Really love these videos and knew the Tuono would be in there… “if I could marry a bike, this would be it” still remains the best bike review. Shocked Aprilia didn’t use as for their promotion👍🤩
Greetings from down under. I love your work. I,ve just returned from a week riding a Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 in Tasmania. I generally go every year catching the ferry over and usually on a different bike every year. Whilst the Enfield is not a sport bike i had an absolute blast, best fun i,ve had there so far. Loved your piece on land of 100,000bends from Tassie a few years ago. Again Thankyou.
Another good Q&A. Really struck by the idea of a proper sports bike with comfortable riding position. Hope the marketing folk at the manufacturers are watching. Seems to me the generation who spent our hard earned cash in our youth on sportsbikes are now of an age and disposable income to be the next big biking boom. First out of the blocks would clean up!
I'd say the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory is exactly that. It's a naked based on a superbike with fairings and straight bars. Check out Neevesy's review for MCN 👌
@@Achilles22 - yeah fair point. The Aprilia's are not for the taller rider. If you're over 6ft I can only imagine the discomfort. In that case, the XR1000 sounds like a great shout, as you suggest. They look the business too.
@@kingGar27 Thanks for all the good suggestions. What a lovely community here. I am a larger gentleman than I used to be (need a belly cut out in the tank these days!!) and 6foot too. BMW was on my list but I don't have quite THAT much disposable income. I returned to biking getting a Versys 1000 which is the poor man's XR1000, kind of. And it is fine since I plan to do a bit more touring style riding. But the R1 rider in me is making himself heard again...😉
As Neeves alluded to, many of us have been asking for a hypernaked with fairings for years but for some reason, manufacturers think the vanishing sales of supersports is because riders don't want sportbike looks and high-reving engines, so they give us torquey nakeds. The truth is more simply that we're tired of being horribly uncomfortable while daily riding. Yamaha is going to release the R9 and I think they're going to make the same mistake they did with the R7: instead of just adding fairings to a naked and upgrading the suspension and brakes, they're going to make a terribly wristy MT09; essentially an R1 with less power. I have no interest in a S1000RR but give me an S1000R with fairings and I might get on the waiting list. Imagine a Tuono V4 with sportbike plastics or even the new Street Triple RS but with Daytona-like trim!
Great Q&A, thanks! I nearly fell off my chair when you mentioned a Ducati 888 SP3 as one of your dream garage bikes. I felt exactly the same when I first saw the SP3 at the NEC, my jaw just dropped - it was beautiful and brutal at the same time. I remember cutting a photo of the SP3 out of MCN and leaving it on my kitchen worktop so I could gaze at it every morning when eating breakfast. A year or so later I finally managed to afford a mint year old s/h example with only 1400kms on the clock and I still have it today. Between now and then it's had a full John Hackett Corsa-spec motor, magnesium Marchesini wheels and billet Brembo calipers. It still sounds like nothing else when I fire it up...
The last question strikes a chord. The new ZX4 sounds exciting in line with the smaller bike philosophy. An inline 4 you can rev the nuts off with enough grunt behind it too.
Completely agree on smaller bikes vs bigger. They're just more fun. Also I grew up on sport bikes, aprilia rs125 2 stroke at 17 years old, R6 at 19, than R1 at 21 and back to R6 at 23 up to 27 and having a maxi scooter gilera nexus 500 along side it was great. Anyways after 6 or so years with out a motorbike or scooter now back on the cb500x and couldn't be happier. All the power you need and you can really enjoy full open throttle. Love it. And when 2 up its enough to cruise at 80-90kph. I still love sports bike and love that they exist but I don't see myself getting another one.
I hear you on bigger machines are more serious, but a powerful bike doesn't have to be 200hp. Somehow I've ended up with 2 bikes that weigh the same, have the same hp (115 or so), and couldn't be more different. One is a L2 and one is an I4. I kind of think that this is a nice place to be: You can use the engine, and when you need - or want - the drive out of a corner, or to pass people on a back road - you get that sweet sweet midrange punch. Also, on the highway it is nice to have that reserve. Not sure I could give that up, though I do miss my cb500f - but once you've been to Paris ....
Very enjoyable listening to your wisdom and wealth of experience. I score 1 out of 6 with the Fantic. I agree a great fun bike and great to look at too. Looking forward to your next vid.
Every other reviewer is raving about the new Hornet. It's really interesting that, given the overall difference in performance and cost, you are still v much for the Triumph 660. I was going to test ride one but I found the general finish to be substandard, so I didn't bother wasting the dealer's time. I did see your epic ride, however, in appalling weather. So, it does have some qualities.
Thanks Michael another good one. One of my mates has just traded his 1100cc Pan European in for a Forza 350cc and he's loving it. I've yet to see it but one of his other mates is giving him some stick because its a Scooter. But I told him just what you said he can have as much fun on it as he could a bigger bike. Like you said it must be great fun wringing its neck in and out of bends which surely all bikes are about.
Interesting comment re adjustable clipons etc. I got a KTM RC8R because it's a little different and looks like KTM put some engineering effort into it before binning it. Comes with adjustable clipons, adjustable rear subframe height, adjustable rear ride height and adjustable pegs and that was in 2008+
Panigeli v4r, m1000 r/hp4 race, 213 Rv, ktm 1300 evo, and 1 or 2 cafes/Harley. A couple of off road bikes! Honda and ktm/ husky 916 senna or a 996r as a artpiece at home. 😊
Really enjoy your ramblings and highly respect your connections with MCN. May I make a simple observation that would make your videos even better… please look at the camera lens, not your image. We would feel more ‘with you’. 👍
About sports tourers... It's my favourite type of bike for regular road use. I'd love to get a big manufacturer round a table and design something from scratch with the best elements of bikes I have ridden over the years. We can but dream!
