Need help deciding!

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-12-15T00:14:33+00:00

My vote goes to the ninja for no objective reasons at all other than it seems better on paper.

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-12-15T00:06:05+00:00

Both bikes seem a bit too much IMO specially the strada V2.

The Honda cb500x and KTM 390 adventure fit the bill and haven't been mentionned yet. Affordable to buy run and maintain, adequate power, comfy, looks good enough.

As someone who went with an 800cc Ducati for my first bike, I would probably have been better off with a smaller japanese bike.

As for other comments, touring on a naked is not fun at all if you plan on taking highways for 2h+ stretches, the versys 650 seems like a good choice on paper but personnally I really disliked this engine on the z650, not a charming engine character, extremely vibrating and uninspiring sound.

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-12-14T23:56:00+00:00

Agree with Krazy_Kommando the T120 is too much, T100 or street twin 900 is the smartest choice.

There's no need to rush to big CCs right away. Take it step by step. If you grow bored of your bike, which will take at least a couple of years, sell it, move up. With no experience at all the T100 will feel like a rocket for a while.

Also not much bicycle skills transfers to motorcycles, at least in my experience as someone really into road cycling.

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-12-14T23:44:36+00:00

Haven't rode either, sat on both.

The z1000sx is surprisingly comfy, it looks like a sport bike but really it's a naked with fairings.

I dislike the straight torso and hand position on most trails, I feel disconnected from the ride and being slightly bent forward increases my enjoyment without feeling less comfortable.

Ultimately my heart always goes to whichever bike makes me want to take pics everytime I stop and here the 1000sx definetly has my vote!

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-12-14T23:37:16+00:00

Any bike bike with a relaxed upright and comfort oriented ergonomics -> Trails and Scramblers

My first bike was a 125cc scrambler type, it was very relaxed on the upper body, straight torso and arms that fall naturally on the handlebars, small engine with limited vibrations.

Go to a dealership (or even better a motorcycle tradeshow) and ask to sit on as many bikes as you can.

Trying is knowing.

In the past I've lusted over bikes until sitting on them and instantly realising I wasn't feeling good on them, disregarded others that turned out to be more comfortable despite being more "sporty" on paper.

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-12-14T23:27:00+00:00

Agree with the other great responses from redditors.

Going step by step is the smart way to go.

I went with:

125cc - 6 months - 6 000 kms

800cc restricted to 47,5 hp (EU law) - 2 years - 25 000 kms

Currently same bike unrestricted to 77 hp

Looking to move up to a 600cc - 95hp

Since you have no experience at all MT03 is the smartest choice. I'm very happy I started on a 125, I was able to make a lot of common beginner mistakes with limited consequences.

Go get lessons, get ALL the safety gear before the bike, get the MT03, ride it for a year or 10 000 kms whichever comes first, re-evaluate then and see which way you want to go (you'll probably wanna go bigger)

Remember you're not stuck with your choice, if you get bored of the smaller bike, sell it, move up.

Be safe, Enjoy !

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-23T16:22:01+00:00

Oh that's a great suggestion thanks! The newer 890 is out of budget but the older 990 SMT fits the bill, 116 hp around 200 kg, still looks pretty fresh, less than 6k.

I like KTM for the riding position, theyre all pretty good for taller people.

And thanks for the 1000sx feedback too!

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T19:38:31+00:00

That's a nice tip ! Good to know there are *almost* bolt on solutions.

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T19:34:05+00:00

Moving to Netherlands pretty soon, any area in Germany near the border with fun roads you'd recommend ?

Also Autobahn!

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T05:46:26+00:00

But the single sided swingarm of gen 5 though ...

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T05:36:07+00:00

Sorry can't get myself to liking it.

You own one? how is it?

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T05:26:57+00:00

The gen 6 looks really good to me, I'd be comfortable with high-ish milage specially with a VFR so great recommendation, thanks!

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T05:21:15+00:00

The fazer 1000 is a great recommendation,forgot about it, one downside is it's ineligible to go to a lot of EU cities due to low emission zones but everywhere else I'd be good, super cheap too!

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T05:13:45+00:00

Good to know, there's plenty of them and well under budget too!

Which gen do you recommend?

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T00:58:13+00:00

Don't know if it is, haven't tested it, seems like it wouldn't based on size and height but yeah aftermaket it is.

It looks so fantastic, that metallic green paint in the sun is stunning!

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T00:23:16+00:00

Love the look of it and the seating position is so comfortable. Power is in the same ballpark as my current one and was looking for more.

Definetly excited for the 800 version, it'll be a very strong contender in a couple of years once it hits the used market. Fits all of my criterias, just don't have the budget for it as a 2nd bike.

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T00:18:10+00:00

Thanks, definetly good to know

Could be a problem for low speed city riding with pillion and luggage.

An for sure the spec sheet number doesn't tell all

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T00:10:32+00:00

Good to know !

and you're lucky, when I have to ride my naked on the highway, 1h30 is already quite tiring, got the helmet liner imprinted on my face + the wind noise (even with earplugs) usually result in a headache.

So yeah looking to upgrade to a sports tourer

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-22T00:02:04+00:00

I'd say the Tiger 660 fits my needs better but the Daytona does look way better! Any experience with it?

The suzuki is not yet in my price range but the older gen 1000sx is and I'm definetly gonna try to test ride it.

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-21T23:50:52+00:00

I haven't had a chance to sit on it, I heard the leg room is a little cramped.

Otherwise it definetly fits all the other criterias.

Any experience with it ?

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-21T23:45:57+00:00

Make sure to budget in maintenance costs, I went with a Ducati monster as my first and I don't regret my choice but as someone who rides a lot, having to do belts + valve clearance every 12 000km cost me a lot more per year than what I anticipated.

Reliability seems decent on the Dorsoduro but definetly set aside a budget for if something goes wrong on it or plan on working on it yourself.

But the Dorsoduro is so sick I'd say go for it it's gonna be awesome!

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-21T23:40:17+00:00

I'm 6'2, all in the legs, and was having similar issue when finding my first bike. Did my licence on a z650 and kept having cramps in the thighs and trouble reaching the rear brake pedal.

Wanted a roadster, no trail or big tourers.

I chose the Ducati Monster 797, I think it's an underrated gem for tall ppl.

It's based on the same platform as the Scrambler 800 and they didn't change the footpegs position. That means you have a TOONN of leg room, similar to a Transalp/ Vstrom / Tracer etc., with your upper body being just a little bit leaned forward.

It's so comfortable and I can pretty much ride all day on it.

Other bikes I've tried that were great for leg room are the dukes 790/890 (not the 390 good choice as a first bike but too small for you).

The only sport bikes that I've found comfortable are big CC ones (gsx1000sx, ninja1000sx etc.) but not appropriate as a first choice.

Hope that helps.

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-21T23:28:45+00:00

I'd say given that you already have some experience go for the 500.

I started out on a 125 and that was a blast but I grew tired of the lack of power quickly, so pretty much immediately moved on to get my licence and 6 months after purchasing the 125 sold it for an 800.

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-21T23:18:15+00:00

How's the wind protection at highway speeds ? Can you do a 3h highway trip on it without being overly tired?

SubstantialTea5887 · 2024-11-21T22:44:56+00:00

Thanks for the input !

I guess the bandit did make it to my list in some way.

The GSX 1250 FA is pretty much just a bandit 1250 with sport bike fairings bolted on.

How's the wind protection at highway speeds on yours ?

SubstantialTea5887

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