am currently creating a shortlist for a new bike. The bike will be used mainly for commuting into london (once a week) ride outs, and for around 3 weeks of the year touring. I know naked’s arn’t ideal for touring but that is the smallest bit of what I do so happy to put up with the impracticalities for a few weeks a year (the gxsr is hardly ideal and was fine)
So, what are nakes bikes like to live with? Say on a 300+ mile jetsream endurance event :laugh: Are you sick of the wind/buffeting by the end of the day? Is it better to have to put up with a bit of wind than the usual leg/back/knee cramp of a sports bike for the same period of time?
Havent decided which one, but think hornet type bike.
(before jamie say’s it - I’m not buying a B-King!!)
lol. You get used to the wind fairly quickly. I can do 300+ miles with no pain in the neck. You can get a screen on the bike that will help loads. I’ve just refitted my small screen for the winter blast. If you like your gsxr’s motor then why not opt for a GSR. I’ll let u have it for a little spin and you can see how you get on with it. Failing that, a Hornet will do. If it’s purely commuting then I’d suggest a bandit or similar as the consumption will be far better.
consumption isn’t a problem, and it won’t be a 600. GSR750 is an option. Seen for most you can get a larger touring screen which whilst ugly as sin would be fine to stick on for a weeks trip etc. A few hours on one would be handy, just dont stack my gixxer :hehe:
There isnt any power difference in the 750 to the 600. not sure of the torque though. why not settle for a 2nd hand 600. they’re £2500 for a 07 - 08 plate. cheap as chips. there are a few forum members on the GSR forum that have traded up to the 750 and the feelings are mixed.
I find a naked bike really easy to live with, most of all because of the upright riding position - you can see around easily, the mirrors work and they are really comfortable. 300 mile days are ok, only a full on tourer or a sports tourer (or an adventure bike) would be more comfortable. They tend to be lighter than faired bikes, you will be sitting in clean air, no buffeting, just more pressure on your shoulders. If you can get one with a small screen it helps a lot to take the load off your upper body area.
The other good thing about nakeds is that if you have a spill or drop, damage will be minimal.
If you like cleaning, though, you will be pleased as there are lots of nooks and crannies to fiddle with.
They can make good track bikes due to no fairings to smash in the gravel.
I find that I stay in two figure speeds more readily too, because you really feel the breeze and wind pressure, hence keeping your licence. But many would still do 150mph+
street triple is great fun i want one but its crap on fuel it needs 12 litres every 85-90miles round town the fazer 1000 does the same but with alot more power and better suspension
definately going bigger, I can insure a 1000 naked for same price as I am my gsxr now but I can upgrade from tpft to fully comp. This has kind of sealed the deal in my head - just need to ride a few… starting with jamies
you can pick a 05/06 (best looking hornet obv) from as little as 2k now
it a bike you wont be afraid to leave parked on a bay in london and have loads of fun getting there. to be honest for what you want cant think of a better bike.
as for touring been to france, cornwall, wales etc with no issues. as im tall i found that the screen on my cbf for eg meant that the air gor funneled to my head, with the hornet the air is evenly spread on my body and is easier to cope with
ok you cant do 130mph for hours but do you really want to (afford to?) on the other hand being on a naked lesser speed feel faster anw
I have done ride outs with people on naked bikes, and these weren’t little people, and once you hit 110+ on a motorway, it begins to hurt, not sure what it would be like for me as I am quite a little guy, but when guys with necks as big as my thighs start to complain about neck ache, I begin to suspect that it will be quite serious.
Which is why I think they suck for touring because while the neck stress isn’t as intense as the 110+ stress, it is more continual.
I would compare it to cold hands.
I don’t get cold hands on the GSXR, not even in the depths of winter with summer gloves on, this is because I don’t ride endless monotonous miles with little gear changing or braking. When I do ride in the cold, it is in the lanes, with plenty of braking, changing gear and general body movement on the bike, and this continual action keeps me and my hands warm.
The few times I have ended up riding down a motorway or A-road for longer periods, sat in 6th gear doing 75mph my hands have gotten very cold indeed.
I think the comparison works well, if you not going to be in a position where you sat for ages in 6th gear doing 75mph then I think a Naked is just fine, but if a larger percentage of your riding is of that style, then I think it will suck.
Kaos you talk sorry “write” utter bollox lol everyone knows it does’nt hurt riding a naked bike til you reach 135mph :Whistling: and even then its not painful lol it just becomes harder to hang on pmsl :w00t:
ask Ratty