See all the other episodes in our What Bike Next playlist: bit.ly/WBNplay, and if you'd like to apply to be in the next series then send an email to enquiries@bikesocial.co.uk
Yamaha FJR 1300 . Awesome bikes.. I've done over a 120,000 miles on them. Reliable, good service intervals, over 50 mpg. 25 litre tank. Bags of torque. Solo, loaded, two up plus loaded.. awesome bikes.
Great call, and one I immediately thought of when we meet Tim but there wasn’t a suitable bike available on the day we were shooting. Nevertheless, as I write this I know Tim’s not made a decision yet but I do expect it’s on his shortlist. Cheers, Michael
Here's the official line from SBK Factory on test rides: "Due to the extensive range of motorbikes we have available at our dealerships, offering test rides is logistically challenging. However, we provide a 14-day money back guarantee with every purchase. This allows you to thoroughly evaluate the motorbike in your own time and return it within 14 days of purchase if it doesn’t meet your expectations. We believe this policy offers greater flexibility and assurance compared to a brief test ride."
@@bennettsbikesocial Fair enough but who's going to go through buying a bike, doing all the paperwork and organising insurance etc just to see if the bike is for them. Logistically challenging sounds like a cop out.
I have some sympathy with the “stack em high sell em cheap” business model. Permitting test rides adds to costs. Maybe a different dealership model is more suitable for some. But you’ll pay more.
Nice to see someone wanting to go touring on a sports tourer! Everybody goes for adventure bikes now days and overlooks the sports tourer. They do everything most people want touring, you can whip the luggage off for a weekend blast all without riding something that looks like a mechano suspension bridge.
Agreed. So many adv bikes out there that never see a trail or a dirt road. I reckon it's the comfortable seating position that many riders go for, which I understand for sure. But like you, I am more of a traditionalist. Along with my FA (See above) I am also the proud owner of a 2017 Trophy SE. Man what a bike. For sports touring, it's an absolute Cadillac! A nice contrast from the brutal power and attitude of the FA.
@@Raptorace225 I kind of get it with everyone driving around in pointless SUVs, they do lift you up and improve visibility and the roads are awful these days. Both things are problems that shouldn't really exist. But a lot of the big adventure bikes now aren't even designed for real off-roading, people want to pretend they are Ewan and Charlie when they pull up the gravel carpark outside the pub but realised that a proper off-road bike isn't that great on the road where they spend most of their time. I love that sports tourers are so versatile, comfortable and a lot quicker than they usually look to the uninitiated.
That's what I thought when I traded my Triumph Tiger 1200 for a vfr1200f that I had for 4 years. Really was a great bike, but our roads, or more the roads that I ride on just aren't suited to short travel suspension and weight on the wrists of a sports-tourer. The vfr was so good in fact that I got the 1200 Crosstouer at the start of the year (same engine) For me, it just does everything better, ride over bumpy roads thanks to the bigger wheel and more travel, tank range gone from like 130 to 190 miles, and no more wincing when I'm coming down hill into a slow corner around the back lanes. Oh and the vfr doesn't have much low down torque it's all in the midrange (where it just fucks off), whereas the Crosstouers torque is right after idle and a lot better for overtakes, you just don't get that top end rush where you clench everything and desperately try to hold on to the slippery stock seat 😂😂 Kudos to the vfr, it corners at triple figure speeds like an absolute dream, and stable as anything up to its top speed
@@scotwilson4169 how do you find the crosstourer? My old man has one but he doesn't really get on with it at all. He complains about the suspension and the throttle being jerky at low speed. He doesn't particularly like the drivetrain lash either but that's something I've found in shaft drive bikes. He loves the build quality, looks and power when you get on it but would rather ride his old versys 1000.
I ride a Blackbird XX-2 and I put a pair of Metzelers Z6 on her just over 1200miles ago - man they are so very cheap and they are just incredible wet and dry much better than the Battlaxe's that she had on before Metzelers. She is such a joy and a dream to ride. The Z6 I would reccommmend if you ain''t tried them on your Blackbird they are very nice indeed.
@@cloudbasenirvana thanks for the recommendation. My rear tyre probably needs replacement at some point. I think mine is an XX-6 (2006) iron nail colouring. Still one of the best bikes I’ve ever ridden and owned. Feels like you could ride the length of the country with no issue.
I'm on my 3rd Triumph 1050ST and of course swear by them. Being a bit smaller of stature it suits me perfectly. A frine of mine(a big lad) had a GTR1400 and professes it is the best big he has ever had. The VFR is also excellent..... Lucky Tim !!!
Funny thing is, no-one was excited when they came out. In person they're a beautiful sculptural object (IMO). Ariel uses that drivetrain in their Ace - they removed some manners, and can massage it up to 200bhp.
Funny how opinions change as you age. I wouldn't have given that VFR a second look 10 years ago but these days I ride a GS and wouldn't mind a VFR or that GTR 😂 Just a sign im getting old!
