[Scout]

Okay, wife needs a seat she can sit on for more than 15 minutes without crying, I need a seat wife can sit on for more than 15 minutes without hearing her complain, I'm moving towards slowing down on the street - and I've always appreciated the sport-touring side of things, and since I'm posting in the Suzuki section - I've decided I can now post in run-on sentences. So:

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/4/0/84332040.htm

I'm looking for constructive criticism/ or approval here. Weekend trips, casual twisties, and not too much maintenance drama...

What think you?

[CBRVFR]

How do you know she'll like this seat? And what in the world makes you think there's a connection between the words "Hayabusa" and "slower?"

[phobiaphobe]

I'm thinking the price will drop when the new generation comes out.

[Scout]

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

How do you know she'll like this seat? And what in the world makes you think there's a connection between the words "Hayabusa" and "slower?"

#1 She's sat on one, and it gives more room for gel mod than the 954.


Busa's are slower through the canyons, and while I run about 70-75% of MY capabilities on the 954, I could keep that pace on the Busa - My new solo pace now is my OLD two-up pace (unless I get the occasional itch).

I've just heard good things on the ST side, but want some more input...

CBR1100xx - Can't find one (in CA)
VFR- Too small for me
SV - Ditto
ZRX1200 - Maybe
Bandit 12 - Had one
FZ-1 - Don't like the step seated new model, but it's a contender ('05- older).
V-Strom, Beemer GS, etc. - Not my style
ST1300- Too toury
Goldwing- Waaaay too toury
Any cruiser - Not dead yet
ZZR1200 - Also contender (pricey though).

[Scout]

Oh, and I'm not going to get rid of the 954 yet, it's her bike that would be going.... '03 250 (maybe).

As a sport touring option, and price wise, what do you guys think?

[ConqSoft]

ST1300

[Mojave954]

Get the V-strom... great bike for weekend trips and commuting.

[CBRVFR]

I'd be curious to hear how a 'busa handles with suspension mods sufficient to handle 2-up duty.

Howzabout a Triumph Sprint ST or a FZR1300? SV1000?

[evl_twn]

Multistrada. If I had the cash for one right now, I'd probably own one.

[Scout]

Originally Posted by evl_twn

Multistrada. If I had the cash for one right now, I'd probably own one.

I've heard that was ass-burn right out of the box ??

[evl_twn]

ass-burn?

[Scout]

Conq- I heard it kinda isolates the moto-experience: elements, fun-factor, etc.

I'm not against the FJR-1300 though, I just can't pull it right now.

Mojave- Too small (I think I exceed the GVWR(?) by myself) and not to my taste.

CBRVFR- If I could find a Sprint ST for that same price, I would consider it. BUT there is no local Triumph dealer for about 200 miles.
SV has that same stepped seat, mini-pad thing the new FZ-1 has, and I'd go with the I-4 before the V, as I have grown up with them. Also, I've read the '05 Busa spring rates are better, can be dialed in for 2, and are more compliant(?). I'll get the static sag set, but I'm not going B's out, and am even keeping the stock pipes.


So, to reiterate, the contenders are:

'05-Newer Busa
ZRX or ZZR 12's
'05-Older FZ-1

[Scout]

Originally Posted by evl_twn

ass-burn?

It's reputed to hurt the rear glutimus even more than the plank of a seat CBR's have, and the passenger I'm sure would fare no better. I'm not against them, and would ride the twisties all day on one, if I didn't have a 954. That would be to me a 954 replacement, and that's not what I'm trying to do.

Unrelated, the KTM Duke looks the part to me also...

[maxib]

Originally Posted by Scout

Conq- I heard it kinda isolates the moto-experience: elements, fun-factor, etc.

Well, you didn't hear that from me, and Conq's spot on with the recommendation. I have as much fun on my ST1300 as I do on the 954. Ride one before you decide.

I think you must have heard about a GoldWing.

[Scout]

True, I haven't ridden one, and didn't mean to insult anyone. I read it in a sporty-tourer comparo thing, 1 was I believe "Motorcyclist" (I know, Boooo), but both were when the FJR first came out, and I'm not surprised they gave the nod to the newer bike (FJR), being journalists and all.

I'll look for one under 9 grand, and see what I can come up with.

So the Bus is a no-go on the sport-touring front?

[phobiaphobe]

I think you could probably convince Diesel954 to part with his FJR1300. I seem to remember him debating selling it.

BTW a well-ridden ST1300 will embarass any of the gixxer squids. Lots of clearance and lots of grunt.

edit: Here ya go...

Chain's poised... and needs advice!

I'd jump on that if I were you... those MFers are tough to find used and with low mileage. Hell they're tough to find new.

[Scout]

Thanks Phobe, but it's not California legal. We're almost our own country when it comes to motorcycles.

The moment passed. I'll wait another year. I'm shopping ATV's now.

[Scout]

Okay, the moments back.

Here's the quandry:

'05 Busa, as posted above, slightly used, mostly stock and low miles $8500'ish

'05 FZ1- Brand new, $8199


The voters on this will get a whole whopping 5 points of rep, but it's a toss-up between them right now.

Remember, I love my twisties, mamacita will be on the back for light ST duty on the weekends - already have soft luggage, no track duty, say 400-500 mile days....

BTW- I didn't find an ST worth looking at in this range.

And for the peanut gallery: So, if you had to take one, which would it be?

[OSIRIS]

I'd get the Hayabusa. If I were going to get something like the FZ, I'd hold off until I could find/afford a ST1300, FJR, or GoldWing.

[maxib]

I have to agree. For what you want to do the second best choice is the bus. (No, I don't want to sell my ST...or my 954) Although the FZ is a nice bike, I don't think it would fill the requirements you need. Pillion seating however may change everything. Get her to sit on both and tell you which one she likes best.

Get the bus anyway. You can always get her her own bike to ride as I did for my wife.

[Scout]

Originally Posted by maxib

Get the bus anyway. You can always get her her own bike to ride as I did for my wife.

I did. She won't. Can't sell. stuck.


Thanks for the response, though.

[maxib]

Sidecar on anything?

Okay, I've waited a few minutes for you to stop laughing. Now think about it for just a bit.

Advantages:
Won't tip over
wife can take it to the grocery store or shopping...gasoline costs down
can use it with just about any bike...er, maybe if more than 50cc.
if she's as agile as you, you can change drivers on the fly making an
Iron Butt easier (butt I don't think that would be allowed)
Chain never had a sidecar to my knowledge

Disadvantages:
Goes against anything motorcycling as we know it.

Get the bus

[Scout]