Waffling on bike choices

[redbeard]

So I'm selling my 06 sv650 and when it is gone the money from the sale will be put towards a another bike. Im looking at used bikes under about $5500-6000 but the farther under the better obviously. i pretty much had my mind made up about finding a low mile Z1000. But then the more I though about it the more I became curious about the speed triple 955's the 1050's seem to be above my price range. I love the Kawi's looks but I also love the Trumpets aura. It seems that in hose years the kawi had a good bit more top-end power but the triumph had better suspension and more mid-range power. Ive also heard the triumphs sound great. My riding is not very aggressive, Ive never done a trackday and Im not sure ill ever do one. Ive got a pretty strong self preservation instinct so I dont hit the curves very hard in my day to day riding. I have however made a few appearances at the dragstrip, and with bikes like these Im sure Id go more frequently than the 3 times ive gone on a bike before.

So any insights as to which bike might be a little better suited to me? Im not interested in supersports or half-faired bikes either. I would consider a hayabusa were they to not cost a fortune IMO.

[Jared]

Speed triple is a no lose option, but the new Z1000 sounds more up your alley...

[redbeard]

I will not be getting a new Z1000 I just dont care to spend that much money and I think they are extremely ugly. Ive been infatuated with the 1050 triple since it came out, but I dont know a thing about the old 955 bikes and there really isnt much info I could find on them. It sounds like either bike will make me very happy wish I could get one of each and maybe a Buell too haha

[Jared]

yeah 955 and 1050 are both totally solid powerplants, really can't go wrong with either

[TarzanMan]

If there are any triples around, then I would snag one of those to see how you like it. You'll always be able to find a Japanese bike.

[Jector]

I can't speak for either one as I haven't ridden them but I can say that I love my triple. The sound is indeed awesome. Deeper and more resonant than a quad cutting the difference between them and a twin.

The Speed Triples have gotten a very good reception. The 955s I'm a bit less familiar with. I'd think you could find a 1050 for close to that price range though.

Ultimately you should try to find a way to test ride a 955, 1050, and Z1000 if possible. They should all be reliable enough that you should go with whichever one made you want to neglect to return it.

[MX Tuner]

There are a lot of other great bike choices that fit your needs. Right off hand, the Yamaha FZ1 is a great bike for the money.

[redbeard]

There are a lot of other great bike choices that fit your needs. Right off hand, the Yamaha FZ1 is a great bike for the money.

I have heard that FZ1's are good bikes but I hate the styling of them or any 1/4 faired bike for that matter. So they are out for me.

[bigb996]

go up to moto400 Rick, they usually have demo triumphs and take one for a spin to see what you think. The z1000 is a great bike, i have only riden the new one but i was very impressed by it. I think you will be pleased with either choice. The tripple puts out a sick sound with some pipes btw.

[chance]

http://www.riderforums.com/showthread.php?t=56603

[A&A Motorsports]

PM sent

[redbeard]

PM sent
yea I saw it when you posted it in my for sale ad (not cool by the way). I gotta get mine sold first then I can start looking around more. Believe me Ive seen every one in georgia and the carolinas on craigslist.

[redbeard]

bosnia deluxe and chance. Are you 2 the same guy because you both sent me links to the exact same plasma blue z1000. same miles, same uninstalled puig windscreen etc

[SLLaffoon]

My advice would be to ride the bikes you are interested in. I had a '04 Z1000 for a couple years. It was fun, but there was always something about it that made it seem foreign in any one environment. Sort of like it was good at a lot of things, but not great at anything in particular. When I added up what I was paying in insurance vs. the amount of fun I had on it, I ended selling it. I will admit that it was one of the most trouble-free bikes I've owned.

I know it depends what you're looking for, but the more I ride, the more I like the SV650. Insurance is a fraction of the larger bikes, and it's capable at anything but highly illegal speeds. I've never taken an SV to the track, mountains, or elsewhere and wished I was on a Z1000 instead. I have done the opposite. Plus, there are 10+ years of aftermarket support from being raced in just about every club racing org.

[redbeard]

I just dont really have a way to ride the bikes other than checking out a 1050 triumph at moto400. And I really dont want to ride someone elses bike either. I may be leaning towards the Triumphs now though. If I dont like it I can always sell it and try something else. The SV suffers from the exact same problem your Z1000 did sllaffoon its good at lots of things but great at nothing only with less power and worse suspension/brakes. I dont ride crazy and I never will but I would just like to try something else out for a while Ive put 16k miles on it and I just want a change. And I would imagine those bigger bikes would be more fun if and when I take one to a drag strip from time to time. i realize i dont need the power but neither does anyone else on here yet the line to buy ex500's isnt all that long so obviously we can all agree that the extra power is fun from time to time.

[Gatorchad]

I'll have to echo what SLLaffoon said. I had an '03 Z1000 for a number of years (<---See Avatar). It was fun, but the suspension just wasn't there. I did spirited mountain runs, track days, and hit the drag strip a number of times. The bike just wasn't great at any of them. It even lacked at the drag strip, where you would think it would have the engine power to do well.

That's not to say I didn't love the bike. It was great on the street when I wasn't trying to push the limits.

~Chad

[chance]

bosnia deluxe and chance. Are you 2 the same guy because you both sent me links to the exact same plasma blue z1000. same miles, same uninstalled puig windscreen etc

haha nope. its not even my bike. I just saw it on my z1000 forum and thought it was a god deal and its not too far away

[SLLaffoon]

The SV suffers from the exact same problem your Z1000 did sllaffoon its good at lots of things but great at nothing only with less power and worse suspension/brakes.

Maybe, but every SV I have ridden has responded pretty well to upgrades. More so than the Z1000. In the end it's your decision, and you should do what you want. I went through the same thought process, and I'm back on a SV again.

[nhs]

I saw a used Triumph Speed Triple for sale at freewheeln.com (actually their bricks and mortar store in Douglasville). Was black and an 01 -I think. Looked to be in good condition, but I didn't examine it very closely. Was offered for below $4K, if memory serves.

[redbeard]

I saw a used Triumph Speed Triple for sale at freewheeln.com (actually their bricks and mortar store in Douglasville). Was black and an 01 -I think. Looked to be in good condition, but I didn't examine it very closely. Was offered for below $4K, if memory serves.
yea Ive seen several of them around for sale. Im really hoping I can find a 1050 bike in my price range but either way Im just doing research. Im not buying anything till mine gets sold.

[A&A Motorsports]

I have a 08 Sv650 and an 06 Z1000 and youre welcome to test ride them and see which one you like more. After that you gotta buy one them :)

[redbeard]

I have a 08 Sv650 and an 06 Z1000 and youre welcome to test ride them and see which one you like more. After that you gotta buy one them :)
I've already taken a 16,650 mile test drive on an sv650.

[redbeard]

Just to update. I bought an 07 speed triple today with a whopping 1800 miles on the odo.

[Jector]

Good deal. How's that exhaust note at 1400 RPM?

[Gixxer4Now]

:worthlessw/opics: LOL

[redbeard]

Good deal. How's that exhaust note at 1400 RPM?

Not as good as it is at 7500 RPM

They delivered it to me this afternoon so I just got back from a quick ride on it.
It also came with a flyscreen and rear seat cowl I just havent put them on yet. And all the original exhuast, passenger pegs, and original mirrors came with it too. I dont think they are gonna go back on.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w270/railinmazda/IMGP0684.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w270/railinmazda/IMGP0683.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w270/railinmazda/IMGP0686.jpg

[chris]

sweet!

[Oglaladiver]

VERY sweet! Always loved those.

[bigb996]

glad it worked out for you, looks like you made an excellent choice