What Bike Next?

[HippoDrone]

Haha, looks are definitely important with a bike!

 

[HippoDrone]

All I can suggest is to window shop in bike dealers and sit on the ones you like the look of.

I had hoped the bike show at the NEC would help as they are all under one roof.... all it did really was add more confusion as to what to do and added a spanner into the works with the SWM SM500R (which would be poop for munching miles (but ace at trackdays and green laning)

(I know these are tall but they weigh nothing and are very skinny)

 

[lupin]

Maybe it’s time for a grom.

 

[HippoDrone]

ha, I did take one for a demo ride a couple of years back.... they are kinda fun, but not ultimately my cuppa tea!

 

[R-Rated]

All I can suggest is to window shop in bike dealers and sit on the ones you like the look of.
Then test ride any serious contenders.
I agree, don't bother with CC or BHP.

Its all about the looks

So says every Harley rider in my area.

Just kidding.

 

[R-Rated]

I had hoped the bike show at the NEC would help as they are all under one roof.... all it did really was add more confusion as to what to do and added a spanner into the works with the SWM SM500R (which would be poop for munching miles (but ace at trackdays and green laning)

(I know these are tall but they weigh nothing and are very skinny)

I like that. You could throw on some dual sports wheel/tires and go trail riding too!

Imagine the video views of you barging into a reenactment from the trail because noone ever thought to block that route in!

 

[HippoDrone]

hahaha

 

[Mr. G]

You are not making this easy.

I say that because naked and sport bikes are going stand taller in the inseam. Cruisers will put a person's butt closer to the ground which would give you the best stance at a stop. But you will lose lean angle and probably not be able to hang with the sportbike track day crowd.

So that would steer towards shaving the seat and dropping the suspension on a naked or sport bike.

If you carry camera or regular gear more than 50% of the time I would try the FJR1300AE. Check with the track to see what mods (like removing the panniers) would need to be done. I would check if your drone would fit in the bag too.

If that bike would not work then the Yamaha MT-10 with shaved saddle and dropping the suspension might be good.

Both are 4 cylinders and from the videos I watch, I think you need 3 or 4 cylinders for the style of riding you tend to do.

I did not ride the MT-9 but in the review of the MT-10 I did, there was a tall guy and gal on the MT-9 and that bike seemed to do well with them.

Just my 2 cents worth. Sorry I do not have more experience on other bikes out there.

I am short as well. My -09 And 10 are both doable with small suspension drop. I reciwed both bikes on my channel. Suspension will need some adjustment to but nothing major
Imho

 

[HippoDrone]

I am short as well. My -09 And 10 are both doable with small suspension drop. I reciwed both bikes on my channel. Suspension will need some adjustment to but nothing major
Imho

Am not really a fan of lowering bikes either as it affects the weight distribution, the steering geometry and relative wheelbase which all reduce how well it would handle. am more after options for a bike out the box that suits me. As you can see with me posting a supermoto as an option, the seat height can be overcome by reducing weight and a narrow seat/bike

 

[Theodor]

If you lower front and rear equally, how will it affect the steering geometry and weight distribution?
I might be interested in reading it, if there is any supporting data on the subject.

 

[HippoDrone]

by lowering the bike you are changing the relative wheelbase which even if you maintained the same angle with the forks you would make the bike harder to turn as the leverage between the bars and wheel would be reduced. you would also need to stiffen the suspension as it would have less travel available which again would be detrimental to the bikes handling.

 

[Mr. G]

by lowering the bike you are changing the relative wheelbase which even if you maintained the same angle with the forks you would make the bike harder to turn as the leverage between the bars and wheel would be reduced. you would also need to stiffen the suspension as it would have less travel available which again would be detrimental to the bikes handling.

I think you can get away with lowering an inch to an inch and a half without noticable effect. Unless you are a track Rider and you really push the engineering of the bike.

 

[HippoDrone]

I want to ride the bike on track, hence me not wanting to mess the handling up!

 

[Theodor]

...

I agree with the bit about reducing suspension travel, but leverage bit can't be a problem. You are not changing the wheels diameter nor how far the shocks are from wheel center. It only reduces distance between wheel and steering stem, if that is the correct name for it, in English (The point where steering bit connects to the frame). But you are not reducing the handlebars distance from the steering stem. So if there is any difference at all, you are giving your hands more relative leverage.

 

[HippoDrone]

I disagree but, either way, I don't want to spend thousands on a bike and then have to spend another £1k+ on sorting the suspension to have it IMO handle worse than it was designed to handle.... The Moto GP bikes would have shorter suspension and sit lower to the ground if it improved things as a smaller bike would be more aerodynamic.

So back to original question, what bikes are there that out the box that are similar to the KTM 790 Duke and the Triumph Street Triple 765?

 

[Mr. G]

I disagree but, either way, I don't want to spend thousands on a bike and then have to spend another £1k+ on sorting the suspension to have it IMO handle worse than it was designed to handle.... The Moto GP bikes would have shorter suspension and sit lower to the ground if it improved things as a smaller bike would be more aerodynamic.

So back to original question, what bikes are there that out the box that are similar to the KTM 790 Duke and the Triumph Street Triple 765?

That I totally understand

 

[Mr. G]

Kawasaki z series of naked sport. Suzuki naked sport. Yamaha fz series, Ducati monster series and now scrambler series too. Do you really want more of the same?

 

[HippoDrone]

I've ridden the Suzuki, didn't really like it much although the engine is a peach. The Kawasaki looks kinda cool, but it is quite heavy. Am not getting another Ducati (I keep saying that but always seem to end up with one lol) The Yamaha MT-09 SP could be a contender....

I guess when the time comes I'll have to demo a few, but currently it is only a 3 horse race!

Thanks for all the input guys, appreciated.

 

[Mr. G]

I've ridden the Suzuki, didn't really like it much although the engine is a peach. The Kawasaki looks kinda cool, but it is quite heavy. Am not getting another Ducati (I keep saying that but always seem to end up with one lol) The Yamaha MT-09 SP could be a contender....

I guess when the time comes I'll have to demo a few, but currently it is only a 3 horse race!

Thanks for all the input guys, appreciated.

What are the three contenders? Did I not read everyrhing

 

[HippoDrone]

KTM 790 Duke
Triumph 765 Street Triple RS
Yamaha MT-09 SP