Looking
suspiciously like we're all about to receive a big
benefit giro, this is the class of 2010. In no particular
order, from left to right; Sparko, Geordie, Steve
(Orb), Johnny and Dave. Cunningly enough the bikes
below are in the same order so if you try hard you
can work out which bike belongs to which rider.....
|
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 |
 |
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Triumph
Bonneville America
Opting
for more of a crusier, Mark has gone all 'easy rider'
with a change of bike in November 2009. The KTM Adventure
has held is money well, so it's cash in yer pocket and
a Bonni in yer garage. 60bhp can still get you in to
trouble, but at least it will be to the sounds of Steppenwolf..... |
Aprillia
Tuono 1000cc
The Tuono is the King of Cool, but it's due a big, big
service and with Buell going out of business, is he
up for a cheap 1125CR ?
Nothing less than 140bhp is acceptable, Bumble
B-King anyone ? |
BMW
R1150GS
If it isn't broke don't fix it. Steve handles his 1150GS's
like a box of feathers so when the opportunity came
to get a higher spec one, with fewer miles, he's up
for a shot of "White Lightning".
Perfect for Motoeuro 2011
:)
|
Uh-oh...
No wheels
for 2009, 2010 then...? |
Triumph
Daytona 955i SS
Sporty
bikes are mad fun, look amazing and shift well, but
touring on one takes some effort and stamina. I have
little of both. She's a keeper all right as round the
doors and the odd overnighter she'll be great. Motoeuro
2010 will be fine, but 2011....EAK. |
Sparko
With Motoeuro 2009 over,
and with a change of bike, could this be the beginning
of his 'Cruising Days'....? |
Geordie
Jock has never been off bikes for almost 20 years, the
Tuono is the latest bike but he still loves those Buells. |
Stevie
He's is up for 2010
and 2011, but we're
yet to agree on firm plans. Let the banter begin. |
Johnny
No news from up-north of another bike as yet..... |
Dave
The baptism of fire that is Motoeuro
2009 has highlighted the odd issue, more with Dave's
legs than the Trumpet. |
Previous
bikes:
Honda 600 Hornet, Honda 650 Transalp, R1150GS, R1150GS
Adventure, KTM 990 Adventure. |
Previous
bikes:
Way, way too may to list. |
Previous
bikes:
Kawasaki KDX 125, Cagiva Elefant 750 & BMW R1150GS. |
Previous
bikes:
Suzuki V-Strom DL 650, BMW GS650, BMW R1200GS, Aprilia
Caponord and more....... |
Previous
bikes:
Yamaha TY50, Yamaha XV535 Virago, Yamaha XJ600S Diversion
and Honda VFR750 F-V. |
|
MOTO
EURO REVIEW CENTRE - Steve's BMW R1150 GS (2003) |
My
latest bike, a customised 2003 1150 GS is wonderful
beast in many respects......
The previous owner must have been thinking along the
same lines as me (or stealing my thoughts), more range,
smaller wheels. It's got 17" alloys on it from
an 1100s, granted the front one is silver and the rear
one is black but I'll eventually get around to powder-coating
them. It has a tank and suspension from an 1150 GSA
SE - matt white with blue decals, sweet! With me at
5'9", the stopping of a GS has to be planned. Ruts
near traffic lights are not my friend. I almost dropped
the frakin' thing on a brand new Audi TT on the M25
due to a pothole.
Once moving however it's a different story. My views
over the traffic and the upright position behind my
huge screen mean I'm in my own little world. I immediately
begin planning elaborate routes all over the world...
London to Norkapp, then onto Murmansk, Moscow, Kazakhstan
and Western China. I think of how my 'adventure' suspension
will cusion the bike against the worst roads in Asia,
how my 30 litre tank will cruise for 350+ miles while
I'm warm with my heated grips and sheltered behind my
barn-door sized screen. About 90 minutes into my trip
and my bubble bursts. My backside is killing me! Don't
worry though, this is probably the most common upgrade
for any age GS model. The standard seat is OK if you
weight 7 stones, but most GS riders are at least double
that! [SH] |
BMW R1150GS (custom) |
| Weight: |
The
same as the Moon (249kgs)
|
| Power: |
88bhp (Could
do with a bit more to be honest)
|
| Reliability: |
Excellent,
just what I need.
|
| Running
Costs: |
45 mpg,
higher on motorways. I can get over 350 miles
from a full tank |
| Fun
factor: |
It
can do it all, it's great. I dare you to
give it a go. |
| Touring
factor: |
It's
not a Goldwing, but it can carry loads and with
an aftermarket seat it can go all day |
| What
it's worth: |
To
me, more than it's money value, but with it's
miles and condition approx. £4.5k |
|
|
MOTO
EURO REVIEW CENTRE - Dave's Triumph Daytona 955i (2006) |
Good
looking and great sounding, quick and planted - But
not the best mile muncher of all time.....
Certainly more sports than tourer without doubt, the
Daytona is an engaging bike. Best suited to smooth tarmac,
she'll howl at the top of the rev range for as long
as you can hang on and fall into corners with a gentle
push on the clip-on's, in short, she's an exciting bike
to ride. Even the riding position, which is more forward
then my VFR, is sort-of comfy for around 300 miles,
the pegs are little too high after a while but fine
for a day of pretty hard riding.
Fast forward 2 days and 600 miles and she becomes a
Jekyll and Hyde bike; legs get crampt, wrists ache and
my back gets stiff, too. The Triumph is no long distance
tourer by any means, but b'Jesus, fun where it counts.
Touching wood, nothing's gone wrong with the exception
of a temperamental alarm, but that seems to be fine
now I've changed the key fob batteries. No idea on servicing
costs but rumours are it's no more / less pricey than
any other bike. To sum things up, the Daytona is a superb
bike for me but can't touch the old Viffer for touring,
that is unless I can have every other day off, and that's
with an after market screen. Build quality good, suspension
good, brakes rather good too. And I even like the colour
:) [DH] |
Triumph Daytona 955i |
| Weight: |
Svelte-like
at 192kgs dry
|
| Power: |
140bhp (More
like 125bhp at the wheel)
|
| Reliability: |
Apart from
an iffy alarm, spot on |
| Running
Costs: |
Surprisingly
good, 40mpg + An easy 150 miles from the 21 litre
tank. |
| Fun
factor: |
Mental
:) A real engaging, solid sportster |
| Touring
factor: |
Shite
:( Spider-like legs don't help |
| What
it's worth: |
Trumpets
don't hold their money well, me thinks about £5
? |
|
|
THE
BIKES OF MOTOEURO - Presented in the order they were
purchased. Just look at what we've done to the UK
Economy. |
From 2004 we've been
through a few machines... |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Suzuki
SV 1000 |
Honda
VFR750FV |
Honda
Hornet 600 |
Honda
XL650V Transalp |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Honda
Goldwing
Aspancade 1200 |
Aprilia
ETV Caponord |
Cagiva
Elefant |
BMW
R1150GS |
Buell
Lightning 'Long' XB12S |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| |
Another
BMW
R1150GS |
BMW
GS 650 F |
Aprilia
Tuono 1000 R |
BMW
R1150GS Adventure |
 |
 |
|
|
|
| Suzuki
DL 650 V-Strom |
KTM
990 Adventure |
Yet
another BMW
R1150GS |
2006
Triumph
Daytona 955i |
2002
Triumph
Bonneville America |
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