This is a great series, guys. Ironically, the first bike that Simon looked at is the bike I still own after 13 1/2 years and 70,000 miles because I refuse to part with it! That being the GXS1250FA. Granted, she's a big girl and in its stock form it's a little raw, but since I got my Trophy SE in 2017, I have ripped all of the bags etc. off of her, had the brakes completely redone including installing braided steel lines, had the front forks rebuilt and added a custom rear shock built to my spec, and the bike was transformed. Now it's a road missile. And a comfy one at that. There is nothing quite like it! For clarity, you guys are confined to picking something out from whatever showroom you are in, correct? I ask because there are a lot of bikes that were missed, but they most likely were not in the showroom at the time. At some point, will you guys do a recap show and let us know what bikes the guests ended up getting? That would give us proper closure. Keep up the great work!
First thought Honda ST1100, ST1300, or a Yamaha FJR1300, though that may change once I hear Tim's specs. Thinking he might also like a Triumph Trophy but with other bikes in the stable Japanese reliability and longevity might be a big plus for Tim. I think he looked most comfortable on the Kawasaki and at the end of the day that is an important factor for a tourer. Personally, I think the VFR was the best looking but at nearly 2k over Tims stated budget I would advise the Kawi, but it is Tims' choice.
Nice to have Sir John McGuinness in the mix ... I would have been tempted to go with the VFR just so I could say "recommended by John McGuinness!" I wonder if some of the criticisms of handling and braking can be blamed on old tires and pads?
Yes, I am thinking the same thing. Bleeding the brakes, swapping pads, setting tire pressure, and choosing a front tire with a different profile can make a big difference.
@@PieroAlfonso77 It has surprised me to demo a bike and find out later that the tire pressure was low. This also recently happened when I had new tires installed - you'd think a shop would be on top of that.
If you were gonna go in over budget on the honda anyway then surely one of those z1000sx's would have been a good option. There is a reason they are the most sold sports tourer in the uk. He even expressed that he would consider just making a supersport more comfy... which is basically what the z1000sx is
It's really interesting to hear from just riding a bike from literally a few years apart from each other, technology, design, geometry, engine mapping etc definitely changes the way a bike feels, turning, braking, torque, stability and comfort. It also proves that the best minimum budget for certain bikes need to be £6k at least, the Gen 2 Kawasaki in point is proof of that
Really is beautiful isn't it. I've had a couple of 90's VFRs. VFR400, VFR750... Totally different styling on this 1200, but I'm all over it like a cheap suit. You can see that they have tried to ape this kind of look with the relatively recent NT1100, which I reckon is also a beautiful bike.... I'll get my coat
I think Tim's original, primary bike is badass. I like to play along at home, and I coudn't find anything nicer than what you guys found. Maybe a BMW K1200s, but a lot of miles.
To play along at home, you convert the money from theirs to yours, then look at cycle trader, or marketplace, set to 250mi from your home, and listen to what the contestant tell you they want. You have until the video is over, so kinda a lot of time actually.
Horses for courses every bike suits different needs expectations. He kinda wanted touring bike comfort with superbike performance for under 5k 😂 great series guys look forward to it 👍
How do you guys get superbike factory to let you test ride anything!! They certainly don't seem to be friendly to the average customer on hearing the bike let alone test rides 🤷🏻♂️
They didn't even have half the bikes on stock that I specifically phoned about that morning. Great program but superbike were awful to deal with and put me off all of it.
I foolishly purchased a bike from them last week . It arrived running on one cylinder. Disappointed considering all the pdi nonsense they said they were doing
bmw k1300s , 100% would have ticket all the boxes , forgotten gem of a bike, ps shout out to the legend that is of coarse john , met him at the Scottish bike show a few years back , was an absolute gem of a guy , always a pleasure seeing and hearing from john
Ha! Great to hear from you and that the VFR (as approved by Mr. J. McGuinness MBE Esq.) is going well. When you're in the market for your next bike, you'll have to get in touch! Cheers, Michael
Nobody talks about the zx14 it's like it's a big scary monster, but it's an absolutely amazing sports tourer. Just go ride one, ignore the stupid hype,and appreciate a very versatile and capable machine hugely underrated.
Excellent series this is. It'd be cool to have a part ll of this series. I feel like i need closure with what Tim (and or other guests) actually picked.
Pain and anguish? I have done weekends away (over 400/500 miles), two-up, on a Daytona 955i. Same thing with a Thruxton 900.... all over 40/50, and all with 4 slipped discs. No problem whatsoever. I have, for the last 12 months, been using a VFR1200F for longer rides (again, no problem whatsoever, but the luggage IS a luxury in comparison). The VFR is a marvellous machine, loaded with all the horses and torque one needs, which can also easily keep up with sportier bikes in the twisties.
Love the show and great enthusiasm and energy from you both as always How about fitting a GoPro/microphone on the bike and we see a few clips and hear actual thoughts of the rider while trying out the bikes🤔
Thanks for that. We thought about it but didn’t want to create an additional element for the candidate who already has enough to think about on the test ride. Maybe one day we’ll try it.
