Mostly Naked!

[Nny]

Hi guys..  sorry for the lame title, but it's just me, confused about what bike I want to get.    Looking for a semi-naked bike that I can have a lot of fun with and tour.

Rider info:  
*6 ft 260lbs 25 years old clean driving record
*6 months riding experience after MSF BRC mostly on a 2001 BMW F650GS and recently a couple weeks on Bluepoof's Z750s
*ATGATT rider who's been driving long enough to know that people do crazy, dumb things everyday
*$6k max budget

Intended Use:
* Finding photo tags
* exploring
* visiting friends 600+ miles away (read: occasional long freeway drones at 80-90mph)
* running around town
* tearing up twisties (getting better each time  )

What I liked about my F650:
*Upright riding position
*Comfy seat
*Plush suspension
*Could go anywhere (didn't take it off road much though)
*easy clutch modulation with fairly light effort
*good legroom
*lots of luggage options
*undertail exhaust never got in the way
*great gas mileage
*Centerstand for easy maintenance
*usable mirrors (below 70mph)

What I didn't like about my F650:
*squishy on hard braking and kinda slushy feeling in quick transitions
*narrow power band (engine didn't really sound happy unless it was in 4 - 6k RPM)
*sound left something to be desired
*Thumpers are not known for their smoothness..
*Speed maxed out on the hwy at 95 mph

What I like about Bluepoof's Z750s:
*Handles well in the twisties
*Linear power delivery
*wide usable powerband
*fairly sporty looking without being "just another sportbike"
*Good wind protection up to 80 mph (after that I need to do some ducking)
*Comfy custom seat (I've heard the stock seat isn't so great)
*purty blue color  
*sounds nice
*positive neutral finder (Just a nice little convenience)
*Normally a gas gauge and 2 trip meters (Blue's gas gauge isn't working currently)
*good riding position

What I don't like about the Z750s:
*range seems a bit low (around 140 - 160 miles)
*its the heaviest bike I'm looking at
*worst mpg of the bikes I'm looking at
*availability (I can't find one to buy  )

That said, I could be totally happy with the Z..  I've had a blast these 2 weeks and if I had found one locally, in good shape, for sale, this past week that I could afford I'd have snatched it up right away.  Now I'm going back to thinking some more about it.

Why I'm considering the FZ6:
*26k valve check intervals
*centerstand
*plenty of oomph high up in the rev range
*Not much in the way of vibes
*relatively quiet (at city speeds)
*best looking IMO
*great gas mileage and range
*good riding position

What I don't like about it:
*Stock clutch has a really narrow engagement
*Tank feels a little odd between my legs during spirited riding (there's a ridge or something on the gas tank)
*COG feels a bit higher than I want

Salvaged Ducati likes: (all of this info is from reviews I've read as I haven't test ridden one yet)
*It's a Ducati
*Still kinda dual sporty
*I've heard it handles a lot like a super moto
*smooth power
*slipper clutch and low effort clutch lever
*good wind protection
*good riding position
*comfy seat
*under seat exhaust
*this particular one is in my price range
*good mpg

dislikes:
*Salvaged (rash on right side and some repairs will be needed)
*less hp than the Z
*parts and service can be expensive

Likes SV650: (also haven't ridden one yet)
*everyone and their mother says they're a blast to ride
*lightest weight

dislikes:
*wind protection blows stock (no pun intended)
*impossible to find a stock one in good condition around here that isn't salvaged

I don't want a Wee Strom as I don't dig the looks, anything over 450lbs, or anything with clipons.

[HipGnosis]

 You poo-poo the obvious prime candidate wee-strom but you extensively consider a multistrada (salvaged, no less)???

 I hear the strom is real purrty in the woods from the seat.

 I'll be taking a very close look at the F800St, but my budget is a little bigger than yours.

[Mini4x]

 You poo-poo the obvious prime candidate wee-strom but you extensively consider a multistrada (salvaged, no less)???

 I hear the strom is real purrty in the woods from the seat.

 I'll be taking a very close look at the F800St, but my budget is a little bigger than yours.

Agreed.. look at a WeeStrom..

It's an SV-650 with better wind protection and better ergos for long rides.  and lets not forget the "adventure touring" ability.  You can probably get a brandy new Wee for what you'll pay for a "salvage" Multistrada.

[natronazx6r]

i voted for the sv just based on the amount of aftermarket parts out there and being 6'2" i've found them to be comfortable. a buddy of mine just bought a z750s but he's putting a swingarm, shock, rearwheel, frontwheel, brakes and forks from a 636 on it. should be a blast to ride.

