Time for a change

[tricol]

Hi all,

Think it's time for the SP to go. I think getting something that likes doing bigger days and more miles is what I ultimately want. 99% of my rides on the SP are short blasts on the same roads and I've got bored of it. I love the SP but after 2 hours or so, I'm pretty tired too. I test rode a Tiger Sport 800 and whilst it looks great and is great value, it didn't do anything for me. At the weekend I test rode the new 2025 Tracer 9GT and was much nicer. Basically an MT09 for touring. Didn't feel quite as quick, obviously as it's bigger and heavier, but it was fun to ride and has some really nice features. I've been offered a very decent trade in for the SP and they have a GT in stock, so could get the swap done within a week.

I don't want to give up on motorbiking after only a few years, because I know deep down I'd really miss it. Perhaps I just need the right tool for the job.

I had also pondered the SX1000 and the GSX 1000 GT or whatever it is, but I'm not that drawn to them. And they might not be as comfy for big days out.

Watch this space.

[KungFooBob]

You don't need a different bike, you need another bike

[Rockburner]

Hi all,

Think it's time for the SP to go. I think getting something that likes doing bigger days and more miles is what I ultimately want. 99% of my rides on the SP are short blasts on the same roads and I've got bored of it. I love the SP but after 2 hours or so, I'm pretty tired too. I test rode a Tiger Sport 800 and whilst it looks great and is great value, it didn't do anything for me. At the weekend I test rode the new 2025 Tracer 9GT and was much nicer. Basically an MT09 for touring. Didn't feel quite as quick, obviously as it's bigger and heavier, but it was fun to ride and has some really nice features. I've been offered a very decent trade in for the SP and they have a GT in stock, so could get the swap done within a week.

I don't want to give up on motorbiking after only a few years, because I know deep down I'd really miss it. Perhaps I just need the right tool for the job.

I had also pondered the SX1000 and the GSX 1000 GT or whatever it is, but I'm not that drawn to them. And they might not be as comfy for big days out.

Watch this space.

Why would you "give up" on biking because one bike isn't quite right?? That's a bit like killing yourself because your coffee went cold....


Go try more bikes! Your riding desires will change over time (to a greater or lesser extent), and there's thousands of dfferent bikes out there to try, not just the brand new stuff.

[Tomcat]

The "right" bike (assuming you only have one) is the one that suits your preferred style of riding. I've gone from sports bikes to dirt bikes and now adventure travel. If I decide long distance travel is becoming less important to me I'll buy something more pure street orientated. I'll never stop riding.

[tricol]

Why would you "give up"

Okay, that was a bit dramatic, but the reality is that I've not been motivated to get out much because I feel limited with the bike I have. Even after an hour on a couple of rides on sport touring bikes that I've tried, I already know that it is much more comfortable for me.

[weeksy]

I'll go against the grain here... there's nothing wrong with giving up motorbiking, nothing at all. It doesn't have to be all defining, all life consuming, it's just a bike.

I was into sportsbikes, then Naked bikes, i did 150+ trackdays, toured Europe with mates and bought bike after bike to give me the 'spark' again... None of it really worked, i was just going through the motions.

In the end i sold my motorbikes and just carried on with pedalling, nothing at all wrong with that choice, it made (and still does) me happy and i don't regret it in the slightest.

[tricol]

I understand that. I also pedal which I do when I feel I can (physically) and a few other hobbies. I took my test back in 2020 because I always regretted not doing that when I had the chance when I was 18.

One of the weird issues that I have with the SP is that I like to keep it really clean, as in I wouldn't go out even with a bit of damp on the rodes, because I felt for some reason that I needed to keep it clean to enjoy it more. I'm sometime the same with my MTB's in winter. I'll overcome that with a bike that it designed to be ridden in all weathers etc.

[Skub]

Like the old cheese spread ad used to say,'you just need a different serving suggestion'.

Maybe.

I owned my ZX10R for 14 years and although I loved the bike my mileage was dropping year on year. It crossed my mind many times that perhaps it was time to finish with bikes and move on. Then Covid happened and we weren't allowed to make unnecessary journeys.

Being forbidden to ride was the catalyst for me. Suddenly I'd a glimpse of what it may be like to not have a bike to ride. As is often the way with my contrary nature (cheers Da) not being able to ride made me suddenly want to ride.

I traded the sportsbike for a naked and for the last five years I've wanted to get out riding and enjoying the bike as much as possible again.

Having old bikes also adds another dimension to biking,one that would have been alien to me not so long ago.

Bikes are often an obsession with me,but it doesn't need to be that way. Just having one there for when the notion strikes can be enough,after all there's more to life than any one aspect.

Only you will know what suits you best,Col. I wouldn't put pressure on yourself to own any specific bike,or to ride it in a specific manner. There are folk who enjoy sportsbikes,but don't need to hit the limiter everywhere. There are riders with ADV bikes for whom 20 miles on a sunny day is enough. You don't owe it to anyone to live up to expectations. It's your money and you don't spend it to please anyone else.

