Cagiva, anyone? (or What The Fuck Bike Should I Get?)

[Jonny]

The time has come to start thinking about what kind of bike I may possibly purchase in the future, when I finally hide all the nasty big sharp knives from my wife.

Thinking that I'd like to try something different from an I4, don't want a flat out insanity sports bike, am allergic to cruisers, doesn't need to be huge, but happily highway-worthy. I think that 600cc - 750cc would be plenty. Oh, and cheap(ish).

I just came across a few Cagiva Raptors for sale, both 650 and 1000 models. Interesting bike: designed by the chap who did the Monster and powered with either a SV650 or TL1000 Suzuki twin. I could get a SV650 for not too much cash, but it would be nice to have something a bit different from one of the usual suspects. I also like the idea of having something that looks a bit exotic but still has the reliability of a Japanese engine.

I have also been looking at older Triumphs, (mid-90's Speed Triples and Sprints) and they look interesting, even though probably more bike than I need).

Thoughts, comments, queries, criticisms?

[motorpsycho67]

You fucked up. You shoulda brought home an NSR250 from Japan.... or at least a KR-1S

[Jonny]

Man, I think I would be fucked if I did get something like that.

For me NSRs etc come under the headings of Licence Removal Machine, Back Fucker, and Ride Me? Kill You!



As an addendum to the original document, I am a touch over 6'1", and over 200lbs. No titchy 2-strokes for me. Oh, and bike will be commuter / long distance machine.

[motorpsycho67]

bike will be commuter / long distance machine.

Look for a good used sport tourer.

VFR, ST1300, ZRX, SV1000, Bandit 1200....

[dozer]

I always liked the Cagiva Raptors, thought they looked cool, and, of course, you get the added bonus of having the jap engine. However, you then get italian electrics to compliment it. I'm not saying for sure they're gonna be unreliable, but I'd hate to bet the house on it. Considering you're living in Australia where the rocks want to kill you and there's big spaces, can you consider a wee strom? big 5.5 gallon gas tank, good for sometimes playing off road, 250 miles to a tank and super comfy...and they look weird, even if they don't have exotica written all over them..

[goose]

I always liked the Cagiva Raptors, thought they looked cool, and, of course, you get the added bonus of having the jap engine. However, you then get italian electrics to compliment it. I'm not saying for sure they're gonna be unreliable, but I'd hate to bet the house on it. Considering you're living in Australia where the rocks want to kill you and there's big spaces, can you consider a wee strom? big 5.5 gallon gas tank, good for sometimes playing off road, 250 miles to a tank and super comfy...and they look weird, even if they don't have exotica written all over them..

I can't believe I'm endorsing this, but he's right. Damn ugly bike to look at, but you can't beat it's versatility, reliability and cost effectiveness (including smiles to the mile). The Strom is a big twin that is very sportbike in its mannerisms, yet pliant enough to let you enjoy the ride. Plus, you don't have to look at it while you're riding it. Trouble with Cagiva is getting the Cagiva only parts. They just don't stock anything.

I know the Svizzle is a bit pedestrian, but I've racked over 80k on mine with nary a trouble. It fires up and rides well despite all the abuse I've put her through. A great great bike.

[rc26]

KLR 650. Then give us a ride report about the trip you took to Ayers Rock.

[Rabbit_Fighter]

+1 on the Wee Strom. A Cagiva Elephant would be cool too. KLRs are cool, but if you like sporty riding, the Wee won't be as rough of a transition.

Long haul touring - check
Twisty fun - check
dirt road fun - check
commuting - check

I looked at maps of your area and it looks like a beautiful part of the country (especially about an hour south down the coast). All that twisty coast, plus twisty mountain roads . . . looks like heaven.

[Rench]

Harley Sportster. 883.

I'm not entirely kidding, but I'd be pissing up a flagpole to defend this statement, so as you were folks.

-Rench

[calamari kid]

A speed triple of that era isn't going to be great for long distance work. I've got a good buddy about your size who rocks one and we've done some large mileage days/weekends. He always ends up with numbness in his hands and fingers, sometimes lasting a few days. It's also a bitch to load gear on. Here's his solution.

[Jaeger]

?

--Jaeger

[stiles]

I've had a 2002 955 Sprint ST since new, 55000 miles on it now, been across America 6 times so far. Did 18,500 miles in 4 months in 2008 hauling a full camping setup. The only mechanical failure so far was the starter clutch, which expired at 32k a battery and one clutch cable.

The bikes are rock solid reliable, comfy, make good HP (mine does 108 rwhp on the dyno) , get 50 mpg on the highway, and usually come with decent hard bags. Not expensive used, either - probably because it's not the prettiest bike in the world.

[UndertheGun]

No clue how the bike market in OZ works but I'd definitely agree that any of the SV/DL-650/1000 stuff is worth your while. Find a DL or a naked SV (no fairings allowed, right?) and try it out. Much different from that amazing 250 you had but I'd be you'll enjoy it.

Are there price considerations? Triumphs cheaper in the commonwealth? They've got to be much cheaper than J-Land.

