I know it has been spoken about before...but yesterday I had the first decent outting on the bike...and I only saw 2 Sportsbikes the whole day...and I did see loads of bikes. The Adventure market is definitely the category of choice with Naked and Sports Tourers right behind.
A shift has taken hold.
I rode the 749 for the first time yesterday.
Loved it - not that quick, front brakes need to be a little less "lever travel" to be good for me and it's actually quite peaky going well in the upper Rev range. It was a little achy though.
My local KTM dealer called me today and offered me a test ride on a 790. Very tempted!!!
Other than the drool factor, I don't miss sports bikes.
Think I'm getting old as my main priority when considering bikes these days is capacity for luggage, good power and cruise control.
I agree with you.
Age thing ?
Noticed it on Saturday , me and my other half took a drive up to Ainstruther for lunch.
Very few sportsbikes. Lots of Adventure style bikes , mostly Beemers , one or two various other manufacturers.
Quote from: Jarse on March 26, 2018, 03:07:09 PM
Other than the drool factor, I don't miss sports bikes.
Think I'm getting old as my main priority when considering bikes these days is capacity for luggage, good power and cruise control.
Heated Grips and Cruise Control are my must have items. Oh how things change... :rofl:
Quote from: The Wizard of MOz on March 26, 2018, 02:58:42 PM
I rode the 749 for the first time yesterday.
Loved it - not that quick, front brakes need to be a little less "lever travel" to be good for me and it's actually quite peaky going well in the upper Rev range. It was a little achy though.
My local KTM dealer called me today and offered me a test ride on a 790. Very tempted!!!
The riding position alone is enough to buy the KTM. :laugh: :cool:
Probably only see 5% sportsbikes at SQ now. All Harleys, adventure, classic or custom bobbers. Sportsbikes just not cool any more.
:grin:
We're blessed that we can have our cake and eat it...bikes like the S1000XR have Sportsbike performance with Adventure comfort.
It's all good in my book.
The sad thing is there are very few young boys on bikes.
It seems a very long route to get a bike licence these days...so much so it must be very off putting for anyone now.
Not had a sportsbike for years.
The good thing is most sit up/adventure bikes are as good as a sportbike on the twisties.
Must still be a market for them though, especially the older ones, as they are now appear to be going up in value (should have hung on to my old bike - it's still on the road somewhere)
My godson is into older bikes and cars, and has been making some decent money from it in recent years, values definitely increasing now.
In saying that, it's definitely an age thing, there is not a cat in hells chance I could ride my old bike now, body wouldn't let me :shocked: but I still miss it in a funny sort of way!
Give it time.
Hipsters will soon move to sportsbikes as they realize they are obscure choice of bike
Quote from: Phil_8 on March 27, 2018, 08:50:34 AM
Give it time.
Hipsters will soon move to sportsbikes as they realize they are obscure choice of bike
They already have :afro:. The amount of interest my 749 got at an Easter egg stop-off on a Sunday was huge.
as i work opposite colchester kawasaki I still see plenty of them
although would agree non-sports bikes certainly out number them
still have my 899 and no plans to replace just yet
although is now just used for fun, ktm does the long distance stuff
lots of kiddies round our way on 125's and L plates
I wonder how many graduate to larger machines though?
I hanker after a sportsbike for the Austrian roads but if I ever get one, would keep my retro custom too. I'll wait and see what Austrian police are like regarding going quickly on a bike. If 5mph over the speed limit means hefty fines then I'll just stick to the CB750.
You ridden an adventure bike Ray?
Quote from: Jarse on March 27, 2018, 01:22:09 PM
You ridden an adventure bike Ray?
Nope. I know what you're about to say... :rofl:
Are you moving to Austria?
Quote from: Phil_8 on March 27, 2018, 01:57:42 PM
Are you moving to Austria?
Yep. I leave here on the 7th of May and start my new job on the 21st. Just agreed salary and start date etc this afternoon. Relieved and excited now. 😄
Anyway, back to bikes. :grin: :moto:
I'll not bother then 😂
What you got a job doing?
Quote from: Jarse on March 27, 2018, 04:47:19 PMWhat you got a job doing?
The same stuff, software project management. But also helping to roll out the agile methodology to the rest of the business. https://www.conda.at/
All coming together then 👍🏻
Quote from: Raydial on March 27, 2018, 05:00:31 PM
Quote from: Jarse on March 27, 2018, 04:47:19 PMWhat you got a job doing?
The same stuff, software project management. But also helping to roll out the agile methodology to the rest of the business. https://www.conda.at/
We must catch up when we're over...5 days so no excuses.
Quote from: Alzo on March 27, 2018, 05:22:54 PMWe must catch up when we're over...5 days so no excuses.
Definitely!
Can't say I miss sports bikes. The S1000R gives me sports bike performance, sporty look, handling, but much more comfortable riding position.
Still have one for track use but could not go back to one for the road.
Quote from: Raydial on March 27, 2018, 02:37:57 PM
Quote from: Phil_8 on March 27, 2018, 01:57:42 PM
Are you moving to Austria?
