bike types/decisions [longish]

He'd look like a leprechaun

 

I did buy a green/white/black Alpinestars armoured paddock-jacket in
the closing down sale at Carnell's last year...

 

It should be *very* easy to get a black seat from a breakers (from one
of the other models) to get a full MIB Zed Thou.

Tho the orange one is really you, I think, and not because of the lame
old joke, either.

 

<chant>
Darsy's getting a Kawasaki,
Darsy's getting a Kawasaki,
Darsy's getting a Kawasaki.....

 

You think the bike's been out for long enough/sold enough that
there'll be loads of them in breakers? I'd be surprised. On the other
hand, I'd be very surprised if I couldn't arrange something with a
dealer.

I do like orange as a colour generally, but I think that both the
orange and green paint jobs on the Z1000 are a bit too "flat".

 

You did - I missed it fsr.

 

Think of the calories he'll burn pushing it.

 

1) I might not be getting anything.
2) If I am ever in the (admittedly unlikely)
position of being convinced that buying an Italian bike is a good
idea, I shall.

 

a) where's Blaney &
b) do you want to play Squash this coming weekend?

 

[snip]

Either the 900 or the Z1000 would be good. The speed triple
has already been mentioned...

Africa Twin?
TDM900?

I think you've got a good idea what you want
a) reliable
b) bloody fast
c) comfy for long distance
d) good tank range
e) good looks
f) lack of plastic
g) good handling.

(feel free to critize that summing up)

I don't think you'll get all of those; specifically c) b) and
f) are not really compatable... If I were you, which I'm not,
I'd do something silly like get a litre class bike, and then
mod it sufficiently to sort f and g, but allow plastic to be
put back on for touring.

 

I currently ride an '01 Fireblade. Compared to this bike the VFR is:

* less powerful
* slower
* lazier/softer engine characteristics
* heavier
* more comfortable/less extreme riding position
* plain to look at.
* more expensive to service

So yes, too bland...waaaay too bland.

 

Triumph Sprint RS?

 

Ducati multistrade (for opionated values of (e))

 

doesn't appeal either generally or specifically.

I'm not german enough.

Too slow, too bland.

yes. Life's too short to own a bike with a <90 mile tank range that
worn't work in the wet.

"bloody fast acceleration up to about 120mph" rather than out and out
top speed, but basically, yes.

not too comfy - just not painful. In terms of touring comfort, the
'blade for example is fine, as was my B12.

"medium-good" tank range. 120-130 miles is fine.

well, looking "cool" - ugly bikes are OK as long as I think they're
cool. Hence my liking the Tuono.

Don't mind 1/2 fairings a la SZR or TRX.

Definitely. The main reason I'd not have another B12 is the poor
handling.

I don't agree, because I don't find the lack of a fairing to be a
problem - I did quite a bit of touring on my B12, and had no problems
with the wind.

I'm too cack-handed to do much "modding" myself, and would be
reluctant to pay for someone else to do it, so really in this case I'd
be looking at a pre-streetfightered something or other.

Like I said in the original post, I just don't know.

 

Just get the fuckin' Tuono. It would suit you down to the ground.

 

<fx: leftfield>

A Buell?

I'm vaguely entertaining the notion of either snaffling one of the last of
the 2003 R1s, which are bargain-basement cheap at the moment, and come
without the trying-a-bit-too-hard seat pipes.

The other plan is a CBR600RR, which, while somewhat chick-wheels, I've
always fancied.

A Tuono might be alright if you didn't have an alarm installed, and can
remember to plug in the optimate if you're going to leave it alone in winter
for more than 3 days, and you have a garage, and you don't ever, ever
jetwash it ...

 

Sunday? Sure thing.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What's he done/said to put you off?

I know he had problems when he flooded the engine and it wouldn't start,
but as long as you use an optimate and follow the starting ritual each
time, then it will fire up.

Worse then a 'prilly

'racing' or the standard one?

 

just stuff about it not working if you got it wet. Also, I witnessed
the debacle that ensued when he ran out of petrol on a BOTAFOF run -
having to take 1/2 the back of the bike apart to get it started again.

I'd imagine so, yes, even though I have a perverse liking for the
Monster S4.

Unless my February bonus is about 20% of my salary, the standard one.
Also, WTF is the headlight on the Tuono Racing?

 

I should have been more forceful earlier. I don't want a fucking
Triumph.