Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes If you bought a second bike what would it be?

I am jonesing for another bike and the '05 SprintST has got me dreaming.

So I was wondering what would you all be putting in the stable next to your BA or SM?

I have 3 that I am interested in:
Triumph Sprint ST
Ducati Multistrada
Buell CityX

I'm thinking about a Kawasaki Concours for 2 up touring. When I bought my Speedmaster, my wife had never been a passenger, and hadn't shown any inclination to be one. Well she got the bug, and now likes to ride with me. Unfortunately the Speedmaster just isn't a good bike for 2 up trips out here in the west with 75 mph speed limits and long distances to get anywhere.

The Concours is cheap, has a bullet proof 100 hp Ninja motor, is cheap, has big saddlebags, is cheap, goes great with a Givi top box, and it's cheap.

Did I say it was cheap?

Seriously though, although it's not the latest high tech machine on the road, for about $8,000 new you get a lot of bike. And since it's been around for 20 years there's all kinds of aftermarket mods from guys with similar operations to Brent. I can add bar risers, lower the pegs, and even put on highway pegs to give my bad knees some relief.

every time this subject comes up it's so hard to limit your choices.

i really think the R3 could be set-up nicely to tour but then you get greedy & start thinking amenities.

lately i've been looking at the big BMW 's. a far cry from cheap at 18k but i'd bet that suspension would be smooth as a baby's butt & look at that power! add abs brembo brakes & that bike has got to be a nice tourer.

only problem is ya gotta act like you have a stick up your kazoo when you run with those guys. near as bad as HD.

That's easy. I just picked up an '05 Thruxton today. It is so much fun. Now I can really take the time to overhaul the '78 T140V. And if the wife wants to go, we can take the '02 TBA. Life is good.

This is always a tough call. The next bike... there are so many great bikes now. I'd like a classic Brit Sunday rider (something like a 68 Bonnie, 67 BSA, or a Norton) but will probably go with something in a dual sport, maybe a BMW GS (1100+) or a KLR.

Heck who knows, I might jump off a cliff and get a Vespa with a sidecar!

Either a classic or a Speed Tripple....

'05 Bonneville T100; Black body parts, nice accented chrome, blacked out engine (like the SM). A real beauty that I saw on the showroom floor at my local dealership recently. The bonneville model is the first bike (of the two) I ever rode before buying the BA that I own now, so I'm attached to it. If I had the money, or could afford to finance two, I'd have bought it on the spot!

simple...whatever the step up, engine-wise...Trump's got planned for the America...
'course...Kenny Chun's HD is my next choice...or a Springer...

BB

I've ridden so few bikes I'd have fun just shopping. I'd ride everything I could get my hands on, but I'd probably put the Rocket 3 and BMW's cruisers and tourers at the top of the test drive list. But last time I was deadset on a bike (BMW R1150R) I bought my TBA. Ya never know until you sit on the thing.

It will be a while before I would be getting another bike. I have a duo-sport and my BA. If it came to it and I was keeping my BA also, it would be a high probability that one of the BMW touring bikes would be my choice. My BA and I went on a 5,000 mile trip last summer and I would have no problem doing it again. Love my bike, no replacement.

for some reason the speed four always looks at me when i go in. seems like it would be fun to have once in awhile. and maybe a harley dyna. but the america is alll i really need

Frank

Well of course it would have to be a Harley, any Harley will do, they're really all the same aren't they? Best bikes in the world I am told everytime I go out riding. So it must be true.

(The bait's in the water, gently wiggling the rod tip to aggitate it just a bit more.....)

In a perfect world, I'd have one cruiser (check), one Dual Sport (check), and one sport touring (FJR1300, BMW RT, etc.) (not yet).

I'm just crazy about the fun you get for the money with the KLR650. It is to the DS world what the TBA is to cruiser world. i.e a very good bike at a fraction of the usual entry fee with only minor flaws that are easily corrected.

For me, I would go with an adventurer type bike-Kawasaki KLR 650, Triumph Tiger or the KLM. I like the upright seating position and the tall saddle. I may even trade in my BA for one!

