Like Pan, I’m looking at replacing the Yamaha TDM900/A.
However my situation is a little different. I’m looking at replacing it next year, but I am doing all the test rides over the coming weeks, because I could possibly be out off action from June till next year. I’ve already tested some bikes mark (T), and others I have to arrange. Has anyone ridden any of these want to give some feedback? Especially the Benelli and the Morini.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? No sports bikes they don’t agree with my back, not really into naked bikes, and nothing weighing more than 250kg.
All Rounders
BMW F800ST
Honda CBF1000F
Kawasaki Z1000SX (T)
Yamaha FZ1 Fazer
Z1000SX is what I’ll probably get in the next couple of years as I can’t see the price dropping to the 5K mark any time soon. Stunning bike and has some cracking reviews.
I did a test on a NC700 honda and put a thread on here about it http://londonbikers.com/forums/919114/honda-nc700-test-ride … I would not bother even looking at that underpowered crap bucket . It feels japanese in all the wrong ways . Its like riding a fridge or washing machine .
@Dan, having ridden it the other day, it is an awesome bike. Power delivery is great, but you need to think when riding it as it is so easy to hit silly speeds. I’ll probably rent one for a couple of days to see how I get one over several days.
@Numnum, i rode one but I was thinking about having to commute on it if the rail prices go up by a silly amount again. Found it to be a great little bike, it is easy to ride, you don’t have to think about. Low speed balance is fantastic and it is more agile than any bike I have ridden in traffic, exceptional easy to change direct and move around in stationary traffic. Added to that the fuel economy of upto 90mpg would make it an almost perfect commuter.
If I was limited to a single bike then it would not make the list, but as a second bike for commuting I think it ticks all the boxes.
I know the DL650 is a great bike, but it is less power and torque than the TDM, and it’s a bit to much for commuting.
Also Suzuki’s line up looks very stale when you compare it to Triumph, BMW, Honda, and Kawasaki. There is virtually nothing that is new from the last couple of years. OK the GSXR line up has been updated every other year but the rest of it is just old.
Well I think I can removed the Moto Morini off the list. Nearest dealer is Towcester, that is over an hour away. Benelli have a dealer in Hammersmith, so might pop down during the week to have a gander at the Tre-K 899 and the Tre-K 1130.
er sicknote why dont you keep what you got ? It does everything you need its reliable, dont look to bad, economical, good riding position for your back…and best of all its paid for ?
@Dan, the Bandit 1250 is far far to heavy. It is 260KG, which is totally silly, for what you get. Suzuki need to shave at least 20KG of the weight.
@Steve, well I have had the TDM for three years, and a change would be nice. When I really ride it, I spend most of the time in the top of rev range, and something new and larger will a challenge and add a little more excitement.
lots of power despite its size, i took it out to the lanes where it handled ok but it did take a fiar bit of effort to turn it in at high speed, but it held the corner well enough and gave me nothing to worry about, pushing it hard it never got flighty at all, and it pulled away from kaos on his gixxa6 no problem! brakes were awesome but it just wasnt flickable enough for me, power of it was fun tho.
They are all to heavy, it does limit is slightly. And the CBR600F doesn’t really have the economy. I’d estimate that I would be doing 12-15K a year commuting. So every penny counts.
Air cooled Ducati Multistrada! A good 1100 or 1000 should be tried. About 200kg, same sort of idea as the TDM, just more power, comfy over distance. Minimum 45 mpg and gentle on chain and sprockets if you fit a Scottoiler.
Downsides are it needs fettling quite a bit and it’s not always the easiest bike to work on. Really requires super unleaded to stop the tank rotting.
Looking at new Stuart, I’d not really though about a Ducati until PJ and Mike Dawson suggested them. I do like the new 1200 Multistrada, but it is a bit eye watering and the tyre choice is limited from what I can gather. I’ll probably give one a test ride, but It’ll have to be astonishing to make me consider it.
Looking at the Ducati website for the 1200 Multistrada, front tyre is a 120/70 17" and the rear a 190/55 17". However, for a new one you will need big bucks!
