Bike consolidation

[KungFooBob]

Consolidation.

I decided to sell a commuter (NC700X) and ADV Tourer (XL1000V), to buy a bike that did both (Tiger 800XC).

Consolidation = Compromise and compromise is rubbish.

[dern]

Consolidation.

I decided to sell a commuter (NC700X) and ADV Tourer (XL1000V), to buy a bike that did both (Tiger 800XC).

Consolidation = Compromise and compromise is rubbish.

I know what you mean but this is really just a thin attempt at thinking about things sensibly when all I really want in a new bike.

I think I’ll keep the drz and if I want to go further afield I’ll trailer it. It’s a good bike that fits me well.

I also think I’ll keep the 1190. It’s a bit of a lump but it’s a fast fun way to do distance.

I think I’ll replace the 950. I like it but I’ve never felt proud of it or any of that bollocks. The front is a bit wayward that’s fun sometimes but not all the time and the gearbox isn’t the last word in sophistication. I want something to play on the lanes and be more excited when I sit on it in the garage and want to ride more. So I’m doing that. I don’t know what I’ll replace it with but I guess I’ve got about 6 or 7k. I keep going back to a Mille factory.

[KungFooBob]

I really like the first Gen Mille, Especially the R with the Oz Wheels and the Ohlins.

The later ones seem to have odd problems with speedos resetting and generally being a bit cramped. If I was looking at a Factory, I'd probably also be considering a 999.

[dern]

That’s a good call. I’ve always liked those.

I’ve always like the later Mille but know about the Speedo issues. Never sat on one for fit though.

[Supermofo]

What about chop the DRZ and 950 for a 690 Enduro? Ok not super light but wayyyyyy lighter than a 790/890 Adv. It'd be way more fun on the road than the DRZ and probably just as if not more capable off it. And you could get some SM wheels as well.

Then keep the 1190 for long trips.

[Taipan]

eMTB and MT-10 FTW!

[dern]

What about chop the DRZ and 950 for a 690 Enduro? Ok not super light but wayyyyyy lighter than a 790/890 Adv. It'd be way more fun on the road than the DRZ and probably just as if not more capable off it. And you could get some SM wheels as well.

Then keep the 1190 for long trips.

I have thought about that in the past but I don't end up with a bike to play on the lanes and back roads so dismissed the idea.

[Supermofo]

What about chop the DRZ and 950 for a 690 Enduro? Ok not super light but wayyyyyy lighter than a 790/890 Adv. It'd be way more fun on the road than the DRZ and probably just as if not more capable off it. And you could get some SM wheels as well.

Then keep the 1190 for long trips.

I have thought about that in the past but I don't end up with a bike to play on the lanes and back roads so dismissed the idea.

The 690 with SM wheels would be a hoot on the back roads as I'm sure Taipan, Weesky, Mango, Jody and I will attest. For back road fun it's hard to beat a 690.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

As the Pony said, go to the motorcycle shop, see a bike you like and buy it.

[Rockburner]

I did the 'consolidation' thing once, ages ago, athough without the same range of riding that you appear to be wanting.

At the time I had a ZXR400 (fun bike), and a 550 Zephyr (commuter), and I was going a 110 mile round-trip commute daily, and riding on weekends (visits, the occasional trackday, tours), and doing as much servicing as I could do myself. I was also fucked off with chains.

My specific requirements were:
Must be easy to service
Must be capable of 25K+ a year
Must be fun on the weekends and capable of both small road messing about, and long days fully loaded going long distances.
Must not have a chain.

Did a lot of reading and browsing and eventually ended up with a BMW Rockster (this was in 2004 iirc, when they had been out only a few months or so). I kinda liked the idea of it, then rode it and really enjoyed the test-ride.


I've had 4 Rocksters since then and done lots of different riding: commuting, long-distance, trackdays, off-roading: it's not brilliant at any of them, but it's more than good enough for most of those types of riding. It's not a good trackbike, the bars are too wide, and it definitely didn't suit Silverstone (it's not that quick), but it would be quite fun on smaller, tighter tracks I think, thanks to the wide bars giving the steering lots of leverage, and it's stability in corners. It's not a great off-roader either, but it's just as capable as any other 'big' offroader (eg the GS) which is going to struggle just as much when it gets very muddy if its on road-oriented tyres.

I've also ridden quite a few other bikes in the intervening years, but I still enjoy the Rockster. I'm not that interested in trackdays much these days, and I'm not a huge fan of off-roading regularly either (it's fun, but I'm to unfit and too lazy to get fit. )






Obviously I'm just weird.

[dern]

Did a lot of reading and browsing and eventually ended up with a BMW Rockster (this was in 2004 iirc, when they had been out only a few months or so). I kinda liked the idea of it, then rode it and really enjoyed the test-ride.

Thanks very much for the suggestion.

[dern]

The 690 with SM wheels would be a hoot on the back roads as I'm sure Taipan, Weesky, Mango, Jody and I will attest. For back road fun it's hard to beat a 690.

I'll take a look, thanks.

ATM I'm getting quite excited looking at 999s, Milles and SP2s in the ads.

[Rockburner]

Did a lot of reading and browsing and eventually ended up with a BMW Rockster (this was in 2004 iirc, when they had been out only a few months or so). I kinda liked the idea of it, then rode it and really enjoyed the test-ride.

Thanks very much for the suggestion.

Just want to make sure that 'the suggestion' you're taking away is 'do some research and test rides'.... and NOT 'go try a Rockster'....... because you'll very likely hate the thing.

[Supermofo]

The 690 with SM wheels would be a hoot on the back roads as I'm sure Taipan, Weesky, Mango, Jody and I will attest. For back road fun it's hard to beat a 690.

I'll take a look, thanks.

ATM I'm getting quite excited looking at 999s, Milles and SP2s in the ads.

Yeah I can see looking at them would be more exciting than looking at orange ditch pumps

SP2 for the win by the way

[Couchy]

The bikes irrelevant just book and organise more trips with what you have

[Couchy]

Saying that I do like an adventure bike, I can set off from home do 150 miles in comfort and take in a lot of green lanes in the peaks. The only other option is to buy an enduro, take it there in a van, do 15-20 miles off road and 80 miles of pain on road then van it home. I like the adv bike as it makes the lanes more of a challenge and the tarmac bits are enjoyable too.
On that basis get a lighter adv bike, Husky 701LR

[dern]

I've had a chat with my heart and it says buy this...

[dern]

My word this is pretty, I've always wanted a gsxr750...

[Yorick]

My word this is pretty, I've always wanted a gsxr750...

Nah, get the full fat version

[KungFooBob]

My word this is pretty, I've always wanted a gsxr750...

Nice wheels. What are they?