I am looking forward to adding a tiger to my family. Just don't know how soon it will be. I rode one last month while my sm was getting some recall work done and i love the way it runs. hoping that they increase the engine size for '06 like on the st.

I think I will keep my TBA for a long time, but I would like a Daytona, for those days when I just need to speed, but I am close enough to lose my license so I don't need it yet.
Cindy

Sorry to go Jap, but I love that Yamaha VMax. Kind of like the old Eddie Lawson ZRX12's. But if price were no object, one of the new BMW tourers.

I'm pretty much set on the new ST. I'm waiting to see some reviews and take a test ride. But it sure looks great.

I usually think anything red with Ducati on the tank
But I get spurts of T-Bird mixed in from time to time with an occassional wish for a Daytona.

No question, a classic Brit or American one with an honest to God kick start so I won't feel like I'm riding a sissy bike. That's the one thing I really hate about my America, the starter says "wimpywimpywimpy" when it cranks.

I don't know Grey. I for one don't miss the old kickstarters "kicking" back and feeling like your shin was shattered!

Oh my,
Where does one start. My wish list for a second bike, third, fourth fifth sixth..how many will fit in a garage.

lets see, A Suzuki RG 500 Gamma, Kawasaki GPZ1100 (the original) Suzuki GS 1100 Kantana (the original star wars bike) Yamaha GTS1000 (Tesi front end bike) ANY Bimota, Norton 850 Comando, 1977 Triumph Bonnie Silver Jubilee edition, The list goes on, Honda CBX, Kawasaki H1, a Ducati 999, Truimph Truxton and the new Triumph ST. Maybe a Heritage Harley,

I guess I will have to keep buying the lottery tickets. If my number comes up, before I buy any of the above Im getting a Ferrari 360 Modena. yeah baby!!!!

Arsenalfan

I like bmw's k 1200 lt. i do have 4 mc's but i sure do like the new tri sprint's, too. i don't know if i have the body for that riding position? has anyone riden a sprint?

i wish i was retired and rich, and had more garage space...
cat


bmw k 1200 lt

Ever since I sat on a BMW R1200C over a year ago it's been calling to me. I'm just glad there's no dealership in the area because I'd impulse buy for sure, and that's not a good idea right now for me.

Rocket III, Tiger, ST, T100....
GoldWing, ST1300,
Saw a lot of new Harleys at the Houston Auto Show tonight, they look a lot better - newer colors - more modern looking since they have toned down all of the centenial stripes, etc. I think I counted 30 models in Motorcycle Cruiser magazines 2005 Buyer's Guide (Feb. 2005). I don't understand all of the F-this, and F-thats, but yeah, I guess they are all about the same. Personally I think Victory would get my business before Harley would. I ride Triumph today. Don't own a trailer.

Triumph Thunderbird... too bad they quit making them.

Right now would be the 2005 TIGER. Tigers have to be the ugliest bike on the road. I've seen them headed down the highway, loaded up like the Beverly Hillbillies. But the riders are comfortable, and in control (as possible). Ride a Tiger, sweet handler, versatile, long distance comfort - but that God forsaken chain!!!

I think the Ural Patrol sidecar rig with on-demand sidecar drive. This would be a blast on logging roads and unimproved roads. Plus winter riding.

Larry

Speedmaster or Bonneville America.

That's why I hang out here from time to time. Might have to make up my mind this summer. It's an extremely hard decision. I like the cut of the Green America's jib, but the all black Speedmaster also floats my boat. I suppose it comes down to what's available in the used market, or what develops with all the 1200 rumors.

The new Norton's are too pricey. I'm too old to be bent over for any period of time on one or a Thruxton for that matter (though they both sure are pretty). Italian Duc's or Guzzi's are also real nice, but I already spend too much time wrenching because I have to, not necessarily because I want to. Don't need a second mortgage on the house to pay for BMW parts (sleek machines as they are). Harley's are just too big and heavy, though I would look pretty good bare-a$$ in set of chaps and a cool bandana.

