View Full Version : Next bigger bike
So the Bandit 400 is very nippy and great fun but I've been looking for the next bike, maybe something bigger as my knees ache after a long ride because the bandit is quite low, would be good to get something slightly more economical but not too slow...
suggestions please :)
prefer naked, would be good to easy fit a top box or saddle bags, used mostly for commuting with occasion pillion.
so far I have been looking at the below but would consider similar models.
Triumph Bonny, Thunderbird, Tiger
Honda CB/CBF 900
not sure about getting a 600 as want a bit of oomph and big enough for riding two up.
I passed my test years ago so can ride anything and am over 40 so not too bothered about insurance.
any advice with experience with the above or similar would be great
Have had a Bonny for almost six years,have done a 3000 mile and 2000 mile trip and know you can sit on her all day without a problem and she just keeps tractoring on !!! :cool:
A 600 has plenty of oomph and is easily big enough for riding two up
Bonnielass
27-02-14, 07:44 AM
Love my Bonnie, got plenty of oomph when need and really comfortable on long rides. Taking her to France this year!!
What about the 1200 or 1250 Bandit - super bike two-up and plenty of oomph.
I imagine it would have a bit more leg room than the 400?
I used to ride most of my time with a pillion and had both the Bandit 600 and 1200.
The 600 was OK two up but it could be hard work (and the pillion wasnt heavy) you have to plan ahead overtaking and braking much more on a smaller bike two up, and I found it quite tiring any distance doing that.
Whereas the 1200 was utterly effortless, stick it in any gear and it just pulled. It also gave the pillion a much smoother ride both accelerating and slowing down due to the smoothness and torque of the bigger engine. Distance on the 1200 was no problem.
You could also load the 1200 up with loads of luggage and a pillion and never really felt it whilst the 600 felt heavy.
Personally I wouldnt choose a 600 again for carrying a pillion and luggage.
MayallRob
27-02-14, 10:22 AM
I know a guy with a Suzuki SV650 that he loves, but I've never been overly keen on the front fairings. I know they're wildly popular bikes, and there must be a reason for that...?
Still, I know the feeling of wanting more power. I ride a 500cc, and I'm saving up for a shiny new bike. Almost fully saved up now (give me three or four more months!)... exciting!
Thanks for the info, I do like the Bonnies and have sat on a couple in Fowlers, a bit worried about wrecking a nice shiney bike with the daily commute though. It's also good to be able to have a popular model to easily source parts, I can get almost anything for the Bandit cheap online or the local suppliers.
I have heard a couple of times that if you want a bigger Bandit then don't bother going from 400 to 600 as there isn't that much of a difference, the 1200 also looks a lot bigger, I raised the back of the 400 with replacement dog-bone links and this made it bearable on the knees but anything over an hour is uncomfortable. I suspect you can do the same to the 1200 if it's a similar setup.
Certainly more to think about....
Any views on large naked Honda's? I noticed on one model that the exhausts were just below the rear seat so may not be good for saddle bags!
wiltshire builders
27-02-14, 04:53 PM
anything over an hour is uncomfortable.
If you managed that then a sports bike would be ok ;-)
Any views on large naked Honda's? I noticed on one model that the exhausts were just below the rear seat so may not be good for saddle bags!
The CB1000 looks amazing and much better quality than the Suzuki.
But if it was my money I'd go for a Speed Triple. Seemless drive, comfortable position, look fantastic and great handling.
I've got an 02 Hornet 600, it's definitely not slow, 90-something bhp - only downside is the bloody tank size - 130 miles to empty :confused:
MayallRob
28-02-14, 08:59 AM
If it was my money I'd go for a Speed Triple. Seemless drive, comfortable position, look fantastic and great handling.
Ah, I didn't consider the Speed Triple! That's a really good looking bike and I never read a bad thing about it in reviews. I love the underseat exhaust version as opposed to the newer ones.
I think it was Senna(Dan) that bought himself a Speed Triple, so he'd be good to speak to.
Ah, I didn't consider the Speed Triple! That's a really good looking bike and I never read a bad thing about it in reviews. I love the underseat exhaust version as opposed to the newer ones.
I think it was Senna(Dan) that bought himself a Speed Triple, so he'd be good to speak to.
Senna has a street triple :)
Why not try a Yamaha Fazer 1000... there's loads for sale very reasonably priced especially 2003 onwards... extremely quick, and as a sports tourer they have higher bars so very comfy to ride and pillion friendly.. I have a 2008 Fz1.. and it's superb.
Why not try a Yamaha Fazer 1000... there's loads for sale very reasonably priced especially 2003 onwards... extremely quick, and as a sports tourer they have higher bars so very comfy to ride and pillion friendly.. I have a 2008 Fz1.. and it's superb.
It's a comfy R1 :cool:
yup... a great description Swanny... couldn't have put it better myself.. :)
Senna(Dan)
01-03-14, 08:47 AM
I have got a street triple and it is a great bike, I love it but have never gone two up as we have 2 bikes and the wife also rides.
The speed is a bit out of my insurance range, and I don't need that extra power when the Senna is there to be abused.