@@marksimpson5218People buy more bikes using the money they earned from the job that prevents them from riding said bikes. Having a car and three bikes would have been absolutely bonkers when I grew up but now it’s not terribly uncommon in my parts.
Good to know you noticed the power delivery on the vfr, really comes alive above 5k rpm translates to not much low end torque, its all in the midrange. Had one for 4 years and just traded up for the Crosstouer which is so much better suited to our shite roads and miles beter tank range. Now all thay torque is practically just after idle and she really pulls, then it doesnt die off at higher rpm but you dont get that rush where you have to tense everything and focus on hanging on like the VFR 😂 Also SBF dont do test rides so i personally wont buy from them, BUT i got my vfr1200f from them and had it for 4 years so cant be that bad...?
Of course the legend John McGuinness picked the best bike, awesome machine - I might be a little biased 😅 needs an upgraded saddle for touring, the stock one is a plank of wood. Ps the dct is actually really good despite being the first bike to have it.
Thanks for the comment! We normally add a voiceover to the outro sequence about the outcome but on this occasion Tim's not made a decision yet. Well, this time last week he hadn't! But you're right, perhaps we should revisit all our previous customers... Cheers, Michael
I'm wondering how a follow-on episode would do, where a guest returns to the show with the bike they chose. Then one of the hosts draws one more bike and the rider tests it as a comparison to what they got. Did they make the right choice? Could be some suspense but it might invite some long, unhappy faces, but that can still be good drama! Obviously you would have to wait until the honeymoon period with a new bike was over before proceeding with "round two."
Thanks for the comment and I'm glad you're enjoying. We've got another four filmed which will be out over the next few weeks and contain even more variety of criteria! Cheers, Michael
There was a series that was made by Men and Motors about 20 years ago, it was called Used Bike Heaven. The filming was generally at D&K in Staffs and was exactly this format. You can see most of the series on RUclips
Love these vids! Any chance of doing an A2 special? There's way more choice nowadays with loads of 95bhp bikes in the mix. Going up from a 125cc has become a bit more confusing.
Looking for a new bike myself, had a ZZR600 and loved it. Looking for a newer but similar sports tourer. I'm female, in my 50s, don't have the same strength as a 6ft bloke. Suggestions welcome 🙂
@@bennettsbikesocial I don't have the face for TV 😆 It's so frustrating that new sports tourers are usually 900cc plus and other option is top heavy adventure bikes. Wish they'd bring back something for the shorter and less strong riders out there 😏
thanks, I've looked down the Ninja route previously but the seating position wasn't quite right, but I'll go look at the 24 version for sure. Worth a try 😊 @@AdamForeman
My wife and I had a ZZR600 for many years, and loved it! The first bike I ever did a track day on... and the first one I got my knee down. It was comfy for two up riding and although the handling and ground clearance weren't great, that engine was amazing! Ride it like a 2 stroke and it just took off! I eventually replaced it with a VFR800 (non Vtec)... and only recently replaced that with the latest VFR800. Took a while to get used to the V4 engine power delivery over the inline 4, but the VFR is no heavier than the ZZR600 and handles a million miles better. You might miss the top end rush of the inline 4, depending on your riding style, but the VFR makes up for it lower down, if you're prepared to open it up earlier, whilst cranked over. I'd seriously consider one, if I was in your position... it's a very underrated bike. We ride ours 2-up mostly, but solo on Sunday blasts and I made it to the intermediate group at some tracks... so it's a great all-rounder. Like you, I don't like "adventure" bikes, and although I've had more powerful bikes in the past, I like to chase the red line and you just can't do that and keep your license on anything modern with much more than 100bhp. Enjoy! :-)
You know that's a blackmail right ? There would need to be something really sweet on the top of the bike to make that concept work. I understand that you feel that you have the experience from this video cheapened but people are recollecting thoughts and sometimes it messes their plans and targets.
Tim getting a 1000cc sports bike, I've got a K6GSXR,, it's a great bike,,,, don't think 29k is big milage? Be the Kawasaki for me 😉,, from northern Ireland ☘️☘️☘️☘️ great series
@@gpzfan5272 I got one in mint condition with full luggage & heated grips for £1.2k had her 1 year now and she still runs as sweet today as she did the day I got her.
With you there Geoff.... We're all human (OK maybe not the gingers. Where you stick your thing is of no consequence. I dot have a Volvo but I do have 6 bikes 🏍
I see what was fixed, but clearly there was a huge change compared to previous ones. The photography of it just weird somehow and the editing is strange too. Not like the usual high definition and quality editing. Never the less, the hosts were top notch, as always. And this time instead of a guest, had a third host.
I thought the second bike was a bmw when the cover first came off. R1200RS would be good does the LC version come in budget though. An R1200RT would have it buy not for £4k.
