DanRoM
Forum Addict
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2009
- Messages
- 10,378
- Location
- Ruhr Area, Germany
- Car(s)
- MX-5 ND, Tracer 900 GT & two bikes
TL;DR: I'm searching for a new bike, but probably have missed a few candidates. If you can think of any that fit my requirements (see first list below), I'd be glad to read about it.
As you may have read, I sold my old CBF1000 a few weeks ago. There was nothing wrong with it, on the contrary, it was a good bike, reliable, comfortable, and nice to ride. But I've had it for 8.5 years, it was my first motorcycle, and I felt it was time to move on. So now I'm searching for a replacement.
Last spring, I visisted some dealerships to try a few bikes. At the time, the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT emerged as the clear winner, but I did try only three bikes, after all...
So, asking the FinalGear hivemind for advice: I need a new bike. Requirement: Being at least as good as the CBF in all relevant metrics for my use cases. To elaborate:
A few thoughts on the bikes I've already looked at in detail:
So, now you experts come in: What other bikes have I missed? I've also looked at the Triumph Tiger Sport, but in my opinion, it's fairly similar to the Tracer, but more expensive. Plus, both Triumph Germany and the local dealership proved incompetent/unwilling at even providing a test ride opportunity.
I have an independent garage in town that I trust, so used bikes from all the mainstream brands are a go from the servicing point of view.
As you may have read, I sold my old CBF1000 a few weeks ago. There was nothing wrong with it, on the contrary, it was a good bike, reliable, comfortable, and nice to ride. But I've had it for 8.5 years, it was my first motorcycle, and I felt it was time to move on. So now I'm searching for a replacement.
Last spring, I visisted some dealerships to try a few bikes. At the time, the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT emerged as the clear winner, but I did try only three bikes, after all...
So, asking the FinalGear hivemind for advice: I need a new bike. Requirement: Being at least as good as the CBF in all relevant metrics for my use cases. To elaborate:
- Use cases: City/short distance riding, short fun rides on country roads, and the occasional (as in once or twice a year) road trip. So, I need a good allrounder, but with emphasis on being nimble on country roads.
- Suitable for a rider of my size (1.90 m, fairly long legs)
- Suited for touring, meaning luggage capacity (factory provided side and top cases), comfortable seating position.
- No "adventure bike", at least not a full-bore one. Those are the SUVs of motorcycles. Unfortunately, since the "sports tourer" is almost extinct, I may have to compromise on this. Also, no naked bike - at Autobahn speeds, wind protection is a must.
- Low weight. For reference, the CBF was 250 kg. I'd like the new one to be lighter. This is what brought the Tracer to my attention.
- Engine/power: 900 to 1200 cm³, thereabouts. Preferrably more than 70 kW (100 PS-ish). More is always better than less.
- Usable headlights, as I'm by now jaded by modern car headlights, to which the CBF had a candle in comparison.
- Heated grips and cruise control (for Autobahn legs) from factory, without some clunky extra switches on the handlebars.
- Possibility for GPS and phone mounts on the handlebar.
- Price limit: about €14,000. I'm using the price for a new Tracer 900 GT including all the extras I want as a reference here. Cheaper is better, and I'm also willing to buy used.
A few thoughts on the bikes I've already looked at in detail:
- Yamaha Tracer 900 GT: Also known as an FJ-09 or MT-09. Basically the bike that @RdKetchup and @altoid ride. Therefore I'm especially interested in your experiences with it.
While I just loved how the bike rode and the seating position, there are two things I didn't like:- Being a bit of an "adventure bike", it's a little on the high side, unfortunately. Can be corrected to a degree with the factory lowering kit, but the configurator says "without TÜV" for that. I'll have to inquire if that just means the TÜV certification is not included in the price, which I suspect.
- It apparently doesn't have any space below the passenger seat. I like to use that compartment for storing locks, first-aid kit, etc. In retrospect I never used most of that stuff, so I could live without it. Still annoying.
- BMW R1200RS: I've test-ridden an R1250R. Brillant bike - and it having a cardan shaft instead of a chain is of course a plus. The RS is basically the R with a bit of fairing and a different handlebar. It's also nicely light at about 235 kg.
Since a new BMW is laughibly expensive, going for a used one and therefore the predecessor 1200 would be a good alternative. Low-mileage, few-years-old ones can be had within my price limit. Unfortunately, the RS has a fancily formed handlebar that is not suited for the standard mounting solutions for GPS and phones. Fitting the handlebar of the R1200R might be a solution for that and also improves seating position, but costs extra unless you find one with that already done. Also, practically every one of them was sold with the mount for the BMW GPS unit, but the adverts mostly didn't mention the GPS itself. Anyway, @DaHitch tells me they are Garmin units with some additional BMW specials on it, so that's not really a problem.
Only BMW being expensive in everything, of course including the services, is a major issue.
So, now you experts come in: What other bikes have I missed? I've also looked at the Triumph Tiger Sport, but in my opinion, it's fairly similar to the Tracer, but more expensive. Plus, both Triumph Germany and the local dealership proved incompetent/unwilling at even providing a test ride opportunity.
I have an independent garage in town that I trust, so used bikes from all the mainstream brands are a go from the servicing point of view.
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