Thanks for the answer - it looks like a Sport Classic should be in my future then. Sorry for the long preamble before I got around to the actual question. 🫣 Interesting that you raced the FZR600R - I had a LOT of fun on that bike, and somehow got away with it, paired with the same Harada replica helmet that you have on the shelf behind you, which I still have. Keep up the good work - these videos are a great mix of strolls down memory lane to more current discussion and topics and I look forward to each one of them. 👍
Hey Neevesy Thanks for the videos. Great to hear you talk about bikes with the same passion that I have for them. Would love to know are some of the latest middle weight naked bikes as fast as Sports bikes of a few generations ago. For example, the new Street triple RS has around 130 hp, similar to my 2001 929 fire blade. But looking at the onboard videos from Jerez, it really doesn’t look like it accelerates as fast. Cheers Lewis
Great to catch you on the 44Teeth Street Triple review Neevesy. Loving the Fantic Caballero shout. Love my 390 Duke, but still like having the 900 for a Sunday.
Another fantastic video. I had a GSXR 600,750 and 1000. I made the mistake of listening to a salesman and moved to a Triumph Tiger. Great bike , but no “ wow “ factor. Annoyed the wife and bought a new KTM 790 Duke. Great “ wow “ factor but fuelling at low revs was horrendous. Risked divorce, 😂, and got the BMW s1000r sport. Wow factor and all round comfort and performance. Keep the videos coming.👍
Thanks for all your wealth of knowledge, absolutely awesome content. Arai is releasing new "contour" full face lid here in US soon, already pre-ordered mine. Like a corsair but with the larger opening, I'm sure you'll review if you haven't yet.
Oh ,my dream garage would have a YZ490 in it,the most amazing,scary two stroke, I first had a go on when I was a kid, I would also have a RG250 gamma and a RGV250,GPZ900,had a go on these back in the 80's,90's loved them, I'd also have a Honda CG125,first bike I had a ride on the road when I was 14! and I'd definitely have a RD125LC,but I think my dream garage would have to be a warehouse because if money was no object, I probably wouldn't stop buying bikes! Another great vid neevsey 👍
The T-Max riders in Paris are certifiable! But, then, the scooter is amazing, much better than most riders. Unfortunately, a lot of riders ride them as if "on track" and that doesn't, usually, end well! My _Dream Garage_ would be pre 2010 bikes and mostly pre 2000 bikes. I'm not a great fan of all the electronics. I understand why they are fitted - what happened to _"Stupid should hurt?"_ Otherwise, if you survive, you don't learn. What are your thoughts on "electronics"?
25 year old here - moving on from an MT07. Tested a Tuono V4, but it was too effortless. I've ended up with an 8 year old GSXR750 and couldn't be happier. Such a silly little bike. Picking it up tomorrow!
@@tubejorrit I had a go on a street triple but it was a bit clinical... Might be a different story on the new RS. Same clinical thing on the Tuono! Perhaps with a pipe I'd have walked away with an Aprilia. I just fell in love with the Suzuki.
The R1250GSA is a great one for the dream garage. I've been amazed at how agile mine is in the city, but also per one of your later comments - I very rarely get to fully open the taps as it becomes very illegal very quickly. Just added the aluminium panniers last week and they've got me wondering about a return to a bikes-only garage. Before the GSA I had a Himalayan and it was exactly like you described. Wide open a lot of the time, and a whole lot of fun.
Interesting what you say about low capacity bikes. I bought a BMW G310R last year, mainly to get about London, (which it's great at) but also a really crack riding round surrey where you can ring it's neck and not be doing stupid speeds. I'll probably buy a 750-1000cc bike this year, but I'll still keep the BMW for popping to the shops on.
Great videos as always. You should consider doing a members-only live session once a week or fortnight for 20-30 mins. £4 a month sounds about right! Maybe we can help you build that dream garage :) Question: I've a 2014 Daytona 675R (which I bought largely based on your recommendation and love for these bikes). BUT... it's very very clean with c.10k miles on the clock. And as much as I would love to take it on track, I also feel bad everytime I use it and couldn't forgive myself if I dropped it (...which I probably would on track... otherwise I'm probably not riding very fast). As testers, you rack up many laps on track on bikes that you definitely don't want to drop. How do you find the right balance between speed and caution? And is it hard to discipline yourself?
I almost joined the Craner Club last year, heading out on my first lap at the head of the Inters group on my R1250R... I didn't want to hold up the race bikes behind me and so I set off a bit quick on cold tyres. The TC cut the power and saved my ass!! Love Donington... I'll be training there in July too with the BMW Performance Academy. Now as much as I love big torque, that 765RS is floating my boat at the moment 🤩
I have three motorcycles that average 1200cc, all great in different ways but the bike I had most fun on on country roads would be my old air-cooled DR350. Zero stress motorcycling at lower horsepower.