It's often argued, and I'm not involved in the What Bike Next series, but... the SAE J1349 power and torque certification procedure lists the units of measurement as being N-m or lb-ft. That's what I always use, and what we use (along with Nm) in all our written reviews at BikeSocial.co.uk. Cheers, John
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See all the other episodes in our What Bike Next playlist: bit.ly/WBNplay, and if you'd like to apply to be in the next series then send an email to enquiries@bikesocial.co.uk
Yamaha FJR 1300 . Awesome bikes.. I've done over a 120,000 miles on them. Reliable, good service intervals, over 50 mpg. 25 litre tank. Bags of torque. Solo, loaded, two up plus loaded.. awesome bikes.
yeah, bit sad not to see one here, you can pick up a good one for 4k
Great call, and one I immediately thought of when we meet Tim but there wasn’t a suitable bike available on the day we were shooting.
Nevertheless, as I write this I know Tim’s not made a decision yet but I do expect it’s on his shortlist.
Cheers, Michael
I think it wouldn't have the Tim's desired sportiness.
Kawasaki GTR1400 🫶
Yeah great bikes. A good friend of mine just ticked over 100kmi on his, and it runs smooth as butter. And looks wise, has aged well too.
Hi guys, still going strong, I loved my day doing this and it was really helpful, but most of all it was a fun day so thanks.
Cheers Bob, good to hear you’re still enjoying them!
Michael
How about a bmw k1300s
r1200/1250 R or RS... you are welcome.
The VFR is the right choice for a truly sporty tourer.
@@garyt123 but the important question is, which gen?
Superbike Factory don't give test rides from my interaction with them. No ride no sale. Entertaining content.
If they don’t give test rides they will never get my business, rip off merchants!
Here's the official line from SBK Factory on test rides: "Due to the extensive range of motorbikes we have available at our dealerships, offering test rides is logistically challenging. However, we provide a 14-day money back guarantee with every purchase. This allows you to thoroughly evaluate the motorbike in your own time and return it within 14 days of purchase if it doesn’t meet your expectations. We believe this policy offers greater flexibility and assurance compared to a brief test ride."
@@bennettsbikesocial Fair enough but who's going to go through buying a bike, doing all the paperwork and organising insurance etc just to see if the bike is for them. Logistically challenging sounds like a cop out.
I have some sympathy with the “stack em high sell em cheap” business model. Permitting test rides adds to costs. Maybe a different dealership model is more suitable for some. But you’ll pay more.
@@Achilles22They didn't even phone me back...that very dealer...I bought my bike from Wigan, no faff dealership!
Nice to see someone wanting to go touring on a sports tourer! Everybody goes for adventure bikes now days and overlooks the sports tourer. They do everything most people want touring, you can whip the luggage off for a weekend blast all without riding something that looks like a mechano suspension bridge.
Agreed. So many adv bikes out there that never see a trail or a dirt road. I reckon it's the comfortable seating position that many riders go for, which I understand for sure. But like you, I am more of a traditionalist. Along with my FA (See above) I am also the proud owner of a 2017 Trophy SE. Man what a bike. For sports touring, it's an absolute Cadillac! A nice contrast from the brutal power and attitude of the FA.
@@Raptorace225 I kind of get it with everyone driving around in pointless SUVs, they do lift you up and improve visibility and the roads are awful these days. Both things are problems that shouldn't really exist. But a lot of the big adventure bikes now aren't even designed for real off-roading, people want to pretend they are Ewan and Charlie when they pull up the gravel carpark outside the pub but realised that a proper off-road bike isn't that great on the road where they spend most of their time. I love that sports tourers are so versatile, comfortable and a lot quicker than they usually look to the uninitiated.
That's what I thought when I traded my Triumph Tiger 1200 for a vfr1200f that I had for 4 years. Really was a great bike, but our roads, or more the roads that I ride on just aren't suited to short travel suspension and weight on the wrists of a sports-tourer. The vfr was so good in fact that I got the 1200 Crosstouer at the start of the year (same engine)
For me, it just does everything better, ride over bumpy roads thanks to the bigger wheel and more travel, tank range gone from like 130 to 190 miles, and no more wincing when I'm coming down hill into a slow corner around the back lanes. Oh and the vfr doesn't have much low down torque it's all in the midrange (where it just fucks off), whereas the Crosstouers torque is right after idle and a lot better for overtakes, you just don't get that top end rush where you clench everything and desperately try to hold on to the slippery stock seat 😂😂
Kudos to the vfr, it corners at triple figure speeds like an absolute dream, and stable as anything up to its top speed
@@scotwilson4169 how do you find the crosstourer? My old man has one but he doesn't really get on with it at all. He complains about the suspension and the throttle being jerky at low speed. He doesn't particularly like the drivetrain lash either but that's something I've found in shaft drive bikes. He loves the build quality, looks and power when you get on it but would rather ride his old versys 1000.
What a lovely guy! Really enjoy this series 👍🏼
25:35 in Green Suzuki Z1000 SX ??? Simon… you‘ll be getting emails 😂😂😂😂
Tim could be co-presenter also, very entertaining!
Agreed! He’s a natural in camera.
Yeah good screen presence
Get McG as a regular. 😁😁🏁🏁
Fellow Kiwi!
