Quote :

"It's officially hipster heaven with Ducati and even Husky are jumping on board of the retrowagon. Get your beard wax and your selvedge denim vest ready. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/noSLXtP0Dac" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7SZRrmJDKsA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>"

cool. dual sports are better street bikes than the way more popular race replicas and heavy cruisers. hope they sell a lot of em

[Edited on February 2, 2015 at 5:26 PM. Reason : d]

2/2/2015 5:25:50 PM

Dual sport my ass. Those two pieces of hipster junk have all the off-road capability of a 1991 CBR600 running on three cylinders with a flat rear tire.

2/12/2015 12:27:04 AM

Is a tiger 800 xc a good dual sport/adventure kinda thing?

I'd imagine it's too heavy to be a real dual sport... but what does the Igor think?

2/12/2015 7:59:44 AM

That's a proper mid-weight adventure bike. It's an off-road adaptation of a more street-oriented bike, so no long-term Dakar pedigree like GS series beemers or KTM Adventure, but a couple of 800XCs ran Baja last year, so they got some dirt cred. At least on paper they are similarly capable. i wouldn't say it's too heavy for dirt, they are 190 kilos dry, nearly identical to F800GS. "Dual sport" envelops a wide range of machines, from enduros with lights like KTM 350exc to 1200cc street bikes with knobby tires slapped on like Moto Guzzi Stelvio. so you can pick your end of the scale or stay in the middle with something like 600xc. I think the mid weight 800 class is a pretty good compromise between long-range comfort, power, and off-road capability.

2/13/2015 1:39:55 AM

I've got the DL1000, which is nice on the highway, but I wouldn't want it on dirt.

I really think value for money, and if you not going to be doing anything much more than fire roads, the DL650 is a great buy.

2/13/2015 4:16:02 PM

That's the thing i don't even know what i would do..

I ride down to uwharrie and play with the jeep it would be cool to do that on a bike too but really what i want is a commuter. I feel like the 800 would be an epic commuter but too heavy for trails like that..

2/13/2015 4:30:49 PM

The Tiger is at home most on gravel forest roads and possibly easy single/dual track. My DR650 feels too heavy on moderate/difficult trails, and Ive ridden a Tiger 800xc on road and wouldn't dare take it on the same trails I take my DR.

I feel the 650 class is about as good as you will get compromise wise, you have a few options to choose from if you want to be more dirt oriented or more street oriented. You can go smaller cc (250-400) but lose highway mobility or go higher (800+) and lose dirt options. Its all about what you want to do with a single bike.

Heres a vid of Hurricane Creek road (not my DR), after they graded it to give you a good idea of what I consider easy for the DR.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U0mM5LPUHc

Heres what I consider moderate for the DR (slightly easier for smaller bikes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKIDLMYESg

*Im first bike seen coming up the trail in the vid. Took 1 spill on a steep muddy downhill because the bike felt too heavy coming to a bend. The video doesnt show the steepness of the trails, but its in East Tennessee on the border to NC.

These are the type of roads I would feel comfortable taking a Tiger on if it was my only bike and I used it for commuting (except the sand).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAYRgb0iVqQ

2/16/2015 1:17:39 PM

http://youtu.be/Kk59ZHcJWwo?t=31s

guy in virginia is trying to convert a warehouse into a go kart/mini bike track. looks fun but all those posts look like they send you out in the amber lamps

3/10/2015 5:56:22 PM

yeah, uhh, that sounds like a cool idea, except for not in a place with all those damn steel poles all along the track.

3/10/2015 8:58:49 PM

lol a guy in goldsboro used to have a dirt oval for karts in his back yard full of pine trees. watched those lunatics run outlaw karts back there.

3/10/2015 9:14:30 PM

we used to do this on sundays in NoVA but it wasn't that damn treacherous

3/12/2015 3:30:24 PM

The R1200R got $800 worth of warranty work today. YAY! New fuel pump and fuel level sending unit, as well as a state inspection. Was a nice ride today too! I swear the bike feels a lot different. It's very smooth, smoother than when I rode it up to the dealership. Definitely not placebo.

3/12/2015 8:54:04 PM

dude, how much shit has broken on your bike since you've owned it? I'd be on to a zx14 if I were you

3/13/2015 4:52:24 PM

I could probably replace every part on my bike for $800. And have extra left over for gas.

LONG LIVE THE MIGHTY DR650!!!