Neevesy, I just need to say, you're a fountain of knowledge, many thanks for these hugely informative vids. Every biker should watch them. One thing that perplexes me, I always hear journos saying things like 'the front felt planted' or 'you can feel it let go gradually'. How does one learn to discern what the bike is doing to this degree, without pushing so hard you crash all the time?
man, learning to approach the limit of grip gradually is such an important skill. im so lucky i started on driving simulators, i spent about a year overcoming the grip of the tires and getting into horrendous crashed that would almost certainly have killed me in real life, and i had to teach myself to take it easy and push in small steps, which I thankfully did before i started doing track days for real on a motorcycle.
a dream garage, there is just so much to choose from! what about two stroke? 45 years ago I started out on a suzuki kettle, with a 3in1, 132db ! expansion pipe on it and annoyed everyone in the neigbourhood. rode a aprilia 250 and would love to have a modern two stroke, Suter? bit to expensive and not for the road but what a machine. sadly, no alternative these day's so perhaps back to a high revving 400 4 stroke like the new kawasaki. at least its affordable, the most beautiful modern bike's are becoming so expensive I don't even dare to dream about them. My 04 R1 is still going strong...
Cheers for your reply 👍. The 660 Tiger Sport is a close 2nd. More comfortable and with the extras available would be perfect for carrying my camera gear around. Let's see what happens in the future, but after visiting the MCN show a couple of weeks ago I got the chance to look and sit on the bikes and the 765R ticks the boxes for me. Watch this space.
My Dad is 66 and rides my Daytona 675R from time to time without issue. Not a bike for long journey's, but assuming you just want it for the thrill of riding on shorter spins I don't see why the newer 765R (or RS) wouldn't be the bike for you. Owning a bike is 50% about riding and 50% about loving the look and character of the bike. Seeing a 61 year old jump off a 765R sounds pretty cool to me!
I moved to Offaly in the middle of Ireland from Dublin I had a Ninja 636 it made no sense to me anymore when I’m surrounded with national roads and no motorways, so I got rid of it and got a little vitpilen 401 and now I have a Duke 390, and the baby Duke is easily the most fun I’ve ever had on a bike and I’m not exaggerating, me and my mates even call it baby Binder
Interesting vids, keep them coming . . . . . . . Do love comfortable sports bike . . . . . . I own a '16 S1000XR. It's a 160bhp sports bikes with all day comfort, in some ways reminds me of my old Yamaha TDM850, albeit way up on power. Remember thinking back then, a TDM with 120bhp would be the perfect bike. When the TDM was first launched, no one knew what, or who, it was for. I think it was just 10 years ahead of it's time and all the modern sports adventure types spurn from it - S1000XR, KTM1290GT, Multistrada's etc. Can you think of any other bikes which were ahead of their time and literally in a class of their own when they came out?
Something that is seldom if ever mentioned in bike reviews is insurance cost. Is it just me or is it getting harder to find affordable premiums? My bikes are standard but how some highly modified orvtuned bike owners, especially with claim history, can find an insurer at an acceptable price is beyond me.
Fully agree. I think prices in Ireland are way above those in the UK as well. Maybe that's the reason sportsbikes aren't as popular - way more expensive to insure!
Looking at various SportClassics still… and a local dealer has thrown a new Street Triple Moto2 into the mix… Different bikes of course but about the same price… The Moto2 looks like it would be huge fun and the Sport Classic looks great, sounds great and would also no doubt be fun on the road but in a different way. If you get a moment to follow up on this, which would you choose and why?
Enjoying this video series! Interesting to get your take on things. I know you're keen on your touring, as am I. I've done 5 or 6 European tours now, as far as Croatia but last year we stuck to southern France for a week and were amazed at some of the fast 'B road' type roads we found, preferring them to lots of the popular alpine passes. Are there any 'hidden gem' areas of the mainland you're particularly fond of, and if so, where/why?
About journalists prioritizing performance, I think there is some truth to this. I just went to California for a riding trip for the first time. The roads there are amazing, beautiful, and twisty. I live in Illinois, where a lot of people ride cruisers. I don't think it is a coincidence that all the motorcycle magazines with their headquarters in SoCal are always saying how cruisers are not their thing and they don't get them even though they are so popular.
Great mix of questions , as the TT approaches just wondered if you ever taken part? I think the brutality still makes it number1 Never raced or even been round a track but feel more connected to it and 6 laps of 37 miles on those roads just seems the limit of what’s humanly possible, concentration , rider skill and endurance are just incredible.
I changed to Metzlers sportec for my s1000rr loved them got my best lap at cadwell 1.34 on them after having done 1000m on them. When i had my first lesson on trac my body position was all wrong, it still is many years on, i sort of think unless you can do a lot of trac days muscle memory is lost, and as my age is against me I can only wish i had younger leg muscles.
Love your video chats. Re tyres I have a question for you - I just received my 2023 RR and it came with Dunlops -from factory apparently BMW are using Dunlop tyres across their range now. I'd appreciate your thoughts on your preferred tyre on an RR . Thanks Pete
Great videos and even compliments on your riding style on the Street Triple launch from one of your rivals. Question is.. I don't think anyone stops learning, so do you actually take training from any one or organisation to keep your riding sharp?
I have a zx10r 2020 dropped on it last september only 600mls owning a zx12r with alot of upgrades so riding the 10r wasn't impressed but liked the bike and since knowing what are the issues are i have repaced suspension with maxton removed all emissions and remapping changing clip ons and different tyres now this bike is on another level but still not any where near the price of some other 1000s i know its not Jr's bike or not super exotic but for around £14600 its worth sometimes putting things right than paying 25 to 35 k
What’s the worst/most embarrassing/awkward crash/incident you’ve had while on a manufacturer’s test? And how was it dealt with? Thinking Hogans famous fireblade wheelie.