I’d like to put a plug in for a Honda Blackbird - which I own and is utterly awesome.
(Mine came with hard bags and heated grips)
I ride a Blackbird XX-2 and I put a pair of Metzelers Z6 on her just over 1200miles ago - man they are so very cheap and they are just incredible wet and dry much better than the Battlaxe's that she had on before Metzelers. She is such a joy and a dream to ride. The Z6 I would reccommmend if you ain''t tried them on your Blackbird they are very nice indeed.
@@cloudbasenirvana thanks for the recommendation. My rear tyre probably needs replacement at some point.
I think mine is an XX-6 (2006) iron nail colouring. Still one of the best bikes I’ve ever ridden and owned. Feels like you could ride the length of the country with no issue.
I'm on my 3rd Triumph 1050ST and of course swear by them. Being a bit smaller of stature it suits me perfectly. A frine of mine(a big lad) had a GTR1400 and professes it is the best big he has ever had. The VFR is also excellent..... Lucky Tim !!!
You know you are gettin old when you get excited by a VFR like that 🙃😁
I feel the same about parallel twins.
I swear they could have checked out the ST1300 for the shaft drive and V4 as well. Might have fit the bill
Funny thing is, no-one was excited when they came out. In person they're a beautiful sculptural object (IMO). Ariel uses that drivetrain in their Ace - they removed some manners, and can massage it up to 200bhp.
@@anxiousappliance I think I agree, looks very sculpted
Funny how opinions change as you age. I wouldn't have given that VFR a second look 10 years ago but these days I ride a GS and wouldn't mind a VFR or that GTR 😂 Just a sign im getting old!
“DO NOT TOUCH THE BIKES !!!!”
I really enjoy this kind of videos, just briliant, please more of those.
This is a great series, guys. Ironically, the first bike that Simon looked at is the bike I still own after 13 1/2 years and 70,000 miles because I refuse to part with it! That being the GXS1250FA. Granted, she's a big girl and in its stock form it's a little raw, but since I got my Trophy SE in 2017, I have ripped all of the bags etc. off of her, had the brakes completely redone including installing braided steel lines, had the front forks rebuilt and added a custom rear shock built to my spec, and the bike was transformed. Now it's a road missile. And a comfy one at that. There is nothing quite like it! For clarity, you guys are confined to picking something out from whatever showroom you are in, correct? I ask because there are a lot of bikes that were missed, but they most likely were not in the showroom at the time.
At some point, will you guys do a recap show and let us know what bikes the guests ended up getting? That would give us proper closure. Keep up the great work!
Never mind the GTR, if he wants more sports, then go for the ZZR 1400, would fit the bill and he can keep the 600.
Spiegler do a bar conversion...a must on the GTR1400
Top stuff.
Great chat info and banter.
A favourite watch.
More, por favor.
Ride safe 👍
Gracias, more to come soon enough!
Cheers, Michael
Love seeing cheaper bikes. Biking is not about spending a lot. It's about happiness.
First thought Honda ST1100, ST1300, or a Yamaha FJR1300, though that may change once I hear Tim's specs. Thinking he might also like a Triumph Trophy but with other bikes in the stable Japanese reliability and longevity might be a big plus for Tim. I think he looked most comfortable on the Kawasaki and at the end of the day that is an important factor for a tourer. Personally, I think the VFR was the best looking but at nearly 2k over Tims stated budget I would advise the Kawi, but it is Tims' choice.
Nice to have Sir John McGuinness in the mix ... I would have been tempted to go with the VFR just so I could say "recommended by John McGuinness!" I wonder if some of the criticisms of handling and braking can be blamed on old tires and pads?
Yes, I am thinking the same thing. Bleeding the brakes, swapping pads, setting tire pressure, and choosing a front tire with a different profile can make a big difference.
yeah that was pretty tempting, although the guy who bought it was a lovely chap and fighting him for it would have felt bad
@@PieroAlfonso77 It has surprised me to demo a bike and find out later that the tire pressure was low. This also recently happened when I had new tires installed - you'd think a shop would be on top of that.
If you were gonna go in over budget on the honda anyway then surely one of those z1000sx's would have been a good option. There is a reason they are the most sold sports tourer in the uk. He even expressed that he would consider just making a supersport more comfy... which is basically what the z1000sx is
Mate John McGuiness tells you to get a bike you get it! 🏍️
It's really interesting to hear from just riding a bike from literally a few years apart from each other, technology, design, geometry, engine mapping etc definitely changes the way a bike feels, turning, braking, torque, stability and comfort. It also proves that the best minimum budget for certain bikes need to be £6k at least, the Gen 2 Kawasaki in point is proof of that
VFR is one of the best looking bikes on my opinion. Would love one someday
Really is beautiful isn't it. I've had a couple of 90's VFRs. VFR400, VFR750... Totally different styling on this 1200, but I'm all over it like a cheap suit. You can see that they have tried to ape this kind of look with the relatively recent NT1100, which I reckon is also a beautiful bike.... I'll get my coat
My sports tourers in my collection are the 2014 VFR 800 and 2019 KTM 1290 GT . The VFR is still great .
