Time to face the facts

Recently I've been giving thought to buying a bike that is easier to
ride than the Gixer. It's not that the bike is too much for normal
people with some riding ability, but since I suffered that TIA last year
my brain can't cope with the high level of coordination that is needed
to keep the thing between the hedges. I don't have the level of control
in my left hand that's needed to ride the Gixer in town or light traffic
either.

I've lost virtually all the feeling and sensation in my left arm and
hand, and though I have fully use and mobilty my hand to eye
coordination is shot to bits; I need something that isn't quite so
demanding and is fun without needing to be over 120mph. Weight of the
bike isn't too much of an issue but seat height is, I'm only 5 ft 8 with
short legs.

The last month or so I've been having a hoot riding round on my
knackered old Bandit, so I'm leaning towards a new or almost new half
faired bike in the same vein, but with a bit more mid-range. Graham at
GLF suggested a Fazer Thou like his and I've cast an eye over the new
Bandit 1200. They're both worthy bikes, but I'd maybe like something a
little bit more exotic as I have the Bandit as a hack and the new one
would be my high days and holidays bike. Anyone got any suggestions for
suitable bikes that are under 6 grand? Even Italian bikes will be
considered, but no BMWs.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Lozzo

You need the mong's weapon of choice, you do.

Pop over for a test-ride once I've sorted the mis-fire.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel said...

Which one, there's so many to choose from?

Am I brave enough?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Lozzo

<puzzled look>

The ZN1300, obviously.

A holder of a proxy-George Medal? Of course you are.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel said...

I've already ridden it, too bulky.

George Cross, not medal. It was my parents and their families who won
that, I was born 17 years after the award was made.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Lozzo

You're not that fat.

Oh... Wait...

Details. Mere details. It's in the DNA.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel said...

I can't see what a Gilera moped has to do with this. I just googled,
Malta was awarded the GC on April 15th 1942, so it was 20 years before I
was born, not 17.

 

No half fairing... get a Z1000, the lack of fairing will keep things
sensible enough, but you won't be short changing yourself on fun.

 

ginge said...

I'd need to ride one. I have a feeling it won't be that far behind the
Gixer in real world terms on the road, and possibly just as frantic.

 

wessie said...

I loikes UglyStradas

If they've sorted that awful gearbox that the 850 had then it could be a
contender.

 

In message <>, Lozzo

Breaks the rules in so many ways but can I suggest a BMW R100R Mystic?

Can I ask that you spend a day with one before replying?

 

Zed thou of course. With an MRA screen on it, it's amost half faired.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Sir needs a dual-sport.

 

Not frantic unless you want 'em to be. Actually, they an be very soft and
piss easy to bimble around on, but get the motor spinning and they become as
mental as you want.

I fucking love mine.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Only one choice: D14/4 Bantam. YKIMS.

 

Though I agree with your decision in principle... I have to say that
that things went down hill after the D7 as the gear ratios of the
4-speed box didn't suit the engine in the same way that the 3-speed box
did.

For my money a D7 motor in a D10 (or later) chassis would be perfect.

Of course a younger bloke might mention an X7...

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4633517467
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4633486442

Seriously, having spent part of the day looking at Italian exotica, I think
you should blag a go on sweller's Guzzi or TOG's Duck - or preferably both -
if only to eliminate that line of enquiry.

 

Good choice, but Pip would be drooling all over it.

 

This.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Lozzo belched forth and ejected the following:

I feel your pain, Brother. I can't help feeling I made a bit of a ding-
dong with my choice of superbike. It's not like I can't ride it but as
most of my riding is urban and sub 70mph, I can't help feeling that I'm
not going to be out of decent roads long enough to get the practice to
ride it properly.

I got a taste for it last weekend and it's that that's gooing to keep me
keeping it but if I don't get much more joy out of it this summer I'll
either have to sell it or move home.

Does it have to be Japanese?

What about a Speed Triple?

Would you consider something a bit older? You mentioned not being
worried about the weight as much as height so perhaps an older 750 or
1000 might suit you.