1250 Replacement

So if you were to change out your 1250 what would you replace it with?

To be honest, NFI.

perhaps a 1000 V Strom or similar from another manufacturer but not even sure about that.

Good question. I've never been able to work out whether I really wanted to try out the adventure-touring category of bikes, so I'd probably be tempted by one (of the seriously many) that are available. Choosing the right one without prior a-t ownership experience would be difficult.

But if I was stay with something like a Bandit, ie big, torquey 4-cylinder bike good for hard-top touring, I'd be trying to save my pennies for an Aprlia Tuono 1100 RR or RF.  

I'm not sure either. I'd test ride much as I could. I could be tempted by a Busa or jump camp to something like a Yamaha mt09 or mt10. Or go old school and pick up a gsx1400

I think only you could answer. 
You need to ask what your requirements before you look. 
I could suggest bikes,  but for me, I want.......,  reliability.....performance. ......comfort. .....and be able to ride around Australia.

A Yamaha FJR 1300.

It depends on why you're replacing it.
If looking for another sports tourer and new at that you're spoiled for choice, tech, features etc that should have been on the 1250 in the first place. But you'll pay for them. Personally my VFR1200F is the best bike I've ever owned. But 2 of my good mates don't rate them at all. Do I care? 

Ducati Monster of some sort . Or a cheap gsx 1400 ,but they seem to hold their value well .

Now if they put that 1250 engine into a GSXS1000  the we would have a weapon!   MT10, Street Triple, GSXS1000 are other options that aren't too over the top price wise?

On second thought a Triumph Thruxton .

gus wrote:Ducati Monster of some sort . Or a cheap gsx 1400 ,but they seem to hold their value well .

Coincidentally, I was talking to a mate who rides a Ducati Monster 800? and he was telling me how it was a pain to start in the colder weather but since getting his iridium plugs it starts a little bit easier.


I said my old bandit has never been an issue to start - hit the start button and she fires up first time almost every time.

Don't know if it is just his bike but he also said the handling was not great either which surprised me as I thought al things DUCATI was good.

Ive got a 1200 so the OP question does not aply to me.

gus wrote:On second thought a Triumph Thruxton .

Serious @gus? why?

reddog wrote:

gus wrote:On second thought a Triumph Thruxton .

Serious @gus? why?

He's English

When I wrote off my GSX/FA I bought a Kawasaki Versys 1000 and I am really happy with it. They are a much overlooked bike but well worth a look and for me it gives me the upright riding style I was looking for and the motor is fantastic. The reports I read say that they are heavy but I do not find it too bad at all and the riding position is very comfortable.

Depends what you want the bike to do. 

I wouldnt mind a Speed Triple, the new one. But they dont have decent luggage packages. Or decent screens. The Trophy is detuned so pointless. 

I dont mind the Kawi Z1000sx but it has less power than the FA. Meh.

A MT-10 Touring could work but again. Meh. 

Think I will keep the FA.

Ewok1958 wrote:Good question. I've never been able to work out whether I really wanted to try out the adventure-touring category of bikes, so I'd probably be tempted by one (of the seriously many) that are available. Choosing the right one without prior a-t ownership experience would be difficult.

But if I was stay with something like a Bandit, ie big, torquey 4-cylinder bike good for hard-top touring, I'd be trying to save my pennies for an Aprlia Tuono 1100 RR or RF.  

I tried a 1000cc KTM thing the other week. Too frigging tall, I needed help off the damn thing. 

And on the Tuono, just get a Gixxer or the likes and put normal bars on it. Save heaps and faster.

1st choice would be Vstrom 1000 - bigger seat area good for 2 up, upright, good power and torque, heaps of accessories, well priced goes almost anywhere.

2nd choice would be a HD XL1200C - LOADS of accessories - Ive got the HD dog a log and there is so much you can change on these bikes to suit you. Forward controls, seats, back rests, luggage, hand controls, factory engine mods including heads, cams, EFI, chrome, pipes, paint, suspension (fully adjustable bound rebound preload etc) Why a HD? dunno they are just so good at instilling brand loyalty.