[MrLongbeard]

Why would you "give up"

Okay, that was a bit dramatic, but the reality is that I've not been motivated to get out much because I feel limited with the bike I have. Even after an hour on a couple of rides on sport touring bikes that I've tried, I already know that it is much more comfortable for me.

Time for a new bike then, job jobbed.
I've been out on mine a grand total of once this year, nothing to do with the bike I just can't be arsed with it at the mo., it'll still be waiting for me in the garage when my mojo returns,

[tricol]

The contrast on getting off the Tracer immediately back onto the SP was quite stark. I wasn't expecting such a big difference in how the ergonomics where and how firm the SP is (even though I've softened it off).

Insurance isn't much more actually, so just need to pull the trigger on it.

[weeksy]

The contrast on getting off the Tracer immediately back onto the SP was quite stark. I wasn't expecting such a big difference in how the ergonomics where and how firm the SP is (even though I've softened it off).

Insurance isn't much more actually, so just need to pull the trigger on it.

Yeah the tracer is a comfy bouncy thing, i tried @Dodgy69 one at Pembrey and it was like a sofa compared to the MT09, i think the 09SP is even stiffer than that.

[Rockburner]

I understand that. I also pedal which I do when I feel I can (physically) and a few other hobbies. I took my test back in 2020 because I always regretted not doing that when I had the chance when I was 18.

One of the weird issues that I have with the SP is that I like to keep it really clean, as in I wouldn't go out even with a bit of damp on the rodes, because I felt for some reason that I needed to keep it clean to enjoy it more. I'm sometime the same with my MTB's in winter. I'll overcome that with a bike that it designed to be ridden in all weathers etc.

Buy a hack.

Seriously - one of the things I miss somewhat is having a bike that doesn't need* to be pristine and can be put away wet and I don't care about it. TBH, those hacks can be more fun to ride.



* Mechanically sound, obvs, but filth and a bit smelly is no problem - as long as it runs well.

[Yorick]

Why would you "give up"

Okay, that was a bit dramatic, but the reality is that I've not been motivated to get out much because I feel limited with the bike I have. Even after an hour on a couple of rides on sport touring bikes that I've tried, I already know that it is much more comfortable for me.

Time for a new bike then, job jobbed.
I've been out on mine a grand total of once this year, nothing to do with the bike I just can't be arsed with it at the mo., it'll still be waiting for me in the garage when my mojo returns,

I'm same with my GSXR1000. Ridden about 500 miles this year.
Just don't feel the need/urge to go out.
But like owning it and seeing it in the garage.

[Dodgy69]

I'd also add, riding the same roads can become unattractive and boring. Your bike is pretty much an alrounder, can do anything, on tarmac anyway. Our mate on here has just been around Europe on his.

However, if you just fancy a change then that's fair enough. I ain't too keen on the newer tracers, ever since they changed the side panel things to longer ones. Have a look around, the Voge 900 is supposed to be a good bike, I like the moto guzzi Mandello, but probably a lot more dosh. Talking to a new owner of I think a Voge 625 the other day, in a sandy colour, he loved it and it did look nice.

Lot's and lot's to choose from, have a look about and take your time in my advice.

[tricol]

I dont like 'GS' type styling, and that Voge is 63hp and 206kgs.

Will have another sleep on it. Like I said above, I'm not really drawn to anything else.

[ChrisW]

The Tracer's ace but don't dismiss the GSXSXSXS1000GT before you've had a go on one.

New bike aside - take the MT for a trip over to the Welsh coast. You might enjoy the bike more than you have been doing

[KungFooBob]

Panigale!

[Taipan]

I dont like 'GS' type styling, and that Voge is 63hp and 206kgs.

Will have another sleep on it. Like I said above, I'm not really drawn to anything else.

There a good reason a lot of people end up on ADV bikes though, they are great for popping don the shops on or touring etc and i,m constantly surprised and impressed at the off road antics of some of these big bikes! Grab a road test on a Africa twin or Triumph Tiger etc.

[KungFooBob]

I like ADV bikes, cos they fit. I'm 6"3' with a 34 inch inside leg. Sporty bikes are ok for quick blasts, but I need my GS for a blat to Fronch luggaged up.

I have no plans to take it off road, ever.

[tricol]

Don't like the looks of the AT or the Tiger, really. The 900 GT Pro is okay....Does the 19" front and block rears not hinder 'spirited' riding?

GSXSXSXS1000GT

Yea I've looked at those and the Kawa SX1000 but not really drawn to them. I sat on the Suzuki at the NEC a couple of years ago and it felt massive.

The main reason I'm drawn to the Tracer is that I know 90% of it. I love the engine and I like Yamaha's. It handled great on the test ride and its much more of a bike than the MT. Granted the front on the new one looks odd at certain angles but I already own an MT ffs

Someone mentioned have both, but I don't have the room or the funds.