Going Naked
 

So its time to start planning my next street ride. I'm just tired of having something go wrong with the Honda every riding season, and having to worry about the thing breaking down on me on a long ride. I have a guy that wants to help me rebuild the thing, but it may go on the backburner for awhile, or just get parted out completely. There are many 500 riders that would love to have parts off of my bike, and because the rarity (or even extinction) of some of the parts, I may be able to recoup most of the $1400 I paid for the thing.

So I've been reading reviews, watching videos, and asking owners about bikes for over a year now, and I've narrowed it down to 3. I'm kind of over the whole 600 supersport thing for the street. I did the R6 for a season and its just not worth it. They are begging to get in trouble with the law, expensive as shit to insure, and you can't do more than 45 minutes before you want to chop off your wrists. But I have gone to the dark side and taken interest in the naked/fighter segment. Eventually my goal is to get on a Tuono V4, as I already love the V4 engine.

So the 3 bikes that I can see myself on right now are the Ducati Monster 696, the Triumph Street Triple /R , and the Kawasaki ER-6N. And yes I understand the first two are in a higher price point and spec range than the little Kwacker.

Ducati
Pros - Light, Neutral, Good Feeback, Stock Marchesini Wheels, Sachs monoshock, Brembo 4 pots, Marzocchi usd forks, cheapest to Insure???? $40 a month
Cons - Ducati price tag, Ducati reliabiliy?

Triumph
Pros - Won every comparo for like 6 years, sportiest bike in the bunch, 105hp, fully adjustable suspension in R model, 4 pots, 3 cylinder howl.
Cons - 105hp and asking for a ticket :lol:, $60 a month Ins., Not the prettiest bike ever.

Kwaker
Pros- Cheapest, all the moto rags loved them, P-2 engine
Cons- Budget suspension, $55 a month Ins.


I'm really looking for some more good first hand riders here. I know there are a couple ER owners on here, and I know a couple of members have experience on the ST, but I want someone with first hand experience on the Duc. Realistically my brain wants the STR, my heart wants the Monster, and my wallet wants the Kwaker. But I would take any of them.

What does everybody think??? :idk:

aprilia?

Bmw 800r?

Naked is fun around town and short rides. But gets a tad tiring on long hauls.

Why not a 5th gen for $4k or less?

If you're a fucking pussy... I did a number of 500+ mile days on the ol Buell...

Not quite sure about the Shiver yet. Never even seen one in person. I'm not even sure about the dealer situation here in town....

Sexy, but $10,000 before t/t/t and destination. Way too rich for my blood. And finding any used is few and far between. There is a bmw dealer close to me though....:whistle:


Ranger, a fifth gen was on my list. I was kind if looking for something more upright.

I didnt say it couldnt be done. I did 600+ miles when I got mine. Its just a big decision.

Id see what aftermarket accessories are available for each bike.

I feel ya. There aren't many around because that is a relatively new option.

What kind of riding do you plan to do?

By the way - of the three you have listed I would go with the Monster.

The Triumph Street Triple is just entirely too underpowered and ugly for what it is. Of course, I rode that right after the Speed Triple - so it felt entirely too gutless. /sorry

The Kawi - I'm not a fan of the looks at all. Not even a little bit. And the ride wasn't excellent enough to make me like it.

The monster - there is a culture that is following them. Parts are available a plenty both in the case of a drop OR to make some custom effects.

Around town, country roads. I probably wont do track on it, I want a track bike eventually. I thought about getting into a touring rig, but I decided my life is far too instable to be able to just go on long tours.


Honestly the STR is falling out of the group. It has the most hp of the group, so it wouldnt be underpowered in this three. I mean I understand its almost like a 600 where you have to wind it up to get good steam. And it would have to have the body pieces like this one for me to like the looks....

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/cro...-17_460x0w.jpg


I have kinda fallen in love with the little funky Er6. I even like the looks. But the bike is what it is intended for, a budget ride. You can't expect as much out of it, and the performance isnt going to be there. But its grown on me, and might be a good plan B. Papa's bike is what I'd like to do...

http://www.morallyambiguous.net/mult...m/S9220305.JPG

I vote Triumph. Had a blast on the one I rode. I prefer the Speed over the Street, but I'm a sucker for getting in trouble.

