Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

I'm toying with the idea of dropping back to having just one bike again.

I love having two, but having a bike that spends 99% of its time sat outside under a cover seems a bit wasteful to me. I think I've ridden the Street once in the last 4 months.

So if I do go back to 1 bike, what should I go for? It needs to be a pretty decent all-rounder. The Z100SX ticked most boxes, but I've been there and done that. I fancy something different.

The Versys does me proud. I could just keep that. It's cheap to run and keep.

The 1000 Versys has the same engine as the Z1000SX but the handling isn't very good.

I need a reliable bike, one that can handle the miles, give me a smile when I hit the twisties and look after me on the daily commute. Am I asking too much from just one bike?

So what would people recommend? I'm in no rush to change bikes (if I change at all) so there's plenty of time to get test rides sorted. Although they may have to wait until the Versys is fixed. Turning up on a bike with a battered fairing is never a good look.

The 'go-to' would surely be the BMW GS...?

Personally I'd go for a supernaked with a bit more wind protection but I'm hardly practiced at road riding (nor commuting) in the last couple of years

I know someone who might be selling his KTM 1290 Superduke....

I did an online quote for a Superduke on a comparison website.

I won't be getting a superduke.

The new GS models aren't getting very good reviews from their owners. That said BMW do have a couple of bikes that tick a lot of boxes - like the S1000XR and the R1200RS

the idea of life is to amass as many toys as possible.

you only sell a bike in order to either........buy another bike


or



buy two more bikes.

Hmm. Too much choice.

IF you went to one bike then a GS has got to be worth looking at. They have just brought out a new one so the almost news will be good prices, plus they do hold their value. Either that or a new Tiger.

Another possibility? Buy a commuter hack thats reliable and only gets used for commuting. Insure it 3rd party fire and theft. A VFR would still look sharp (i still like the look of them - single sided swingarm etc etc) , you can get them with panniers and do a million miles on it. Cheap commuting and keep the Street.

Fidget - I like your philosophy and I would subscribe to your news letter, but I don't have a garage to store them in.

I really do need to get rid of the kids so I can move to somewhere with a double garage. Or get Perkles to buy a house near me with a garage so I can store my bikes there.

s100xr looks the nuts and had a mate with one and he loved it, said it was a full blown spotsbike but on stilts and comfy.

If you wanted something a little on the cheaper side something like the Tracer 900 or The Tiger sport, something more road biased than an out and out adventure bike but with the comfort and practicality's of them

I had a test ride on the Tracer - I wasn't impressed.

The Tigers are on the radar, as is the 1090 Adventure (not the R, the road version).

I'll have a word with KTM Brum to see what they've got for me to try.

Some of the guys from Triumph Birmingham have moved to BMW so sorting out a test ride shouldn't be a problem.

How about the S100R? Best of all worlds and you could still trackday it.

I think my trackdays are pretty much spent. I did one last year.

I think that after having two bikes for so long, the thought of having just one is probably way worse than the reality of it, if that makes sense??

BUT.....you also commute on a bike, which definitely changes things a LOT.

Tough one.

I was going to say Multistrada1200 but they're not that cheap to run although mine averaged over 50mpg the servicing is expensive.

MT-10 leans way over to the fun side of things, 130 ish miles of fuel or 80 on the iom. It can tour and commute if you really want to and the Cruise Control helps a lot with that

Having had the R1, Versys, and Xc all at once I fully understand the pain at looking at biked sat there doing jack..or occasionally used.

I have no regrets at having only the XC800 as sole bike. I can ride it like a hooligan and keep up with most... pack it stack it..... commute. And long haul it.. all with creature comforts. Even throw knobbies on for a few bimbles in the fun stuff if you fancy.


Best bike I've had to date.

Myself too considering..

A)Another tiger 800XC/A
B)Africa Twin
C)Tiger 1200Xca

Thought of the VFR too as someone mentioned. But apart from racebike performance with luggage capacity..looks wise it's bland imo. Also took don't like traces.. too cheap and plastic looking. Looks dated very quickly.


Anyway have fun choosing

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The Tiger 800 does seem to be a decent recommendation.

Isn't there a new Tiger800 due out? There could be some existing models going on the cheap if so.

Yamaha MT-10

Stonsie's bike was fun to ride.

17l fuel tank though and a tank range of 130 miles. That's 100 less than I get on the versys (which is not surprising).

Do it all bike = FireBlade.

Tour, track or commute they do it all and take the mileage well with cheap parts and plenty of spares available.

Mate had an 85000 mile bike that ran faultless and just had regular servicing and consumables with no major expense or work.

Lot of bike for the money too.

I think I've ridden the Street once in the last 4 months.

One thing to bear in mind though, the last 4 months haven't exactly been the best weather to get out and play on the Street, which is what you got it for, isn't it. A plaything?

If you were to ask this question mid-July, would you still feel the same?

How many times have I ridden it since our Wales ride? 4? 5? Two of those occasions were to work