newer bike versus older bike

39 replies [Last post]
Mon, 27/06/2011 - 08:10
#31
nikos
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Joined: 10/03/2010
Re: newer bike versus older bike

doorsman wrote:
i agree about new bikes being fantastic. my 1993 fireblade is a classic apparently now but the 2007 bike is like 100 % better imo.

That's interesting.

Better? The 2007 bike burns 100% less fuel , has 100% better performance and costs 100% more or less?

My 2002 R1150GS cost 1/3 of the price of the latest model to purchase, but I did not discern a 100% improvement when testing an equivalent 2010 model. Sounds like BMW are slipping compared to Honda then.

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Mon, 27/06/2011 - 11:05
#32
doorsman (not verified)
Re: newer bike versus older bike

it is twice the bike overall is what i meant. some bikes have not moved on too much i accept that and the bmws 1150GS and 1200GS is one example. but ride my 93 blade and then my 07 blade-i still have both-and you can just tell that performance and handling and braking is night and day different. as is comfort and equipment levels etc.

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Mon, 27/06/2011 - 11:07
#33
doorsman (not verified)
Re: newer bike versus older bike

it is twice the bike overall is what i meant. some bikes have not moved on too much i accept that and the bmws 1150GS and 1200GS is one example. but ride my 93 blade and then my 07 blade-i still have both-and you can just tell that performance and handling and braking is night and day different. as is comfort and equipment levels etc.

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Mon, 27/06/2011 - 11:08
#34
doorsman (not verified)
Re: newer bike versus older bike

Error.

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Sat, 02/07/2011 - 13:41
#35
749R (not verified)
Re: newer bike versus older bike

The 893cc Fireblade v the 2011 999cc one is night and day.
The first one might be classic but it's hopeless compared to the current Fireblade.

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Fri, 16/09/2011 - 10:40
#36
Judownie
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Joined: 15/09/2011
Versys Lower Gel Seat

Hi Everyone,

I am thinking about buying a 2011 Kawasaki Versys.

My girlfriend has an ER6N and I very impressed by it. However the ER6 is just too small and cramped for me hence the reason why I am looking at the versys.

If I do buy it I would like my girlfriend to be able to drive it as well and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience of the lower gel seat that Kawasaki supply as an accessory. Being only 5' 5" would she be able to drive it comfortably with the lower seat on it?

Thanks

Jim

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Fri, 16/09/2011 - 19:35
#37
pittsy
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Joined: 06/08/2011
Re: newer bike versus older bike

Hi Judownie

I ran a versys from new, covering 13000 miles over '09 & '10 as a second bike alongside a z1000. I used the versys for touring and gentle hooning around the yorkshire/lancashire/cumbria area, all with the missus on board and sometimes a long weekends luggage. I can say that, chassis wise, the bike copes with the weight no problem. Obviously at just over 60 ponies it is no rocket ship loaded up, but using the revs wisely it coped better than I'd expected. The overall comfort was good for a middleweight machine, the only slight niggle was vibration which may limit the amount of time you spent on the machine without a break. Didn't bother me too much to be honest.

What did bother me was buffeting around the helmet (oo er) with the standard screen. I tried a vario screen which helped but did not eliminate it. The solution is either a taller screen, such as tested by M Fitzwassaname in BIKE mag a few years ago. Made by Givi.Or no screen at all. Depends on the distance. I seriously considered chopping the screen down lower so at least the mind blast would be laminar flow and not turbulent.

Regarding seat height, our machine had the standard seat. I'm 6 foot but I have the legs of a 5' 8" bloke (wonder if he's got mine?) and I found the seat height about the limit of manageability. (30" inside leg..... pause while you all laugh)

So you'd expect that with the lower seat fitted, someone with inside leg of about 28" should cope.

The versys used to be superb value for money, but with the yen going berserk I think I'd consider a european bike instead. You'd probably get a beemer f800st for similar. Although that may not be as roomy as the versys?

Hope my comments have helped & you find the right bike. Have fun!

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Sat, 17/09/2011 - 08:40
#38
Judownie
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Joined: 15/09/2011
Re: newer bike versus older bike

Thanks for your comments and help Pittsy,

I have test driven a few bikes now and I am going to test drive the Versys this morning (17/09/2011) weather permitting, if the roads are not completely flooded here that is .....

I'll post my thoughts on it over the next few days.

Jim

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Sat, 08/10/2011 - 15:27
#39
Rocker66
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Joined: 11/05/2011
Re: newer bike versus older bike

Sorry that this comment is a bit late but my being ill I have been away from forums. In response to the original post I can highly recommend the Deauville. I'm on my 3rd one which is a 700 the previous 2 being 650s. as I don't drive this bike is used as my everyday transport and is used for my 75 mile round trip to work all the year round. I tend to trade them in between 60-70,000 miles. during all that time the only problems I have had were a blown rear light bulb and a broken clutch cable the latter luckily as I was pulling out of my drive. One bike did have to have a new exhaust after a really harsh winter (it's third) and honestly getting home at 2:30 in the morning after a 12 hour shift you really dont want to get a hose out to wash off the saltother than that it has just been consumeables. Fuel consumption is 55-60 MPG & servicing is very reasonable. When this one reaches that sort of mileage I really can't thik of anything better to replace it with than another Deauville.

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