New Bike Doldrums

[loudbeard]

It's time for a new street whip. I sold my 1st gen Multi last year. It was a pretty great bike after I caught up the deferred maintenance and sorted the suspension out - but it was time to move on.

My plan for years was I'd end up getting a 790/890/990 Duke R that could double duty on street and occasional track day. Now that I've decided that I'm going to convert my pristine CRF450R to supermoto for track use I'm less inclined to pick up a Duke.

Most of my riding will be to/from work, afternoon/weekday rides, occasional trips up north. Current list includes:

* New Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
* Used Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
* Used 21+ Aprilia Tuono V4
* Used Triumph Scrambler XE
* Used or leftover Ducati Desert X
* New or Used Harley Low Rider ST (current gen)

So basically I'm either looking for a naked sports bike or scrambler for spirted hooning. Also might want a Harley but not really. I suppose there are some other nakeds out there I'd entertain (another Speed Triple? Streetfighter?)

I don't really have a budget but given my indecisiveness I think I'm probably happier spending ~$10k than ~$30k. At a later date there will probably be another Multi or GS once the kids are a bit older and the wife and I can do some longer rides - it ain't there right now.

[SRTie4k]

I'm going to rehash what I've said in the past; 2015-2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure "T". They're stupid cheap used, the LC8 is extremely reliable, infinitely hoon-able, and best of all they come with gigantic boxes that make commuting extremely convenient. It's a weapon disguised as a lame dad bike dishwasher.

[loudbeard]

I'm going to rehash what I've said in the past; 2015-2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure "T". They're stupid cheap used, the LC8 is extremely reliable, infinitely hoon-able, and best of all they come with gigantic boxes that make commuting extremely convenient. It's a weapon disguised as a lame dad bike dishwasher.

I get where you’re coming from, but this next one needs to be fuckable. I want it to rustle my jimmies. There’s definitely a pair of dad shoes in my future, but I just sold a pair.

[Kurlon]

No interest in an MT-09 or MT-10?

[TheIglu]

That Tuono V4 is the answer given your current list.

[boosten lebaron]

Hornet sp would be my choice.

[loudbeard]

No interest in an MT-09 or MT-10?

Correct.

That Tuono V4 is the answer given your current list.

Don't disagree, it's the pointiest spear between the Hornet, 1100 EVO, and Tuono. There's also many of them out there to be had.

The Hornet is pretty cool to me. New bike for $11k with a handlebar, headlight, good suspension, and 150+ horsepower. I really like the direction Honda went with this bike. Rather than chasing the other mfg'ers for superbike with handlebar, they kept it very simple and clean. This is what I'm looking for in a street bike.

The 1100 EVO is kind of the same idea, but it's a big air-cooled, analog twin. Jimmies sufficiently rustled. It does appear I can get a clean, low miles example for around $7k that'll probably need a suspension refresh some proactive maintenance.

Back to the Tuono....it is a superbike with handlebar but also maintains nice street manners. That can't really be said for a SFV4.I reckon while I'm renumerating, I can probably add a Superduke 1x90 to the list, but they're a rarer beast and I probably won't pay the premium.


Let's talk electronics. Up/down quickshifter is on the list of wants, understand the 1100 EVO doesn't fit there. The Tuono has the most polished electronics package - I've specified '21+ because that's when they got the updated IMU. With KTM "what do I get and when" is not quite as easy to find as it relates to what changes over the years.

[TheIglu]

Besides that, the Tuono takes a nice set of soft bags out back quite easily. And once you hear it wind up... there is no replacement for the sound and thrust of a V4.

[loudbeard]

Besides that, the Tuono takes a nice set of soft bags out back quite easily. And once you hear it wind up... there is no replacement for the sound and thrust of a V4.

I rode an '18 last summer with an open Austin Racing exhaust. It was intoxicating. Probably a bit louder than I want, but that's just products and prices.