3/14/2015 9:51:50 AM

installed crash bars and new turn signal on DL1000... Need to figure out a hex key to unscrew the front fork axle (27 mm or somethin? wtf).

Loving riding in colorado.

3/31/2015 11:57:21 PM

Quote :

"dude, how much shit has broken on your bike since you've owned it? "

I believe the bike is on it's 6th fuel level sensor (I've had it replaced 4 times, previous owner did it once).
Fuel Pump issue is a recall.
Neither of these are out of pocket for me as they are warranty work. $800 worth of work, but not paid by me (thanks BMW !)

This is what I've gone through so far in the last ~28k miles in the 3 years I've owned it.
2 Batteries
2nd front tire
4th rear tire
5 oil changes
Rear differential oil change.
Transmission oil change.
4 Spark Plugs
Checked Valve Clearance.
Oil cooler was fixed when a inlet broke (like $50ish, not expensive).

What needs fixing due to failure/wear:
Steering Damper (Oem unit seal blew about a month ago, oil leaked, needs replacement). ~$400 for Ohlins.
ABS system; pretty common failure, but I need to send off the ABS motors to be rebuilt for about $300.

I'll fix the abs during winter 2016, when I won't mind having the bike down a month waiting for the ABS module to be rebuilt at an independent shop. I had to ride the bike to school this winter, so I couldn't afford the downtime then, and riding season is here now so I'm not missing out on that either.

Lack of a steering damper is noticeable on the highway going >70mph, but, it's not necessary as it's not bothersome/fatiguing/dangerous. Just a slight vibration in the steering. I plan on replacing it, but it's not "urgent." My suspension is starting to feel worn and the seals are showing their age, but it's a 7 year old bike with 52k+ miles. I'm thinking of a Wilber setup, but those are about $2k for a complete front/rear setup. I hear it's worth it, I'm considering making the investment soon. But I don't consider suspension bits to be "Failures", unlike the ABS module. That really is the one expense I wasn't "expecting" (I mean, I was, but I've been bleeding the brakes more often than recommended with fluid that meet specifications, which was suggested to help the module last longer). So all in all, owning the BMW hasn't been bad at all.



[Edited on April 1, 2015 at 9:26 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on April 1, 2015 at 9:27 AM. Reason : .]

4/1/2015 9:23:20 AM

steering damper just prevents energy from leaving the chassis! let those bars wiggle (seriously) I keep mine at like 1.5/10 for when I come down squirrely from a power wheelie

4/1/2015 11:57:03 AM

anyone familiar with old triumphs and their value? i have an opportunity to buy a 73 bonneville 450 from a family member and he asked me to figure out what i thought it was worth (other than whatever i'm willing to pay for it). big ranges on typical nada/kbb/etc sites for very good condition (like $3500 - $8000). any recommendations?

6/4/2015 1:48:58 PM

the cafe racer hipster fad is still going pretty strong so I bet you could get a decent return on it, depending on the condition

6/4/2015 3:04:35 PM

said bike (just noticed i typed 450 in other post... meant 750)



[Edited on June 4, 2015 at 3:19 PM. Reason : 450]

6/4/2015 3:18:22 PM

pay him 2800 with the family discount

6/4/2015 4:10:54 PM

^^^ oh man, don't chop up that Bonnie.

I like cafe bikes, but don't chop a nice one. Find a POS that needs lots of work anyway.

6/4/2015 8:00:20 PM

that thing is mint. you'll be able to unload it no problem

6/5/2015 8:18:58 AM

^ it is pretty close to mint for a 40+ yr-old bike, which is why i think what i'm willing to pay is going to be different from what he's willing to sell it for - well, that and i know how attached he is to it

^^ no plans to modify at all really - it's all original and i'd like to keep it that way

^^^ i was thinking $3-4k, but he told me that a guy who knows more than me and him put together thought he could get $6500 - $7500 easy (and that they'll only go up in value)

it's my step-dad selling it (my brothers aren't interested) - he said he'd like to keep it in the family if possible... and as much as he doesn't really need the money, he's very attached to it and doesn't want to feel like he's giving it away. i was hoping someone could point me the right direction in determining a fair price - which might just be taking it to somebody

1973 - 1976 completed auctions on ebay show between $3k and $5k (one completely redone/mint 76 model for $7k)

6/5/2015 10:53:46 AM

2800 ain't free and it's staying in the family. I think that's fair for fam

[Edited on June 5, 2015 at 4:25 PM. Reason : ...unless you really want to pay him what he'd get from actually selling it to some stranger]

6/5/2015 4:25:18 PM

If he's attached to it and doesn't need the money, then why is he selling it? Needs to make space in garage? Wants someone else to love it and ride it once in a while?