Thank´s for your videos. It´s so nice with someone that does not shout out their opinions. My question to you is if it´s possible for a non UK resident to do track days in the UK. I would love to do a day or many on some of your tracks like Oulton Park, Donnington and so on. Everyone else here wants to go to Italy or Spain so not much of info to have here. What would it take to get my track day Duc 1098S OK for this? If at all possible for me beeing swedish? Keep up the good work, in the magazines and on YT.
Neevesy how are you ,great videos love them. I have been off bikes 15 years and last bike k3 1000 in 04 so 19 years .always wanted hayabusa and tl1000r what's your opinion on which would be more fun I've never had v twin but like the look and sound , gen 1 busa is cool too cheers keep up videos awesome
Hi Michael. Following on the discussion on sports tourers. I was wondering what your opinion is on superbike handlebar conversion kits readily available for sports bikes, so you can have a more comfortable position on a sports bike? This would retain the lively character of a sport bike of the old days (for example the GSX-R 750) with added comfort while retaining the wind protection. Thanks for the video's !
Love ya' work Neevesy, but no Suter MMX 500 in the dream garage is just not on! Actually, have you had the chance to ride one? I'd love take one for a ride, though it'd likely be my last hurrah! And tyres are freakin' amazing. Astonishing even, considering what they're able to do.
I really enjoy your videos and your work with your publication. I've learned a lot to improve my riding and safety while commuting to work on my scooter. I would like to ask, at what point should a rider buy a larger displacement motorcycle? And what advice would you give to someone who is considering such a purchase. For example, I commute to 20 miles to work on a 300 cc scooter. I'm considering a large displacement engine because I would like more acceleration when passing cars or to safely and quickly enter a space in traffic. How would I know when I should get a motorcycle or scooter with a larger engine or should I forgo the purchase and remain with my 300 cc banger?
Neevsey,just wondered what bike did you learn too ride on? Mine was a Garelli 50cc, first bike with a clutch and gears and no twist and go and no pedals😂happy days!
@neevesybikes Loving the videos. I'm 51 and have been riding for over 30 years now. What I look for in a bike has changed a lot over the years. Partly because everything hurts more when you're older, so sports bikes aren't really as appealing as they used to be and also because the choice of bikes now is so ridiculous, it's a lot easier to find something that fits your needs. So here's my question/s. As you've gotten older, do you feel yours tastes have changed? And if so, how do you feel this has affected how you approach bike tests?
Great video, thanks! Question for the next one please Neevsey. In quite a few videos, you rave about the GSXR750. I'm currently riding a CBR600RR and I want to move up, ideally an R1 but the GSXR750 has also crossed my mind. From your ownership, can you give the pros and cons of the GSXR750 including what your experience of reliability was like with it? How many miles did you rack up on yours?
Excellent channel, just a thought on way sports bike are mostly uncomfortable is the bar foot peg position due to superbike rules and have to be like street bike?
If the rear loses traction there’s lots of revs available to spin it up and throw you over the top. If you are in a lower gear and thus higher up in the revs and the tyre loses traction then you’ve only got a relatively small amount of revs available before hitting the limiter.
Ducati 888 belongs in every dream garage. I used to think the 916 is the prettiest bike ever made, but now I think it's the 888.
Love these videos. It's like having a super experienced bike buddy chatting with you.
Really love these videos and knew the Tuono would be in there… “if I could marry a bike, this would be it” still remains the best bike review. Shocked Aprilia didn’t use as for their promotion👍🤩
He has an amazing amount of knowledge he shares willingly to enlighten the listener. Pay attention you will learn a lot. IMHO
Greetings from down under. I love your work. I,ve just returned from a week riding a Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 in Tasmania. I generally go every year catching the ferry over and usually on a different bike every year. Whilst the Enfield is not a sport bike i had an absolute blast, best fun i,ve had there so far. Loved your piece on land of 100,000bends from Tassie a few years ago. Again Thankyou.
Another good Q&A. Really struck by the idea of a proper sports bike with comfortable riding position. Hope the marketing folk at the manufacturers are watching. Seems to me the generation who spent our hard earned cash in our youth on sportsbikes are now of an age and disposable income to be the next big biking boom. First out of the blocks would clean up!
Johnathan try the BMW XR 1000 or a Suzuki Katana, I’ve owned both bikes. They are like an upright Sports Bike 😊😊
I'd say the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory is exactly that. It's a naked based on a superbike with fairings and straight bars. Check out Neevesy's review for MCN 👌
@@kingGar27 yes I agree with you Gareth, but I’m 6ft 4Ins and swamp this small 600 size bike. Great choice though, that engine!
@@Achilles22 - yeah fair point. The Aprilia's are not for the taller rider. If you're over 6ft I can only imagine the discomfort. In that case, the XR1000 sounds like a great shout, as you suggest. They look the business too.
@@kingGar27 Thanks for all the good suggestions. What a lovely community here. I am a larger gentleman than I used to be (need a belly cut out in the tank these days!!) and 6foot too. BMW was on my list but I don't have quite THAT much disposable income. I returned to biking getting a Versys 1000 which is the poor man's XR1000, kind of. And it is fine since I plan to do a bit more touring style riding. But the R1 rider in me is making himself heard again...😉
As Neeves alluded to, many of us have been asking for a hypernaked with fairings for years but for some reason, manufacturers think the vanishing sales of supersports is because riders don't want sportbike looks and high-reving engines, so they give us torquey nakeds. The truth is more simply that we're tired of being horribly uncomfortable while daily riding.
Yamaha is going to release the R9 and I think they're going to make the same mistake they did with the R7: instead of just adding fairings to a naked and upgrading the suspension and brakes, they're going to make a terribly wristy MT09; essentially an R1 with less power.