[OneCheekRider]

+1 for Tuono out of the bikes on that list. I took out a demo at Chuckwalla and had the front wheel in the air and knee on the ground on the first lap. I actually prefer the looks of the 2020 over the 2021+

or you could always... N+1: supermoto, naked, adv, etc etc

[nhbubba]

My pick is either the 1100 EVO or the Desert X. I like both of those, which probably means you don't want either. Maybe the Monster is the one weird overlap in our views at this world?!

You couldn't pay me to sit on that Harley. And I have a HD product in my shed that I adore.

I will say the tour-barge is the ultimate commuter if you live in suburbia and navigate our interstate highway network. Big screen. Heated grips. Comfy seat. Tupperware for the company laptop and bagged lunch. Maybe even a nice top-box to keep your helmet all day. One of the HD touring lineup, a 'wing, or maybe a BMW 1600.
It is an easy segway into a big ADV tourer; GS, multi, whatever. "Dad shoes" in your terms.

If you don't use the highway for your commute and stay in-town then I think the obvious answer is supermoto and a backpack. Or maybe a grom?!

I am done commuting and not able to travel much. I could easily see myself knocking it back to a dual-sport with a set of SM wheels on the side. Or maybe a plated enduro with a simple, modern UJM naked next to it.
I have too much invested in my 890 ADV-R so I've gone the route of buying a set of 19/17 cast wheels off a 1290 SAR. I need to sell off everyfuckingthingelse. Then maybe add back a dirty toy or project. :shrug:

[R7]

I lived with a 2016 Tuono Factory for 8 years, it really felt like the perfect bike for me. It was pre auto blip downshift, but the electronics for the year, were pretty trick. Of your list, that’s my choice, and of course I would go the extra and get the Factory.
The good thing about buying a used Aprilia, they don’t hold their value well and can often be bought cheap.

[R7]

I rode an '18 last summer with an open Austin Racing exhaust. It was intoxicating. Probably a bit louder than I want, but that's just products and prices.

I had a Grave’s slip-on on mine, stupid loud, but what a great sounding bike. The quick shifter sends nice blue flames out the exhaust

[loudbeard]

My pick is either the 1100 EVO or the Desert X. I like both of those, which probably means you don't want either. Maybe the Monster is the one weird overlap in our views at this world?!

I'm probably hottest on the 1100 EVO. I'm not paying new prices for a Desert X, but there's a leftover '24 at a local dealer that's in the range. I love a twin in the L- or V- variety.

You couldn't pay me to sit on that Harley. And I have a HD product in my shed that I adore.

I will say the tour-barge is the ultimate commuter if you live in suburbia and navigate our interstate highway network. Big screen. Heated grips. Comfy seat. Tupperware for the company laptop and bagged lunch. Maybe even a nice top-box to keep your helmet all day. One of the HD touring lineup, a 'wing, or maybe a BMW 1600.
It is an easy segway into a big ADV tourer; GS, multi, whatever. "Dad shoes" in your terms.

The Low Rider is hot-roddish enough that it isn't a big tourer. I doubt I fit on it properly and I'd probably get bored with it. I'm going to be addressing something tour-capable later.

If you don't use the highway for your commute and stay in-town then I think the obvious answer is supermoto and a backpack. Or maybe a grom?!

I have just enough highway to not go this direction. 25 minutes of backroads, 20 minutes of 495 makes up my standard commute. Most days 495 is pretty open when I go through. Since everything lives on OneDrive these days my work bag contains a laptop, scratch pad, and a few cables and pens. Backpack all the way. Did the Grom thing before, won't do again. (I am about to kickoff a 1978 Honda XL100 restomod project, though)

[loudbeard]

I lived with a 2016 Tuono Factory for 8 years, it really felt like the perfect bike for me. It was pre auto blip downshift, but the electronics for the year, were pretty trick. Of your list, that’s my choice, and of course I would go the extra and get the Factory.
The good thing about buying a used Aprilia, they don’t hold their value well and can often be bought cheap.

