Ok, my main use of the bike nowadays is the commute to work, about 40 miles round trip, and maybe a run out somewhere on my day's off. As time goes on and circ's change it's unlikely I'll be doing any long distance touring again.
So I've had to ask the brutal question, should I look for a replacement for my GTR, something lighter with good fuel economy perhaps.
I'm not sure I need a big tourer for that journey and use although I love it to bit's and for touring it has been fantastic for both of us.
So what do peep's go for after the GTR if downsizing?
Versys1000. ... a new model due imminently 2019 :yes:
BMW GSA :popcorn:
Versys is a good bike and i was seriously considering one, however having had a Z1000SX for 2 years i can honestly say what a fantastic bike - not a GTR but but not far away either. MPG is about the same depending on how you like to twist the throttle, but best of all it is 12 Stone YES 12 stone!!! lighter than the GTR. if you are not touring now the panniers will be ample for your requirements, however you will not be able to fit a top box with the panniers if you buy the touring version. I would urge you to have a test ride you will not be disappointed. Go for the standard version as most of the tests i have read prefer the std over the supercharged.
Ktm 790 would be ideal ,or one of the triumph twins ,
BMW obviously!!
Quote from: PRD on October 24, 2018, 08:29:23 AM
BMW obviously!!
Would you recommend the GS or the GSA?
Having owned one I'd suggest a test ride on the Z1000SX, great bike for one person, does everything pretty well IMO. It is not the roomiest bike for 2 which is why I bought the GTR and now also have a GSX S1000 for when I go out solo with my mates.
For one bike I wouldn't hesitate on buying another Z1000SX.
Quote from: Lonewolf on October 24, 2018, 10:59:14 PM
Would you recommend the GS or the GSA?
neither too common really. The new r1250r is the one.
Get a used Deauville for the commute and keep the GTR.
Yes, the Dullville won't excite you but it is perfect for middle distance commuting, good weather protection, comfy, filters effortlessly, and gets 60mpg.
If I were 4" shorter I'd have one.
Quote from: Boomer on October 25, 2018, 12:48:19 PM
Get a used Deauville for the commute and keep the GTR.
Yes, the Dullville won't excite you but it is perfect for middle distance commuting, good weather protection, comfy, filters effortlessly, and gets 60mpg.
If I were 4" shorter I'd have one.
I'd agree with a Honda Dullsville, or as an alternative a BMW F800GT. I'm not a BMW groupie, but they are good middle size bikes.
If it is a middle weight you are looking at then the Ninja 600 is a great bike i had on of these too brilliant, for the commute i had mine for 3 years did 33,000 miles and it never missed a beat. Or you could go a middleweight tourer and try the VFR 800 my mate has one and loves it.
Quote from: PRD on October 25, 2018, 08:10:16 AM
neither too common really. The new r1250r is the one.
Well you say that but would you chop your GTR 1400 in just because Kawasaki brought out a GTR 1450.....I doubt it.
Thank's for all your responses, just soaking up the ideas :yes:
Just looking at a 2017 Versys 1000 GT with custom seat engine bars etc, etc, full bells and whistles for £9999, it's done 2038 miles, quoted £5600ish for my 2011 GTR in part ex, hmmmm.
Nah stay with Gtr. No nasty chain to worry about. And you keep the money in your bank. Why would the Versys be better than the Gtr for you?
Definitely stick with the GTR, the Versy's I'm sure is okay, but the GTR is in a different league.
That's decided then, keep the old girl, she has served me well so far. I'll splash out on a valve check instead :sweatdrop:
I have owned 4 GTRs since their introduction, and I have owned two Versys 1000s. I have just ordered my third Versys 1000, so I can advise you from a position of actual/practical knowledge, unlike others.
The GTR is my all time favourite bike, but became too heavy for me and as I wasn't touring as much I really didn't need the Continent shrinking capabilities of the GTR, although the capable Versys also makes light work of long days in the saddle, (I am speaking from experience !)
The Versys 1000 is an outstanding bike which does everything as well as the GTR, in some cases even better, I would argue that it is more comfortable for both rider and pillion than the GTR and has similar luggage carrying capabilities, the Versys is more economical and being much lighter is easier to live with
My recommendation is to try a Versys 1000 and then you will know if the bike satisfies your needs or not. Silly comments about "nasty chains" should be ignored as they have no accuracy in today's world, it's a bit like saying 'BMWs aren't reliable'
Good luck with your decision making
I'm wondering if Rog has the above post saved as a document somewhere and just copies and pastes it into various threads as the need arises. :mfr_lol:
What strange wonderment :mfr_lol: obviously brought about by overexposure to Germanic conveyance :mfr_lol:
You know well that my posts are and always have been completely original, my observations are based on factual experience and at my advanced age I can boast more of that than some others :tt2:
Surly shaft drive is a better idea than chain. Apart from the weight of course. But no spraying and adjusting. Then cleaning the sticky gloop off the wheel.
Chains have their place on certain types of bikes, like kiddies tricycles and excercise bikes, but when it comes to boys and their toys....Shaft is the way to go, can you dig it. :yes:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rYriOuyJU5I (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rYriOuyJU5I)
Quote from: Lonewolf on December 28, 2018, 07:58:17 PM
Chains have their place on certain types of bikes, like kiddies tricycles and excercise bikes, but when it comes to boys and their toys....Shaft is the way to go, can you dig it. :yes:
:no:
I'd also urge you to try the Z1000SX. The Triumph Tiger 1050 also impressed me although the one I tried was one of the older versions (pre Sport). Smooth and quick but not the most roomy thing.