Why no Honda 919? or CBF600?

Have you tried the er6 yet? Its no powerhouse, but you can have some fun on it big time. It really handles like a dream and its fairly tourqy for what it is, not a bad bike, and you can throw down in the corners with the rubber that would fit on it.

Hey pork, I'll order a camera tank mount and get some riding vids if you're not in a huge hurry.


The er-6n has power, it's just not an accelerator king.

Trying to stay off a big bike until my insurance rates go down a bit. Never really thought about the CB600. Wanted to expand outside of the inline 4 world a bit, but I may look into it.

I've tested a friends older generation ninja 650. Only around the block though, because he was in the process of trading the thing in for his zx14. I know its the same basic package, minus the fairing.

No huge hurry. There are plenty of months of frigid temps and fluffy white stuff left here in ohio. If I could find a good deal soon I might jump on it, but there are other things I should probably take care of before buying another bike. :lol:

Well once you get a new bike, we can ride naked together.

To me, riding a naked sport bike feels like your body is a parachute that the wind is trying to blow backwards. Unless of course you put clipons on it. Handlebars suck.

Yea. Its amazing how different a bike feels with dirt bike bars. I almost sold the er6n when I got home with it because I couldnt make up my mind if I liked them or not. The next thing I buy for it is a steering damper. The front end is so light and I dont add much weight. You get to rumping on it while in a turn or get to changing lanes fast the front end gets a litttle crazy.

riky racer crouch is much worse for 95% of riding, how often do you see a guy on a sportbike riding down the frwy w/ 1 hand on their knee or hips resting that arm....

A sportbikes wind protection isn't any better though. The fairing isn't designed for that anyway. Thats why a majority of street riders do a double bubble. I'm coming from a small bike with minimal wind protection, close to that of a ninja 250. I had a guy tell me that he thought the wind was less intrusive when he moved to his STR from his 250. I plan on doing a small screen like Papa did.

I don't think I will have a problem with weight on the front.... #fatass

Besides im trying to get something close to the bar angle of my 500. I think the 696 is the closest with a little more straight arm, but I wouldnt mind higher bars. I could always go to a flatter bar on the Er.

All the time. My buddy does it all the time on his 636 and I just laugh at him. Yea you can outrun me, and yea you have a cool bike, but they are so impractical unless you are bombing them.

Highway riding on a sportbike is comfortable to me, because the wind hits you in the chest and props you up. In fact, the lower the screen the better, IMO. Some double-bubbles suck because they make the wind hit my neck.

The problem with naked bikes is that your arms are spread out, making more drag, meaning you have to squeeze the tank harder.

The is suppose to hit your neck or above your head. I need a double bubble since the wind is directly in my face.

Not many modern sportbikes hit you in the face, unless you are only 5'6" or are riding in a full tuck.

I am only 5'9" but still, every sportbike I've owned hits me in the chest where I like it.

the buffeting only gets bad above say 80, and is crazy at 100+

and my bike has a tiny fairing, lol

but for normal riding around town and sane speeds its no biggie, your results may vary.

You dont say. :lol

I'm 5'6" and ride upright. I dont get why people tuck when they're just cruising on the highway. Relax.

The problem I have is my location. 40mph winds is common so you have the wind buffeting from your speed and from the gust. I get to bobbleheading from time to time.

Exactly......Tucking on the highway is poser shit unless it's really cold or you are going 120+.

But crouching is more comfy then bent over riky racer style....again upright FTW

Here's what's uncomfortable to me.......Riding with your shoulders all hunched up.......Looks dorky too redflip

:lol

I love how this has turned into a clipon vs bars battle...

You only ride like that when you are pushing it, you aren't stuck that way the whole time.

That orange ST is kinda schmexy though....

You can tell they're leaning inward. They can easily lift up. I guess some people think you need to be in the "race" position all the time.


I have stock clip ons on my vfr and I'm almost fully upright.

Or when you're accelerating WOT, struggling to keep your weight forward...

Or when you're cruising at 80+, struggling to keep yourself from getting blown back like a parachute, lol

But on a VFR it's one of those clipons that's bent upwards several inches, IIRC

Probably 1 1/2" or so. Nothing crazy high like heli bars.