Ha, Tim! Great to see you here. Hope we get to ride again together in the Scottish Borders this summer!
hope to pop down for a drink during the tour, see you then!
I think Tim's original, primary bike is badass. I like to play along at home, and I coudn't find anything nicer than what you guys found. Maybe a BMW K1200s, but a lot of miles.
To play along at home, you convert the money from theirs to yours, then look at cycle trader, or marketplace, set to 250mi from your home, and listen to what the contestant tell you they want. You have until the video is over, so kinda a lot of time actually.
Good game! Everyone should have a go at that.
Horses for courses every bike suits different needs expectations. He kinda wanted touring bike comfort with superbike performance for under 5k 😂 great series guys look forward to it 👍
How do you guys get superbike factory to let you test ride anything!! They certainly don't seem to be friendly to the average customer on hearing the bike let alone test rides 🤷🏻♂️
I wonder why Superbike Factory have that policy; I was considering visiting them, but won't now. I'd never buy a bike that I haven't test-ridden.
They didn't even have half the bikes on stock that I specifically phoned about that morning. Great program but superbike were awful to deal with and put me off all of it.
Plus 1 on this, when I went to Superbike Factory, I was told "we don't do test rides" I walked away.
I sat on a bike to test its comfort and was aggressively told off by the staff... never been back...
I foolishly purchased a bike from them last week . It arrived running on one cylinder. Disappointed considering all the pdi nonsense they said they were doing
Great show and Tim was an awesome guest! (as was that John bloke!) An old Hayabusa could have floated Tims boat I reckon...
A Hayabusa would have been a great mystery pick (although it's the wrong brand this episode!).
@@PieroAlfonso77had to be a Honda from JM!
@@bennettsbikesocial When Michael Dunlop is on, then it can be any brand 😁
one of the best what bike next? vlogs all three where close to the purchasers limits, apart from John's on the price
29k miles for a GTR.. it’s still on the initial rotation ..:) these bikes can go forever
I own a mint 2014 VFR and a lovely 2006 Triumph ST1050. You’d go a very long way to beat either of them for that sort of budget.
If you don't mind me asking, what has the ST been like for reliability, in your opinion? I'm looking at getting one next. Cheers!
bmw k1300s , 100% would have ticket all the boxes , forgotten gem of a bike, ps shout out to the legend that is of coarse john , met him at the Scottish bike show a few years back , was an absolute gem of a guy , always a pleasure seeing and hearing from john
Great episode and great to meet you all on the day!……… so do I get what was in the VFR envelope 😂 Loving the VFR ❤️
Ha! Great to hear from you and that the VFR (as approved by Mr. J. McGuinness MBE Esq.) is going well. When you're in the market for your next bike, you'll have to get in touch!
Cheers, Michael
Nobody talks about the zx14 it's like it's a big scary monster, but it's an absolutely amazing sports tourer. Just go ride one, ignore the stupid hype,and appreciate a very versatile and capable machine hugely underrated.
Excellent series this is. It'd be cool to have a part ll of this series. I feel like i need closure with what Tim (and or other guests) actually picked.
29K miles for such a big grand tourer is nothing. the engine is practically brand new.
You'd have thought a so called "journalist" would know that?
Pain and anguish? I have done weekends away (over 400/500 miles), two-up, on a Daytona 955i. Same thing with a Thruxton 900.... all over 40/50, and all with 4 slipped discs. No problem whatsoever. I have, for the last 12 months, been using a VFR1200F for longer rides (again, no problem whatsoever, but the luggage IS a luxury in comparison). The VFR is a marvellous machine, loaded with all the horses and torque one needs, which can also easily keep up with sportier bikes in the twisties.
Love the show and great enthusiasm and energy from you both as always How about fitting a GoPro/microphone on the bike and we see a few clips and hear actual thoughts of the rider while trying out the bikes🤔
Thanks for that. We thought about it but didn’t want to create an additional element for the candidate who already has enough to think about on the test ride. Maybe one day we’ll try it.
I think the lesson to learn from this show is, people actually have no idea what they want and have no idea how much money they’d spend 😂.
Surely an older but tidy zzr1200 with luggage may be an option.
First time seeing this format of review. Love it !🎉
Thanks and welcome! There’s 11 episodes in total all on a playlist. Three more to come over the next few weeks.
Cheers, Michael
29,000 miles is considered ‘high miles’ now?
For most bikers that’s a lifetime 😅
My tracer is ten years newer & it’s done over 30,000 miles. The Kawasaki had only done 2000 miles a year, that’s bugger all for a touring bike.
@@marksimpson5218People buy more bikes using the money they earned from the job that prevents them from riding said bikes. Having a car and three bikes would have been absolutely bonkers when I grew up but now it’s not terribly uncommon in my parts.
