really eager for us to go demo bikes....we had the cage and no gear, so he lent us coats, helmets, gloves etc. and never even asked me for any ID, or even to see my license, just handed me the keys and said have a good ride.
When I buy my dream Duc, it will be from him for sure.
He also has BMW's.

Like you I find the Tiger an interesting bike to consider....wish i could emo ride one and see how i like it in the real world.

We tried a Duc multistrada this week on our demo rides, and I love Ducati bikes, but that model nearly put me to sleep it was so lifeless.
And the wife sure thought it sucked from the passengers seat to.
Rode a new Mottoguzzi Norge 1200 about 2 weeks ago, and it maybe the biggest heap of junk ever made IMO.

Any ideas of a BC honda dealer that may let me demo a CBF1000 ?

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by cmptrmn.1

Ervins told me that the GXR - 750 would be/could be a great bike with few mods to make it touring. I am short and the FJR/Connie do not fit me.

HMMMMMM interesting....I see lots of GSXR 600 and 1000's but few of the 750 model.
My good friend has an 2006 GSXR 1000, and its a blast for short rides....but i will have to see what a GXR is like, as I am not even sure what one looks like....thanks for the tip.

[trikebubble]

Originally Posted by Saleenguy

I was just there, but no demo tiger in sight....the owner of that shop is really cool and had several demos though.
He was really eager for us to go demo bikes....we had the cage and no gear, so he lent us coats, helmets, gloves etc. and never even asked me for any ID, or even to see my license, just handed me the keys and said have a good ride.
When I buy my dream Duc, it will be from him for sure.
He also has BMW's.

Like you I find the Tiger an interesting bike to consider....wish i could emo ride one and see how i like it in the real world.

We tried a Duc multistrada this week on our demo rides, and I love Ducati bikes, but that model nearly put me to sleep it was so lifeless.
And the wife sure thought it sucked from the passengers seat to.
Rode a new Mottoguzzi Norge 1200 about 2 weeks ago, and it maybe the biggest heap of junk ever made IMO.

Any ideas of a BC honda dealer that may let me demo a CBF1000 ?

When we were there they had a new Tiger1050 on the floor that he said he would let us take for a spin.

[NCDave]

Bandit 1250. There is a brand new 07 on sale around here for 7200. Add to that another 1200 for aftermarket hard bags and the optional lowers. Those things can be removed from "fun" riding, or added on as necessary for more comfortable 2-up riding.

I was looking at a triumph tiger. if you want the DS style, that bike had a very nice looking second seat that your wife would probably like.

The ZRX1200 would probably be comparable. Also a used Honda 919.

[jaseman]

Gotta agree with Dave on the Bandit. Great platform for what your looking to do.

Not sure I'd suggest the Honda 919 though. It's a great bike, but insanely boring (like most modern Honda's). Just has no personality to it. Also might feel a bit cramped 2-up.

If you willing to buy used, I might also suggest a ZX-11 or Busa. The big GT's will do touring duty with soft luggage, are plenty fun solo, and aren't to bad for 2-up either.

[skewterdewd]

The new Honda VFR 1000 V5 in GT trim. 6-speed paddlematic?

I like it.

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by jaseman

Gotta agree with Dave on the Bandit. Great platform for what your looking to do.

Not sure I'd suggest the Honda 919 though. It's a great bike, but insanely boring (like most modern Honda's). Just has no personality to it. Also might feel a bit cramped 2-up.

If you willing to buy used, I might also suggest a ZX-11 or Busa. The big GT's will do touring duty with soft luggage, are plenty fun solo, and aren't to bad for 2-up either.

I used to own a BUS, sorry busa.....they handle worse than a greyhound bus with 6 flat tires.


She did not really like the seat, on the Bandit 1250 too much, but really disliked the crazily high passenger pegs, and the pipe location to burn her legs on getting on and off.

Amazingly she found the Honda VFR passenger position comfy, that surprised me.
Talked to the nearest Triumph dealer from me, he has a Tiger in stock, and welcomed us to come test ide it.
So we may do that, and see what we think....thanks everyone.
Keep the suggestions coming.

[Gank]

I think you should wait and take another look at the Connie. Not sure how much of a rocket you're looking for, but I think it'll smoke most things on the road. Certainly it'll smoke anything else in the Sport Touring category. Most rides, I come back with this look on my face: (That's a good thing.)

The low end power does suffer a little, but I keep hearing the same story with regard to solving that problem: yank the secondary flies. The service manager at the local dealer specifically recommended it, and looked at me sideways when I told him the bike had plenty of power for my needs. Maybe you can find one that's already been modded and take it for a spin. It won't cost you a fortune to mod a Connie into a bike you'd keep for a long time.

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by Gank

I think you should wait and take another look at the Connie. Not sure how much of a rocket you're looking for, but I think it'll smoke most things on the road. Certainly it'll smoke anything else in the Sport Touring category. Most rides, I come back with this look on my face: (That's a good thing.)

The low end power does suffer a little, but I keep hearing the same story with regard to solving that problem: yank the secondary flies. The service manager at the local dealer specifically recommended it, and looked at me sideways when I told him the bike had plenty of power for my needs. Maybe you can find one that's already been modded and take it for a spin. It won't cost you a fortune to mod a Connie into a bike you'd keep for a long time.

I rode and liked the Connie.
Downside is its heavy, and for the run to the corner store to return a dvd, or such, I want something say 200 pounds lighter than the C14.
I have owned 3 Goldwings, and the weight gets worse every year I get older.
I do admit they are powerful and handle okay.
But when exploring as I do, i need a bike I can also turn around when the gravel road suddenly deadends,and that sort of thing.
Been looking at the Corbin seat, and a rear trunk with backrest for the Honda viffer......who knows, may go that way......and that Tiger just keeps calling my name to.....sigh, so many decisions.

While standing in the Duc dealer on Tuesday drooling excessively over the 1098S, my wife just had to mention, and more than once, that it had no passenger pegs or seat at all.....maybe she can learn to ride in front of me.

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by skewterdewd

The new Honda VFR 1000 V5 in GT trim. 6-speed paddlematic?

I like it.

I looked at the Honda website and do not see this bike....where can i learn more about it.

Thanks

[skewterdewd]

I found this pic on another forum. Try googling VFR 1000. The info on it is pretty sketchy at this point.

[jaseman]