New bike questions

Hi,

I am still looking for my ideal bike to treat my older, largerbody well,
which my current YZF750 does not. I am ready to buy in the next couple of
months, and have visited dealers, tried on bikes, etc.. Now, I would like
feedback from others who have ridden one or more of these bikes. Bikes
under consideration are:

Kawasaki Z1000 (feels almost too small for me, zero wind protection)
Kawasaki ZRX1200R (feels right, but handling when pushed, lo-tech)
Honda 919 (weird paint, neutered engine, no wind protection)
Aprilia Tuono (tacked together look, will spend $ if looked better)
Suzuki SV1000 (seemingly mixed reviews on this bike)

I ride fast, but not outrageously so, and rode in Napa on 121 and 128.
Also, more locally, Redwood Road, Pinehurst, Mines Road, Bear Creek Rd,
Alhambra Valley Rd, Alice's area, etc..

I also want to be able to ride for an hour to my favorite roads without
needing chirporactor at the end. The bikes all feel great on the showroom
floor, with the ZRX1200R feeling pretty heavy, but I grew up on Japanese
UJMs, so not unfamilar.
Besides, the YZF750 at 497 lbs. is no lightweight.

Thoughts by anyone who has had some seat time with the machines in the
environments mentioned?

- Phil

 

Aka "A VFR with Transwarp Drive".

Might be good deals on it too, as there are rumors of a new Blackbird
coming out.

 

how about the yammy FZ1 ?

or, quite popular with the 'older largebody' set, especially those who
like to ride long distances, most any sort of BMW, either R (boxer) or K
(inline 4). the newer ones (pretty much anything under 10 years old)
have great handling, and while they may seem a bit underpowered compared
with literclass sportbikes, they will haul your butt all over the state at
a good clip and not make you regret the journey afterwards. BMW dealers
give test rides too, and they generally don't mind if you take a used bike
out for a few hours to really get the feel for it. BMW Santa Cruz has a
nice selection of R11x0RT touring bikes and 1 somewhat sportier R1100RSL
model that has particularlly low mileage (damn thing looks brand new, but
is half the price of a new bike).

 

[snip]

The "Clarkie" custom Tuono that was in front of the Aprilia
tent has got to be one of the most beautiful bikes I've seen
in a long time. All black, with a cleaned-up radiator...

That bike I'd almost be willing to pay $12K for.

-- Michael

 

I have a '98 vfr800 and an '01 sv650s. Pinehurst and it's ilk (have you
tried McEuen? ) seem more pleasant on the vfr. At freeway speeds the
vfr is much superior. The sv's greatest advantage is weight, if you're big
that won't help much. I'm 5'6", the svs feels small.

A tall Givi windscreen on the vfr was a mixed gain: It gives much wind/rain/bug
protection but causes buffeting around helmet height that's annoying. I still
use it, but am looking for something better.

bob

 

BMW R1150 GS