[Jonny]

Bugger it all. I knew I'd need to end up looking at the stable reliables.

First of all, Rench, no.

Apart from that, all good suggestions. Price is an issue, so no Bonnevilles or Thruxtons, no matter how much I drool when I see a Thruxton (crazy prices here on the used market). The only Stroms that are close to what my budget might be are fairly high kms, and while I'm sure they are a great bike, they are remarkably ugly. There are Triumph Sprints around budget (high-ish km's) and SV1000's going at fair prices for low-ish km's. SV650's are cheap and looking a likely option (I think Australian riders are quite a hairy-chested lot and don't have much time for a "ladies" machine like a 650).

Anyone have anything decent to add in way of comparing the sv650 and sv1000? Stiles, what would be the pros / cons of sv1000 vs Sprint?

R_F: Yeah, there are some fabulous roads around here. The Great Ocean Road is a classic; long and winding, with good camping and some decent pubs along the way for good food, accommodation and apparently beer. The Otway Ranges are fantastic, etc, etc. Come on down sometime!

[dozer]

SV650 vs 1000

This opinion is valid, in my opinion, for the Wee strom too, but I know some would disagree; the 650 motor in that frame is the bike that it's supposed to be. It's fast, light on its feet, dead reliable and it makes glorious noise. The 1000 motor in the Strom and the big SV gets worse gas mileage and is overall less reliable and refined than the smaller motor. True, it makes a bit more power, but doesn't really put it down any better (I'd be just as fast on an SV650 than an SV1000 when the shit got hairy), and the 650 motor is really fast enough for pretty much anything you can conceive of. The SV will 1st gear power wheelie and second gear loft the front when you hammer it..The DL requires a bit more trying, but I can get the front wheel up pretty fucking high.
One thing I will say is this: my roommate is trying to mount up the same Pelican luggage on his '07 SV650 that I have on my '08 Wee, and while on my bike it was a 1 hour affair, on his bike it's been relocate turn signal this remove pegs that, way more of a pain. Soft luggage will solve that problem, and forchrissake put a pipe on it when you get it because they make glorious noise.

Edit:
oh yeah, and I wouldn't worry about high mileage on the SV/DL motors. Goose has 80k miles on his SV and I'll hit 60k before the month is over...

[absent_carlo]

This is what my SV looks like all dressed up with Ortlieb low profiles and dry bag. It's served me well on some decent runs.

[goose]

I dont really like the sv1000 in the twisty stuff. The geometry just seems wonky to me. If the SV650 is a scalpel, then the SV1000 is a butcher knife.

As for being a ladies bike, well, there's more than a couple of ladies on this board that can smoke me on their s-vizzles (looking at you there RV). Nothing makes me happier than showing up at T-Hill and handing 749s their ass all day long, both the corners and the straights. Granted, I pitch the SV and have to pay about 100 bucks to fix it, the Duc mirror moves and you have to take it to the mechanic, so I don't really think they're going 100%.

My advice? Find one where someone has already spent the money making it right (rear shock upgrade, gixxer fork conversion, pipe - got to eliminate that hair dryer exhaust note, jet kit or flat slides). Ass-load of after market for that bike, but it can cost a small fortune to upgrade to fix it's inherent flaws. Fine when left alone but underspung and there are some flat spots in the acceleration. You can really dial an SV in to be a fucking refined machine that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to keep alive.

Cheap to maintain (relative to a Ducati, Berg, yamaha, rent, cat). Best thing is that there's always some guy who spends the money and his gixxer buddies still clown on him. Sells the svizzle for just enough to put a deposit on a Gixxer. Doubles his insurance and has to start the whole upgrade process all over - carbon bits, spendy exhaust, new jacket.



and people will hate it when you pass them

[guitargeek]

Because somebody has to say it...

Buy an old UJM and fix it up like you like it.

[goose]

Damn gg, I do like that. Sadly, unless you like wrenching, you'll get more bang for your buck with a newer UJM. Just say'n. Still, the sv/strom/whateva will lack the crowd and cool factor of a bike like the one above.... Choices, choices. Damn, motorcycles are cool

[Zer0]

Harley Sportster. 883.

Yes!

First of all, Rench

What about a 1200 Sporty?



asshole

[calamari kid]

How are Guzzi prices down there? Looks like there's a shop or two in Melbourne. My little Breva tears through the twisties, is a great little commuter, and I've done multiple 500+ mile days on it in comfort.

[Jonny]

Choices, choices. Damn, motorcycles are cool

Precisely my dilemma.

[MATPOC]

Vifer probably your best all around of you stay on black stuff

KTM if you want to go on dirt.

2stroke if you got any ball left 60 horse is not going to kill you, it just feels that way.

[stiles]

Bugger it all. I knew I'd need to end up looking at the stable reliables.

First of all, Rench, no.

Apart from that, all good suggestions. Price is an issue, so no Bonnevilles or Thruxtons, no matter how much I drool when I see a Thruxton (crazy prices here on the used market). The only Stroms that are close to what my budget might be are fairly high kms, and while I'm sure they are a great bike, they are remarkably ugly. There are Triumph Sprints around budget (high-ish km's) and SV1000's going at fair prices for low-ish km's. SV650's are cheap and looking a likely option (I think Australian riders are quite a hairy-chested lot and don't have much time for a "ladies" machine like a 650).

