Hello everybody,
By any measure I'm in my geezer years but I don't have a lot (about 12 years) of riding experience. I learned to ride about 50 years ago but stopped after one year and resumed 40 years later when I retired, that's a bit more than a decade ago. I've owned a just a few bikes none of which could remotely be considered a performance unit. I'd rate myself "very ordinary" in the motorcycle riding department.
I'm searching for a light weight replacement for my DL 650 VStrom, which I'm now finding difficult to manage in some parking situations. I short listed the Ducati 696, a couple of Hondas and a couple of Kawasakis and of course the Street Triple, which is why I'm here.
I eliminated the 696 because of its small fuel tank and too sporty riding position and I've pretty much eliminated the Kawasakis for various reasons. The Honda CB500 series are the sensible answer to my problem but I'm not looking for sensible at present, I'm looking for a combinaiton of practical and entertaining. The Striple (am I allowed to be so familiar?) has moved to the top of the list for now at least.
I had a brief test ride on a standard 2013 bike last Friday and just loved the engine and brakes but I'm not so sure about the suitability of the suspension. In this area pretty much anything other than a main road is narrow and rough and has potholes and broken edges, and who would want to confine his/her riding to the main roads? The riding position is much more sporty than my Suzuki but not as extreme as the 696 and I think I could get used to it. On my brief (35 km) test ride I was bucked out of the seat a couple of times riding on a road that would be considered better than average around here. I know the suspension on the 'R' model is fully adjustable but I've sat on one and could barely move the front suspension. I only weigh about 64 kg (144 lbs) and I question whether the R suspension could be adjusted sufficiently to provide me with an acceptable ride on our rubbish roads.
I've done some reading on the net but I'm still very much in the learning phase as regards these bikes and look forward to learning what I need to know on these forums.
By any measure I'm in my geezer years but I don't have a lot (about 12 years) of riding experience. I learned to ride about 50 years ago but stopped after one year and resumed 40 years later when I retired, that's a bit more than a decade ago. I've owned a just a few bikes none of which could remotely be considered a performance unit. I'd rate myself "very ordinary" in the motorcycle riding department.
I'm searching for a light weight replacement for my DL 650 VStrom, which I'm now finding difficult to manage in some parking situations. I short listed the Ducati 696, a couple of Hondas and a couple of Kawasakis and of course the Street Triple, which is why I'm here.
I eliminated the 696 because of its small fuel tank and too sporty riding position and I've pretty much eliminated the Kawasakis for various reasons. The Honda CB500 series are the sensible answer to my problem but I'm not looking for sensible at present, I'm looking for a combinaiton of practical and entertaining. The Striple (am I allowed to be so familiar?) has moved to the top of the list for now at least.
I had a brief test ride on a standard 2013 bike last Friday and just loved the engine and brakes but I'm not so sure about the suitability of the suspension. In this area pretty much anything other than a main road is narrow and rough and has potholes and broken edges, and who would want to confine his/her riding to the main roads? The riding position is much more sporty than my Suzuki but not as extreme as the 696 and I think I could get used to it. On my brief (35 km) test ride I was bucked out of the seat a couple of times riding on a road that would be considered better than average around here. I know the suspension on the 'R' model is fully adjustable but I've sat on one and could barely move the front suspension. I only weigh about 64 kg (144 lbs) and I question whether the R suspension could be adjusted sufficiently to provide me with an acceptable ride on our rubbish roads.
I've done some reading on the net but I'm still very much in the learning phase as regards these bikes and look forward to learning what I need to know on these forums.
to the forum, nice intro post thanks for that. Have you had a look at the Bonneville at all.
