Which one? BMW F800ST/F800R or Triumph Street Triple R - Page 8

basstodave · 05-21-2012, 10:26 PM

I apologize if you've already done something like this already, but can you please type out a numbered list (in order of importance) of what you're looking for in a motorcycle?[/QUOTE]

1) excellent brakes
2) reasonable riding position for my 5'6" frame and aged body. Inexpensive modifications, OK, to get that comfort zone. Prefer seat height under 32". Ergos to fit me riding in a relaxed position, not too aggressive, not too much weight on wrists.
3) under 500 lbs. under 450 better
4) reliable, reliable, proven reliable, all systems
5) something with a torquey engine and more power than my Wee at 65HP-
6) good or great suspension. Able to dial in a firm but compliant ride? Is that an oxymoron?
7) ABS
8) inexpensive to maintain
9) good MPG doesn't hurt
10) a centerstand
11) a gear ratio with spacing not so close as to be redundant
12) a small fairing is ok as well as naked
13) more sport than adventure or tour but I like a slightly longer wheelbase and somewhat upright ride. 17" wheels.
14) a belt over chain and sprockets
Not all this is in the exact order.
I bet I need more than one bike!

Tripped1 · 05-22-2012, 03:35 AM

Yeah, 1-6 and 7 down are damn near mutually exclusive.

cug · 05-22-2012, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basstodave

Not all this is in the exact order.
I bet I need more than one bike!

Ever thought about a used R1200R?

basstodave · 05-22-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cug

Ever thought about a used R1200R?

All the time. If a recent used one comes up for sale I check them out.

cug · 05-22-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basstodave

All the time. If a recent used one comes up for sale I check them out.

And if you do your own maintenance (easy to do) it's also cheap to maintain. I'd love to have one in addition to my Tiger.

ThrottleJock · 05-22-2012, 01:35 PM

Another vote for Street Triple R. My old man has one and out of a garage full of other choices (including a Tiger 1050 w/ Penske suspension) it's the one that gets ridden most. It's amazingly versatile. Fun, fast, light, easy to ride and comfy. It also feels positively miniscule as compared to the BMW, which I think is a good thing. I like bikes that are only as large as they need to be. Towering seat height and oversized ergonomics on a bike that's not going to be ridden by a giant and/or never going to go off road is silly.

Also, the motor on the triple is positively addictive, versus the F800 motor which is somewhat agricultural.

Motard_Menace · 05-22-2012, 02:37 PM

It appears that you are looking to hard IMHO. You are never going to find that exactly perfect machine for everything especially at a budget price. I know this because I have tried.....

it is nearly impossible. The best you can hope for is to try and find something with about 80% of what is on your list. This is doable I think. Since 1991 I have had the following bikes:

1987 Kawasaki Ninja 250
1986 Honda VFR 750 (Wish I still had this one)
1991 Suzuki GSxR 750
2001 Harley Davidson Dyna Standard
2003 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
2007 Ducati Hypermotard
2007 Ducati 1098
2008 Yamaha WRX 250
2001 Ducati ST4
2009 Kawasaki KLR
2007 Suzuki DRZ SM
2004 KTM 950 ADV
2007 BMW F800s

The one thing I discovered after all these bikes is that there is no one absolutely perfect bike. Some come closer then others and if I had my druthers I would have 3 bikes in the garage but life circumstances don't allow that currently. Right now I have the BMW at that is all. I haven't had it long enough to say whether or not it will last in my garage, but so far I am digging it. I tend to go through bikes at times like some folks do underwear in search of that perfect ride. The other thing I had learned is buy used and let someone else take the appreciation hit. My last several bikes have been purchased used and it makes it a lot easier to sell it off for a couple hundred dollar loss and move onto the next one then eating thousands for a mistake. I will add that the most versatile bike in that list was the Speed Triple for my purposes anyway except it didn't have luggage and wasn't super comfy on high speed runs, that is why the BMW is now in the garage. Its not quite as inspiring from a passion stand point however I kind of like the no nonsense teutonic approach from BMW. I think any bike can have character but that depends more on the owner kind of like being poor with class and being rich with no class I guess.

Sorry for rambling but I was bored this afternoon, home sick....

Good Luck with the hunt that is half the fun.....

queenpdog · 05-26-2012, 01:28 PM

In my opinion, the Steet Triple is suberb. Somewhere around 109hp, and it almost telepathic when it comes to handling. Most fun bike I've ever ridden, and I have ridden the F800ST. To me, there is no comparison. I love BMW's in general, but they are in a different league.

