kinchy Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I'm happy with both the RT and RK. They remain diametrically opposed but each provide significant enjoyment. Thought about trading in the RK for a VROD (really like the anti-Harley Harley thing) but the numbers don't compute by the time your done. Looked at the Kawi Concours, like it but still found reasons to pass. Checked out the ST3 and 4, they were painful to sit on and why consider another scooter requiring excessive servicing pain and agony? Although the ST1300 and FJR are nice they seem somewhat redundant to the RT. The Triumph Speedmaster and Victory Line had merit but simply not enough to motivate commitment. I realize this really isn't a problem and I should get a life but, it feels like it's time to shake things up a bit. The Kawaski remains in the mental pipeline and would certainly fill the need for speed. Ideas? Suggestions? Therapy? Anti-depressants? Link to comment
10ovr Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Ive been thinking of getting a 3rd bike to,,Have a GS and an RT,,Love my RT,,Ive been looking at a 08 Suzuki Hayabusa,,,Rode one and loved the power,, Link to comment
RichEdwards Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 With the RT and the RK, you've got HEAVY covered. Why not try light? The Concours is just another heavy bike. My third bike is the Triumph Street Triple. Link to comment
BFish Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 gotta stop at two as the 3rd "bike" has four legs and it's my wife's "ride" Link to comment
kinchy Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 Now thats called creativity Link to comment
Turbosneeze Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Good question, I also have 2 bikes, a 1150RT and a CBR954RR for the streets (not counting my Honda Elite scooter) and a XR250R for the dirt. I was also thinking of a 3rd street bike and I've pretty decided to go with the KTM Superduke (despite being voted 2007 MOTY, popularity of the Superduke has been slow). My local dealer has a couple of 07s left and I'm just waiting for some better incentives to kick in before I make my purhase... Link to comment
sjn7708 Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Honda VFR, small, light, not too expensive, relatively fast at sane street speeds, versatile, love the V4 engine, can takeon hard luggage, long track record, lots of aftermarket. Link to comment
AndyT Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I agree with RichEdwards, you have heavy covered, you need something light and responsive, like the VFR or FZ1. All day comfortable but powerfull and sporty enough to meet your need for sane speed in a comfortable package. 2cents worth...good luck... sounds like fun searching!! Link to comment
Smoky Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Go even further light. Find a duel-sport bike and explore off pavement. I added a KLR to my RT and found a world of new roads out there. This back road bike has added much to my riding enjoyment, give it a try. Link to comment
stubble! Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 My third bike is the Triumph Street Triple. Bingo. Well, for me the speed triple, but yeah. Or one of the new motards. Generally speaking Bike #1 is practical, serving some major need. Bike #2 is also practical, but usually serves some area Bike #1 isn't suited for. With Bike #3, all bets are off Gimme a light, overpowered, unfaired, completely unnecessary monster. Link to comment
KDeline Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 My third bike is my salty winter bike. I'll be glad when we can live somewere warm and I can sell the third bike. Link to comment
BULLman Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 My third bike is the Triumph Street Triple. Bingo. Well, for me the speed triple, but yeah. Or one of the new motards. Generally speaking Bike #1 is practical, serving some major need. Bike #2 is also practical, but usually serves some area Bike #1 isn't suited for. With Bike #3, all bets are off Gimme a light, overpowered, unfaired, completely unnecessary monster. Bingo One word - SuperMoto [i guess maybe that's 2 words ] Maybe a classic bike Link to comment
ShovelStrokeEd Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Why not get a classic? I love putting around town and moderate (400 mile max) days on my '78 R100S. I'm in the process of doing a couple of upgrades to it (swapping a K100 front fork for better brakes). The bike is dead simple to live with, easy maintenance and it will still run away and hide from most of the cruisers out there. In its day, it was one of the faster street bikes out there, capable of 1/4 miles in the 12's (barely) in stock form with a top speed approaching 120. Handling is OK but, watch out for the rigid mounted rider pegs. I'm considering trading it for an R26 to use as a commuter bike and bust the balls of the chopper set in my area. Nice to roll up on a 40 year old bike, even nicer than the 30 year old one I have now. Link to comment
kinchy Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 Thanks boys, neglected to mention that K1200RS's are also on the list. Should have kept the ZZR1200. Appreciate all the suggestions. I'm 6'4 so some of the smaller naked bikes look ridiculous with yours truly on board. Glad to see I'm not the only guy wrestling with this. Link to comment
PODMAN Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Have an R1200RT and a VFR800ABS. Is a great combo. Third bike K1200S,ducati 848, F800GS.... Link to comment
sfarson Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Thanks boys, neglected to mention that K1200RS's are also on the list. Should have kept the ZZR1200. Appreciate all the suggestions. I'm 6'4 so some of the smaller naked bikes look ridiculous with yours truly on board. Glad to see I'm not the only guy wrestling with this. Like the idea of something complementing what you have, and that includes engine type. With two twins, go for an I-4. A K1200S would be sweet. Not sure what numbers don't compute for a V-Rod... prev owned VRSC's can can be picked up for a song, and these bikes totally rock, are utterly reliable, and major head turners. There's something about being on a cruiser that flies. Link to comment
bensonga Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I like sfarson's avatar.....go light.....go Ducati Hypermotard. Ok, so you'll look like a giant on a midget's bike....you'll be having too much fun to care! :-) Gary Benson Eagle River, Alaska Link to comment