Got the camera mount on the way. I know you can youtube other peoples bikes but if you nees vids for 0-60mph or whatever just let me know.

One thing I do not like about the engine is it has no oil cooler and holds just barely two quarts. This summer Im either going to add a water oil cooler like what you sport riders have our a 1" sandwich adapter and oil cooler rad with inline temp gauge. Im probably go route two so itll hold more oil.

What about an FZ8?

I think this is one of the best looking nakeds on the market at the moment.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J3_liDBfbv...Sport-Bike.jpg

It does look pretty damn good. It seems weird to say that about a Honda. Even for me.

I want those wheels for my VFR.

This one looks pretty good!

http://imageshand.yamahamotors.com/i...1&class=med640

Still waiting on the camera mount. Damn canucks and their slow ass shipping.

Got the camera mount in and bolted it on. Will get some vids upload before monday.

I'm thinkin the same thing. I'm thinking Superduke. They run about 6-7k out here (used, obviously). I don't really ride track anymore so what's the point of clip-ons?

I'd go kawi Z1000. I'd like to see it black/dark cherry red like the Kawi 1000.

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/0..._Z1000_f_r.jpg

http://www.partsworldshop.com/bilder...Z1000_2010.jpg

http://allmotoreviews.com/wp-content...aki-Z1000c.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AN9SRZYSSR...allpaper_2.jpg

Not too many used ones around yet. Not looking to buy new.

It is sexy, still trying to stay away from litre bikes though. I wish this came to the states....

http://www.minhamoto.info/wp-content...ki-GSR-750.jpg

Duke is schmexy!!! :drool:

The Z1000 is my favorite. Still staying away from litres though... :lol:

That naked GSR does look nice.

Why not build your own? I see sport bikes with cracked, broken or missing plastics all the time on CL. I'd like to see a naked Honda ST1100 or 1300. The V-4 sticking out the side would look like a Boss Hoss, and have gobs of torque without, you know, actually being a Boss Hoss.

Have we discussed an SV?

Meh... I have a project bike right now. The 500 is a mess, and I have no idea where I am going with it. I want something that I can just hop on a ride for awhile without too much tinkering. I've tinkered for 2 years now. :lol:

No we havent. I know there is plenty of them around for cheap, and parts are readily available. The 696 just speaks to me more. Besides, for my fat ass... I would need some serious suspension upgrades on the SV. :whistle:

Ahem....

I know, "I'm staying away from liters..." but then "I need more power to haul my fat ass..." Well, according to Buell, a 1200 V-Twin is equal to a 600ss so this is even smaller....:lol:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/2806919887.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/2791749791.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/2737984348.html

Not bad on the prices. But it's not the power of the 650 that I'm worried about, it's the stock suspension wallowing.

the 696, takes alot more maint. then an SV. and the susp. isn't that much better.

Tuono FTW!

$5500, 3000mi, a little rough but rideable

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/s...miles-Virginia

A bit biased I see. :lol: You were originally looking at the 796 and 1100 correct???

yup. maint steered me away.

1100 evo is way cool

tuono V4 is coming out this yr, w/ trac. control, ABS.......bomb diggity!

ape maint. sched.

http://www.serviceaprilia.com/public...ndex.asp?l=RSV Mille 2007

If you saw in my original post, the tuono v4 is my end goal a few years down the line. I want bad..... :drool:

What i'd like to do if I get the 696....

http://www.omnimoto.it/mwpImages/pho...ter-1100_1.jpg

That's sexy.

I'M trying to figure out how i'm gonna get rear luggage, as i'm going to start picking up my daughter from private school. already got her a lid and boots, jacket is coming from the UK.

Ventura looks like my only route

i do like that givi topcase, but w/ the T they make a plate that mounts to the rear seat. but i need that rear seat for my daughter.

Yea, looks like a conundrum...

I want that helmet.

http://www.givi.co.uk/helmets/Fullfa...t/X.01-TREKKER

It looked really expensive.... not too bad actually...

Put her in the topcase. :lol:

prob. would fit w/o the gear, lol

used Tuono w/ some nice bits, esp. the BST C/F wheels

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/April...c1c68a79#v4-36