New bike for Boxer

As a fellow short arse I suggest the F650 would be a better choice
than either the WeeStrom or the F800 (which isn't really dual purpose
to the best of my knowledge). While the DL650 is a great bike (and not
as imposing as it looks - it looks a lot larger than it is), the F650
feels smaller and lighter and closer to the ground (could be
illusory). Haven't ridden the new release Pegaso but apparently it's
likely to be more shortarse friendly than the outgoing model, albeit
less dirt capable in the process.

JL

 

Pardon!

The BMW 800 ST has no claims to being a dual purpose.

If you wanted to try one or two of the wee 650 Bimmers, you might be
pleasantly surprised.

....and, they don't tend to be super expensive.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

The F800 will be released in a GS next year.

Boxer

 

LOL - I can't even pretend that it was a "hudder", coz I was at work. I
suppose that's what I get for surreptitiously checking groups on work time
(shame, betty, shame!) and being in a bit of a rush!

I've been starting the looooong process of bike-looking, prior to
bike-buying. Why? Just because. I'd been looking for info on the BMW F800ST,
simply because it has a low seat option. The negatives, in my mind anyway,
were all financial - and when I mentioned it to my mate, who's a bit of a
guru, he mentioned the WeeStrom as a really good alternative (with the fab
low seat accessory - at extra cost - for short-arses) - and the dual-purpose
thing caught my eye, as a go-almost-anywhere wannabe (no aspirations to
dirt-bunnydom, as I said before, but would like to have the potential to do
dirt if necessary, without having one of those Undie-Changing-Moments...)

Am still very much in info-gathering mode.... my mate also mentioned the
Kawasaki Z750 (shit I hope I got those alphanumerics right this time
<grin>), but while it looks like a fun town-bike, not too sure that I'd like
it on the open road.

If only the Lotto Fairies would be nice to me..... I could have a zippy town
bike, a comfy tourer with a custom low seat, a dirt bike (kids' size, of
course).... and just about anything else I wanted!!!

betty

 

bikerbetty wrote:

Know the feeling. I've been looking at new bikes no for ages, but can't
seem to find something that's just right for me.

I suspect, but haven't tried it, that it's a lower seat option. The 800
is quite (for me) tall.

I didn't really see quite why BM bothered. <shrug> The 800 didn't seem
to me to be much of an advance.

The 650, however, is a nice bike, it's only major drawback is lack of
top end speed to keep up with the lunatic fringe at highly illegal speeds.

Err, yes...know that feeling too.

Scampering along at fairly illegal speeds on large K series BM, over
crest of hill to find the local council have taken away the bitumen for
it's holidays, and left raw clay, helpfully sprayed with water to keep
the dust down.......OMG!

I know I'm stealing Zebee's (probably copyrighted) line here, but have
you looked at the 750 Guzzi...Brevia or Navada?

On paper, they aren't super fast, but the ladies I know who have them
certainly don't hang around.

They are not claimed as dual purpose, but can handle dirt roads
perfectly happily.

Well, yes.

Although having a fleet of bikes isn't too expensive, unless they all
have to be brand new. Rego gets to be a pain, but...<shrug>

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Apparently the low seat option is 790mm, which is the same as my current
bike, and probably about as high as I can manage...

Seeing as I never speed <grin> that wouldn't be an issue... Wouldn't even
attempt to keep up with the lunatic fringe!

the dual-purpose

What fun! Gotta love that slippery wet clay - and how it turns into rock
when it cooks itself onto your bike. Aaaaargh!

I guess one of my other considerations, living in Canberra, is servicing -
not sure what the options are for servicing of Italian bikes here - everyone
I know who has a Ducati seems to spend a fortune on servicing (and it also
seems to take forever, which doesn't seem to bother the (mostly) weekend
warriors - but my bike is my only
transport) - damned kids have had my car since I can't remember when...

betty

 

That's when wing nuts on the rego plate come in handy.

Boxer

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sat, 30 Jun 2007 10:54:21 +1000

You could take a nice ride to Bungendore to get your bike serviced by
Roper who will swear a lot and generally be a fat Pommy bastard but is
good at what he does and knows a hell of a lot about Guzzis. You'd have
to work out if he can do it while you wait, you might have to ride it
there, train home, and pick it up the next evening.

If that is too hard logistically then he'll know who you can trust to
do a decent job.

I think you'd find a 750 Breva with a low seat kit to be a seriously fun
bike with heaps of potential. The Nevada is the same seat height as the
Breva with the kit I believe so if you sit on one of those you'll know how
well your feet touch the ground. Brevas shouldn't cost much to service,
oil change and a poke at the tappets, way cheaper than a Ducati.

MZebee

 

Aaaargh, logistic NIGHTMARE! Only a couple of trains a day from Syd-Cbr, and
then from CBR station, at least two bus rides to get home! I'd have to be
truly madly deeply passionate about Guzzis to consider something like that!

Hmmm, nice try Zebee <evil grin> - but I might have to give the Guzzis a
miss for the time being ;-)

betty

 

Indeed.

Trouble is the bikes sharing a plate kinda need to be fairly similar.

Like, for example, say, hypothetically...um, a pair of elderly
two-stroke Yamaha's.

OTOH, I don't know if a Z50 plate would really work on a Hornet.

Sharing used to work fine for a pair of Kwaka 750's.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

bikerbetty wrote:

That's what I meant...it's lower than standard, but not very low.

Hah so, the story is changing now is it?

Ducati owners are a breed apart. I am sure they _enjoy_ paying a
squillion dollars for a service. Certainly looks that way the way they
are always on about it.

Guzzis, and their owners, are a completely different kettle of fish.
Apart from after horrendous distances, oil and filter changes seem to be
about it.

Anyway, whatever bike you end up getting, you still have to figure out
where you are going to take it for work to be done.

Canberra _must_ have some good motorcycle mechanics, probably not at the
local Honda/Suzi/Yamaha agents showrooms, but hidden someplace, just
like the servos.

Problems servicing is a poor excuse.

Not being old enough and silly enough yet is my excuse.

You will have to come up with some better story or Zebee will be down to
pay you a visit. ;-)

regards,
CrazyCam

 

The Z750 (yes you got the alphanumerics right) is surprisingly good on
the open road, but with 815mm seat height on the 2007 model and 820mm
seat height on the run-out model (same as mine) and no low seat option
AFAIK ..... The seat is bit of a plank too!

 

http://tinyurl.com/26qhh6


Seat Height 795 mm.

Boxer

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sat, 30 Jun 2007 16:27:35 +1000

Nah, I'll send Helen down to offer a test ride on her Breva

Zebee

 

Bugger.... (note to self: look out for this one - he's sharp) ;-)

I have a lovely mechanic, but he only does Jap bikes :-( He does them very
well, too, which is another good reason for getting another Jap bike, I

Eeeeek - the Guzzi mafia....... <snigger>

betty, thinking of more excuses

 

oooh, shiny! For a dollar I'd think about it <grin>.... but the price seems
to have gone up by over 3000%

betty

 

I could even trade a GS500

Boxer

 

You mean a 7 month-old (almost BRAND NEW!) GS500F (the F is important) with
one law-abiding lady owner and a mere 25500kms on the clock??? What an
astute business-person... <grin>

Boxer, Boxer, Boxer.....

betty

 

Should be worth at least $3.50

Boxer

 

well, without the usual accompanying kickindanutz (did I spell that right?)
it seems I'm being short-changed! *sigh* Biology IS destiny.... <snigger>

betty, short-arsed AND short-changed...