So many engines

Had the Bandit 600 (1st real bike) for about 10 months now but my eyes are
starting to wander to others.

I would like to try out something that I am not always reving the nuts off
and requires a few less gear changes (not twist and go ;-)

So just to give me some idea can any one tell me what one would expect from
the various types of engines around, by this I mean how the following would
be different to mine:

650 singles (BMW GS)
650 v twins (V-Strom)
850 parallel twins (TDM 850 or 900)
1000 fours (V-Strom)
1150 twin? (BMW GS)

or any others that you can think of, note the bad back upright theme here

TIA, D

 

David Thomas wrote

Unfashionable I know in ukrm but your list doesn't include any of the
cruisers.

 

Too tall for a short-arse cripple

Too tall for a short-arse cripple

Too tall for a short-arse cripple

Too tall for a short-arse cripple

Too tall for a short-arse cripple

 

This isn't a four, it's a v-twin, isn't it? The TL motor?

 

David Thomas wrote in

My bikes have been: NX650, VFR750, TDM850, CBR600, 1150GS over the last
12 years so I understand exactly your point.

I loved the CBR6 but it just needed to be thrashed which became tiresome
on a long journey [1]. I test rode several bikes before settling on the
GS.

I've owned the GS for longer than any of the others (3 years) and feel
no need to change it. It's great fun in the twisties and is a supreme
tourer [2].

The V-strom is a V-twin.

All of the bikes you list will be less tiresome to ride as the engines
are tuned for torque. The 850-1150 bikes will quite happily pull from
1500 rpm in top gear to give you a reasonable rate of acceleration. The
650s will probably need to drop down a gear or two but generally a lot
less than the Bandit. On nadgery roads you'll be able to ride faster as
you will have better visibility from the upright/higher riding position
and more compliant suspension.

The 650s will not be so good on long journeys. Most people I know that
have owned BMW 650s have traded up to 1100/1150s eventually. I hated
riding much further than 100 miles on my NX650.

Also consider the Tiger & Caponord as they both have superb torquey
engines.

[1] 2800 mile round trip to Slovenia and back decided it for me
[2] 200 miles, refuel, 200 miles, refuel, 100 miles, ferry, refuel, 200
miles, home. Geneva to S Wales between breakfast & dinner.

 

I have tried a few cruisers and the position is too much like my car... no
good at all.

D

 

Good point with the heights but the GS is lower (780mm) than my bandit 800mm

D

 

Is that a long stroke

D

 

Quite right,

D

 

Unfortunatly Tigers are too much money for me, seen a Cagiva Canyon?

D

 

Pos. Get the fucker and be less hom.

 

I dunno if this applies to the GS in particular but it's not just the
height, its the width of the seat that counts. A wide seat has the effect of
making the bike higher by forcing your legs apart[1], leaving less leg
available for reaching to the ground. So you have to go and actually sit on
the bikes rather than just look at the spec sheets.

[1] Just leave it.

 

Try disconnecting one,two and then three spark plugs.

 

It based on it but with different intake valves, conrods and pistons.

 

David Thomas wrote in

I've never seen one in the flesh but it looks the part in pictures. The
big one with the 900 Ducati engine probably goes quite well when running.
http://www.bikez.com/bike/picture.php?id=4536#
Cagivas have a terrible reliability record from what I hear. Parts
are another problem. I like to have a bike that does not give
me the "Timo experience".

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/motors/motorcycles/cagiva_canyon_500/_review/404493/

 

The small pink bit won't be available until December.

 

platypus wrote

After, surely?

 

steve auvache says...

Maybe she'll get it mounted and have it on the mantelpiece as object
d'art.

 

mups says...

Or pickled in a jar.

 

Ouch you bastard..... oh I see, switch of the engine whilst disconnecting em
eh.

D