Upgrade to what?

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Between the F700 GS and F800 GT, which one has more of a straight down leg controls (not too much bent knee)? Trying to look at photos, but it's hard to tell.

I think I like the looks of the GT better, and it also has belt drive, alas, the price is getting up there... approaching dream elevation. I wasn't really planning on going above $10K.

But to get to 30.1" on the F700 GS, you'd need not only the low seat but also the factory lowered suspension option, and this introduces its own set of issues (reduced suspension travel, reduced cornering capability). And one can get to 30.1" on the F800 GT with just the low seat and no suspension modification. Still, low seats are typically uncomfortable due to less padding.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Mik
Perhaps look at a Ducati Monster... low, light and capable (goes well, handles and stops; not just meant to be looked at.....), with a nice sporty sound......

I guess I should have been more clear: I want a straight up sitting position with mid controls. I don't want to be leaning on the handlebars, so judging by the photos neither the Monster nor the Ninja 650 fit the bill.


I think the Monster and Ninja 650 both have upright seating positions. The monster in particular. Either bike is considered a standard.

Maybe you meant that you want a "laid back" riding position?
 
Originally Posted By: Cujet
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Mik
Perhaps look at a Ducati Monster... low, light and capable (goes well, handles and stops; not just meant to be looked at.....), with a nice sporty sound......

I guess I should have been more clear: I want a straight up sitting position with mid controls. I don't want to be leaning on the handlebars, so judging by the photos neither the Monster nor the Ninja 650 fit the bill.


I think the Monster and Ninja 650 both have upright seating positions. The monster in particular. Either bike is considered a standard.

They're upright, but the legs are crouched up because they don't have mid controls. Not sure how to explain this. The feet on these bikes face the back. I want the feet to be facing straight down with the knees bent at about 90 degree angle. Kind of like this:

size_lg+2001_kawasaki_vulcan_500_ltd+tall_ride_left_view.jpeg.jpg



Not like this:
2008-Kawasaki-Ninja650Ra.jpg


And not like this:
2014-Honda-CTX700N_002.jpg
 
Latest CW tests the new CB11 and lists the seat height at 31.2"

Great bike IMO, but if that is an acceptable height, then there is a wealth of other options available too BTW.....
 
To each his own, as they say, but the Sportster is precisely the type of bike one should not buy if looking for a functional motorcycle. It's underpowered (1200 would be ok), undersuspended (poor quality components, insufficient travel, especially at the back), overweight (for the power it has, impairs its handling), underequipped in the braking dept. (single disc up front, and a [censored] caliper at that)..... Obviously, many don't share my view, as evidenced by the number of them on the road, but popularity was never really a reliable indicator of merit or worth... feel free to flame away.....
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
I love my Speedmaster, and since you liked your parallel twin in your Vulcan 500, the 865cc Triumph mill might be just up your alley.

Any common issues with the Speedmaster that I should be aware of? I've read about starter clutch problems/design flaw, alas, not sure if this was related to the current models or some older ones and may already have been addressed...



I think the major starter issues were addressed a while ago. I know there were some problems with the older 790cc ones, but the engine design is now about 12 years old and the bugs have been worked out. Lots of guys with over 60k trouble free miles on their Trumpets with the twin 865 engine. My only complaint was the stock exhaust is so quiet that the bike sounds like a sewing machine. A set of triumph high flow slip ons fixed that and made the bike more responsive. Another thing I like about the bike is the ECM is programmable so adding mods does not require something like a power commander. Also the forward controls were moved back 2 inches with the updated 2011 model so they wont stretch you out as much as the honda you looked at.
 
Originally Posted By: SlipperyPete
You might find this website more helpful than looking at pictures.

cycle-ergos


That's awesome. Thanks! I've seen this before, but completely forgot about it.
 
I did some searching on the Triumph forums and you are right some of the guys with bonnevilles are having starting issues, mostly just a delayed or aborted start by the ECU but it always starts. Even then cleaning up the contacts seems to fix the issue. Us with the America and Speedmaster don't seem to have the same problems. I think its related to the Bonnies going to a much smaller battery in the EFI models.
 
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
I did some searching on the Triumph forums and you are right some of the guys with bonnevilles are having starting issues, mostly just a delayed or aborted start by the ECU but it always starts.

The issue I read about was this, which sounded a lot more serious:
http://www.reviewcentre.com/review694845.html

However, this was a 2005 model year, and I know the Speedmaster has been upgraded since.
 
Originally Posted By: Falken
I have a BMW handout from the Montreal Auto Show, and man their bikes are insane!

You'd think they were building a plane or something. I think I could like BMW motorcycles as their suspension and frame technology is wild.

But I'd still buy a brand new Sportster and not baby it.
Compare the quality of the welding on a BM to about ANYTHING else. NO Monday/Friday lapses get out of their factory.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
I did some searching on the Triumph forums and you are right some of the guys with bonnevilles are having starting issues, mostly just a delayed or aborted start by the ECU but it always starts.

The issue I read about was this, which sounded a lot more serious:
http://www.reviewcentre.com/review694845.html

However, this was a 2005 model year, and I know the Speedmaster has been upgraded since.


Well if Triumph had developed a "special reinforced case" then they identified the issue and fixed it. I heard of this on the 790cc engines, but I imagine the cases on the early 865cc engines might have been the old design with the bigger bore cylinders. And yes, there have been atleast two updates since the switch to 865cc. I havent seen anything in the past two years about any new bikes doing that on the RAT forums.
 
Robenstein, is America very similar to Speedmaster from a seating/ergonomic standpoint? Looks like just a slightly different handlebar.

Reason I ask is that my local Triumph dealer doesn't have a Speedmaster available for test ride purposes, but he does have America, so I thought I'd give it a try.
 
Not sure whch ones fall into which category, but some of the Triumph twins used a traditional (for Brit parallel twins) 360-degree crank (ie. both pistons rise and fall together) while others use a 270-degree crank (which mimics a 90-degree V-twin)....
 
Originally Posted By: 123Saab
Maybe find a nice used Harley XR1200X?


I have to say, those are sweet!!!!! Shame they quit building them.......
 
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