So I guess I'll keep it Triumph. Problem is, one week all black looks great, the next week I'm hunkering for the chromo-sexual festoonery, but I can't afford both.

Too many beers, starting to yammer.....

If I had an extra $12,000 laying around, I would probably order a Yamaha FJR1300 Sport tourer w/o the ABS brakes. If Triumph ever comes up with a tourer w/o a chain I would re-think the question.
-PES

Not sure of a make or model but it would be a touring bike. My wife's behind would dearly love me if she had a better perch.....

"I'm just crazy about the fun you get for the money with the KLR650. It is to the DS world what the TBA is to cruiser world. i.e a very good bike at a fraction of the usual entry fee with only minor flaws that are easily corrected."

Todd's quote above sort of makes sense to me. I have a '98 Trophy and an '02 BA and this is a great combination. For those of you looking for touring bikes you should check out the used Trophy and Tiger market. There are a bunch of them for sale and you can get an excellent deal - "a good bike at a fraction of the usual entry fee". (used '99 - '04 Sprint ST's can be had for a pretty good price as well.)I checked the Beemers (K1200GT & RS) out last year and while they're great bikes I couldn't convince myself they were worth the price.
After living with the Trophy for 6 years the BA has taught me that I really like smaller bikes except for long (multi-day) trips. They're easier to handle and cost less to buy, run, maintain, and insure.

The next bike I'm likely to add to my stable is a Thruxton. Although, if money were no object, I would consider the new Norton 952 Commando as well.

http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/



Keith

I took a demo ride on a 2003 ST. I found it very easy to get used to the riding position although it was different. Maybe it's me, but almost every Triumph seems to have good ergonomics. The only one that doesn't work for me is the Daytona 600/650, and only because I have long legs that hit the bulge on the tank where the logo is.

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Problem is, one week all black looks great, the next week I'm hunkering for the chromo-sexual festoonery, but I can't afford both.

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You could always get the Speedmaster and change out the tins with green ones of a BA. Then if you want it to be shinier you could always add chrome here and there.

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Harley's are just too big and heavy, though I would look pretty good bare-a$$ in set of chaps and a cool bandana.

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That's an image I didn't need.

well i would love to have my 47knucklehead back(i sure do miss that bike) but if i was looking for a new bike, i guess i would have to have an R3 as it is a bike that can be just about anything you want a bike to be. ie..around town or long distance. but i also think it would be nice to have a dualsport of some kind to get off road once in awhile. i really miss enduro and moto-xing, i know the body couldnt take any serious off roading these days but it would be nice to have the option one in awhile. and maybe a trials bike for playing, that is a sport i have always wanted to try and used to play around like that with my RM when i had it but we all know an RM is not the bike for serious trials rideing hahahahahahaha had to keep the RRRR,S up on that bike at all times hahahahaha but i think if i lived in another part of the country where serious trials rideing was available i'm afriad i would have to invest in a bike made for that. other then that i am VERY happy with the 2 Triumps i have now.

In the garage just now I have four bikes,my bonneville america,my sons honda 900F1 and his kawasaki 250 and my wifes suzuki GS500E but if I had something I wanted it be an old fifties brit,something like an old BSA A10 or a vincent or an ariel red hunter or triumph thunderbird or a matchless G80 or a.........

I sold my 2002 Suzuki Drz400s (Dual-Sport) in order to buy my 04 America. Everybody seems to overlook the Drz, it consistently is rated higher than the KLR in Dual-Sport shootouts. I loved the Drz, was wonderful on the street, but I found I hardly ever took it off road, it was actually more fun on the road. I much prefer the America, best choice I ever made. I came very close to buying a 1200R Harley Sportster, and I think if I could have 2 bikes, I'd like to have a Sportster as my second bike. I would have the mecca of classic bikes in my opinion.

hum. A Rickman, Cz, bultaco, The new gas gas trials bikes look like alot of fun...

I guess I'll always admire the older Indians, but I also must confess I'm impressed by the new Harley VRSCR Street Rod. Won't happen I guess and I'll always keep my TBA...