Yep. I leave here on the 7th of May and start my new job on the 21st. Just agreed salary and start date etc this afternoon. Relieved and excited now. 😄
Anyway, back to bikes. :grin: :moto:
Congrats on the new job and new adventure, mmmmm ninja trip to Austria .......
Definitely agree with the above comments, not had a sports bike for 5 years now (actually I did own a ZX9R for a brief period in 2014/2015 but only rode it once on the road and bought it for track use then buggered my knee) and wouldn't go back to one for the road use now. The Street Triple suits me better than any other bike I have owned :azn: and it's all the bike I need.
Still on a sportsbike. I'm torn between sportsbike and naked bikes. Both have pro's a cons and in 90% of situations the nakeds are better when you balance the pros and cons for me.... can't think of many situations on the road where I'd definitely choose the GSXR over the SV650 I had before it. Can think of plenty when I'd defo choose the SV!
The kicker for me is that a few times a year when you get on a track or an alpine pass or whatever then you think "bloody hell.... this is the tool for the job"... at the moment that's too big a draw to do away with the awkward town riding, bad back, sore wrists and numb arse! I'm sure it will do one day, but for the minute I don't feel the need to switch over.
Plenty more sportsbikes will come out of the woodwork in the next few months I'm sure..... or at least by pushed to the end of the drive for a wash and a little tootle out so all their mates down the pub can see how ace they look in power ranger attire .... got to do something to cover the 500 summer miles before being put away for the winter again :tongue:
Prefer sports bikes. Enjoy riding them more and I've always loved the looks of faired bikes.
Quote from: Raydial on March 27, 2018, 12:42:11 PM
I hanker after a sportsbike for the Austrian roads but if I ever get one, would keep my retro custom too. I'll wait and see what Austrian police are like regarding going quickly on a bike. If 5mph over the speed limit means hefty fines then I'll just stick to the CB750.
I've realised that part of this is that I've never owned a litre superbike and would like to do that at least once in my life.
Quote from: Raydial on March 29, 2018, 06:03:19 AM
Quote from: Raydial on March 27, 2018, 12:42:11 PM
I hanker after a sportsbike for the Austrian roads but if I ever get one, would keep my retro custom too. I'll wait and see what Austrian police are like regarding going quickly on a bike. If 5mph over the speed limit means hefty fines then I'll just stick to the CB750.
I've realised that part of this is that I've never owned a litre superbike and would like to do that at least once in my life.
The only problem with that is once you've had the shove, you'll not want to be without it again...
Quote from: The Wizard of MOz on March 29, 2018, 07:27:23 AM
Quote from: Raydial on March 29, 2018, 06:03:19 AM
Quote from: Raydial on March 27, 2018, 12:42:11 PM
I hanker after a sportsbike for the Austrian roads but if I ever get one, would keep my retro custom too. I'll wait and see what Austrian police are like regarding going quickly on a bike. If 5mph over the speed limit means hefty fines then I'll just stick to the CB750.
I've realised that part of this is that I've never owned a litre superbike and would like to do that at least once in my life.
The only problem with that is once you've had the shove, you'll not want to be without it again...
You can still have the shove...allow me to be serious for a moment and say that bikes like the XR are every bit as quick as any litre bike I have owned...infact the longer wheelbase lets you put the power down quicker. So there is life after Sportsbikes.
Quote from: Raydial on March 27, 2018, 02:37:57 PM
Quote from: Phil_8 on March 27, 2018, 01:57:42 PM
Are you moving to Austria?
Yep. I leave here on the 7th of May and start my new job on the 21st. Just agreed salary and start date etc this afternoon. Relieved and excited now. 😄
Anyway, back to bikes. :grin: :moto:
Awesome! Top work that man
With regards to 'what is right for job', by and large, none of are pushing anything close to the limits, even nakeds etc so I just go for what ever bike I like the look of, be it sportbike, naked, adventure etc. I am simply a poser
Quote from: Alzo on March 29, 2018, 08:16:44 AMYou can still have the shove...allow me to be serious for a moment and say that bikes like the XR are every bit as quick as any litre bike I have owned...infact the longer wheelbase lets you put the power down quicker. So there is life after Sportsbikes.
I don't dispute that. I still want one, though. :rolleyes:
Quote from: Phil_8 on March 29, 2018, 08:27:15 AM
Awesome! Top work that man
Thanks!
Quote from: Phil_8 on March 29, 2018, 08:27:15 AM
With regards to 'what is right for job', by and large, none of are pushing anything close to the limits, even nakeds etc so I just go for what ever bike I like the look of, be it sportbike, naked, adventure etc. I am simply a poser
You're talking to the guy who has a custom-built retro bike. I understand posing. :afro: :rofl:
Quote from: Raydial on March 29, 2018, 08:37:50 AM
Quote from: Alzo on March 29, 2018, 08:16:44 AMYou can still have the shove...allow me to be serious for a moment and say that bikes like the XR are every bit as quick as any litre bike I have owned...infact the longer wheelbase lets you put the power down quicker. So there is life after Sportsbikes.