Anyone have anything decent to add in way of comparing the sv650 and sv1000? Stiles, what would be the pros / cons of sv1000 vs Sprint?

FWIW, Bonnie/Thruxtons don't do it for me. Heavy, slow, underbraked and undersuspended for my taste, which is why my cafe-style bike is a Sport 1000S - lighter, a bunch more power, credible brakes and at least a bit of effort in suspension.

SV1000 vs Sprint ST: performance is similar, the SV is about 500 lbs wet and the '02-'04 ST about 530 wet, partly due to the slightly bigger 5 gallon gas tank. I only really notice the weight in the parking lot.

No factory hard bags for the SV; factory hard bags pretty common on a used ST. I don't know how insurance stacks up over there but for me the ST was far cheaper to insure - like less than half - than either a VFR800FI or a SV1000. Aftermarket support is OK for the ST - I have a double bubble windscreen, the hard bags and rack, Gold Valves in the fork, a Sargent seat and a taller tubular handlebar conversion along with the factory option heated grips and performance muffler with matching optional factory performance tune.

Dunno about how that stacks up to the bigger SV.

Better mileage on the ST than the SV - I get 50 mpg on the highway, last I read the big SV got about 38. I have leaned the bike over pretty hard in the canyons but it's no track bike even though it's far more sportbike than tourer. The engine has to be one of the sweetest-running, smoothest, friendliest, good sounding mills of it's era. Great for covering many road miles quickly.

[Jonny]

Cool, thanks all. Lots of food for thought.

Goose, as you will remember with my last bike, I'm not too worried about riding a smaller displacement machine. It seems like a lot of people here think that if it's less than 1000cc, it's not a motorcycle. Whatever. I enjoyed smoking big bikes on the 250, and will enjoy it again if the SV650 is as good as you guys say it is.

Because somebody has to say it...

Buy an old UJM and fix it up like you like it.

Yeah, pretty bike and a nice idea, but I want to get a bike to ride, not rebuild. I'm not sure about where we will be living in the next month or so, let alone if I will have a garage for such an endeavour. First step; get a bike as a daily rider. Second step; talk to my uncle about taking an old AJS off his hands as a tinkering project, but that's going to be a ways off.

Cal, I had checked out Guzzi Brevas before, and I do like the look of them, but they are a little pricey over here. Never know what may turn up once I'm closer to making a purchase, though.

Thanks for all the info, Stiles. I do like the idea of the Sprint, but I keep asking myself "Do I really need a 1000?". Will I have more day to day fun on something like a SV650 and will they handle long highway miles? I think more and more I'm leaning to the obvious, cheap, common, sensible, and (if you talk to Australian dealers) slightly more effeminate choice.


Oh yeah, UTG is right: Absolutely no fairings, by order of Her Royal Missus, so no Viffers unless I make one a nudie...

[Jonny]

Oh, possibly a little expensive for what they are, but any love for the TRX850?

[motorpsycho67]

FWIW, Bonnie/Thruxtons don't do it for me. Heavy, slow, underbraked and undersuspended for my taste.

+1




Sounds like you're aiming for a mid sized nekkid bike. The SV650 seems like the logical choice to me. The only other I can think of is the FZ6, but it's probably a wee bit more that an SV ..... and I'm no fan of Yamahas anyway (at least not any of the 4 strokes!).

[rolly]

FZ6 is a fantastic bike, but it's another I-4 (which is why I've kept ny mouth shut thus far, but since it was brought up...)

[Jaeger]

Do not underestimate the little SV -- there is plenty of whoop-ass in that little engine, and I got into plenty of trouble on mine when I had it. At the time -- with the lightest of mods (pipe, shimmed carb needles) it would haul my 240-lb ass around at well over the ton, and didn't take long to get there.

It's not as fast for the serious high-speed runs. Mine wouldn't pull as hard above about 110, but I did see 135 indicated a few times... but that was balls-out, WTFO, lying on the tank.

The only real complaint I ever heard or had about the SV was the suspension. If you're a little guy, you're in good shape; if you're over 200lbs, tho (whatever that is in kilos) you'll prob want to upgrade the suspension if your'e going to really push it hard.

But yeah, IMHO the SV is still the most bang for your buck on the market.

--Jaeger

[Bigshankhank]

I think you're being small minded to discredit the 883 Sportster. Personally I prefer the lighter previous gen (pre 2003) Evolution Sportster with the rigid engine mounts. It is a UAM, and can do just about anything with some credibility. Tour, twisties, commute, its got great torque, there's unlimited mods, the 883 is good for about 55-60hp with some decent mods, and well over 100hp (assuming HP is a number that matters to you) if you go the big-bore path. Flat track body work and suspension upgrades for some street cred, admittedly out of the box the SV is a better idea, but if its a unique bike with style you are looking for, the 883 Sportster is hard to beat.
Buy one, thank me later.