I have no interest in a S1000RR but give me an S1000R with fairings and I might get on the waiting list. Imagine a Tuono V4 with sportbike plastics or even the new Street Triple RS but with Daytona-like trim!
Great Q&A, thanks! I nearly fell off my chair when you mentioned a Ducati 888 SP3 as one of your dream garage bikes. I felt exactly the same when I first saw the SP3 at the NEC, my jaw just dropped - it was beautiful and brutal at the same time. I remember cutting a photo of the SP3 out of MCN and leaving it on my kitchen worktop so I could gaze at it every morning when eating breakfast. A year or so later I finally managed to afford a mint year old s/h example with only 1400kms on the clock and I still have it today. Between now and then it's had a full John Hackett Corsa-spec motor, magnesium Marchesini wheels and billet Brembo calipers. It still sounds like nothing else when I fire it up...
was just getting ready for bed and this popped up, got to watch it now lol
Surely the answer to the performance / Comfort answer is the Ducati Multistrada . . . . ? Lovin the chats & the sharing of your wealth of knowledge
The last question strikes a chord. The new ZX4 sounds exciting in line with the smaller bike philosophy. An inline 4 you can rev the nuts off with enough grunt behind it too.
Comfy bike with sports bike performance and wind / fairing protection is the ktm 1290GT! Perfect bike.
Enjoying the q&a's, thank you for taking the time to make them.
KTM 1290 SDR, Kawasaki ZH2 SE, Street Triple RS and a Tenere 700 would be my dream garage.
Completely agree on smaller bikes vs bigger. They're just more fun. Also I grew up on sport bikes, aprilia rs125 2 stroke at 17 years old, R6 at 19, than R1 at 21 and back to R6 at 23 up to 27 and having a maxi scooter gilera nexus 500 along side it was great. Anyways after 6 or so years with out a motorbike or scooter now back on the cb500x and couldn't be happier. All the power you need and you can really enjoy full open throttle. Love it. And when 2 up its enough to cruise at 80-90kph. I still love sports bike and love that they exist but I don't see myself getting another one.
I hear you on bigger machines are more serious, but a powerful bike doesn't have to be 200hp. Somehow I've ended up with 2 bikes that weigh the same, have the same hp (115 or so), and couldn't be more different. One is a L2 and one is an I4. I kind of think that this is a nice place to be: You can use the engine, and when you need - or want - the drive out of a corner, or to pass people on a back road - you get that sweet sweet midrange punch. Also, on the highway it is nice to have that reserve. Not sure I could give that up, though I do miss my cb500f - but once you've been to Paris ....
Very enjoyable listening to your wisdom and wealth of experience. I score 1 out of 6 with the Fantic. I agree a great fun bike and great to look at too. Looking forward to your next vid.
Thanks, for another nice saterday view really love this!
Every other reviewer is raving about the new Hornet. It's really interesting that, given the overall difference in performance and cost, you are still v much for the Triumph 660. I was going to test ride one but I found the general finish to be substandard, so I didn't bother wasting the dealer's time. I did see your epic ride, however, in appalling weather. So, it does have some qualities.
Thanks Michael another good one. One of my mates has just traded his 1100cc Pan European in for a Forza 350cc and he's loving it. I've yet to see it but one of his other mates is giving him some stick because its a Scooter. But I told him just what you said he can have as much fun on it as he could a bigger bike. Like you said it must be great fun wringing its neck in and out of bends which surely all bikes are about.
Interesting comment re adjustable clipons etc. I got a KTM RC8R because it's a little different and looks like KTM put some engineering effort into it before binning it. Comes with adjustable clipons, adjustable rear subframe height, adjustable rear ride height and adjustable pegs and that was in 2008+
Panigeli v4r, m1000 r/hp4 race, 213 Rv, ktm 1300 evo, and 1 or 2 cafes/Harley.
A couple of off road bikes! Honda and ktm/ husky
916 senna or a 996r as a artpiece at home.
😊
Really enjoy your ramblings and highly respect your connections with MCN. May I make a simple observation that would make your videos even better… please look at the camera lens, not your image. We would feel more ‘with you’. 👍
About sports tourers... It's my favourite type of bike for regular road use. I'd love to get a big manufacturer round a table and design something from scratch with the best elements of bikes I have ridden over the years. We can but dream!
Thanks for the answer - it looks like a Sport Classic should be in my future then. Sorry for the long preamble before I got around to the actual question. 🫣 Interesting that you raced the FZR600R - I had a LOT of fun on that bike, and somehow got away with it, paired with the same Harada replica helmet that you have on the shelf behind you, which I still have. Keep up the good work - these videos are a great mix of strolls down memory lane to more current discussion and topics and I look forward to each one of them. 👍
Yeah Dean, Paul Smart......noice! 💪🛵
They are pretty.
As I get older (70) the saying “It’s better to ride a slow bike fast rather than a fast bike slow” becomes more realistic and relevant 🤙🏻
Hey Neevesy
Thanks for the videos. Great to hear you talk about bikes with the same passion that I have for them.
Would love to know are some of the latest middle weight naked bikes as fast as Sports bikes of a few generations ago. For example, the new Street triple RS has around 130 hp, similar to my 2001 929 fire blade. But looking at the onboard videos from Jerez, it really doesn’t look like it accelerates as fast.
Cheers
Lewis
Fantic Caballero 500: yes!
Enjoyed that.
