Before I go into the experience... I'll summarize it:
I'm not buying one anytime soon, or ever.

Now on to the actual ride. Triumph was putting on demo days over the weekend, so I had the chance to go ride one. Unfortunately I had to go out of town on Saturday and work on Friday (the two demo days). I squeezed in a quick demo on Saturday morning and could only get to ride a Bonneville T100 for the first ride out. I really wanted to try a Street Triple, Thruxton, Scrambler, or even a Tiger. All of them were already booked for hours (event started at 9:00 AM, I got there at 9:05). The ride was fun with the exception of a few tools riding the sportier bikes that were passing people (the first rule for the demo was to stay where you were in the pack).

The bike itself was both good and bad (for me). The good was the extra power over the KLX (not saying much there) was very manageable. The bars allowed for a comfortable riding position for my upper body. The engine was smooth as glass, I couldn't tell it was running. Fuel injection made the start painless.

The bad was the lower body riding position. I had a hip cramp within minutes of riding from how high the pegs were. The friction zone of the clutch was absolutely tiny, so that took some time to get used to. Additionally, it took me a few tries to get the thing into neutral.

Overall, I didnt like it due to discomfort more than anything. It did make me want a new bike though. And before I left the dealership I sat on a BMW F650GS, that or a Versys will be my next bike

 

Took a Bonny out last year along with half a dozen other bikes.
Liked it. But it was a bit anemic.
Nice looking bike and a great town bike.
In the end I opted for the Honda CBF1000.
A lot more bike for a bit less money.
Plus, for the long distance riding I had planned, it was waayyyyy the better bike.

I wouldn't think the F650GS is a winner.
A de-tuned 800??
The F800 is the winner IMO.
More power and just a better bike.
(still fancy one)
The G650 is a worth while option.
A rotax powered single makes for a good adventure bike.
But, it cost the same as a 1000cc 4 cylinder jap bike.

I do like the Bonny.
Thruxton and the Scrambler are pretty similar just different styling.
The speed triple on the other hand is a beauty.

 

The F650 was nice & comfy, plus not quite an outrageous price. The F800GS was more than the F800ST where I was, I dont do enough adventure type stuff to justify paying more for a more dirt-biased bike. I'm just waiting for BMW demo days at the place, or maybe a Ducati demo day (the supermoto is calling me).

 

Fair enough about the F8GS.
No point stumping up the cash is you aren't taking her bush.

Problem with the F650GS is the power. Same as the Bonny.
Its certainly smaller and lighter though.

The Bonny looks a treat.
Well to an old man like me it does.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love the Bonny's styling. I always figured it may be in the running for my next bike, but unfortunately I had my dreams crushed by severe discomfort.

As for power, the F650 is the higher end of what I'd be looking at. I know myself all too well and if the temptation is there, I will have a hard time resisting. 71 HP isnt too shabby, especially when comparing it to the KLX's 18 I've been running around with for some time now.

 

-The Scrambler is the only way to go...as long as you don't plan on using saddle bags I've even had thoughts of getting a W650 and slapping-on scrambler pipes, but reports of a soon to be released, fuel injected W800 have put that on hold for now

-Agreed on the F650GS vs F800GS. The 650 has a factory lowering option though wheras the 800 does not. At least there will be none of the final drive issues related to the big, shaft drive boxers, but I'm still a bit uneasy about 'BMW quality'...especially in today's machines.

-Great choice on the CBF1000, beautiful bike!

-Can't say I like the like look of the bug-eyed Speed Triple though. It's probably a blast to ride and makes for good conversation, but I'm more inclined to own the totally redesigned, 2010 Zed 1000. Test rode one the other day...instant woodie! Very impressed with that bike. So much so that there's good chance I'll own one starting next season.

If the wife would show more enthusiam toward 2-up riding, I'd probably get a CB1300 Super Bol D'Or instead (really like that bike for some reason), but if most of my riding is 1-up, the Z1000 is the ticket

 

De - lurking after noticing W650/800 comment. My last bike before the KLX was a 2001 W650, loved it but made the mistake of selling it to pay off the loan on the KLX. Does anyone think there would be a US market for a presumably more expensive, FI, 800 cc version? I believe I had heard the total number of '00 and'01 W's sold in US was only around 2500 units. My buyer was located in California and wanted one so bad he was willing to have one trucked from Florida.

The Scrambler is lust inspiring as well.

 

I hate all the new bike looks, except the BMW 1150 or 1200 GS With the boxes. I'm leaning toward one of these. Most of them look ugly with soft leather harly wannabe luggage. I'm into the utility look.









Now that's a bike!!!!!

 

Although you guys know my first choice if I was rich would be one of these fo shizzle!

http://www.bikerzbay.com/images/stor...200GS_ADV3.jpg

 

Thanks but errr even though I bought one, i'm don't think it's a nice looking bike.
But as a long distance slab bike, it's a very good bike.
Good for 100mph, 800 mile days.



For my money you can't beat this for pure aesthetics.



A mate has one.
Not particularly comfortable or practical. Perfect.
And out of the crate not as quick as the latest sports offering from the Japanese even though it cost almost twice as much.
But IMHO, a beautiful looking bike.