Second Bike suggestions?

**mycirus** · 10-02-05, 07:30 PM

If one were to add a second bike to the garage, what would be good weekend getaway 2 up riding bike that is comfortable? Never ridden anything with bags before? What would you be looking for?

Bruce

**joberly** · 10-02-05, 07:47 PM

If I already had a full fledged sportbike, my personal preference would be to go with a sport TOURING bike rather than SPORT touring. I'd like to have an FJR for longer trips. I also like the Ducati ST4 but that's obviously more dough.... and BMW makes some nice sport tourers as well, depends on how much $ you wanna spend also...

Edit: There's an article in the new Motor Cyclist about the BMW, Triumph Sprint ST and the Goldwing... obviously the sprint being more sport oriented, and the BMW the best all rounder, but cheapest option being the Sprint.... so many choices it comes down to price point and if you want new or used.

**RandyO** · 10-02-05, 07:53 PM

for me, my next bike will be an adventure bike, but for the same reasons, a comfortable 2 up tourer

R1200GS

**highsider** · 10-02-05, 07:53 PM

Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom. Supposed to be the best all around bike, with good power, off-road capabilities, and impressive on-road handling.

**Half Squid** · 10-02-05, 08:21 PM

Build that fucking garage first....

Your horrible, only a few weeks ago you were talking about selling the RC.

Stop smoking the crack

**mycirus** · 10-03-05, 04:23 AM

A couple of weeks ago I didnt have a girl that wanted to go on rides.......The garage should start construction soon.

Bruce

**Half Squid** · 10-03-05, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by mycirus
A couple of weeks ago I didnt have a girl that wanted to go on rides.......The garage should start construction soon.

Bruce

Finally made that major Purchase at the "Amaizing" Store. Those type of girls let you do anything you want, and never talk back.

**xvrider** · 10-03-05, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by Half Squid
Finally made that major Purchase at the "Amaizing" Store. Those type of girls let you do anything you want, and never talk back.

Good for you...I'm sure you'll be happy with your purchase...

**patricia929** · 10-03-05, 07:51 AM

if you decide on an st4 i've got a friend looking to sell his. i don't know all the specifics but if this is something you may be interested in i can give you his number.

**richw** · 10-03-05, 07:55 AM

I don't believe a word of it...

I would make sure she went on a few 100 plus mile rides on whatever you got before I'ld spend a nickel on a 2 up bike.

It takes a very "special person" to want to ride on the back, hours of discomfort and boredom with with moments of terror.

Its a wonderful instinct to want to do things together but 2 up fast motorcycling is extremely rare success story.

If she likes sample rides see if she wants to become a pilot herself.

Good luck you will need it.

"When the Gods are angry they give you what you want."

**mycirus** · 10-03-05, 08:35 AM

Yeah but even if it wouldnt work out, I would still have a bike to commute on and take trips with. The RC is not Gas or Luggage friendly. I was thinking of a second bike on and off for a while. The chick just makes it more tempting. I just dont what I want for a bike. Looking for what other people think. Plus this time of year is a good time to look for a steal.

Bruce

**ChR1s** · 10-03-05, 08:47 AM

The R1200GS is a very comfortable & versatile bike, and the bugs should all have been worked out of them by now. The top box can be mounted in place of the passenger seat when riding solo, and the bags are also collapsable. The bike rips over both smooth & broken pavement, and feels very stable off-road once it gets underway. The steering does feel a bit vague at times though. I'd choose it over one of those dedicated asphalt barges. And yes, it wheelies.

**mycirus** · 10-03-05, 09:05 AM

Anybody have or ridden a K1200 LT Beemer?

Bruce

**SSearchVT** · 10-03-05, 09:19 AM

The FJR1300 would get my vote as a sport tourer. Really smooth, yamaha build and reliabilty.

**Awesome** · 10-03-05, 09:20 AM

Bruce got a chick? Good job. You must have picked her up for the Deal's trip next year? i think many of us will be bringing the women down. The ST4 looks like a beautiful machine. Riding fast with someone on back is fun, I was doing a good pace with Erin on the ride a couple weekends ago, and she isn't a featherweight girl. KB can rip the corners with anyone on his bike. Takes a little getting use to though.

edit: Make sure she's buying her own gear, unless you have spares to loan her already.

**mycirus** · 10-03-05, 09:32 AM

Originally posted by hessogood

edit: Make sure she's buying her own gear, unless you have spares to loan her already.