I passed my test last year in my forties,bought an Aprillia Pegasso 650 to ride over winter which is a hoot, but knew I needed something a little bigger and faster for a planned ride to France later in the year. I wanted an upright naked bike and went for an xjr 1300 :),which is prooving great fun ,with loads of passenger comfort,but i did consider Gsx 1400,cb1300,hornet 900,bandit 1200 the xjr has a low saddle height,so fits me the best .
Motorcycle mania in Frome had a street triple,Bandit 1200 (half faired with hard lugage),Vfr,etc and was great about letting a relatively inexperienced rider go for a test ride,pop over and check some out?
Just test rode a Triumph Sprint and really enjoyed it, although not completely naked its very close and had risers fitted on the handlebars to give a more upright ride.
wheelers
02-03-14, 06:10 PM
if you fancy a play try the top end of a 1200 bandit onto the bottom end of a 600 in the 600 frame, get the bigger motor in the smaller frame.
for a genuine tourer (albeit heavy) you cant beat a BMW a K100 will tour all day and good for 250,000 miles if looked after we get them in for servicing with high 100 to mid 200 000 miles on them. shaft drive low maintainance .
A Bonnie is a great bike, I've had two, one solo and one with sidecar. I prefer the 790cc as the 865 appears lumpier. I completed 1000's of miles on the solo with my wife as passenger (The king/queen seat from Triumph is great, the only issue is it is buttoned so water sits in it). Overall excellent
wiltshire builders
03-03-14, 02:43 PM
It's a comfy R1 :cool:
That might be stretching it a little, but I get your point.
Thanks for all your feedback and advice, I have just paid a deposit for the Sprint I rode on Sunday as it made my 400 Bandit feel like a pushbike. I will eventually get a bigger Triumph or similar but can't justify more than a couple of grand at the moment - also would hate to get a nice big bike and put loads of commuting miles on it so until i can change my job to closer to home then something like the Sprint will be perfect. It will make our weekend trips a lot easier with pillion, first ride out this Sunday.... :)
There is also a local factory/unit near Warminster that specialises in Triumph stuff and is a good friend of my neighbour.
Last Train
04-03-14, 11:22 AM
:cool:
Got any pics ?
http://www.budgetbikesuk.co.uk/used/triumph/sprint/955-cc/swindon/wiltshire/7609
MayallRob
04-03-14, 01:19 PM
http://www.budgetbikesuk.co.uk/used/triumph/sprint/955-cc/swindon/wiltshire/7609
Listed as an automatic gearbox. Is that true? Never heard of an automatic bike before...?
MayallRob
04-03-14, 01:20 PM
Listed as an automatic gearbox. Is that true? Never heard of an automatic bike before...?
Scratch that, all of the bikes on the site are listed as automatic :P
Thanks for all your feedback and advice, I have just paid a deposit for the Sprint I rode on Sunday as it made my 400 Bandit feel like a pushbike. I will eventually get a bigger Triumph or similar but can't justify more than a couple of grand at the moment - also would hate to get a nice big bike and put loads of commuting miles on it so until i can change my job to closer to home then something like the Sprint will be perfect. It will make our weekend trips a lot easier with pillion, first ride out this Sunday.... :)
There is also a local factory/unit near Warminster that specialises in Triumph stuff and is a good friend of my neighbour.
Glad you sorted your bike choice mal :cool: any chance of some details on the Triumph unit near warminster?
PS The Triumph Sprint is a nice big bike !!!
http://www.triumphparts.co.uk/
Don't know him yet but he is good friends with my neighbour who speaks very highly of him - that's a good enough recommend for me.
I think the Auto bit is a lazy mistake but may mention it to them on Saturday, I certainly remember there being a lever....
http://www.triumphparts.co.uk/
Don't know him yet but he is good friends with my neighbour who speaks very highly of him - that's a good enough recommend for me.
I think the Auto bit is a lazy mistake but may mention it to them on Saturday, I certainly remember there being a lever....
Thanks for that Mal,have just looked at their website and they carry a few good bits for the Bonny.Always good to have a local stockist :cool:
He sounds like the type of bloke who will do any custom work as well.
they are really nice guys at sprint really helpful and normally loads of bikes breaking that they can get stuff for too. Word of warning thoe, during the nice weather give them a call before you turn up as they mainly do internet business they are not tied to the shop and regularly go out
The guy at Sprint is very helpful and can source bits and pieces ...used him when I had the Legend. Bit tricky to find but usually a native around to show where he is...turn right before the rail line.
Looks like a lot of bike (and luggage) for the money - enjoy!
Listed as an automatic gearbox. Is that true? Never heard of an automatic bike before...?
You can get them. Yamaha do the FJR1300 AS. No clutch lever.
http://www.triumphparts.co.uk/
Don't know him yet but he is good friends with my neighbour who speaks very highly of him - that's a good enough recommend for me.
I think the Auto bit is a lazy mistake but may mention it to them on Saturday, I certainly remember there being a lever....
I've bought parts from him. Funny place, big shed in the middle of a village, but very good and helpful
Got the Sprint today, absolutely great ride back from Swindon stopping at the pub in Avebury for lunch. We have both been out on it this afternoon and it felt okay with a pillion, it has plenty of oomph but was also really good to ride, just felt more comfy. :)
will be out tomorrow and feel confident about the ride out.
Nice one Mal,Itll give you a good chance to stretch it's legs tomorrow have a good one :cool:
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