Serious handling upgrades, or a new bike?
hmmm…tough one buddy…ide go for more toys untill the new revised gixxer comes out mate…
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in about a year or two…thats what im waiting for…hehehe
smiled
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Hi Jay,
don’t go for a K7, it’s not a big enough improvement over the K5.
1098 S … that’s going to be my next move I think.
What about an F4 1000 312 R ???
Depending on your budget I guess, but I would try talk you into sitting tight on you K5 and wait another year.
If you fancy trying before you buy, my best fried runs a bike shop in the Midlands (means a ride out !), he’s got some recent models in … ZX10, R6 etc
http://www.midlandssuperbikes.co.uk
TJ.
depends really weather you like the new k7 over your k5. if not upgrade you no ur bike more.
Go get a new one but make it different 
Jay, from what I’ve read your gixxer is pretty tricked up already and you have the DRZ for winter commuting (when its finished).
So how about buying a third bike, trackday , motox, supermoto, make sure its not road legal and have even more fun.
K7 was never in the running. I would be interested in going one of four type of ways:
- KTM Superduke R: completely different style, still does track+road
- Triumph 675: lighter and better handling
- Ducati 1098: Fnar… hard to justify 2x the cost for 2x the hassle of security and ownership costs
- K5 Upgrades: Forks, wheels, misc items to improve handling at a massively reduced rate than a new bike, and wait to see how things develop.
Thanks for your thoughts guys
Joe, nice to see you here again mate! How are you getting on with that GP-rep?
Weets, I was thinking of converting the K5 into a track bike and getting a new road bike, but that would be overkill for the number of times I get to the track.
Jay, I would go with the K5 upgrade and see what comes out for the next update, thats what im doing.
Jay Superduke… dude… Superduke R…
you know you want to
ohh and jay give me a go on the k5 befor you sell it
I don’t think that you wanna go for the 675… Very very bad bikes… Really nobody should buy one… 
Jay it would have to be the Sooperdook if anything Mate, K5 you have is still the best thou out there IMHO
Hypermotard…surely?
i’m with the call on the agusta. dribble
" Ducati 1098: Fnar… hard to justify 2x the cost for 2x the hassle of security and ownership costs"
er really? how did you work that one out? 1098 is £11,250, k7 is high 8/9 grand? 2x security hassle? more than jap sportsbike? surely there are less theives in the market for one of those as they can’t shift the parts as fast yet. ownership costs - jury’s out, guess it depends if the dealers go by what ducati are now recommending or try to stiff you
Hypermotard DOES look cool, especially after Ruben Xaus demonstrated it’s capabilities, though it’s no track bike for how I like to ride the track, but potentially I could get a track bike by selling the K5 and downsizing to a 750 track bike or similar.
1000cc sports bikes are pretty much static and have been for the last couple of years, so I have no real interest there. No bragging but I’ve yet to see another bike on the road that can be anything but a dot in the K5’s mirror. I am interested in a new buzz.
JB; you’re right, what I didn’t mention though was questions over reliability. I’ve been following 1098 forums and there’s quite a number of scare stories that might be acceptable to fun-day riders, but like you, I ride my bike everyday and need it everyday.
Also, the suspension on the stock 1098 needs uprating, it pushes at the track. So that’s a £450 fork rebuild and a £600 custom build shock. That makes it £12000+, then you definately need a nice exhaust system on there, so add another £1500 and you’re looking at £13500 already. Not far off double the cost of most other bikes! Might as well get the S model then and swallow the other addons you’d no doubt desire
675 wins Supertest and Masterbike comparison tests for the second year running, as decided by 16 international magazines at a recent test. That speaks volumes for the bike. I know B took one out on the track recently and like me was gushing with compliments for it. It’s easily the best track bike I’ve ridden.
JB; MV 312… You’re having a laugh. It looks nice but it’s just another 1000cc superbike. A replacement tank on those costs more than my DRZ is worth.
So many choices. The only way to know whether to hold on to an upgraded K5 or try something different is to get some test-rides in! Time I don’t really have as usual. Sods law eh, when you’re in the market for something, you haven’t the time, and any other time you’re probably financially committed elsewhere!
Humm, I reckon you have it perfect then, Hypermotard for everyday riding (apart from M-ways - but then take a car!), sell K5 and downsize to a 750 track bike (or 996?) that can have the suspension stuff spent on it, and the DRZ for green lanes…
Sorted…now what price for the K5 - give you £1000 for it…
how about a wildcard suggestion?
The new 2008 Hayabusa!
Elad, as nice a setup as that sounds, back in reality, I’m in no position to keep moving a track-bike around, so what I go for has to be road + track capable.
Goose; nah, I’d want something that handled well! Power comes second to handling, any day.
Hypermotard would get me in a lot of trouble, I’m sure.
seen a few recalls in the states on the early bikes its true. would prob be worth holding on til they’ve ironed out the bugs.
no disputing the bling will cost you. then again, i dont want to add up what i’ve spent on the add-ons to my bikes over the years either. the S model also has the bored out engine too doesn’t it? slip-ons cost comparable money on the 748 to jap bikes, you’re talking about a full system aren’t you? most people start playing with the suspension on the jap bikes when you’re good enough to need it on track too. hear what you’re saying, but they aren’t pricing it to be another jap bike. just playing devils advocate tho fella as i dont especially want one myself
i’m not having a laugh mate, if i could spare the cash and had somewhere safe to keep it i’d love to get a 312. stunning bike, awesome wail from the exhausts thats very distinctive, just a bit special to me. same as you tho, not convinced i’d have it as my only bike.
think thats the thing tho - know the 675 is supposed to be a great bike but it does absolutely nothing for me. and they go pop, and chomp oil. at the end of they day, if you really want the thing, its more emotive than anything else and you dont give a monkeys about the probs. for me it has to look as good as it goes…
quite glad i’m in the position where i really dont want to get rid of my bike. must stop looking at marchesini wheels tho…
Yeah +1
Me too.