[bizarro]

*cough* Speed Triple *cough*

[smackdoogle]

I have a 05 Z750s.  I love it.  I've also had a 04 SV650s.  It was nice but I didn't like the low bars(fixable with risers), lumpy idle(vtwin rumble) and it didn't feel as confidence inspiring in the twisties as the Z does.  Don't get me wrong, the Z does have some low points but they are all easily fixable.  Yes it is a little heavier than the rest but you are a bigger guy and the wieght isn't felt while riding above 5mph.  I had the same choices as you when i sold my SV.  I feel I made the right choice and 10000 mi. later I have no regrets.  Hope this helps.

[vitaminC]

 You can probably get a brandy new Wee for what you'll pay for a "salvage" Multistrada.

Doubt it. This salvage MTS620 should be going for about $3.2k.

[Grainbelt]

FZ6.  I've seen a few in the flesh, and the finish/options (centrestand, etc) seems to be much better than the competition.

[Nny]

You poo-poo the obvious prime candidate wee-strom but you extensively consider a multistrada (salvaged, no less)???

 I hear the strom is real purrty in the woods from the seat.

How's the 'Strom in the twisties?  Also, on this salvaged one, the damage is all stuff that won't affect the ride once repaired (right brake pedal, foot peg, some rash, right part of the handle bars, right mirror is missing but the frame, forks etc look fine)  To me it looks like a lowside.

*cough* Speed Triple *cough*

Can you get a windscreen for it?  I can't imagine going long distance on a completely naked...

i voted for the sv just based on the amount of aftermarket parts out there and being 6'2" i've found them to be comfortable. a buddy of mine just bought a z750s but he's putting a swingarm, shock, rearwheel, frontwheel, brakes and forks from a 636 on it. should be a blast to ride.

Wouldn't it be easier for your friend to put raised bars on a 636?    I really do enjoy the engine on the Z..  

[bizarro]

Can you get a windscreen for it?  I can't imagine going long distance on a completely naked...

See this thread for options for the latest generation: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,4328.msg96290.html#new

Or got to TriumphRat.Net member photo albums and you take a gander at what I did to my '04 in the CaptainFlake section.

[Nny]

See this thread for options for the latest generation: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,4328.msg96290.html#new

Or got to TriumphRat.Net member photo albums and you take a gander at what I did to my '04 in the CaptainFlake section.

I like what you did with the screen on yours much better than the ones shown in the thread.  I'm confused though, did somone find a way to mount bags on it?  Seems the exhaust location would really make it difficult.

[bluepoof]

I think you should buy my Z.  

[bizarro]

I like what you did with the screen on yours much better than the ones shown in the thread.  I'm confused though, did somone find a way to mount bags on it?  Seems the exhaust location would really make it difficult.

On the previous gen you could use side bags if you stayed with a low-mount exhaust. I ended up putting a Ventura rack on mine which you can on the new gen, or use the rack as illustrated in the thread I linked to. Otherwise, with the new gen, if you mount a Zard exhaust, for instance, you could certainly use side bags. Personally, the Ventura system worked so well I'll probably never go back to saddle bags and I cannot stand the way Givi bags look. As for the screens, you might check Laminar Lip to see if they have a screen for the new gen Triple, the made the one I used on my previous gen. I have to say though, that I like the look of the new Givi screens.

[Allan]

I went through the same decision but swap out the Ducati for a V-Strom 650. I chose the FZ6 for its HP for touring, 180 Rear for best tire choices, and overall looks (most agressive front end and underseat exaust) and build quality.

Unfortunately I didt have it long, I wrecked it after three months (three great months though). Because I never rode it to its sporting potential on the street and the idea of doing track days on my main ride kind of worried me. I decided my replacement bike would be the V-Strom 650 with the thought that ill buy a RR bike a little bit down the road.

[Nny]

Well, according to the poll I should get an SV650 or an FZ6...  The Kawi came in 3rd..  And what am I buying today?

...


The Ducati..  

The price is just too good to ignore for what is probably the best bike...  

[vitaminC]

Well, according to the poll I should get an SV650 or an FZ6...  The Kawi came in 3rd..  And what am I buying today?

...


The Ducati..  

The price is just too good to ignore for what is probably the best bike...  

Sweet!   Will you have it in time for the dinner tonight? I will admit to a certain level of jealousy...

[Bounce]

+1 on the wee-strom.  lotsa support in the owner and after market.

[bluepoof]

Well, according to the poll I should get an SV650 or an FZ6...  The Kawi came in 3rd..  And what am I buying today?

...


The Ducati..  

 

[Nny]

Sweet!   Will you have it in time for the dinner tonight? I will admit to a certain level of jealousy...

I own it yes..  Can I ride it to dinner?  No.  Before I get on the bike I need a new right footpeg, brake lever, handlebars, and right mirror.  They're on order though, and I get them for cost...  

The bike looks great...  From the left side..

[bluesurf]

*cough* Speed Triple *cough*

Don't forget the TKC-80's.

imho Wee-strom all the way...reliable, parts available most everywhere, not bad when dropped, etc.

Aaaah, just read:  congrats on the Duc!