So now what? (what to buy)

[G.Irish]

Now that the Panigale is destroyed, I'm back to square one on the street bike question. I don't feel like buying another brand new 1199 at this point. I liked the bike, but there were too many little issues for me to justify doling out another big wad of currency for one. Maybe it was just first year issues, but the stalling, engine replacement, horn and turn signal malfunctions kinda killed some of my enthusiasm for the bike. If I could get a used one for around $15k maybe.

So on to the contenders

Literbike
Of these the Ape is in the lead as far as lust goes. The practical choice would be the CBR.

2013 Aprilia RSV4R (brand new out the door for $14,700)
2012 BMW S1000RR (used for about $14k)
2012 Honda CBR1000RR (brand new out the door for $11k)

RSV4R Pros
-V4 sexiness
-light
-very good handling
-been on the market a few years
-maintenance not expensive
-has abs, tc, quickshifter, and launch control

RSV4R Cons
-It's Italian. Supposedly they're reliable
-dealership is far (Lynchburg or McHenry, MD)
-poor gas mileage

S1000RR Pros
-stupid power
-top of class performance
-has abs, tc, and quickshifter

S1000RR Cons
-I've already done inline 4's
-somewhat ugly

CBR1000RR Pros
-reliable
-good handling
-good price

CBR1000RR Cons
-already had one
-doesnt have tc or abs (could maybe find a new leftover '12 with ABS tho)

Other
07-11 Triumph 675
2013 Honda CB500F or CBR500R

I was also thinking maybe I should go for something dramatically cheaper for now. There'll be a new R1 in 2014 that will supposedly be a lot more focused and less lardass than the current one so maybe that'd be up my alley. Honda is also supposed to be developing a V4 superbike but I have no idea when that would drop or how much it'd cost. Either way if I go cheaper now it'd be easier to get one in the future.

I think performance wise I could be happy with the 675. The 500 cc Hondas are interesting to me as a Honda guy, and I could do some articles on TOV about them. They're parallel twins, get great gas mileage and have available ABS. Of course there's the fact they only have about 50 hp. A brand new bike for $6500 or less would be cool but I've been riding bikes with 3 or 4 times the power for the last few years so I don't know if I'd enjoy riding one.

[SlimKlim]

I vote, RSV4R, S1000RR or 675 because they're sexy.

If you want to buy a cheaper bike and wait for the '14 R1 why not scoop up a used CBR600RR or R6? You could get one for less than $5k and sell it for about that next year. Granted my bike experience is pretty limited, but I rode an '06 R6 and it was amazing

[Kaan]

no KTM on the list? the cheaper route i'd go is speed triple.

[G.Irish]

I rode an RC8, handling was pretty nice but shifter was shit and it had too many vibes at high rpm. Also, for an 1150cc v-twin it didn't have as much thrust as I thought it would. They might have fixed the shifter in model years after the one I rode though, so maybe it's worth a look if it's cheap enough.

[G.Irish]

I vote, RSV4R, S1000RR or 675 because they're sexy.

If you want to buy a cheaper bike and wait for the '14 R1 why not scoop up a used CBR600RR or R6? You could get one for less than $5k and sell it for about that next year. Granted my bike experience is pretty limited, but I rode an '06 R6 and it was amazing

Yeah that's kind of in the back of my mind. That was sort of the idea with the 675 since they'd cost about what a 675 would. Of the two, I'd go for the 600RR. I've owned one before, but I could certainly live with it as a stop gap bike.

[Kaan]

I rode an RC8, handling was pretty nice but shifter was shit and it had too many vibes at high rpm. Also, for an 1150cc v-twin it didn't have as much thrust as I thought it would. They might have fixed the shifter in model years after the one I rode though, so maybe it's worth a look if it's cheap enough.

from my sniffing around they are ungodly expensive still. the world economic down turn didnt help the evolution of bikes. the traditional bike makers havent made anything "cool" in years, except the exotic-ish bikes you have listed.

[G.Irish]

I rode an RC8, handling was pretty nice but shifter was shit and it had too many vibes at high rpm. Also, for an 1150cc v-twin it didn't have as much thrust as I thought it would. They might have fixed the shifter in model years after the one I rode though, so maybe it's worth a look if it's cheap enough.

from my sniffing around they are ungodly expensive still. the world economic down turn didnt help the evolution of bikes. the traditional bike makers havent made anything "cool" in years, except the exotic-ish bikes you have listed.

This is exactly my thing. Had Honda put on their big boy pants and did a full model change on the 1000RR or even the 600RR, it would've been a no brainer. But no, they basically just put some new shocks and wheels on the bikes and called it a day. To be fair, the ZX-10R had a full model change last year, so maybe I should look at those too. I just don't know if I could get a smoking deal on one.

I have to admit though, riding a bike with a booming soundtrack like the 1199 has kind of spoiled me. It was a lot of fun, and makes me want something else that puts out jimmy rustlin' sound.

[CaptainHenreh]

"I like the power of a 4 cylinder but I've kind of already done that."
"I like the sound that V's make."


I think we both know what the answer is here.

[ispoonwithmugen]

S1000RR but only if you let me touch it (or ride it).

[BLINGMW]

Just curious, for a commuter and something you do take on longer trips now and then... why a supercrazysport bike? I mean, you have a track bike for going fast, wouldn't something a little more comfortable, better for two-up riding, better utility (Versys or V-strom?), or with better fuel economy and cheaper (the 500) be of greater interest?


:dunno: :lol:

[G.Irish]

I've thought about that. I like being able to take my 1000 out on track a few times a year. I also really like riding a supersport. 2 days before the crash I was turning to get onto the highway and went full military power as I stood the bike up. Granted I was only able to shift into 3rd gear before I had to let off, but I fucking love that feeling. One exit down I saw a dude in a Mustang GT500 going WFO up the on ramp, probably similarly inspired by the energy of a warm spring day...

Anyway, you're right, maybe a more streetable bike would be cool. I've never had anything 'comfortable' for the street. I kinda feel like if I don't ride supersports while I can, I may miss my window. But maybe a Hypermotard or 500 would make more sense. I've also kicked around the idea of a supermoto. I like the idea of learning to back it in with a cheap DRZ400SM. Problem is, I know that backing it in proficiently is not easy. Might not be as fun as I had imagined.

[JohnC]

Why not street-ify and ride that SV that's sitting in your garage?

[G.Irish]

That bad boy is going on track as soon as the doctor gives the ok on my shoulder injury (from snowboarding, not the crash).

[Sully]

BMW 1000RR HP4? Its more like your panigale with bells and whistles, isn't it? I don't remember if they have been released yet or how hard they are to get.

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[G.Irish]

The HP4 is cool but more expensive than I feel like paying for right now (it's about $23k), I wanna be under $16k.

[Sully]

I'd still vote for a regular BMW then, they are ugly as hell but damn do they look good on paper.

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[CaptainHenreh]

The ape is the correct answer. When given a selection of bikes, and one of them has a V4 motivator, you take the one with the V4.

[G.Irish]

The ape is the correct answer. When given a selection of bikes, and one of them has a V4 motivator, you take the one with the V4.

Fuck Rex. Fuck. Your logic is sound.

[CaptainHenreh]

Seriously why is this even a question?

[Kaan]