Is there a twilight zone?

[snowy]

Been looking at a middle-weight for a while now, the GTR, however good it is as an all rounder is a bit of a beast in urban / slow M'ay traffic.
Have me old GSX750F which was used regularly as a commuter, a tad small for me tho' and getting unreliable.
So, test rides, here we go!   
Versys 650, love the agility and nimbleness, bars OK but not brilliant - buzzy on the pegs, on both occurrences I have ridden......hmmmmm
Tracer 900 - my, what a tool!, good position, cracking engine, jus a bit too close to the GTR in wanting to go, don't think I'd get much in m.p.g. commuting on that! Great fun tho! 
Honda NC750X, again does what is says on the can - a commuter - DCT, yep, quite nice for urban work, but OMG BORING! In sport mode a tad better but..........
VStrom 650............talking boring......just can't get to like it......like the K1600, a tad soul-less.
Tiger 800, again, great bike, been there before, pins and needles in the throttle hand, same as the Explorer and VFR800 I had - think that's CTS in my arm....do I have surgery?
So, called up local BMW Motorrad, asked what they have in used commuter stylee, advised that F700GS, ex-dem fully loaded, up for sale!
Test rode, enjoyed, SWMBO liked the back (with comfort seat added, standard is a plank with some vinyl fitted!) good reviews and m.p.g., low depreciation, and longer service intervals than the Versys and cheaper too!
So deposit paid, just waiting for prep and collection! Where can I get this thing called "patience"?
The extreme "dark side" not for me, tried, impressive, but characterless, so have I entered the "TWILIGHT ZONE"?

[iamkwackers]

Sounds like it to me buddy....good luck with your lightweight  sorry your twilight BMW   

[O.C.]

Been looking at a middle-weight for a while now, the GTR, however good it is as an all rounder is a bit of a beast in urban / slow M'ay traffic.
Have me old GSX750F which was used regularly as a commuter, a tad small for me tho' and getting unreliable.
So, test rides, here we go!   
Versys 650, love the agility and nimbleness, bars OK but not brilliant - buzzy on the pegs, on both occurrences I have ridden......hmmmmm
Tracer 900 - my, what a tool!, good position, cracking engine, jus a bit too close to the GTR in wanting to go, don't think I'd get much in m.p.g. commuting on that! Great fun tho! 
Honda NC750X, again does what is says on the can - a commuter - DCT, yep, quite nice for urban work, but OMG BORING! In sport mode a tad better but..........
VStrom 650............talking boring......just can't get to like it......like the K1600, a tad soul-less.
Tiger 800, again, great bike, been there before, pins and needles in the throttle hand, same as the Explorer and VFR800 I had - think that's CTS in my arm....do I have surgery?
So, called up local BMW Motorrad, asked what they have in used commuter stylee, advised that F700GS, ex-dem fully loaded, up for sale!
Test rode, enjoyed, SWMBO liked the back (with comfort seat added, standard is a plank with some vinyl fitted!) good reviews and m.p.g., low depreciation, and longer service intervals than the Versys and cheaper too!
So deposit paid, just waiting for prep and collection! Where can I get this thing called "patience"?
The extreme "dark side" not for me, tried, impressive, but characterless, so have I entered the "TWILIGHT ZONE"?

No, you have entered the Dark Side   

[snowy]

No, you have entered the Dark Side   

Transition has happened, I'm 50% in the dark side!
Took possession of the F700GS tonight, and I must say, really quite pleasant!
Need to plan a grand day out in the Welsh borders, just 4 night shifts to get through first!   

[GTRpilot]

16 Litre tank 😨?

[Burchy]

Shame you didn't try the Versys 1000.  Very different to the 650.  In a good way

[snowy]

16 Litre tank 😨?

Indeed, 3.4 gallons, but should return 50+ mpg so will be fine as the commuter I bought it for.

[snowy]

Shame you didn't try the Versys 1000.  Very different to the 650.  In a good way

Agreed, but I was after a middleweight commuter, Gtr a tad big for commute in heavy / city traffic, 1000 versys would be better but too close to the GTR in how it does it, like the Tracer I rode, great bit of kit but not what I was after, now if I was replacing the GTR versys 1000 would be definite option!

[Charlie747]

 

To The Dark Side............so a double agent like myself. 

[snowy]

To The Dark Side............so a double agent like myself. 

    "A foot in both camps" -  - Loving it!
The little BM showed it's worth tonight on the work run, basically indicating 60mpg steady 70 on the M54, we'll see how real that is when I fiil up!
Just got to "bling" it up now.......dam those engine bars are expensive light hangers! 

[snowy]

     really happy in the twilight zone!
OK, F700GS - 800cc and only 75 horses, but smile inducing, ear to ear!
Used last 3 nights for work, 38 miles each way, did 5 journeys (189 miles)on a tank (and 20 miles in reserve) at 65m.p.g!
M54 - sits at 70 (+ a bit!) easily, and will readily overtake, M6, through the queues like a hot knife in the butter! 
Ticking all the boxes for what I wanted it for........apart from ............the seat!
.......why, oh why, oh why do we have to buy a "comfort" seat!     
But, what bike will I be using for Normandy, the NC500 in September and general hooning........................GTR!   
Still very, very fit for purpose!

[PRD]

You have to buy a ' comfort seat' so BMW can make more money out of you.