The 390 is fantastic, bought the Duke a few weeks ago to commute. I prefer the more upright riding position for lane splitting etc. Very happy this far.
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Thinking about getting a bike.
- Thread starter copacetic
- Start date
The 390 is fantastic, bought the Duke a few weeks ago to commute. I prefer the more upright riding position for lane splitting etc. Very happy this far.
copacetic
King of the Hippies
Totally fair point. I haven't the foggiest about bikes. Been paying attention to them for about a week now, for the first time ever. Considerations like this are not obvious to me.
SauRoNZA
Honorary Master
Unless you have a ridiculously short commute superbikes really are just there for looks.
Same way a Ferrari or Lamborghini are terrible every day cars. Yes you can use them, but there are much better options.
Same way a Ferrari or Lamborghini are terrible every day cars. Yes you can use them, but there are much better options.
groenspookasem
Well-Known Member
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Superior handling, braking power centralised the weight, superb engine management and power to weight ratio, to name but a few, looks too I suppose. Anyway, it's a personal choice, many folks like Chinese cars for their... Cheapness? Others prefer piece of mind. Different strokes and all that.
If you need a cruiser to commute, you obvious don't worry too much about traffic, as you're pretty much a car, nothing nimble. Occasional Sunday ride is what cruisers are built for
If you need a cruiser to commute, you obvious don't worry too much about traffic, as you're pretty much a car, nothing nimble. Occasional Sunday ride is what cruisers are built for
Have you ridden any motorcycles? As in non-scooters?
Jumping from a scooter to something where you have proper brakes, gears and a clutch, can be tricky.
I would suggest a cheap-n-nasty. Either something 3rd or 4th hand, or something like a 200cc commuter bike. That way if you have any problems/tip-overs/scrapes it won't cost you an arm and a leg.
Once you're happy with riding around on the cheapy, then you can look at something with more power.
Superbikes, or rather, superbike riding positions are great for one thing only - the track. They are nothing but pain and suffering for a commute.
Jumping from a scooter to something where you have proper brakes, gears and a clutch, can be tricky.
I would suggest a cheap-n-nasty. Either something 3rd or 4th hand, or something like a 200cc commuter bike. That way if you have any problems/tip-overs/scrapes it won't cost you an arm and a leg.
Once you're happy with riding around on the cheapy, then you can look at something with more power.
Superbikes, or rather, superbike riding positions are great for one thing only - the track. They are nothing but pain and suffering for a commute.
copacetic
King of the Hippies
I haven't, no. This will be a project for the medium to long term, and I certainly will get some experience before getting something shiny and new.
copacetic
King of the Hippies
How much was it?
It's a KTM....so.....lots
KTM torture me daily, I can see their dealership from my desk. And everytime I ride past there, some bastard has his 1290 Superduke outside.
Can pick up a 2014 at Centurion KTM now for R57k.
I think I'll get me an el-cheapo to ride around with a little bit, build the confidence and all, and then look at getting one of these. Really growing on me.
Quite enjoyed these reviews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRd5QfIDT7M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMI6tXGNopU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTb_ipar40o
SauRoNZA
Honorary Master
Your desk is on a boat?
KTM Cape Town is about 6 blocks down the road from me. I can literally see it while typing this.
sobs74
Active Member
Am still young for a bike....Can't risk these CT drivers, esp winter coming up.
Ouch, mine was 63k when I bought it in November.. definitely check out the 390 Duke though.
Edit: Also check out a Kawasaki Ninja 300, Honda CBR 500.
Last edited:
zululami
Banned
I am thinking of getting myself a bicycle....
Ridolfc
Expert Member
My first bike was a 1980 Honda Hawk CB400T, The engine blew then I got a 1988 Honda CBR400 NC23, Great bikes but grey imports and most spare parts are used, so when you repair one thing another breaks.
I then bought a 2007 Suzuki GSX R 1000. Amazing bike, Super fast, lane splits like a dream, the hydraulic clutch gave your arm quite a work out. While I had this bike, the company I work for decided to move and I have to travel like 82Km a day. Even though it was awesome to ride the bike daily it became very costly, So I bought a small cheap little runner. A 2013 Bajaj Pulsar 180.
Had my first 2013 Bajaj pulsar 180 for 5 months and It was written off. Taxi ran a red light and knocked me into kingdom come. Was off work for a month and a half. Got another 2013 Bajaj Pulsar 180 that I am still using today.
Used the 2007 Suzuki GSX R 1000 on weekends only, then decided I want a Supermoto.
Sold the 2007 Suzuki GSX R 1000 and bought a 2014 KTM 690 SMC R which I ride to work once or twice a week and ride on weekends.
There are so many bikes I want but so little money. If I could win the lotto I would build a huge garage and fill it with bikes.
http://www.bikepics.com/members/ridolfc/
I then bought a 2007 Suzuki GSX R 1000. Amazing bike, Super fast, lane splits like a dream, the hydraulic clutch gave your arm quite a work out. While I had this bike, the company I work for decided to move and I have to travel like 82Km a day. Even though it was awesome to ride the bike daily it became very costly, So I bought a small cheap little runner. A 2013 Bajaj Pulsar 180.
Had my first 2013 Bajaj pulsar 180 for 5 months and It was written off. Taxi ran a red light and knocked me into kingdom come. Was off work for a month and a half. Got another 2013 Bajaj Pulsar 180 that I am still using today.
Used the 2007 Suzuki GSX R 1000 on weekends only, then decided I want a Supermoto.
Sold the 2007 Suzuki GSX R 1000 and bought a 2014 KTM 690 SMC R which I ride to work once or twice a week and ride on weekends.
There are so many bikes I want but so little money. If I could win the lotto I would build a huge garage and fill it with bikes.
http://www.bikepics.com/members/ridolfc/
SauRoNZA
Honorary Master
he he, I figured they would be invisible from anything but a dead on angle.
It's all in your power...don't blame everyone else.
And winter is the best time to be riding.
Ridolfc
Expert Member
No it's not.
Distracted drivers are a huge problem on the road.
You have no power over idiots playing on their cellphones and taxis driving like idiots.
SykomantiS
Expert Member
- Joined
- May 7, 2012
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This. So much of this. Vigilance does help but it will never really eliminate the threat. You are never in full control.
Agree strongly.
You have to ride on a bike with the attitude that everything else on the road is trying to kill you.
Archer
Honorary Master
Amen to that
If it's not raining the weather is better (no afternoon wind in CT) and if it is raining it's like a mini adventure. Plus all the suicidal scooters stay at home