6/5/2015 4:37:15 PM

Man I went to a couple of motorcycle dealers recently to check stuff out...bikes are as bad as cars; they're all getting HUGE, and with way too much bullshit on many of them.

6/6/2015 9:26:50 AM

^^^ the more i think about it, the more i agree with you

^^ you're right on with both, but mainly having someone else love it/take care of it (preferrably that person being a family member and him able to still see it)... he's actually getting pretty worried about cranking it in general b/c he's getting older and his knees are in rough shape

6/7/2015 8:59:10 AM

looks like i'm about to get an SV1000 with GSX-R front end swap...

6/11/2015 1:20:56 PM

and when you are done with it, you'll sell it to me. (seriously)

6/11/2015 2:14:27 PM

I think they are adding gagetry in order to cover the insane prices of some of the bikes these days. Figure the mechanicals costs aren't where the profit is.

They can tack on heated grips, some plastic, a few farkles and a little tech and add 5 to 10k to the asking price.

Basically the harley davidson model.

[Edited on June 12, 2015 at 8:27 AM. Reason : dd]

6/12/2015 8:27:03 AM

yeah, there's an element of that. Either that, or consumers are demanding all sorts of gadgets. Probably a little of both...

but what I mean is that the bikes are just physically BIG.

Look at how big a Honda Interceptor is compared to an older VFR 750/800...or my dad's R1200RT, which is like my R100RT, three generations newer. It is ENORMOUS. My old touring bike feels tiny after riding his newer RT.

I stopped into a BMW dealership the other day and checked out an S1000XR. I thought it might be a bad ass super standard, and it probably is, but that motherfucker is HUGE. The new R1200RS is too big, too. The RnineT looks awesome and is more the right size, and I'm sure it's a nice bike, but it's more looks than performance, and for that price, I'd want both.

A lot of it is just bodywork (a newer KLR looks a lot bulkier than an old one, even though they're almost the same bike), but still, damn. Everything but fairly focused sportbikes and race-replicas (and maybe cruisers, which are just 50 year old bikes built in 2015) is getting too big.


And yes, holy shit, too expensive.

6/13/2015 8:28:54 PM

^^^ Well damn, that SV1000 got sold before I could get to it. I was very clear that it was a done deal; I was picking it up this weekend. Can't blame him, though...I should have sent a deposit via PayPal or something.

Still, I kinda wish he would have contacted me and said "Hey, I have another offer on it...I need you to move on it now if you want it."

It was an '05 SV1000 (naked) with Yosh exhaust, new tires, recent scheduled maintenance, and GSX-R front end. I had a deal worked out for $2000.

6/16/2015 7:23:34 PM

^i "sold" my 2007 bandit 1250 to 2 different guys. the dude that was 1 day too slow was kinda ticked

6/16/2015 7:38:35 PM

6/16/2015 9:55:50 PM

hah, well it wasnt a handshake deal. just a dude over the phone saying he was coming to buy it on a certain date.

6/17/2015 4:46:35 AM

Looking for a bike to replace my '82 CB750. It's been fun, but I just don't ride enough for these carbs to stay happy.

I'd really like something that's air-cooled (for a clean, simple appearance), EFI (to escape the uncertainty of carbs), capable of highway cruising (for long trips), and at/under $4k (because I refuse to buy a bike that costs more than a reasonable car).

Apparently the EFI/air-cooled combo is pretty uncommon. The only things I'm seeing around my price range are Buell XB9s and XB12s. Not mad though, I think the Lightnings have great proportions.

Anything else I should watch for before I go all-in on an XB?

6/22/2015 1:53:43 PM

Igor had an XB. just keep in mind it's a harley motor and it's like an anvil, outside the obvious power stats. i think they look neat and probably fine on the street but just not my steelo.

[Edited on June 22, 2015 at 5:25 PM. Reason : d]

6/22/2015 5:24:48 PM

I wouldn't mind trying a Buell for a while...

but how are you missing the obvious choice? It's exactly what you describe.