Nice to zoom in and see the CCM 7/11 framed in the background at Phillip Island :)
Great to catch you on the 44Teeth Street Triple review Neevesy. Loving the Fantic Caballero shout. Love my 390 Duke, but still like having the 900 for a Sunday.
Another fantastic video. I had a GSXR 600,750 and 1000. I made the mistake of listening to a salesman and moved to a Triumph Tiger. Great bike , but no “ wow “ factor. Annoyed the wife and bought a new KTM 790 Duke. Great “ wow “ factor but fuelling at low revs was horrendous. Risked divorce, 😂, and got the BMW s1000r sport. Wow factor and all round comfort and performance. Keep the videos coming.👍
1st the dance music then the drumming and now f ing Carl Cox ! My worlds are colliding !!!
DREAM GARAGE BIKES :
1. Yamaha T-Max 560cc parallel-2 Scooter
YZF-R6
V-Max
2. BMW S1000RR (2019 Gen 4)
R 1300 GS (2023-24 upgrade)
HP4 Race (2017-19)
R9T Racer (cafe)
3. Aprilia Tuono V4
RS-Cube (1000cc Triple)
4. Singles : Fantic Caballero 500
CCM Spitfire 600
Vitpilen 701
5. Ducati X-Diavel 1260 V2 (not V4)
Desert-X
Desmosedici RR
6. Harley Breakout-117
Sport-Glide 107
Sportster-48
V-Rod
7. Kawasaki H2R
ZX-6R
1000 SX
ZX-14R
8. Indian Scout
9. MV AGUSTA 921 S (2023 concept)
10. KTM 450 SMR supermoto
1290 Superduke
990 Duke (being tested for 2024)
11. Honda CRF450L (supermoto)
CBR600RR
Africa Twin
12. Suzuki Hayabusa Gen 3 (which I already own along with 2 other bikes, Triumph Trident 660 & KTM 390 Duke, now considering Ducati Desert-X as my 4th)
Michael Neeves,
I'd add the following to my above list :
Kawasaki ZX-4R / ZXR-400 & ZXR-750 H1
Honda CB400SF / CB1300SF (super-fours)
Suzuki GSX-R750 / GSX-S750
Yamaha XSR-900, MT-10, FJR1300
ARCH Method 143 (2343cc air-cooled V2)
Brough Superior SS100 Original / Superior Lawrence
MV Agusta Superveloce-S
Harley Screamin' Eagle 135
MotoGuzzi V7III Racer (cafe)
Norton V4CR (1200cc V4 cafe)
Thanks for all your wealth of knowledge, absolutely awesome content. Arai is releasing new "contour" full face lid here in US soon, already pre-ordered mine. Like a corsair but with the larger opening, I'm sure you'll review if you haven't yet.
Great video. Keep them coming. Thanks for the track listing. Something to aim for!
Oh ,my dream garage would have a YZ490 in it,the most amazing,scary two stroke, I first had a go on when I was a kid, I would also have a RG250 gamma and a RGV250,GPZ900,had a go on these back in the 80's,90's loved them, I'd also have a Honda CG125,first bike I had a ride on the road when I was 14! and I'd definitely
have a RD125LC,but I think my dream garage would have to be a warehouse because if money was no object, I probably wouldn't stop buying bikes!
Another great vid neevsey 👍
Hi Neevesy, great content. How about the YZF R7 OW 02 as a dream garage? Surely one of the most gorgeous bikes ever
The T-Max riders in Paris are certifiable! But, then, the scooter is amazing, much better than most riders. Unfortunately, a lot of riders ride them as if "on track" and that doesn't, usually, end well!
My _Dream Garage_ would be pre 2010 bikes and mostly pre 2000 bikes. I'm not a great fan of all the electronics. I understand why they are fitted - what happened to _"Stupid should hurt?"_ Otherwise, if you survive, you don't learn. What are your thoughts on "electronics"?
Thank You!
Can't think that we've ever seen you on dirt bike Mr Neeves? If not,why not?
Packed with affectionate 'bike wisdom & occasional humour. Super content, ta, MN.
25 year old here - moving on from an MT07. Tested a Tuono V4, but it was too effortless. I've ended up with an 8 year old GSXR750 and couldn't be happier. Such a silly little bike. Picking it up tomorrow!
Wow that is a big step backwards, did you consider the Street Triple RS?
@@tubejorrit I had a go on a street triple but it was a bit clinical... Might be a different story on the new RS. Same clinical thing on the Tuono! Perhaps with a pipe I'd have walked away with an Aprilia. I just fell in love with the Suzuki.
The R1250GSA is a great one for the dream garage. I've been amazed at how agile mine is in the city, but also per one of your later comments - I very rarely get to fully open the taps as it becomes very illegal very quickly. Just added the aluminium panniers last week and they've got me wondering about a return to a bikes-only garage. Before the GSA I had a Himalayan and it was exactly like you described. Wide open a lot of the time, and a whole lot of fun.
There's a lot of bikes between 20hp and 150hp.
These Q&A's are brilliant
Neevesy is the best
Interesting what you say about low capacity bikes. I bought a BMW G310R last year, mainly to get about London, (which it's great at) but also a really crack riding round surrey where you can ring it's neck and not be doing stupid speeds. I'll probably buy a 750-1000cc bike this year, but I'll still keep the BMW for popping to the shops on.
Great videos as always. You should consider doing a members-only live session once a week or fortnight for 20-30 mins. £4 a month sounds about right! Maybe we can help you build that dream garage :)
Question: I've a 2014 Daytona 675R (which I bought largely based on your recommendation and love for these bikes). BUT... it's very very clean with c.10k miles on the clock. And as much as I would love to take it on track, I also feel bad everytime I use it and couldn't forgive myself if I dropped it (...which I probably would on track... otherwise I'm probably not riding very fast).
