Your bike A vs bike B comparison

[Gary856]

So you've owned and ridden two bikes for a while. Maybe you found a clear winner from the start and not touched the loser in a while, maybe they each fulfill a different need and you must have both, or maybe you don't like something about both and are planning for the next move. The newer and supposedly better bike may not be the one you end up liking more. It's more about how the bike fits your personal needs.

Share your insights on real life bike comparisons.

 

[mitiasbikes]

I have KTM690SM that I got last October, its my #4 690. I absolutely love this bike for so many reasons. Its hyper lite, handles like no other, low MPG, you can do dirt with different set of wheels. This is the bike I choose when out canyon carving and some dual sport trips.
It can do freeway just fine but it doesnt like sitting at 80-90 all the time. Its also not very comfortable for long trips.

Then last may I got Tuono V4. Oh my, it loves the freeway you can cruise at 120 all day. Its heavy, its relatively comfy. ( I made it comfy with Rock it bar lift and tall windscreen). Its a rocket once you get past 6K rpm.
I dont like the powerband on this bike at all, yeah everybody says I should like it but I just dont. Not a lot of low end torque like the First gen Tuono I had. Feels heavy, and difficult to ride fast. It doesnt forgive. It only gets 27MPG on a 3 gallon tank....making it difficult to get out of town. Constantly looking for a gas station.
So KTM for fun, Tuono for commute.

 

[bambamb43]

I have a BMW S1000R and a Kawasaki ZRX1200R, to me the kawasaki is much more comfortable to ride especially on the freeway and much more passenger friendly but definitely does not have the performance or braking like the BMW, the BMW is fast and nimble and much more exciting to ride, and the BMW just begs to be flogged, she's like a dirty bitch that says spank me, come on harder, is that all you got spank me harder !!!! So needless to say when I gear up and put my helmet on the BMW is my go to bike, but I can tell the ZRX1200R is jealous !!!!

 

[GPzPop]

hopping off my 1983 gs750 makes me realize how much better the 20 years of engineering built into my 2006 zzr 600 is.

 

[ctrvl]

WR250X vs DRZ400S(M): Love both bikes to death, so similar yet so different. On paper the DRZ is quite heavier than the WR, but feels about the same under speed. In corners the WR feels a tad bit more flickable.

Power wise, the 6th gear on the WR is really nice to have on the freeway, but realistically both bikes get up to about the same speed at the top end. Delivery on the WR is more progressive, the DRZ feels like a tractor with tons of grunt while the WR feels more modern and well behaved. The DRZ lifts the front easier than the WR, but my limited wheelies tell me that 2nd gear is longer on the WR and I will be able to carry one longer without needing to learn to shift gears on one wheel.

Maintenance wise, it's easier to get to everything on the DRZ, but overall both are fairly easy to work on. Nod goes to the DRZ here by a bit, but it's nice having FI on the WR.

No clear winner for me here, but if I had to keep only one it would be the WR by a tiny bit since my wife prefers riding it to the DRZ.

 

[chrisz]

I got a 2012 Ninja 1000 new in 2012 and have put almost 52,000 miles on it. Then in June of this year I got a new Yamaha FJR1300. I kept the Ninja thinking the smaller lighter bike might be fun for weekend blasts but I'd have the FJR for long trips and commuting. As it turns out I have not ridden the Ninja once since I brought the FJR home. The new bike is so much fun for cornering and for doing everything, and I just like riding it a lot more in general. Looking to sell the Ninja now. I guess the only things I prefer on the Ninja are: easier to foot-push when parking; top-end rush; super responsive brakes. Things I prefer on the FJR are too many to list

Edit: oh and I kind of miss the easy first-gear wheelies on the Ninja. Trying not to do that on the FJR

 

[danate]

I got a 2012 Ninja 1000 new in 2012 and have put almost 52,000 miles on it. Then in June of this year I got a new Yamaha FJR1300. I kept the Ninja thinking the smaller lighter bike might be fun for weekend blasts but I'd have the FJR for long trips and commuting. As it turns out I have not ridden the Ninja once since I brought the FJR home. The new bike is so much fun for cornering and for doing everything, and I just like riding it a lot more in general. Looking to sell the Ninja now. I guess the only things I prefer on the Ninja are: easier to foot-push when parking; top-end rush; super responsive brakes. Things I prefer on the FJR are too many to list

Edit: oh and I kind of miss the easy first-gear wheelies on the Ninja. Trying not to do that on the FJR

Same for me. Once I went sport-touring bike, every other bike I've had has done nothing but sit 99% of the time.

 

[NSR500]

(A)996 vs (B)748 are nearly identical. The 996 is setup as a monoposto and the 748 is a Biposto. Otherwise it's just a difference of power, power delivery, and gearbox.
Between the two I like the ride of the 996 because I can be lazy on the gearbox.

 

[GAJ]

I've owned SS, standards, SM and ST and if I only had one bike it would absolutely be the 470 lb, (460 w/ a lithium battery), F800ST.

But having the the DRZSM in the garage as a stablemate was far better than having the 130hp/70lb ft SS which is why it was sold after 13 years while the little SM remained.

