So after a miserable couple of months including a large 4 figure uninsured vets bill to fix a new puppy and funding a first family holiday in nearly 4 years something had to give.

That something was the KTM sadly. With bills paid off I have about £8k (maybe stretch to £9k) to replace it.

I really liked the grunt (160bhp) so don't want to compromise on that. I really liked the comfort (heated seat and grips very old man). I really liked the centre stand (never thought I'd hear myself say those words in my early 30s). I really liked the QS. I really liked the riding position.

So the short list to replace is a DVT Multistrada 1200S, a 2015/16 S1000XR or right out of left field there seems to be reasonable deals on the newer Ninja 1000SX.

It needs to be comfortable. It'll only be used for commuting.

Those who have ridden / owned one - what's the SX like??

The SX is a great all rounder, feels quick and sporty as the engine spins up lovely, torque is very good but slightly lacking compared to a big twin although 30mph in top and will accelerate from there smoothly. I miss electronic suspension compared to the BMW and the TFT is not as advanced but neither are bad really. Comfort is excellent but the factory heated grips aren't great and I will be replacing mine with koso or ultimate add ons versions. No centre stand but I use an ABBA stand.. Bike looks the part too.. get one!!!

If I only had 1 bike in the garage it would be the Ninja1000SX.  Good all rounder. I have done 350 odd mile days and it is only my old joints that ache. Some folk do find the seat uncomfortable though. And the engine is stronger than the figures on paper.  Go try one. Then buy one.

The Ninja 1000szx is brilliant (IMHO), love mine will make a great commuter but also good fun for short blasts and excellent as a tourer, 2800 miles in 9 dyas to the Alps and back.

I am so glad I am back on a Ninja, even if name only as it's not a full sportsbike but that is not what I want now. The only -ve from your wants as no centre stand and I don't think there's an option to add one.

Quote from: Green_Ninja on October 20, 2022, 04:24:06 PMThe Ninja 1000szx is brilliant (IMHO), love mine will make a great commuter but also good fun for short blasts and excellent as a tourer, 2800 miles in 9 dyas to the Alps and back.

I am so glad I am back on a Ninja, even if name only as it's not a full sportsbike but that is not what I want now. The only -ve from your wants as no centre stand and I don't think there's an option to add one.

Thanks Iain. Is it comfortable. Being used to an adventure type bike for a couple of years and a couple of shot knees means I'm not sure I'd get on with it. Too cramped?

I think I need to add I'd be very concerned about how much value a new(ish) Kawasaki would slick and shed over a couple of years next to a 16 plate XR that's probably done most of its value shedding already.

Quote from: MOzZereLLa on October 20, 2022, 08:44:13 PM

Quote from: Green_Ninja on October 20, 2022, 04:24:06 PMThe Ninja 1000szx is brilliant (IMHO), love mine will make a great commuter but also good fun for short blasts and excellent as a tourer, 2800 miles in 9 dyas to the Alps and back.

I am so glad I am back on a Ninja, even if name only as it's not a full sportsbike but that is not what I want now. The only -ve from your wants as no centre stand and I don't think there's an option to add one.

Thanks Iain. Is it comfortable. Being used to an adventure type bike for a couple of years and a couple of shot knees means I'm not sure I'd get on with it. Too cramped?

Yes very comfortable for me, I have a dicky left knee (arthritis and it's the one I snapped the tendons a few years ago) plus dodgy hip (probably caused by the knee). I took the Street to Scotland in April, did about 1500 miles in 5 days and I was in bits when I got back hence the change to the Ninja.

2800 miles in 9 days to the Alps and back including tunnel to home with only a fuel stop at Maidstone and I got off feeling absolutely fine.

Go get a test ride (long) on one nad see if it suits you.

thought I'd add my 2 penneth worth for you Moz.

I've only managed around 250 miles since I got mine, but compared to the GSXR it's so much more comfy, responsive & easy to ride I am really gelling with it.love the cruise control,TFT screen & all the info it provides
after the VFR, it feels far more nimble, flickable and better on fuel & the TFT screen is fantastic after the analogue clocks

I think if you're used to 150bhp on V twin, then you will notice the power difference, but that said, the SX is very responsive and picks its feet up very well, would make an excellent commuter bike as it is comfy, however, I find the seat uncomfy after a couple of hours in it,but that's just me, so will be having a gel pad or memory foam inset fitted over winter,but i have done this with all my past GSXR's and it makes a massive difference to the amount of time I can spend in the saddle.

i was in Austria in 2008 on my GSXR and Alzo was on his 1000XR and I found it hard to keep with him at times as it was a superb bike, TC, ABS etc, he left me standing coming out the bends and just disappeared into the distance on it...lol.
not sure on the BHP of it, 150+ maybe? but if you're an adventure bike guy, i think the XR would be right up your street comfortwise,handling and power, I'd say it just pips the SX for what you're looking for, but you would be paying more for it and would be able to maybe buy a later model SX for the same money of a 15-16 XR
those bikes are going for around 9-10K with around that mileage on, for that same money you'd be able to get an SX with only a few thousand miles on.

i paid £10,900 for mine on 71 plate with 1840 miles on it.
so for around 9k, you'd get a good 18-19 plate with all the extras on it.

superbike factory have plenty of both bikes in stock, so a good choice

maybe get a test ride on both bikes and see what you think.

Just to say I'm still stomping around on my 2018 S1000XR, 2 years now

It's done about 10k more miles and has been perfect.

I even took it round brands indy in December on 10k old square touring tyres and still managed not awful 58s on it. Plus it was a hit using the TC with its sliding around clearways.

Only really issue is the slightly buzzy motor but some decent bar weights fixed most of that.

One peice of advice ride the bike you are planning to buy. 1 other XR I rode was atrocious for vibrations so do check. Seems to be a thing

So I sat on a Z1000SX yesterday. Sadly, Adventure bikes have ruined me. The SX felt far too cramped for my liking. My knees have been playing up the last few months. I'd also want the latest version with the Quickshifter so drags is above my budget. Looks like an XR for me.

Dan is going to view a used XR local to him for me this week sometime.

Thanks for the replies.

As a serial bike changer like you I think the XR makes most sense and they are meant to hassle along pretty well too

Well - collecting tomorrow. The deed is done.

Not the one Dan went to view but (what looks like) a decent result from a FB wanted ad on the UK XR owners group.

Lots of extras (all of which I planned to fit slip-on aside) and 4000 less miles than the other one. Same price give or take a few quid. Fingers crossed it's mint when collected tomorrow.

Can't do a photo. File's too big.

This badger?

Quote from: Lord Danoir the first on November 11, 2022, 08:59:50 PMThis badger?

Indeed. I tried to upload that. File too big. Many thank yous.

May you have many happy and safe miles.