None of my gear would fit her, she is a little thing. I will make sure she gets some stuff though. I wouldnt allow it. So when you brought Erin 2 weeks ago, are you the one that got her the protective tennis shoes, jeans and sweatshirt, or did she buy it herself. Ha ha.....

Bruce

PS, Just the thought of Bringing 2 bikes to the Gap. Fun.

**benVFR** · 10-03-05, 10:49 AM

If you want good gas mileage and/or commuting ability you're going to have to look REALLY carefully for the right bike.

I am not sure about the BMWs, I don't think they get fantastic fuel economy. Riding around with my roommate his Triumphs have seemed to get excellent economy for the amount of power they make, it's just like the VFR, it will often turn in 40+ mpg. With the extra torque the new Sprint ST ought to be pretty good 2-up.

I don't think the FJR gets good fuel mileage although it is supposed to be pretty good 2-up. Same thing with the ST1300, once you get into that class of bikes they have incredibly fuel range but the economy isn't that great, they are just too big.

I don't think the Ducati is known for great economy or 2-up ability.

The 1200GS sure seems to be a sweet bike regardless of whether you want to carry people on it... I'd be all over that thing if I was looking at a second bike, just cause it is so different then a pure sportbike.

**akira700** · 10-03-05, 11:19 AM

Rich W. implied that 2 up riding is only rarely a success.

I have a great time riding with my girlfriend on my CBR 600 F3. Its not plush but I can kick the revs up and we can haul out on some back roads. Sometimes I can even forget she's there and start really leaning into turns.

Yeah its not like riding solo but its not the worst either.

What about a VFR? More sporty than tourey.

About the BMW 1200 GS. I rented a 05 model this summer after the Laguna Seca Moto GP to tour Marin County. I thought it kinda sucked.

I was pretty hyped to be riding it. After all its a twin with each cylinder being equal to the total of my in-line four. I thought it would have some low end kick. It was a sluggish pig. You need to rev it up to about 6-7000 RPM to feel any real power. Plus I found the suspension too soft and mushy to feel any connection to the road. Handling is nice and sharp, but the whole time I was wishing I had my CBR out there. The roads were incredible !
The only thing going for it was the hard side luggage, it was state of the art. I carried a tent and sleeping bag and back pack.

**number9** · 10-03-05, 12:09 PM

About the BMW 1200 GS. I rented a 05 model this summer after the Laguna Seca Moto GP to tour Marin County. I thought it kinda sucked.

I was pretty hyped to be riding it. After all its a twin with each cylinder being equal to the total of my in-line four. I thought it would have some low end kick. It was a sluggish pig. You need to rev it up to about 6-7000 RPM to feel any real power. Plus I found the suspension too soft and mushy to feel any connection to the road. Handling is nice and sharp, but the whole time I was wishing I had my CBR out there. The roads were incredible !
The only thing going for it was the hard side luggage, it was state of the art. I carried a tent and sleeping bag and back pack.

I rode an R1150RT-ABS across western Europe (with passenger) and felt pretty much the same way. Granted, it was a bigger heavier bike with more accessories on it, but you really had to give it a wristful to get quick acceleration. It did well over 120mph with ease, though - but the combined brakes as well as shaft drive took a bit of getting used to.

**benVFR** · 10-03-05, 12:20 PM

Bags are no reason to get a BMW anymore as the VFR and Ducati ST3/4 have great bags. Triumph supposedly had some build issues with the new bags for the Sprint ST but I'm sure they'll work the issues out quickly and the bags for that bike should be great as well since it has an undertail exhaust.

**RandyO** · 10-03-05, 01:02 PM

R1200GSs are said to get mid 40s' mpg at highway speed, better than 50 at put put speeds

with the 1150GS, they had an optional 11 gal fuel tank, not sure if they still have that option but that gives you a 500 miles range which is awesome if you really want to go exploring and not be so concerened when it's 100+ miles between fuel stations

**OreoGaborio** · 10-03-05, 04:29 PM

Ken Condon's selling his viffer

**old timer** · 10-03-05, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by mycirus
A couple of weeks ago I didnt have a girl that wanted to go on rides.......

Bruce

**richw** · 10-04-05, 07:52 AM

Just to clarify

On average I don't think that many people like to ride on the back of bikes at any pace.

It might seem like a good idea but after a few trips the luster is off. I hate to see serious money put to a project that may not pan out; as I have witnessed many times in my long scooter career. When it works its a wonderful thing.

A second universal motorcycle for all purpose. A UJM minus the J is a fine idea. That is why I bought the ancient BMW to go exploring etc. Current thinking to loose some stuff and get a KLR as there is no 2 Up in my future.

Second Bike suggestions?

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