I don't dispute that. I still want one, though. :rolleyes:
I meant any bike with a litre + engine. Anything smaller be it sports, naked, touring etc will be a bit meh compared.
Very interesting topic this.
I've always ridden sports bikes, had my 2003 R1 for the last 6 years and now considering something else.
I commute daily on my bike circa 20miles, some town, some A roads, a nice mix. I've never ridden a naked so I'm used to the "pain".
I plan to take out GSXR 750, a few sports bikes and some naked's for a test and see which is nice/easier to live with.
That said I do prefer the look of a faired bike too.
But for fun I ride my KTM 250 exc 2 Stroke - should have bought one years ago.
Quote from: Raydial on March 29, 2018, 08:37:50 AM
Quote from: Alzo on March 29, 2018, 08:16:44 AMYou can still have the shove...allow me to be serious for a moment and say that bikes like the XR are every bit as quick as any litre bike I have owned...infact the longer wheelbase lets you put the power down quicker. So there is life after Sportsbikes.
I don't dispute that. I still want one, though. :rolleyes:
Absolutely...you got have one on your biking CV.
Quote from: Phil_8 on March 29, 2018, 08:27:15 AM
Quote from: Raydial on March 27, 2018, 02:37:57 PM
Quote from: Phil_8 on March 27, 2018, 01:57:42 PM
Are you moving to Austria?
Yep. I leave here on the 7th of May and start my new job on the 21st. Just agreed salary and start date etc this afternoon. Relieved and excited now. 😄
Anyway, back to bikes. :grin: :moto:
Awesome! Top work that man
With regards to 'what is right for job', by and large, none of are pushing anything close to the limits, even nakeds etc so I just go for what ever bike I like the look of, be it sportbike, naked, adventure etc. I am simply a poser
Try a 55bhp moto. Great fun pushing them to their limits.
I have not ridden a bike with more than 100bhp for the last 12years. So that 160bhp Adventure thing I have in the garage should be fun. (Yet to ride it)
after taking the panigale to work yesterday I can remember why i love sports bikes
it can make an ordinary journey so much more fun
god i love that bike and to think i was thinking about swapping it out for something else
Quote from: komp on April 06, 2018, 10:43:27 AM
after taking the panigale to work yesterday I can remember why i love sports bikes
it can make an ordinary journey so much more fun
god i love that bike and to think i was thinking about swapping it out for something else
Yep, the 899 Panigale is an absolutely brilliant bike.
Always felt it fitted me pretty nicely as well, so I didn't even find it particularly uncomfortable on reasonably long days ragging the hell out of it over the roads of Brittany and Normandy. Fact that it looks f'ing beautiful as well doesn't hurt.
Adventure bike for the commute, mind.
Currently bike-less due to a move overseas and missing it.
I do love a sports bike , I am torn between something like the BMW S1000R or the full fat RR.
Quote from: Neio79 on May 18, 2018, 07:04:26 PM
I do love a sports bike , I am torn between something like the BMW S1000R or the full fat RR.
The S1000R is a superb bit of kit...as fast as an RR in real world situations...and more comfortable.
Quote from: Alzo on May 18, 2018, 07:11:50 PM
Quote from: Neio79 on May 18, 2018, 07:04:26 PM
I do love a sports bike , I am torn between something like the BMW S1000R or the full fat RR.
The S1000R is a superb bit of kit...as fast as an RR in real world situations...and more comfortable.
I was thinking that and with the addition of a fly screen bearable on the motorway.
Plus my military discount with BMW helps :)
The future is the Royal Enfield Himalayan, 24hp of throbbing 410cc single with a 21"front wheel.. Lol
Actually in all seriousness I miss sportsbikes although when our gsxr1000r demo is up and running i shall get my fix now and then, but the SX does so much of it I struggle to see a real world alternative I would spend real money on, the Himalayan makes an excellent 'fun' bike tho... I've started looking for trails to take it down just for the hell of it... Got to love having access to demo bikes...
Bring it to Wales or just down my way for the day.
Planning a full day out on the lanes of Dorset soon.
Quote from: Dom1 on May 18, 2018, 11:28:18 PM
Bring it to Wales or just down my way for the day.
Planning a full day out on the lanes of Dorset soon.
Did fancy getting it prepped for the Taffy but was working all weekend lol..
Quote from: Neio79 on May 18, 2018, 07:04:26 PM
I do love a sports bike , I am torn between something like the BMW S1000R or the full fat RR.
S1000R is a great bike. I'm on my second one now
(https://s9.postimg.cc/8pxwbziz3/2018-04-04_18.38.07.jpg)
Quote from: 636steve on May 20, 2018, 01:14:36 PM
Quote from: Neio79 on May 18, 2018, 07:04:26 PM
I do love a sports bike , I am torn between something like the BMW S1000R or the full fat RR.
S1000R is a great bike. I'm on my second one now
(https://s9.postimg.cc/8pxwbziz3/2018-04-04_18.38.07.jpg)
:tongue: drool !!