3rd choice - find a Bandit / FA in run out and buy it before they all go.

Now that Suzuki has decided to release a 1000cc V-Strom with gold, spoke wheels, I'd give the adventure-touring a try!  But not in the middle of a house changeover.

Ewok1958 wrote:Now that Suzuki has decided to release a 1000cc V-Strom with gold, spoke wheels, I'd give the adventure-touring a try!  But not in the middle of a house changeover.

Is there other colour choices, looks like a bloody bumble bee 

A mate has asked for help looking for a bike which has bought a new bike to me on the radar. Kawasaki Z1000sx. 

I will have a look at one today and maybe ride one.

Chook wrote:

Ewok1958 wrote:Now that Suzuki has decided to release a 1000cc V-Strom with gold, spoke wheels, I'd give the adventure-touring a try!  But not in the middle of a house changeover.

Is there other colour choices, looks like a bloody bumble bee 

Not a fan of that at all and I like Suzuki's

Given that I keep my bikes for a fair while , & will be retiring at the end of the year , probably the practical thing to do would be to buy a 650 to 1000cc & lighter to push around / manhandle for future use . The Bandit suits my needs at the moment with no problems , but whether it's weight will be an issue in the future remains to be seen ................as for make or type ...............no idea; I guess I would have to plonk my bum on as many as I could & try them out.  Either way , it would have to be a good all rounder & not need the house to be remortgaged to buy it ..................bloody hell ..........I'm starting to sound like an old fart already 

I took a  3 year old XL1200C for a test ride today. With forward foot controls and mini ape hangers it looked almost gawdy but in reality once you start riding it felt very neutral and relaxed. Much the same feeling as a strom.
Keeping in mind of what style of bike it is the the riding style that goes with it, I must say I enjoyed the ride.
Chunky controls that were slow and defined to use but that felt good to me on this bike. Sounded great. No need to rev it hard as the torque freight train pulled you wherever you wanted to go with ease.
Seemingly simple instrumentation but it tells you want you need to know. I like it for what it is. A sunny sunday cruiser to enjoy some open country highway somewhere, a lunch at a country pub and a cruise back home for a hot shower and a coffee. Ahhhhhh bliss.

Summed up I found this bike had fit, finish and detailing far superior to the C109T I tested. The 109 felt like you were sitting on top of a freight train at speed whereas the HD felt you were actually in control of it.
my2cents

Ironman wrote:I took a  3 year old XL1200C for a test ride today. With forward foot controls and mini ape hangers it looked almost gawdy but in reality once you start riding it felt very neutral and relaxed. Much the same feeling as a strom.
Keeping in mind of what style of bike it is the the riding style that goes with it, I must say I enjoyed the ride.
Chunky controls that were slow and defined to use but that felt good to me on this bike. Sounded great. No need to rev it hard as the torque freight train pulled you wherever you wanted to go with ease.
Seemingly simple instrumentation but it tells you want you need to know. I like it for what it is. A sunny sunday cruiser to enjoy some open country highway somewhere, a lunch at a country pub and a cruise back home for a hot shower and a coffee. Ahhhhhh bliss.

Summed up I found this bike had fit, finish and detailing far superior to the C109T I tested. The 109 felt like you were sitting on top of a freight train at speed whereas the HD felt you were actually in control of it.
my2cents

I've only ever ridden a Dyna which was fun, & made my belly jiggle at the lights   ,but from what I have read , the sporty 1200 is the stand out bike ( despite the wanker view of it being a girls bike ?????? ) Despite it's weight , the seating position may suit what I would be looking for .

Comes down to price point too. 

My thought process is 
what sort of riding will I want to do with it and where will I ride it?
Will it be solo riding or 2 up
luggage carrying capability (lets face it, your phone + wallet and house keys isn't enough for even a day trip)
Will the bike fit me and my pillion?
enough power for 2 up overtaking?
does it "float my boat"?

I know of a guy who bought an kwaka H2 - looked like a monkey humping a football, but he liked it so that's his choice.