As testers, you rack up many laps on track on bikes that you definitely don't want to drop. How do you find the right balance between speed and caution? And is it hard to discipline yourself?
I almost joined the Craner Club last year, heading out on my first lap at the head of the Inters group on my R1250R... I didn't want to hold up the race bikes behind me and so I set off a bit quick on cold tyres. The TC cut the power and saved my ass!! Love Donington... I'll be training there in July too with the BMW Performance Academy. Now as much as I love big torque, that 765RS is floating my boat at the moment 🤩
I joined the Redgate Club 😆
Coppice paid up member here. 😋
Very nice.
I have three motorcycles that average 1200cc, all great in different ways but the bike I had most fun on on country roads would be my old air-cooled DR350. Zero stress motorcycling at lower horsepower.
Neevesy, I just need to say, you're a fountain of knowledge, many thanks for these hugely informative vids. Every biker should watch them. One thing that perplexes me, I always hear journos saying things like 'the front felt planted' or 'you can feel it let go gradually'. How does one learn to discern what the bike is doing to this degree, without pushing so hard you crash all the time?
man, learning to approach the limit of grip gradually is such an important skill. im so lucky i started on driving simulators, i spent about a year overcoming the grip of the tires and getting into horrendous crashed that would almost certainly have killed me in real life, and i had to teach myself to take it easy and push in small steps, which I thankfully did before i started doing track days for real on a motorcycle.
a dream garage, there is just so much to choose from! what about two stroke? 45 years ago I started out on a suzuki kettle, with a 3in1, 132db ! expansion pipe on it and annoyed everyone in the neigbourhood. rode a aprilia 250 and would love to have a modern two stroke, Suter? bit to expensive and not for the road but what a machine. sadly, no alternative these day's so perhaps back to a high revving 400 4 stroke like the new kawasaki. at least its affordable, the most beautiful modern bike's are becoming so expensive I don't even dare to dream about them. My 04 R1 is still going strong...
Interesting vid , cheers 👊
I'm on my own, I love to hear about tyres.
Fantastic Neevesy/
Cheers for your reply 👍. The 660 Tiger Sport is a close 2nd. More comfortable and with the extras available would be perfect for carrying my camera gear around. Let's see what happens in the future, but after visiting the MCN show a couple of weeks ago I got the chance to look and sit on the bikes and the 765R ticks the boxes for me. Watch this space.
Keep us updated how you get on.
All the best.
John
My Dad is 66 and rides my Daytona 675R from time to time without issue. Not a bike for long journey's, but assuming you just want it for the thrill of riding on shorter spins I don't see why the newer 765R (or RS) wouldn't be the bike for you. Owning a bike is 50% about riding and 50% about loving the look and character of the bike. Seeing a 61 year old jump off a 765R sounds pretty cool to me!
Great video as always... Wouldn't you say that the BMW S1000XR is the comfortable sport bike everyone's wishing for but nobody's talking about?
top g !
I moved to Offaly in the middle of Ireland from Dublin I had a Ninja 636 it made no sense to me anymore when I’m surrounded with national roads and no motorways, so I got rid of it and got a little vitpilen 401 and now I have a Duke 390, and the baby Duke is easily the most fun I’ve ever had on a bike and I’m not exaggerating, me and my mates even call it baby Binder
Interesting vids, keep them coming . . . . . . . Do love comfortable sports bike . . . . . . I own a '16 S1000XR. It's a 160bhp sports bikes with all day comfort, in some ways reminds me of my old Yamaha TDM850, albeit way up on power. Remember thinking back then, a TDM with 120bhp would be the perfect bike.
When the TDM was first launched, no one knew what, or who, it was for. I think it was just 10 years ahead of it's time and all the modern sports adventure types spurn from it - S1000XR, KTM1290GT, Multistrada's etc.
Can you think of any other bikes which were ahead of their time and literally in a class of their own when they came out?
Something that is seldom if ever mentioned in bike reviews is insurance cost. Is it just me or is it getting harder to find affordable premiums? My bikes are standard but how some highly modified orvtuned bike owners, especially with claim history, can find an insurer at an acceptable price is beyond me.
Fully agree. I think prices in Ireland are way above those in the UK as well. Maybe that's the reason sportsbikes aren't as popular - way more expensive to insure!
Oft ? Tyres argument 😂 … that’s with the gods 😂 no answer isn’t possible 😂
Looking at various SportClassics still… and a local dealer has thrown a new Street Triple Moto2 into the mix… Different bikes of course but about the same price… The Moto2 looks like it would be huge fun and the Sport Classic looks great, sounds great and would also no doubt be fun on the road but in a different way. If you get a moment to follow up on this, which would you choose and why?
Enjoying this video series! Interesting to get your take on things. I know you're keen on your touring, as am I. I've done 5 or 6 European tours now, as far as Croatia but last year we stuck to southern France for a week and were amazed at some of the fast 'B road' type roads we found, preferring them to lots of the popular alpine passes. Are there any 'hidden gem' areas of the mainland you're particularly fond of, and if so, where/why?
About journalists prioritizing performance, I think there is some truth to this. I just went to California for a riding trip for the first time. The roads there are amazing, beautiful, and twisty. I live in Illinois, where a lot of people ride cruisers. I don't think it is a coincidence that all the motorcycle magazines with their headquarters in SoCal are always saying how cruisers are not their thing and they don't get them even though they are so popular.
