What does the collective think?

[richardbd]

Come on then boys, let's put it to the vote...

[beemerboy9]

What do your riding buddies think you should get in order for you to keep up with them?

[guest2360]

And the most votes so far is for an RT with all the nice bits removed. 

[richardbd]

What do your riding buddies think you should get in order for you to keep up with them?

I never said I couldn't keep up - just that RT isn't really the bike for some of the roads...


;-)

[Levisp]

Well Richard if your after a bike for the rough pot holed back roads then you need to go for something with long suspension travel and lighter than the RT. I would test ride the KTMs and new Honda African Twin.

[beemerboy9]

I never said I couldn't keep up - just that RT isn't really the bike for some of the roads...


;-)

So  are your mates recommending that you need at least 125 BHP to keep up - or do  they think you could get way with less?  ..and if so, how much less?

[richardbd]

So  are your mates recommending that you need at least 125 BHP to keep up - or do  they think you could get way with less?  ..and if so, how much less?

I could outride some of them on a CB250!


Not all though...

[Lifer]

I voted for another RT because a 1600 GT was not listed

I wonder if that is my next bike...  ;D

[beemerboy9]

I could outride some of them on a CB250!
Not all though...

Now we're getting somewhere....
I vote for a Suzuki DL650 V-strom. Nice though the KTM690 is, surely a twin has to give a less harsh ride. There would be money left over to have the suspension properly set-up for your weight etc.
If I remember correctly, that machine won the Motorrad magazine Alpine-Masters head-to-head shoot out for two years running.

[richardbd]

Now we're getting somewhere....
I vote for a Suzuki DL650 V-strom.

Interesting choice - lots of people love them.  Not sure I could though.  You much of a brand snob I suspect!

[Jim]

I have my K1600 for touring (and for longer days out), I have also kept my FJR1300 as I couldn't bear to part with it, but for some lightweight fun I got myself a SV650S Sport. It is great fun. The bike performs really great and is plenty fast for fun, would not like to go touring on it mind you, but that's what the other two bikes are for.
Don't be put off by the fact it's a budget bike, this means it's easy and cheap to maintain, insure and thousands of miles on a set off tyres to boot.


So touring covered, sport touring covered and some sporty fun covered, only green lane fun that's not covered and where I live you really don't get the chance to go off road.
But at the end of the day it can only be you that makes the choice.

[Pete1200]

I have a choice of three, none of which are listed. In no particular order, Hinckley Bonnie, Moto Morini 350 Strada and Honda CD200/250 Benley. Not many people's choices, I know, but I like them.

[richardbd]

I have a choice of three, none of which are listed. In no particular order, Hinckley Bonnie, Moto Morini 350 Strada and Honda CD200/250 Benley. Not many people's choices, I know, but I like them.

Interesting - based on this choices Pete, you have to be almost the same age as me.  Either that, you have odd taste in bikes!


I was born in 1960.  Once had a Benley and often wanted a Morini 350.  My "local" Guzzi dealer still has one but he won't sell it...