Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

The Ducati Hypermotard is a really nice looking thing. Just throwing it into the mix ...

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Could go v strom 650. My mate has one and loves it for what it is. Or versys 650. Both capable and good bikes. Cheap too.

I have a Transalp, not adventured on it, but it's happy bombing along at 80-90 and can be wound up into triple figures easy enough (even with my 18stone lump on it)

I get about 150 miles before needing to fill up, but that is after 20 mile each way commutes, better mileage on longer hauls, maybe 170+?

Upright riding position suits my 6'6" frame better, no issues with buffering over the screen, plenty of room for me to crouch/tuck in if I want aeros.

I've not really ridden that far in 1 go, but I never found it uncomfortable.

v strom 650

I'd rather eat week old baguette. Soooooo boring. This was also on super interesting roads to boot, but the bike just didn't really inspire you even wringing it.
Versys was surprisingly nice. Suspension felt way more sorted and the engine had character.

There's a lot of BMW full gear wankery here, and the couple of 990 amidst them was a breath of fresh air. I'll take the ugly duckling over the ubiquitous shite.

Yeah boring. But good for a job.

Cheap, reliable and will eat miles. Good mpg too.

Says the guy who rides one of the fastest bikes ever made!

Part of the reason for going smaller is to stop me getting carried away.

Multistrada or Tiger would have been my suggestion (not having ridden either).

I don't think bigger is always better, but if you want to potentially move 2 people and luggage on a motorway I'd go bigger.

I reckon you're in more danger of getting carried away on a street triple or 250 ninja than on a large engined duel sport.

Worth thinking about height, etc. I sat on a tiger and it was a bit big for me. Some of the Hondas have a lower seat height relative to the clearance.

Which is super boring!

Word. Despite all it's acolytes, the SV650 is one of the most boring bikes I've ever ridden. Can't imagine what a heavier more upright version would be like.

SV1000 would be worth a look, decent half fairing, cracking engine, v-twin noise and cheap.

I got a Tiger 800 for almost exactly the same reasons as you...rode it up and down to Greece this year, through Italy, all over south and west Switzerland, France, etc etc, and put loads of miles on it in the UK too. Triple engine not for everyone but I love it. Very worthy for consideration! And a 2nd hand model less than 2 years old is easily within your budget, especially as new models just released.

I love, love, love the sound of the triples. Great bikes!

I’ll add the Tiger XR to the list of ones to try for sure - thanks.

It looks to be usefully lighter than many at 210kg but the tank is smallish. Do you remember how far you were going on a tank?

They look great - two slightly bonkers types raced the Baja 1000 on one AND finished. They've got to be pretty tough, even if they were fairly heavily modded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGXz1YOsGwg

In my general experience Tank Range is almost always > Arse Range, irrespective of the bike. I'm pretty sure all the adventure bikes have got larger than average tanks though.

Consider the Tracer 900 if you're looking at the Tiger - not as adventure-y but £2k cheaper, quick, plenty of luggage options, well spec'd & very comfortable on long journeys.

When i had mine, i did 750 miles down the peage to France in 11 hours (inc train crossing).

This is awesome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BHimm_C8yM&t

A good shout I think.

I genuinely loved mine. Got stolen outside a pub in April.... :(

So easy to ride; even 2up or in heavy traffic.

If you end up picking one up, i have a shad topbox plate and SH36 side cases which you have have for major discount off of retail as they weren't installed on the bike when it was stolen.

Impressive.

I know it's not the point, but I reckon with a 125cc ped would have taken out some of the pain of the hilly bits. Nice to see the guy on the dirt bike giving them a hand.

For a lot of the riding it did look like you could probably do it better on a smaller lighter bike rather than a big beemer anyway. Something like my old Derbi Mulhucean would have been quite fun, high exhaust and light enough to pick up if you needed too.

On the subject of small fun bikes I thought these looked cool for a learner bike or just something to ride around London:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RIk-3knCzU

Yeah - a 125 would have been fine but, as you say, isn't the point.

Zach (the tall one of the two) does a great series of videos on the channel where he commutes on various motorbikes and reviews them. He has a really nice presentation style and comes across as a super likeable guy - lots of good videos to catch up on.

Cheers, I'll check them out.

It's nice seeing decent reviews, so many seem to just be marketing hot air.

Loved mine before I sold it!
But my bike experience is small..

I forgot you had one! - I've never ridden an SV1000 but absolutely adored my TL1000S. I imagine it as a more civilised, less flawed cousin.

Great engines...mine made 123hp at the wheel on a low reading Dynojet dyno and stomped all over any of the other twins available at the time, fancy S/SP Ducs included. There was a proper kick in the pants at 6k and on open Remus pipes it sounded like the crack of doom. One of the only bikes I've ever really missed when I eventually sold it.

Actually, far too many sensible suggestions in this thread. There's no reason I can think of why you wouldn't just go and buy this....(only 2k miles and it's even in budget)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-MV-Agusta-BRUTALE-1090-R/122640383620?hash=item1c8defbe84:g:3XAAAOSw8IJZjBDV

:)

^^ Very nice. A friend of mine had one.

It won't match a paracord bracelet the way a 1200 GS will.

Aesthetically, the Gladius is an acquired taste. But it does look good in that colour.