My second motorcycle - choices

Motor Torpedo Boats? Holy shit-hat!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_Torpedo_Boat

 

Really?? Ive done a few 300km straight down the highway with only a fuel
stop and feel good as new at the end!

Granted I have the SV1000S, but its same frame and essentially same bike,
save for a 1cm longer rake (and extra 350cc), I believe.

I had a barge, I mean GSX750F, and I actually find the SV more comfortable
than that! I no longer get achy elbows!! I can ride all day on the SV and
feel fine! But then I prefer the seat cause its easier to slide side to side
on it!

oh and Karen, what about a tail pack? I use the oxford humpback tank/tail (I
actually have two, so I can use tank and tail at the same time). But I think
for what you want, the Ventura tail pack is prolly better cause its slightly
smaller. My mate has one on the back of his speedy and it just unclips and u
take it off. I learnt the other day that I can't ride with the tank bag
expanded heheh couldn't see the dash at ALL... and expanding the tail pack
poses difficulties when it comes to getting on and off!

Tara

 

Did a few ks last year on a SV650 out to Kal and they are a brilliant
bike. My friend used hers to tour around Australia twice on it. With a
ventura rack and some soft panniers she took everything she needed for
12 months. The V twin is nice and torquey if you are doing a lot of
around town stuff.

Fraser

 

It crossed my mind. When I am going into town and my choices are the
vtr the wee strom or the blackbird I pick the vtr every time.

Fraser

 

I'd settle for naked and fair.

Theo

 

Well there's a blast from the past ! Good to see you back !

 

Hmm , there's also two middle weight Aprilia twins (750 ish) to
consider (I forget the models - Shiver ? and Mana ???). Maybe a
Monster 695 (696?). Suzuki GS500 S or naked. Bennelli just released a
light weight version of the TnT - 850-900 triple I think. Trumpy
Street Triple (675) or Speed Triple (1150). Errm left field but maybe
Trumpy Bonneville ? Yamaha FZ6. BMW R800.

That's everything in the category of reasonable light or easy to
manage by someone who's not Schwarzenegger (ie the R800 is heavy but
reasonably easy to manage because the weight is low).

I've left off things that are seriously sporty like MV Agusta Brutale
and Aprilai Tuono because they're really not that great to tour on
(IMNSHO)

JL

 

I'd think I was lucky with just naked!

 

In aus.motorcycles on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:16:41 -0700 (PDT)

What if it wasn't Theo who was after you?

Zebee

 

Sorry, I was busy/doing end of year stuff/asleep. Zebee will advise
you to get a small-block Guzzi, but I personally don't like them much.
Do Suzuki still make the GS500?

Hah!

Theo

 

I did my test on one. And they are truly the most boring bike I have
ever ridden. Practical and all that but absolutely no soul. The SV or
the 600 Hornet would be a much much better choice for someone who wants
to ride and doesn't just want cheap transport.

Fraser

 

why thank you

I'm even getting my arse to BTH's rally too

 

It's a shame the new V7 isn't available in Australia yet though!

It's got all of the advantages of the 750 Breva and it actually looks
good (unlike the rather awkwardly styled baby Breva).


G-S

 

In aus.motorcycles on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:48:59 +1000

Agree on both counts although Breva styling is one of those love or
hate things.

There will be plenty of people who think the new Classic is a boring
ugly old thing.

Zebee

 

The angularity of the seat is what gets me. I went from the comfy wide seat
of a GS500 to the pointy SV seat, and even before I busted my butt I found
it less comfortable than the GS seat. I could do Canberra to Melbourne in a
day and only have a moderately sore bum on the GS. On the SV I started to go
"ouch: after about 200kms (and that was PRE busted butt(tm). There's
something about the contours of the seat on the SV that doesn't agree with
the contours of my arse, unfortunately! The angled bits seem to be right
where my "bum bone" is - which is precisely where my hamstring tendon
detached itself. I reckon that's why, the day after I ripped the tendon off,
the SV seat was far more comfortable than the GS seat would've been -
nothing attached to the "bum bone" to get irritated, ha ha! I don't think I
could've done the 300km ride home on the wider GS seat, with pressure on the
back of my leg - but managed it ok-ish on the SV (with a few hairy moments
at traffic lights in Albury ;-)

Now, of course, with reattachment underway and nerves waking up etc etc, I'm
finding that even with an AirHawk seat, I'm getting some nasty jolts. Meh -
it'll sort itself out eventually. Fark, I hope it's better by PI time...

betty

 

heheh perhaps cause I come with my own arse padding that it isn't as issue
for me! Occasionally I might need to stand on the pegs while riding for 30
sec or so, but its very rare.... but then ive only been riding in the cold,
so maybe my arse was too cold to realise it was sore hahah

Tara

 

The cold is brilliant - I consider it a physio-sanctioned "ice-pack" on my
arse on these freezing Canberra mornings! Very therapeutic <snigger>

betty

 

I'm with you on the tank bag - hate the bloody things - get in the road
when you want to change sides when hooning through tight corners.

JL

 

<baffled look> **3** cylinder guzzi ? Where would you put the extra pot !!

JL
(I know I've missed an in joke - 'cos it really makes no sense !!)

 

You'd drink it of course!!