Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Yamaha YZF750R - 120bhp
Suzuki GSX-R750L - 115bhp
Aprilia RSV Mille - 128bhp
Honda CBR954RR Fireblade - 154bhp (getting a bit spicy there alright)
BMW R1200S - 122bhp
Ducati 900SS - 80bhp (also do like)

Newer 1000s have gotten a lot lairier than what was around twenty years ago!

TRX850 actually appeals to me quite a bit too but it seems silly to buy another bike with the same engine I've got in my XTZ...

Good point well made. fair enough.

You could well be right though, maybe I should be looking at a 600cc instead?
I suppose as side notes I should say that I'm not planning to go nuts in terms of budget, probably somewhere in the region of €5,000...

I'd get a k5 gsxr750 because I've always wanted one.
Then I'd realise it's not for me, sell it and get a street triple or hypermotard

am i the only one that thinks the tailpipe on that aprilia is - though "correct" - horrendous looking? i'd be looking for something far more diminutive.

This. Always dreamed of owning a Daytona 675. I borrowed one for a week, and it was fucking incredible, but realised that I’d need to live somewhere with buttery sweeping tarmac to truly enjoy it.

Street triple for hooning.

https://youtu.be/N5Ve17WoIpg?si=saJXbKewgpLGmWiv

So in terms of the naked chat my problem is that I am entirely in love with the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100, which sadly is out of budget at present...

I could buy a V4 1000, which is out of budget but not wildly expensive, but I'll then just be sad that I don't have a V4 1100...

Same goes for the first and second generation Tuono 1000, they are at least in budget and while they're obviously bloody brilliant bikes I'm so smitten by the V4 1100 that I think it would be an unhappy choice.

Perhaps I need to look at it as a more stepping stone type purchase and think with my head rather than my heart?

Too fast a bike anyway unless you go track or like prison, or second gear only.

Tuono 1000 factory will be mega and all you need.

See this is the sense I need to listen to... I do wonder how similar the frame on the earlier Tuono 1000 is and if I could just get the newer bike fairings and mod it?

I can't quite put my finger on it but there's just something about the first and second generation ones that doesn't appeal to me?

Get a street triple then if you fit.

I owned a 990 KTM 125 bhp, was perfect. Could thrash it and not fear prison. The blackbird I had I sold due to well reasons.

If I fitted on a street triple I'd have one. Go try a load of bikes like that and see which feels right when you sit on it.

Maybe these something nicer now, ktm 790?, I haven't looked at motorbikes in a bit as I cant afford something other than my drz.

Late model Tuono twins are exquisite. Fabulous engine, drop dead gorgeous frame and feel much nimbler and flickable than the V4. Better street bike IMO.

929/954 Blades are great bikes, bullet proof, smooth, relatively comfortable too. Probs more like 125-30 wheel horse power and civilized with it.

Wouldn’t get a 600 - they all need screaming to get going quick. Gets tiring, if you’re not in the mood.

I don't know why Triumph doesn't appeal to me all that much... same goes for Ducati in some ways as a nice Monster would be a good shout too...

I do wonder if I want a sports bike at all to be honest or if it's just a scratch I need to itch and a naked is exactly the right choice because I know well the naked will be a lot more fun/ more enjoyable to live with in the real world...

To be honest I probably won't purchase until after Christmas but winter can be a good time to find a bargain!

Interesting feedback on the Tuono, I think I probably need to spend some time with one and see how I feel about it in person because for now I'm so smitten with the 1100 I just can't imagine owning a V2...

I would quite like a 954 at some stage though alright, Tadao Baba's favourite of all the 'Blades!

Danger of a rubbish thread page without more photos...

Early ones ('92, '93) were the best IMO. However, the 954 is I believe the lightest of all the blades.

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Dream bike is an RSV4. The noise alone. There’s fuck all anywhere I’d ever truly use it.

Twins for me personally are pure gold. Just so much character compared to the modern parallels. Love me a Vtwin. Saying that however, the Ducati I had ages ago was civil up to a point, then it truly went ballistic. Scary fucker when at peak torque.

I think THINK, if you’re after a classic in-line screamer, the 954 isn’t as mental as it seems. They’re quite civilised things. I’d love one, they’re quite cheap and I love the dimensions. Seemed smaller than a 600RR, which I loved. It stroked your ego abs made you feel much faster than you were really going.

Agreed, the very first of them are fantastic. I've always thought the YZF750R was even prettier though to be honest and the idea that the 954 was the creator of the Fireblade's favourite Fireblade makes them very appealing.
@chak that sort of talk of how civilised the 954 is makes it even more appealing as a first proper sports bike to be honest.

I drove the XTZ down to the local bike shop for tyres this afternoon and much as I love it it's definitely not scratching the sporting itch...

Look at those gorgeous headlights!

The 929 / 954 really are civilised - smooth, loads of midrange grunt and totally planted. The fit and finish is the usual delightful high end Honda too. Proper all rounders but fast when you want them to be.

Have a go on a Tuono, or similar year RSV, the rotax twin is an absolute peach....vibe free and incredibly linear, friendly power. The V4s are amazing but they're really only faster over 8-9K where you're already into STUPID territory. They feel more 'racey' / less playful too.

You could probably get both a 954 Blade, a late model Tuono V2 and still have a chunk of change left over from the price of a Tuono V4....If I had to choose one, it'd be the Honda.

Interesting, I hadn't really thought about the lunacy factor of the V4 1100 but it's all pointing towards something like the 954 being a better choice as you say!

Seems like I need to go and find some bikes to try out and get a feel for them!

Street/Speed/Daytona. Have owned the Street/Speed and test ridden the Daytona. The Daytona was the one that really made me say Holy Fuck out loud 😂👌

plus one for the 954

I had a street, which made me want the Daytona. Street was a theft liability so never got the Daytona. Till I had a ride on it.
Good lord. I’ve ridden ‘faster’ bikes, but the way that bike tracked corners was a delight.
Dimensions were spot on for me, but the gearing was awful compared to the nakeds. 70 in first was absurd.

I’d love to own one. In black and gold please.

Yes. And even on my 600, because it's an i4 the "fun" gear is 2nd - that's it. Go much higher and instead of revving from say 30 to illegal you're revving from illegal to incredibly illegal.

Hence why I sold the Blackbird and got the CBR F3. You can still use gears above first

I can still recall my time in the top of 6th vividly. Fuck me I felt alive.

Streets are so good aren't they?! And the Daytona, man if only I had a decent commute!