6/22/2015 10:06:58 PM

I love my r1200r. They are coming down in price, I suggest trying to find one that's an 07 or 08. 3 years ago, you couldn't find one for less than $9k with a few grand in farkle. The last one I posted a few months back had a new $1,500 suspension system and a few more grand in aftermarket, tasteful goodies. $4,500 for a 50k mile air cooled 1200cc 110hp and 88tq monster. And these things aren't that heavy either! I'd say they have the best braking hardware I've seen on a bike which I believe is attributed to the telelever suspension setup.

Seriously. I'm not just a fanboi for the r1200r, it's just what you described exactly. the R1200RT is a slightly different beast, but still pretty good for a full fairing urban bike. Look for an R1200R and try one.

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/mcy/4991315043.html

I'm not saying his price is out of the ballpark. Of course I'd like to continue to see them resale for $texas, but at least ride one before jumping on an xb. You've got options

[Edited on June 22, 2015 at 10:55 PM. Reason : .]

6/22/2015 10:53:53 PM

dad has an R1200RT. It's awesome for a big touring bike...very sporty for what it is and rides a lot smaller than it is (although it isn't really all that heavy). It rides nothing like a full-dresser. Don't underestimate it based on the tourer looks.

stuff in the R1100/1150 family should easily come in at/below the $4k price point (I have only ridden RTs in those sizes; I actually prefer the 1100). If you can get a 1200, though, spend a little more. It is a shitload more motorcycle.

Here's the RT:

Here's the one I really have always thought is cool...would be a great sport-tourer, on the sportier side if you want something hotter than an R1200R:



[Edited on June 22, 2015 at 11:08 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on June 22, 2015 at 11:18 PM. Reason : ]

6/22/2015 11:02:44 PM

I've always wanted to try an r1100r... the r1150r doesn't do it for me, and the reviews don't seem to glorify them as well as the r1100r or the r1200r. Still a worthwhile option, but as duke said, the extra $ for the r12r is worth it.

6/22/2015 11:04:49 PM

the weird, overboosted brakes on the 1150s are a pain in the ass. i'd rather just save my money and get a perfectly good 1100, or pay a little more and get a 1200, which is a fucking sweet bike.

oh, and there's another obvious choice:





(plenty of air-cooled Ducatis with FI, but a Monster or Multistrada make the most sense to me, given your price point and wants)

[Edited on June 22, 2015 at 11:16 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on June 22, 2015 at 11:20 PM. Reason : maybe Moto Guzzi?]

6/22/2015 11:15:37 PM

No to giant goofy things like those BMWs. Not trying to tip-toe to reach the ground. Not trying to adventure my way across a desert for a month straight. Not trying to be associated with BMW owners, even if it's a bike.

Some Ducatis are neat, but those big ladder frame things look weird as hell. Not trying to ride my kindergarten K'NEX creation in real life. Once they depreciate in a few years, I'm all in on Ducati's new Scrambler (EFI, air-cooled, clean simple styling, the trifecta I want).

Maybe to Moto Guzzi V7, I like the basic cafe version pretty well.


XB9/XB12 seems like a solid top choice right now. I rode a friend's XB9 recently and it felt fine. Quick enough to be a fun bike, but not fast enough to feel scary. The simple, compact design suits my taste. Plus it's EFI, air-cooled, and in my price range.

6/23/2015 8:33:40 AM

Are you short or something? My r12r has standard seat and ride height, my legs are 32" and I can flat foot just fine. But hey, to each their own if you don't even wanna try a roadster.

I think those guzzies are cool

[Edited on June 23, 2015 at 9:59 AM. Reason : .]

6/23/2015 9:58:56 AM

No, I'm 5'10", I just prefer the feel of a small (preferably light and/or low CoG) bike.

Most of my riding will be lower speeds around town, and I don't want a big thing that'll put up a fight in tight/inclined places.

6/23/2015 11:14:42 AM

i really want a tiger 800xc.

I probably should get a yamaha wr 450 or something.

[Edited on June 23, 2015 at 11:53 AM. Reason : .]

6/23/2015 11:26:30 AM

why not a supermoto, like a DRZ400SM or a husq/ktm 550

6/23/2015 11:44:59 AM

yeah i just need something that can hit 75 for a couple minutes a day lol.

6/23/2015 11:53:50 AM

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com

All electric, 0-60 in 3.x seconds.

6/24/2015 12:00:06 AM