@@marksimpson5218 one of my bike’s done just under 16K in year 1 😂
@@marksimpson5218 - it must have been sat in the owners garage crying and screaming take me out, take me, take me out.
Good to know you noticed the power delivery on the vfr, really comes alive above 5k rpm translates to not much low end torque, its all in the midrange. Had one for 4 years and just traded up for the Crosstouer which is so much better suited to our shite roads and miles beter tank range. Now all thay torque is practically just after idle and she really pulls, then it doesnt die off at higher rpm but you dont get that rush where you have to tense everything and focus on hanging on like the VFR 😂
Also SBF dont do test rides so i personally wont buy from them, BUT i got my vfr1200f from them and had it for 4 years so cant be that bad...?
As someone who passed his test in the mid eighties, electronics are over blown in terms of importance one you have some experience
Of course the legend John McGuinness picked the best bike, awesome machine - I might be a little biased 😅 needs an upgraded saddle for touring, the stock one is a plank of wood. Ps the dct is actually really good despite being the first bike to have it.
Got my bike from SBF, brilliant service, and great deals on bikes..
The Metzler Lasertech tires on my W-650 gives you all the lean you need. By the way the “W” stands for……
WONDERFUL !!!
Fantastic episode. Will be great to get an update on Tim's purchase. Wondering if it could be added as a segment on a future episode?
Thanks for the comment! We normally add a voiceover to the outro sequence about the outcome but on this occasion Tim's not made a decision yet. Well, this time last week he hadn't!
But you're right, perhaps we should revisit all our previous customers...
Cheers, Michael
I'm wondering how a follow-on episode would do, where a guest returns to the show with the bike they chose. Then one of the hosts draws one more bike and the rider tests it as a comparison to what they got. Did they make the right choice? Could be some suspense but it might invite some long, unhappy faces, but that can still be good drama! Obviously you would have to wait until the honeymoon period with a new bike was over before proceeding with "round two."
What an awesome line up you guys put together.
Fabulous series, TBH any of the bikes would have been a good purchase and the Triumph 1050 with only 7k miles and under £4,500 was a great suggestion.
Thanks for the comment and I'm glad you're enjoying. We've got another four filmed which will be out over the next few weeks and contain even more variety of criteria!
Cheers, Michael
What the hell is Hargreaves on about? 29k is high mileage!?!?! On a GTR!?!? Ridiculous comment.
Thanks for the update, it may have changed my mind 😊
I love this series 👌🏻
Love it. This would make a great TV series. I reckon you should always double the stated budget 🤣
There was a series that was made by Men and Motors about 20 years ago, it was called Used Bike Heaven. The filming was generally at D&K in Staffs and was exactly this format. You can see most of the series on RUclips
I love this format, awesome footage and roads. 👍🏻👍🏻
Personally I'd maybe prioritize more engine sound over background music. That smooth in line 4 😁
Great smart and fun interactions
Love this series keep up the good work all of you.
Thanks! We’ll do our best.
Cheers,
Gen2 'busa. Missed a trick there mate. Probs over budget though.
Great episode, made me chuckle a lot.
Love these vids! Any chance of doing an A2 special? There's way more choice nowadays with loads of 95bhp bikes in the mix. Going up from a 125cc has become a bit more confusing.
We'd love to, are you going to apply?
@@bennettsbikesocial I'd be well up for it! Unfortunately I live in Spain so will have to watch it on RUclips.
@@joselago198 Perhaps a Spanish special is on the cards one day!
Before watching the panels suggestions:
BMW K1300S
Kawasaki 1400GTR
haha i also suggested bmw k1300s, being on the sporty side of sports touring apart from a zzr1400 i dont know of another bike that even comes close
K1300S is criminally overlooked as a sport tourer. 1400GTR for sure- you can't lose with either.
Fantastic bike, the GTR had many happy Miles on my GTR. Now, on the new Honda NT1100
R1200RS now go cheap... or an R. Torquey, fun, comfy... good tech. Maybe out of budget still for him. But a great value.
Without seeing John's choice I'd have gone Sprint ST and VFR 800
Great video after some careful re-editing. 😄
😊
Ssshh, don’t know what you’re talking about 😊
Also thinking that a 2012-2016 Versys 1000 could have been on the list but perhaps it still is too much on the adventure side.
Seems like a proper nice bloke! The Kawasaki is a beast of a bike, I think I would have gone for that too
Keep this series going!
Kawasaki h2sxse except for the price. it turns very nice like it just wants to have fun too 😁 and it had loads of power and grunt. also hard box's
Three good choices of bikes, Prof Tim sounds a really nice bloke, he's going to end up with about 10 bikes in his garage 😂😂
Looking for a new bike myself, had a ZZR600 and loved it. Looking for a newer but similar sports tourer. I'm female, in my 50s, don't have the same strength as a 6ft bloke. Suggestions welcome 🙂
If you’re a BikeSocial member then feel free to apply to be on the show: enquiries@bikesocial.co.uk
@@bennettsbikesocial I don't have the face for TV 😆 It's so frustrating that new sports tourers are usually 900cc plus and other option is top heavy adventure bikes. Wish they'd bring back something for the shorter and less strong riders out there 😏
@@Gilly_PI LOVE the ZZR series, but I think the ZZR name has been replaced by NINJA. So check out the new KAWASAKI NINJA 650 2024 edition.
thanks, I've looked down the Ninja route previously but the seating position wasn't quite right, but I'll go look at the 24 version for sure. Worth a try 😊 @@AdamForeman
My wife and I had a ZZR600 for many years, and loved it! The first bike I ever did a track day on... and the first one I got my knee down. It was comfy for two up riding and although the handling and ground clearance weren't great, that engine was amazing! Ride it like a 2 stroke and it just took off!