I went from a BMW (shaft drive) to the GTR (2011 Grand Tourer) followed by a Versys 1000, and am now riding a BMW (shaft drive model) again. In my time with the Versys I covered just over 13,000 miles and the chain was adjusted twice, once at the first service and once at the 7,500 mile service. I was told by the dealer that it would probably last until around 25,000 miles without further adjustment, at which time a new chain would be needed. The dealer said that typically, a modern chain would only be adjusted twice in its lifetime. When touring, I would pack one of the very small cans of chain spray under the seat with the Versys, mainly to use in wet weather. I had used to clean and lubricate the chain at around 1000 mile intervals.
As regards cleaning, the shaft drive bikes always need a wipe off of both wheels anyway after riding, due to brake dust. The Versys needs the same, however the brake dust on the rear wheel is combined with some chain oil. Little to choose between the two, in my opinion.
Conversely, my 1970's Honda's and similar need the chain adjusting every 500 - 1000 miles and lubricating at around 250 miles, and so are far more labour intensive.
Right, test ride for a Versys in the new Year, have a good one all :banana:
Quote from: GTRpilot on December 31, 2018, 04:39:20 PM
Right, test ride for a Versys in the new Year, have a good one all :banana:
Wise decision, try it and if you like it you can decide what your next move will be, if on the other hand you don't like it then nothing has been lost
Good luck for a great 2019
:rolleyes:
Spending a lot of money to go back to chain drive!
Quote from: PRD on December 31, 2018, 09:22:11 PM
Spending a lot of money to go back to chain drive!
Exactly, it seems like a backward move. After having a virtually maintenance free drive system, to go back to a chain seems almost archaic. :wacko:
Quote from: Lonewolf on January 01, 2019, 01:57:47 AM
Exactly, it seems like a backward move. After having a virtually maintenance free drive system, to go back to a chain seems almost archaic. :wacko:
I did it, and to a Ducati, no regrets whatsoever, it's horses for courses I reckon.
GTR was awesome, but got to heavy for me otherwise it would still be here, Mutly here is 15 stone lighter, and it's my new girlfriend, does all I want and never complains.
Quote from: BigAlan on January 01, 2019, 09:32:09 AM
I did it, and to a Ducati, no regrets whatsoever, it's horses for courses I reckon.
GTR was awesome, but got to heavy for me otherwise it would still be here, Mutly here is 15 stone lighter, and it's my new girlfriend, does all I want and never complains.
does your wife know?
I'm sure modern chains are better but they still need adjustment and oiling. Rather not have to do that.
Quote from: GTRpilot on December 31, 2018, 04:39:20 PM
Right, test ride for a Versys in the new Year, have a good one all :banana:
Get over to the Versys 1000 forum, you may meet some familiar people. :cool:
Just ridden a 68 plate Versys 1000. Nice bike. Sticking with a full-blown tourer with the 1400 engine!
Went for versys1k aswell and love it
I love chains, I can see them and touch them, clean them, tinker with them, replace them, upgrade them,
I am at one with them, I know how old they are, how long they've got left before they die and you just know where you are with them. they give you loads of warning when they are about to die and even then you can still use them past their sell by date (if careful) ive had a new chain and sprocket set for the zx6r on my shelf for 5 years!!! bought as I detected wear but 6000 miles later its still going strong.
this is my first shaft drive and ok ive stripped it and moly greased it (thanks to the how to on here) but im almost scared of it and I know that one day it could just die and that's it, marooned without any warning
ring the aa.
its like my plasma tv
I cant do anything about it and one day it will just fail and I cant afford to have another on a shelf
whereas with a chain its serviceable at a reasonable cost, I have a splitter/riveter and do it myself.
15-25000 miles for a chain if looked after 5 mins every month and a few hundred miles before it needs replacing it will let you know compared to half a day researching and stripping and greasing the shaft drive and still not knowing when the bomb is gonna go off. and I dread to think at what cost?
I hate all this constant technological advancement they force onto motorbikes rendering my bent spoon and fag paper toolkit useless.
.
Mine had to have the output bevel box bearing replaced at 68k miles, but only because it was making a clunking noise. Otherwise I have well over 500,000 miles on shaft drive bikes and have only ever replaced the oil at the recommended intervals.
Chains can snap, seize, and if not lubed and adjusted correctly will trash the sprockets.
I've seen chains snap, and on one trip one of my mates had to have his front sprocket welded to the output shaft as it stripped the spline.
Shaft = reliable, low maintenance.
Chain = efficient, light.
Modern chains are a massive improvement over those of yesteryear, as Boomer says simple occasional cleaning and correct adjustment of a modern chain and it should last for 30 + thousand miles, many owners report better lifespan than this
I never had any issues with the shaft drive on any of my past bikes, again correct maintenance will help
BTW it isn't advisable or necessary to ver grease the splines and also you should use a recommended lubricant (Moly)
ive got 6 bikes and only one of em's got shaft drive
I was sold on the versys but now im looking at the z1000sx
still yet to test ride either