velomoto Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Like the idea of something complementing what you have, and that includes engine type. With two twins, go for an I-4. A K1200S would be sweet. Not sure what numbers don't compute for a V-Rod... prev owned VRSC's can can be picked up for a song, and these bikes totally rock, are utterly reliable, and major head turners. There's something about being on a cruiser that flies. Hmmm lets see what we can find for a list of "complementary bikes"... #1 Practical & long haul #2 Dual sport #3 Sport #4 Off road #5 Cruiser Yeah, that should fill most garages! +1 on your assessment of the V-Rod, an amazing engine! Last I checked the spec's the V-Rod's HP, Torque, Weight were almost identical to the 12RT yet the feel and ride of the two bikes couldn't be more different. Link to comment
Turbosneeze Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Can't believe I am not getting any support on the KTM Superduke!!! -Very quick on the twisties -More fun factor than almost any bike out there -Not much wind protection, but that's why it's a 3rd bike -Superb quality and fit/finish -Unique brand that will not say 'hey, I have the same bike too' -To sum it up, it's an 'adult's sportsbike that won't hurt your back and wrists' and capable to kick ass!!! Why the lack of love for this bike? Am I the only one missing something here... Link to comment
camille Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Can't believe I am not getting any support on the KTM Superduke!!! I would give that a . I would even move it up from 3rd bike to 2nd bike. Add to your list of attributes: bike with attitude, correlary to "unique brand" ... Link to comment
T__ Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I'm happy with both the RT and RK. They remain diametrically opposed but each provide significant enjoyment. Thought about trading in the RK for a VROD (really like the anti-Harley Harley thing) but the numbers don't compute by the time your done. Looked at the Kawi Concours, like it but still found reasons to pass. Checked out the ST3 and 4, they were painful to sit on and why consider another scooter requiring excessive servicing pain and agony? Although the ST1300 and FJR are nice they seem somewhat redundant to the RT. The Triumph Speedmaster and Victory Line had merit but simply not enough to motivate commitment. I realize this really isn't a problem and I should get a life but, it feels like it's time to shake things up a bit. The Kawaski remains in the mental pipeline and would certainly fill the need for speed. Ideas? Suggestions? Therapy? Anti-depressants? Wayne, don’t necessarily blow the Ducati’s off because of the maintenance issues.. That might be something to consider if it’s your one & only primary bike but being a 3rd bike or even a 2nd bike probably means low miles per year.. assuming around 3000 miles a year (probably a lot for a 3rd bike) that gives you 2 years between major services.. With you living in NJ that means you have all winter to get the service done.. That is the way I handle my Duc.. Just store it on the bike lift for the winter & do the entire maintenance , cam belts, valve adjust, TBI balance, TPS setting, clutch, bolt re-torque, at my leisure.. Probably no more than 12 hours tops into the entire service matrix.. BTW, (insert Duc of your choice) makes a great additional bike & makes a great twisty play bike.. Twisty Link to comment
Whip Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I was where you are a few months ago. KTM, FJR, and.......................I got a Tuono, you'd be surprised how tall it is and how much fun you can have. BTW...I'm 6'2". Whip Link to comment
JerryMather Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 The Kawsaki ZX-14 is a very nice motorcycle that's a little different than your current one's. It has more than enough power and handles like a much lighter type of bike. Personally, I like it much more than the Suzuki Hayabusa . The new tail section on the Busa is a real turn off for me. It's looks like a big insect to me. Note: If your not happy with the amount of power with either of these ....... you can bring it around to our shop and we can get you an extra 100 HP. so you can feel like a kid again. Link to comment
UberXY Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Bike 3: a surprise to everyone, including me, but it's great for around town, scooters being a little too metrosexual for me. Number_3 Link to comment
KentuckyBlue Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Steve: Tell me more about Number 3. I really like the looks of that. Why did you choose it. What kind of riding do you use it for and how does it handle. Thanks. Ray Link to comment
UberXY Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Ray: it's a XL1200N. I had been thinking about building a bobber from an old Sportster, but with the N model HD did a lot of the work for me, cheap. I bought it at a big discount with 200 miles on it from a guy who had too many bikes. It handles better than I thought, but it's no BMW. I replaced the stock suspension with Progressives, and the brakes with Russell floaters. Dennis Manning of BUB made the pipes. I am gonna bob the rear fender 3 more inches, have the bike painted black, and am going to put on a vintage solo spring seat. Definitely not a long distance bike, although a Sportster did finish third in the last Iron Butt (rider must have had a titanium butt). It's a ton of fun to ride. I just use it for short rides around town to run errands with a courier bag. It's fuel injected so it is a no fuss engine. The pipes sound great, but they would earn me a stern lecture from the Health, Safety, and Social Responsibility boffins. Link to comment
kinchy Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 Steve, Good suggestion. Forgot to mention I also considered the HD Super Glide (from my perspective a sportster on steroids)since it fit better. If I went to a second Harley it would be the VROD. It's different, it's fast, I like the look and they fixed most of it's shortcomings. That being said, having two Harleys (with all the other options out there) seems redundant to say the least. I'm listening to myself here..you guys have been very patient with me. Link to comment
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