I eventually replaced it with a VFR800 (non Vtec)... and only recently replaced that with the latest VFR800. Took a while to get used to the V4 engine power delivery over the inline 4, but the VFR is no heavier than the ZZR600 and handles a million miles better. You might miss the top end rush of the inline 4, depending on your riding style, but the VFR makes up for it lower down, if you're prepared to open it up earlier, whilst cranked over. I'd seriously consider one, if I was in your position... it's a very underrated bike.
We ride ours 2-up mostly, but solo on Sunday blasts and I made it to the intermediate group at some tracks... so it's a great all-rounder.
Like you, I don't like "adventure" bikes, and although I've had more powerful bikes in the past, I like to chase the red line and you just can't do that and keep your license on anything modern with much more than 100bhp. Enjoy! :-)
You guys need punters
with more cash also I get the feeling they’re only there for fifteen minutes of fame not really there to make a purchase.
That opening, beer bellies, all very Grindr
Hubba hubba
Back on form with this one, I really thought you’d jumped the shark with last one with the Vulcan and Royal Enfield.
I mean, seriously?
Love the Global Culture quintessentially Kiwi tee shirt 😁👍
Suzuki Z1000sx ever green 😂😂bit of a slip up there I think Simon realised what he said straight after
Tim should BE a presenter...hes a natural
Another vote for a k1300s
Simon's plan to go over budget has been sunk right at the beginning!
Next time you invite a guy, tell him to put the money down up front and he must pick one of the bikes.
You know that's a blackmail right ?
There would need to be something really sweet on the top of the bike to make that concept work.
I understand that you feel that you have the experience from this video cheapened but people are recollecting thoughts and sometimes it messes their plans and targets.
and throw him in jail if he backs out - gosh that sounds so fun!!!
£4k- ex police r1200rtp. Impeccable service history and reliability.
What happened to the first uoload. Got halfway fhrough and it got pulled 😂
This is full HD spec version 😉
If you know, you know!@@bennettsbikesocial
Tim getting a 1000cc sports bike, I've got a K6GSXR,, it's a great bike,,,, don't think 29k is big milage? Be the Kawasaki for me 😉,, from northern Ireland ☘️☘️☘️☘️ great series
Any colour but that darn building 😊
Part 2 should let Tim try Kawasaki Z1000SX
CBR 1100XX
Best bike I've ever had and shes 22 years old
When did 29k become 'alota miles'?
Really enjoyed this one. I have come so close to buying the VFR and the GTR. The big Kawasaki would be my choice too, one day……
Get an FZ1- that should have been on the list.
Tim needs a channel he's great in front of camera
Cbr1100xx.
Done.
You’d get a dog for £4k. Need at least £5k for a nice one.
Agreed. Awesome bike
@@gpzfan5272 I got one in mint condition with full luggage & heated grips for £1.2k had her 1 year now and she still runs as sweet today as she did the day I got her.
Another great episode of what bikes you don’t want. 👍🏻
With you there Geoff.... We're all human (OK maybe not the gingers. Where you stick your thing is of no consequence. I dot have a Volvo but I do have 6 bikes 🏍
I see what was fixed, but clearly there was a huge change compared to previous ones. The photography of it just weird somehow and the editing is strange too. Not like the usual high definition and quality editing. Never the less, the hosts were top notch, as always. And this time instead of a guest, had a third host.
BMW RS1200 is a great touring bike. Shaft drive helps.
I thought the second bike was a bmw when the cover first came off. R1200RS would be good does the LC version come in budget though. An R1200RT would have it buy not for £4k.
For God's sake tweek the volume down on the music,videos are good but having to turn volume down every time that music comes on is a pain in the butt.
Newton meters, or torque... Pick one!!!😅
And it's foot over pounds, not pounds over foot.
ft/lbs., not lb./ft.
Stay Safe!😎
It's often argued, and I'm not involved in the What Bike Next series, but... the SAE J1349 power and torque certification procedure lists the units of measurement as being N-m or lb-ft. That's what I always use, and what we use (along with Nm) in all our written reviews at BikeSocial.co.uk. Cheers, John
@@bennettsbikesocial
Seriously, no offense intended.
Just making fun😅
Honda CBF1000F MK2...old 'Blade motor?
I love the video and the choices. But that guy would do my head in on a ride. Lol. Way too enthusiastic....... .