The R1100GS Must Go!

Hornblower

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I nearly dropped the beemer in the driveway this morning and it has really f*cked my back up again. So, much as I love her I am going to have to think about changing to a smaller, lighter machine. Cue howls of derision and mockery, I know, I'm a wuss, the GS is the best bike on the road etc. I agree, but my age, bad back and general wussiness means I have to trade down. I'd like your advice, my checklist of essentials are as follows:

1. Must be light, no more than 180kg if poss, hopefully under 170
2. Must be quick, no less than 50hp
3. Must have electric start
4. Riding position not too severe - I don't want a café racer
5. Good weather resistance - I don't want to spend every weekend polishing chrome etc
6. Gotta look nice
7. Gotta be less than £2.5K which is what I reckon I can get for the beemer with all the extras - anyone interested? black, full luggage, ABS, HG, '97 with 41K on the clock.

I've been thinking about a Suzuki SV650 (riding position a bit severe) or even the BMW F650GS (probably too pricey) I like the old Yamaha XT600 but they're not too easy to find and might not be quick enough.

What do you think?
 
180kg will limit your choice - otherwise Versys 650

If happy with a single get an XCouintry as recommended by many on here
 
Hornblower said:
That looks and sounds like a great bike. Just a tad on the heavy side for me.
Click to expand...

I was just going to type that it's only around 140Kg, but thought I'd better check and it seems your right, over 180 Kg wet.....

No wonder my wife thought the bike was heavier than the Bonneville.......
 
KTM Duke ? £1995

There are bound to be a whole shedload of screens and things to bolt on for more weather protection :nenau

$_57.JPG
 
Suzuki XF 650 Freewind. Comes in at around 160kg dry and quite good fun. Decent ones are around a grand.
 
If you do distance I would avoid the big singles as they aren`t as comfortable at motorways speeds. I would go for one of the 600 - 800 twins. Plenty to choose from and most will do everything the 1100 will apart from spacious pillion accommodation and the reassurance/steadiness that the big bikes mass has once on the move.
I have a low mileage Transalp 600 that I have covered 6000 miles on in the last 8 months and it is a great bike. I have always had a hankering to give the Versys a try though.
 
I was in much the same situation last year - found the 1100 a bit heavy and a handful when stop start through town. Honda were offering 0% on a new CB500X and I haven't regretted it. It's fast enough (47hp) and has the upright riding position and "adventure" styling. The fuel consumption is amazing at over 75mpg and it feels a lot lighter. In fact, I've hardly ridden the 1100 since (tried to sell it on ebay but got messed about so much by buyers that never turned up that I gave up and decided to keep it).

Not sure whether Honda are still offering 0% though.

Rob
 
Personally I'd look at the R1150R - even though the weight is similar because it's not as tall it's much more manageable and you still get as good a ride and an engine you know and love. I understand if they weight is still an issue. In that case it's tricky because the good alternative BMWs fall outside of your price range (F800R, R1200R, etc.)

The Versys is a tall bike but otherwise might suit. The engine has a better top speed than the 1100GS but it won't be as smooth at speed obviously. The ER6N and ER6F are the same engine in a smaller package but to be honest the build quality is a bit of a shock if you're used to the GS (lots of flimsy bits!)

A friend of mine had a bad back (herniated disc) and sold his Fireblade for a 1250 Bandit. I rode it and it felt like a monkey bike compared to my GS. Plenty of power in that but he had a naked one and got bored of the wind blast.
 
Moto Guzzi v7 Scrambler (doesn't meet your £2.5k, but feck it.................it's delicious)

179kg

50bhp

Shaft drive

Fuel Injection

Kudos and heritage
 

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Transalp ! Bought an old 600 as a hack and was pleasantly suprised at its performance.
Great fun bike to ride.
 
Ok, thinking outside of the box here......

Yamaha-TMAX-530.jpg


Rave reviews from their riders.
Better weather protection than an RT or any full-dresser.
Regardless of what some might think, I reckon they look cool as fuck in the right colours. :thumb2
Will keep up with most 'conventional' bikes
Has as much luggage in-built as many twatted up panniered bike
Minimal legover problems
Two up capable but also handle

Yamaha_Tmax_500_Sur_Circuit_acpz4.jpg


I must admit I haven't looked at prices, but super-scoots have been around for a while and I'd be surprised if you couldn't get something tasty for your budget :beerjug:
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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