Last Generation Litre Bikes

After 4 years and 30,000 miles I've decided it's time to sell the
Triumph* and so I'm thinking about what to replace it with.

One of the benefits of staring down the barrel of 40 is that it's
suddenly become feasible to insure litre sportsbikes, and so I am
sorely tempted to abandon sensible bikes for a bit and get one.

I do need a certain amount of practicality - I take a pillion (short
distances) fairly regularly and ride longish distances solo (London -
Norfolk - London; London - Cornwall - London) quite often. And I'm on
a bit of a budget, too - planning to spend £4K - £4.5K.

So, I'm looking at last generation models - something like a 954
'Blade or an '03 / '04 R1.

Some questions :

Which of these is likely to be least agonising for a pillion ?

Which of these has the best tank range ? I'd be hoping for 150 miles
plus at sensible speeds.

With the R1 - is the '03 model (last of the originals) or the '04
model (first with the underseat pipes) likely to be the most
"sensible" option ? The road tests I have read are filled with the
usual hyperbole and are of limited use - how close is the '03 R1 to
the fire-breathing original ? Is the '04 model more or less
civilised ? I want something at the sports-touring end of the
pointlessly fast motorcycle scale...

Apart from anodised gubbins, misplaced decals, aftermarket bodywork
and knackered headraces, are there any things in particular to look
out for in these models ?

In short, which would resident FOAKs recommend ?

I've also been thinking about stuff like Falcos and ST4s because I
quite fancy a V-twin, but there are frustratingly few of them around.
Any other suggestions ?

Thanks for your thoughts...

* '02 Sprint RS, 33,000 miles, black, bellypan, touring screen,
hugger, soft luggage, grabrail, seat hump, FDSH and loads of receipts,
3 owners, much loved but also much used and so suffering from various
minor London scuffs and scrapes, using a bit of oil but basically in
decent nick, and, seeing as I'm here, yours for £1500.

 

Gixer Thou

 

Oh. I might have been willing to offer up a 57 plate ZX10R.

Never mind.

 

On Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:15:04 +0000, Andy Bonwick

snip>

Except it's not a 57 it's an 05 and it's the KTM that's a 57.

It's not exactly a good idea for someone used to a Triumph so stick
with your original ideas.

 

R1. You know you want to.

Blackbird? Not hyper-sporty, but grunty and fast, good for long distances.
ZZR1200? Hyabusa?

Falcos are good, I like mine. But why not an RSV Mille? There's lots of them
around. The RSV R Factory is doable within your budget.

--
Martin

R1150RS
Falco
GS1000E

 

ZX-9R. Good for pillions and long-distance dashes (will easily do your
150+ miles at sensible speeds on a long trip), plenty of top-end, happy
to be chucked around corners when it comes to the twisty stuff.

Coincidentally, I know someone who happens to be wanting to sell one at
a very reasonable price...

Ooooh, no. You don't want one of those. Nobody wants them. No resale
value. Honestly.

 

Replying to my own post, there's an '06 R1 up for £4,750 ovno on Visordown:
http://www.visordown.com/forum/forummessages.asp?dt=4&UTN=401350&last=1&V=2&SP=

I bet he'd take £4,500.
--
Martin

R1150RS
Falco
GS1000E

 

They'll all be pretty shit for a pillion. I think the last bike with
sporting pretentions that was even halfway acceptable for a pillion
was the ZX9R, as already pointed out by Eddie.

You say "I take a pillion (short distances) fairly regularly" - how
short are the distances, and how regularly?

 

Well, if we're all hawking our old iron ...

My 2000/Y 20K miles Kawasaki ZX12-R in Blue is up for grabs too.

Cheers,

Paul.

 

Reply to the email I sent you weeks ago to your gmail about it

P.

 

Discount for ukrm-ers!

(Maybe.)

 

i get around 36mpg on the mille in comparison to about 40mpg or more on the
falco.

london to cornwall on a regular basis would require investment in an
exoskeleton.

pillions are a vague afterthought on the mille as opposed to pretty
comfortable on the falco.

i would offer my falco for sale but i suspect the op wants something
newer (although the last falcos were made in 2005, so you're not going to
find anything super new and shiny).

 

send a blank cheque to Lockheed:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/02/27/lockheed_exoskeleton/[1]

[1] The Register phoned me up yesterday and asked for "darsee" in a
broad Northern accent - I was somewhat taken aback.

 

yea, that one or similar

been spamming their comments pages?

 

nah, they just wanted to know if I was going to sign up for the
security "webcast" they're doing this afternoon.

 

Northern as in Nige, or Norn Irish ?

Paul.

 

The former. As in, I had to reply "what did you say?" a couple of
times.

 

Agreed, but he was considering R1s and Blades and fancied a V-twin, so I
reckoned it should be on his shopping list.


--
Martin

R1150RS
Falco
GS1000E

 

I've had a 9R and I'd *love* to have another one.

 

I wouldn't want to be the pillion on one.

The front end's quite roomy but the rear perch... **** that.