This is adding to the mountain of evidence that the Tuono is probably the right choice and I will likely choose something different

[typeone]

Desert X ! ... or, another vote for Tuono

[02redhawk]

1100 EVO

[nhbubba]

[QUOTE=loudbeard;1679677]I'm probably hottest on the 1100 EVO.
I get it.

I'm not paying new prices for a Desert X, but there's a leftover '24 at a local dealer that's in the range. I love a twin in the L- or V- variety.

I also get it.
One of the strikes against living with my 890 ADV is the parallel twin just isn't as lovely as a V-twin. I often wonder if I should have shopped something like a 1090 ADV harder.

Another thing is I have soured on the electrics. Wizbang quick shifters and electronic cruise are cool AF, but my stomach sinks every time I start the bike after stalling it and see "immobilizer failure" due to some weird low-voltage condition. And having modes for throttle response still hits me weird. Something to be said for analog. Especially for a playbike.

[QUOTE=loudbeard;1679677]The Low Rider is hot-roddish enough that it isn't a big tourer.
Yeah, I just don't get it.


Monster 1100 EVO, make it so.

[SRTie4k]

I get it.


I also get it.
One of the strikes against living with my 890 ADV is the parallel twin just isn't as lovely as a V-twin. I often wonder if I should have shopped something like a 1090 ADV harder.

Another thing is I have soured on the electrics. Wizbang quick shifters and electronic cruise are cool AF, but my stomach sinks every time I start the bike after stalling it and see "immobilizer failure" due to some weird low-voltage condition. And having modes for throttle response still hits me weird. Something to be said for analog. Especially for a playbike.

The Low Rider is hot-roddish enough that it isn't a big tourer.
Yeah, I just don't get it.


Monster 1100 EVO, make it so.

I just put a lithium battery in my 890 and am now getting "low oil pressure" warning banner on cold starts for 2-3 seconds. My buddy did the same with his 890 and gets the same thing now.

If they weren't so fun, I'd never own a KTM again.

[Kurlon]

There's always a modern Buell? 1190 Rotax V-Twin with a direct manual throttle and absolutely no aids/nannys/etc, now available in a few different pacakges depending on how aggro you want your ergos?

[jeantarrou]

The 1100DS engine in my Hyper was so god damn fun, noisy and raw, easy to work on, pulled like a tractor, I freaking loved it. I don't particularly like the Monster styling, but just based on the engine that's gotta be a top contender. All the love for the Ape is difficult to ignore.

For what it's worth, on the Hypers the EVO engine had a Siemens ECU, non EVO's had a Magnetti Marinelli (sp?). Back then there wasn't any 3rd party diagnostic software for the Siemens, which was annoying, might be something to look into.

Another EDIT... For some bizarre reason I've been searching FB Marketplace for Diavels. Such a love it or hate it kind of look, but with my aging body it seems like a "practical" option. Had you considered it?

[loudbeard]

Went to Wendell's in Norton the other night, ate the best wings in Massachusetts and discussed new motorcycles with motorcycle pals.

I think I'm even further from a decision overall although maybe a bit closer to a Tunono V4. They tried to talk me into an S1000R, but I really can't do the looks.....and since that's a concern the Tuono now presents a problem. The 21+ has better electronics, but '12-20 is definitely hotter.

[FriskyDingo]

They tried to talk me into an S1000R, but I really can't do the looks......

not that you need any more opinions, but if it's truly the "looks" , have you considered any of the M1000 models? XR, R, RR




Just throwing it out there, honestly i'd probably go the V4 route, but these are some bad ass fuckable bikes....but perhaps not marriage material...or easy to find used...or in budget

[TheIglu]

I had an S1000XR. What a miserable bike to ride on the street with. That motor does not want to do anything other than rip.

Fun as hell when you opened it up, but otherwise, hard pass.

[R7]

… The 21+ has better electronics, but '12-20 is definitely hotter.

There were also some electronic and cosmetic changes in 2017, new dash style and more advanced electronics.
I do Agree, the first generation V4 Tuono’s, are sexier looking than the 21+ bikes.