05-21-2012, 10:26 PM	#106
basstodave ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Oddometer: 122	I apologize if you've already done something like this already, but can you please type out a numbered list (in order of importance) of what you're looking for in a motorcycle?[/QUOTE] 1) excellent brakes 2) reasonable riding position for my 5'6" frame and aged body. Inexpensive modifications, OK, to get that comfort zone. Prefer seat height under 32". Ergos to fit me riding in a relaxed position, not too aggressive, not too much weight on wrists. 3) under 500 lbs. under 450 better 4) reliable, reliable, proven reliable, all systems 5) something with a torquey engine and more power than my Wee at 65HP- 6) good or great suspension. Able to dial in a firm but compliant ride? Is that an oxymoron? 7) ABS 8) inexpensive to maintain 9) good MPG doesn't hurt 10) a centerstand 11) a gear ratio with spacing not so close as to be redundant 12) a small fairing is ok as well as naked 13) more sport than adventure or tour but I like a slightly longer wheelbase and somewhat upright ride. 17" wheels. 14) a belt over chain and sprockets Not all this is in the exact order. I bet I need more than one bike! basstodave screwed with this post 05-21-2012 at 10:31 PM

05-22-2012, 01:35 PM	#111
ThrottleJock Shaved Ape Joined: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Oddometer: 57	Another vote for Street Triple R. My old man has one and out of a garage full of other choices (including a Tiger 1050 w/ Penske suspension) it's the one that gets ridden most. It's amazingly versatile. Fun, fast, light, easy to ride and comfy. It also feels positively miniscule as compared to the BMW, which I think is a good thing. I like bikes that are only as large as they need to be. Towering seat height and oversized ergonomics on a bike that's not going to be ridden by a giant and/or never going to go off road is silly. Also, the motor on the triple is positively addictive, versus the F800 motor which is somewhat agricultural. __________________ "If you don't like my riding, get the hell off the sidewalk"

05-26-2012, 01:28 PM	#113
queenpdog Studly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Oddometer: 942	In my opinion, the Steet Triple is suberb. Somewhere around 109hp, and it almost telepathic when it comes to handling. Most fun bike I've ever ridden, and I have ridden the F800ST. To me, there is no comparison. I love BMW's in general, but they are in a different league. __________________ Two wheels good '12 Tiger 800XC '01 TW200 So long Street Triple R, Scrambler, R1150R, F650GS, R100RS....I've loved you all.

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05-22-2012, 02:37 PM	#112
Motard_Menace Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Phoenix Oddometer: 237	It appears that you are looking to hard IMHO. You are never going to find that exactly perfect machine for everything especially at a budget price. I know this because I have tried..... it is nearly impossible. The best you can hope for is to try and find something with about 80% of what is on your list. This is doable I think. Since 1991 I have had the following bikes: 1987 Kawasaki Ninja 250 1986 Honda VFR 750 (Wish I still had this one) 1991 Suzuki GSxR 750 2001 Harley Davidson Dyna Standard 2003 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard 2006 Triumph Speed Triple 2007 Ducati Hypermotard 2007 Ducati 1098 2008 Yamaha WRX 250 2001 Ducati ST4 2009 Kawasaki KLR 2007 Suzuki DRZ SM 2004 KTM 950 ADV 2007 BMW F800s The one thing I discovered after all these bikes is that there is no one absolutely perfect bike. Some come closer then others and if I had my druthers I would have 3 bikes in the garage but life circumstances don't allow that currently. Right now I have the BMW at that is all. I haven't had it long enough to say whether or not it will last in my garage, but so far I am digging it. I tend to go through bikes at times like some folks do underwear in search of that perfect ride. The other thing I had learned is buy used and let someone else take the appreciation hit. My last several bikes have been purchased used and it makes it a lot easier to sell it off for a couple hundred dollar loss and move onto the next one then eating thousands for a mistake. I will add that the most versatile bike in that list was the Speed Triple for my purposes anyway except it didn't have luggage and wasn't super comfy on high speed runs, that is why the BMW is now in the garage. Its not quite as inspiring from a passion stand point however I kind of like the no nonsense teutonic approach from BMW. I think any bike can have character but that depends more on the owner kind of like being poor with class and being rich with no class I guess. Sorry for rambling but I was bored this afternoon, home sick.... Good Luck with the hunt that is half the fun.....