Great mix of questions , as the TT approaches just wondered if you ever taken part?
I think the brutality still makes it number1
Never raced or even been round a track but feel more connected to it and 6 laps of 37 miles on those roads just seems the limit of what’s humanly possible, concentration , rider skill and endurance are just incredible.
I must be strange because i enjoy reading about tyres 😂
I changed to Metzlers sportec for my s1000rr loved them got my best lap at cadwell 1.34 on them after having done 1000m on them. When i had my first lesson on trac my body position was all wrong, it still is many years on, i sort of think unless you can do a lot of trac days muscle memory is lost, and as my age is against me I can only wish i had younger leg muscles.
What do you think of the old two stroke sports bikes like the Aprilla rs250? Never ridden a two stroke and the high revs sounds like fun
Love your video chats. Re tyres I have a question for you - I just received my 2023 RR and it came with Dunlops -from factory apparently BMW are using Dunlop tyres across their range now. I'd appreciate your thoughts on your preferred tyre on an RR . Thanks Pete
TMAX - greatest bike of ALLLL TIME
👍
Great videos and even compliments on your riding style on the Street Triple launch from one of your rivals. Question is.. I don't think anyone stops learning, so do you actually take training from any one or organisation to keep your riding sharp?
I have a zx10r 2020 dropped on it last september only 600mls owning a zx12r with alot of upgrades so riding the 10r wasn't impressed but liked the bike and since knowing what are the issues are i have repaced suspension with maxton removed all emissions and remapping changing clip ons and different tyres now this bike is on another level but still not any where near the price of some other 1000s i know its not Jr's bike or not super exotic but for around £14600 its worth sometimes putting things right than paying 25 to 35 k
What’s the worst/most embarrassing/awkward crash/incident you’ve had while on a manufacturer’s test? And how was it dealt with?
Thinking Hogans famous fireblade wheelie.
Thank´s for your videos. It´s so nice with someone that does not shout out their opinions.
My question to you is if it´s possible for a non UK resident to do track days in the UK.
I would love to do a day or many on some of your tracks like Oulton Park, Donnington and so on.
Everyone else here wants to go to Italy or Spain so not much of info to have here.
What would it take to get my track day Duc 1098S OK for this? If at all possible for me beeing swedish?
Keep up the good work, in the magazines and on YT.
Neevesy how are you ,great videos love them. I have been off bikes 15 years and last bike k3 1000 in 04 so 19 years .always wanted hayabusa and tl1000r what's your opinion on which would be more fun I've never had v twin but like the look and sound , gen 1 busa is cool too cheers keep up videos awesome
Hi Michael. Following on the discussion on sports tourers. I was wondering what your opinion is on superbike handlebar conversion kits readily available for sports bikes, so you can have a more comfortable position on a sports bike? This would retain the lively character of a sport bike of the old days (for example the GSX-R 750) with added comfort while retaining the wind protection. Thanks for the video's !
Love ya' work Neevesy, but no Suter MMX 500 in the dream garage is just not on! Actually, have you had the chance to ride one? I'd love take one for a ride, though it'd likely be my last hurrah! And tyres are freakin' amazing. Astonishing even, considering what they're able to do.
I really enjoy your videos and your work with your publication. I've learned a lot to improve my riding and safety while commuting to work on my scooter. I would like to ask, at what point should a rider buy a larger displacement motorcycle? And what advice would you give to someone who is considering such a purchase. For example, I commute to 20 miles to work on a 300 cc scooter. I'm considering a large displacement engine because I would like more acceleration when passing cars or to safely and quickly enter a space in traffic. How would I know when I should get a motorcycle or scooter with a larger engine or should I forgo the purchase and remain with my 300 cc banger?
Neevsey,just wondered what bike did you learn too ride on? Mine was a Garelli 50cc, first bike with a clutch and gears and no twist and go and no pedals😂happy days!
@neevesybikes Loving the videos. I'm 51 and have been riding for over 30 years now. What I look for in a bike has changed a lot over the years. Partly because everything hurts more when you're older, so sports bikes aren't really as appealing as they used to be and also because the choice of bikes now is so ridiculous, it's a lot easier to find something that fits your needs. So here's my question/s. As you've gotten older, do you feel yours tastes have changed? And if so, how do you feel this has affected how you approach bike tests?
Great video, thanks! Question for the next one please Neevsey. In quite a few videos, you rave about the GSXR750. I'm currently riding a CBR600RR and I want to move up, ideally an R1 but the GSXR750 has also crossed my mind. From your ownership, can you give the pros and cons of the GSXR750 including what your experience of reliability was like with it? How many miles did you rack up on yours?
Dear Dean, you have too much money. Buy a budgie.
😂😂😂 After getting back into bikes I no longer have too much money. 😂
Neevesy, do you do one to one track tuition?
Excellent channel, just a thought on way sports bike are mostly uncomfortable is the bar foot peg position due to superbike rules and have to be like street bike?
Where did the nickname Saint come from.
Being in a low gear increase the risk of a highside? Why? How do I ask you these questions for these videos!
If the rear loses traction there’s lots of revs available to spin it up and throw you over the top. If you are in a lower gear and thus higher up in the revs and the tyre loses traction then you’ve only got a relatively small amount of revs available before hitting the limiter.
These videos are brilliant, how do I get a question answered ? Thanks in advance
Is that your question? 😂
Just ask...
Cannonball
You don’t throw away a current S1000RR engine? Tell that to the poor owners having camshafts replaced in a couple of thousand miles…