Author Topic: Bike dilemma (Read 4605 times)

Bk · « **on:** December 18, 2018, 22:11:49 »

Hi all. Introduced my self yesterday but seem to have made a bit of a boob in asking questions in that section. Sorry.

me bad. Well let’s all be friends and start again.(this is how I haven’t become a traffic ticket this last 40 years, a really good ball licker

). Am looking to get a good comfortable bike capable of carrying me about for a few days to a week at a time, around Ireland and Scotland in the good weather if we ever get it again. I’m not ashamed to say I am a fair weather rider not one of these hardened blokes who go to the artic wearing a rab c nesbitt string vest. I have a clapped our gtr1000 who has come a lot farther than she will go,bit like myself. However I’m not dead yet. Wanted opinions on different bikes for the job. I’m 6ft2ins and 120 kg ( dr says too heavy but sure I’m working on it). Read good things on the Suzuki 650 and 1000, also the versys and the Honda NC750 x. Have joined the versys forum as well. Tried the Honda one but it’s more difficult and I think the may not want me.

. Any advice would be greatfully accepted. Bk.

The Border Riever · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2018, 22:39:54 »

Hi BK looks like you've earned your srtipes already with falling foul of the "Stasi" FFS don't quote anything!!!!!!

I have a 2016 Vstrom 1000 at present, and I've had an NC750X, A bloke your size needs the 1000cc bike everytime, the NC has a seat made of wood, and the worst I've experienced, but an amazing bike, just a shame they don't do a 1200cc version!

MartinW · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2018, 07:34:45 »

Stasi Here - Heavier and Taller than you and more than happy on the 650. Don't believe those who say you need a 1000 and go test a 650 before you ever waste money on an extra 350cc you won't need.

Hugo Magnus · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2018, 08:29:41 »

I concur with Martin (because he's bigger and heavier than me) and on this occasion he's right, though he doesn't do many miles.

wurzel · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2018, 09:51:49 »

Very amusing post, had me chuckling away to myself, as said, the 650 is a superb bike, also second hand Honda transalp is a mega reliable easy to live with machine, I live them.
If you do want a but more a post 2014 1000 strom, or Veek as they get called, is a fine mile muncher with good manners, though two up a new rear shock though not necessary, would improve the bike a bit as its a little soft.

Old Biker · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2018, 10:11:24 »

Hi Bk
For what it's worth this Old Biker, slightly taller and about the same weight, switched to a 650 from an FJR1300 and find that these days the lower weight of the Strom is a great boon. On the riding front it is a great bike and easy to live with, take a test ride I don't think you will be at all disappointed

Barbel Mick · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2018, 11:10:22 »

BK, I've got the 650 and although not as tall & only around 100kg, heading for pensionable age and ride with the good lady on the back most of the time & fully loaded with luggage. We have been around most of Ireland & the west coast of Scotland, Spain, Portugal, Pyrenees & the French Alps, not forgetting the delights of Derbyshire & Yorkshire either and never had a problem. It may not pull as well or have the speed of the 1000 but it's a great bike to ride and will cover miles of road on any tour you fancy.
Good luck in finding the right bike & enjoy.

Fat Rat · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2018, 11:57:17 »

is 100kg

MartinW · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2018, 11:59:53 »

15st 11lbs Mr ~~Imperial~~ English Rat

mr_diver · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2018, 12:03:16 »

The 650 is more than enough for most.
I toured 2up (I'm 110kg) with 60kg of gear a few years back. No issues at all on fast sweeping roads or major motorways. And more frugal.

I test rode the new DL650 a few weeks back and came away grinning. that's coming from a rider of a litre bike with a muscle bike in the garage.

My next bike is more than likely going to be another DL650.
Great bikes.

The NC750 is bland and with a low rev limit (DCT solves that but takes the fun away from the whole drop a cog and go thing.) It's also a heavy old beast for the power.

The old 650/700 Transalp is as solid as old boots, but is enthralling as the old boots too.

Cb500x is a great little bike and the engine and gearbox combo make it a very usable bike, but I don't think I'd want to do a long tour on one. It is by far the lightest and lowest of the bunch as stock.

Test ride, test ride, test ride.

Fat Rat · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2018, 12:03:53 »

Fixed that for you Martin.

Barbel Mick · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2018, 15:18:23 »

Quote from: Fat Rat on December 19, 2018, 11:57:17

is 100kg

I did have to convert my proper weight to that odd foreign stuff. I thought it only fair to the OP
as that is what he used.

Munchen · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2018, 18:07:40 »

Another vote here for the 650. Properly comfortably and enough oomph for a big fella. Not a quick bike by any stretch but I wouldn't call it under-powered either. The balance is just right.

user650 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2018, 18:28:03 »

Fully loaded 650 for the Wales trip including the wife and I, never missed a beat, handling can get twitchy at full lick but nothing it doesn't tell you, well in advance is going to happen.

Ridaz · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2018, 19:19:58 »

So... a Triumph 800, a Versys 650 and a 650 Glee go to Ireland. The biggest and heaviest rider was me on the 650 Glee and apart from a flat tyre it didn't skip a beat or struggle in any way. The Glee was by far the most economic and although recorded as having the least BHP, I was never left behind. I suspect this is because mine was in the fastest colour of blue. A similar story from my trip on the same bike to France and Belgium gives me enough riding time to highly recommend the 650 VsTrom.

Maybe the real question you want to answer is what colour 650 vStrom shall I buy

Shameless pic of the three bikes parked up on the west side of Loch Erne

Fat Rat · « **Reply #15 on:** December 19, 2018, 19:22:04 »

Regardless of colour (that blue is nice), you definitely want one with two headlights and no daft beak

Lincsman · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2018, 20:15:13 »

I recently did a 3000 mile round trip to Poland and Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and then home. More than enough power, and never felt like it was lacking. My mate took his Tiger 800 ( 50 MPG ) I was getting 75+ MPG.
Even my dealer said that you don't need mega CC's to tour. Off to Norway on it next year. It's all the bike I'll ever need for touring.

Bk · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2018, 20:57:12 »

Folks I am thrilled at all the responses to this post. I lost the post as I didn’t know what section I posted it in. Well sorted now. I really appreciate you all taking time to give me your opinions. I read somewhere that the 750 x was uncomfortable which would put me off. I had even read up on upgrading the seat. I would be afraid the 1000 would be a bit too big for me to handle. As I said I have a clapped out gtr1000 and quite honestly it is too much for me. If I dropped her she would just have to lie there.

.I have never had a Suzuki but reading all your comments I would be easily talked into one.

.the three bikes sitting at Lough Erin look great but as everyone knows a black one would be much faster.

. I will continue trolling gumtree and see if anything turns up.

. Bk.

mrp192 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2018, 23:32:44 »

Excellent recovery there Bk and please bear in mind when MartinW mentions his stature and mass that doesn’t include the bulk of the field grey uniform and slashed peak cap he patrols the forum in.

MartinW · « **Reply #19 on:** December 20, 2018, 07:35:10 »