Having two bikes with little crossover seems to be ideal for me.

 

[Aeroslash]

'07 Buell XB9SX vs. '99 R1 Streetfighter.

The Buell handles amazing and the weight is low down so feels very flickable and light. Fun torque down low but really starts to run out of steam above 75mph. Super fun to ride in twisties, all the power is usable on the street and WOT common. Love the feel from the unconventional front brake. Comfortable, wind protection is pretty good, low maintenance.
Just bought the R1 craving that top end hit and the experience of owning a high HP bike. Power delivery compared to the Buell is absolutely bananas, only have 200 miles on it so far so still getting familiar with the power. Completely unforgiving vs. The Buell. Makes wonderful noises even with the stock pipe, suspension is excellent, much more braking power. Chain maintenance sucks. Trying to get the R1 prepped for Hawthorne so I can really get to know it.
The Buell will remain in the garage long term, the R1 will likely be sacrificed for my next craving within a year.

 

[DIY]

I have a Tuono and an ST1100. In summer I ride the Aprilia and the Honda sits. In the winter I ride the Honda and the Aprilia sits. If one is broken or down for service I ride the other one. So far it has worked out pretty well.

 

[VicTim]

Good question. Two bikes is perfect for the street (maybe 3)

Bike A: 13 Victory Cross Roads Classic. Pretty bike, American (most Harley riders respect it.) It's paid for. Very comfortable for me and a passenger especially for long distances. It comes with abs, cruise control, big police style windscreen, spacious saddlebags with liners, highway bars with tip over protection. A nice touring bike even for two up (I have a sturdy passenger back rest). Also good for going on dates, the women folk really love this bike. Dead reliable and low maintenance.

Bike B: 15 Honda NC700x bought brand new last month. Pretty to me, economical and low maintenance. It feels lighter than it is with a low cog. It has a frunk to hold my helmet and gloves (or other stuff) when I arrive at my destination. I can ride two up. I can't imagine a better bike for congested city and highway riding (the reason I bought it). It gets great gas mileage and is a hoot to ride on technical roads. So far dead reliable.

So many good bikes out there. It's a great time to be a rider.

 

[Strigoi]

I've bought/sold a bunch of bikes.

The one that got me the most was the 2007 Triumph Tiger 1050 I had. It was a trade-in at my work and I bought it without riding it. I sat on it a bunch and thought I'd like it. It was also the nicest bike I'd thought about buying at that point.

I bought it, put new tires on it, a Givi top case and took it out. I just did not like it once I rode it. I don't know why, but I just could not get comfortable on it and had zero confidence while riding it. It went back up for sale shortly after.

That is one of the few bikes I do not regret selling. It was super nice and had zero issues, I just didn't like it.

the R1 will likely be sacrificed for my next craving within a year.

Hopefully it goes to another Barfer. You're technically the 4th person from Barf to own that bike. It needs to be one of those that stays in the family.

 

[afm199]

No favorites. I like all my current bikes. I like the R1 I borrowed. I like the R6 I borrowed. All fun

 

[YOUNGTHRILL]

Had the 05zx10R first (it was my was 2nd one, I sold the first 1 in 08 and missed it ever since)...love it to death,deffently a more cautious ride, roll that throttle and hold on, 3rd gear power wheels, then I bought my 12R6 (had an 06 R6 but sold it) anyhow my first time owening two bikes..... I had to sell the zx10 ,I never imagined I would ! it was one of those I'll never sell it again deals.... But the R6 is just to dam nimble and easy to ride, makes me feel like I'm actually fast... BRG did the woolrich tune with ecu flash, added some marchanesi wheels and installed some top secret gearing... Man oh man everyone complains about how the R6 sucks on the street, which is partially true ,I would prefer my husky 450 if I did all street, now with kids 90% of my riding I's commuting from pinole to Berkeley... Let's just say those 15 miles of freeway at 12-16k Rpm in 4,5 and 6th gears when I don't hit traffic (try to leave at 10 ) , is the most exciting parts of my day.. Yes I love my R6

 

[rsrider]

1.) Ducati 796 abs, I ride this bike the most, because I usually ride back roads and do between 100-200 miles. It's upright, torquey? (is that a word), and looks the shit.
2.) Vespa GTS Super, I like ripping around on this, a lot. In town, back roads, whatever. It's comfortable and lots of fun.
3.) Kawasaki 250r, when I want to go WFO but stay under 90 mph and feel I'm railing like a motogod.
4.) Triumph Sprint RS, going all day? going the distance? taking the scenic route and still having the pwr to thrust and parry if I want? This all rounder has been in the garage since I bought it new in 2001. Many have come and gone while it keeps it's spot.

But still, the Ducati gets the most love and will continue to do so.

 

[MotoCat]

2016 FJ09 vs 2016 Vstrom 650

FJ09: better engine, brakes, wind protection, gauge cluster, sound of the triple, includes center stand and hand guards, quality and finish of materials. People check it out.

Vstrom: better range/mpg, less likely to get stolen, lower insurance, more comfortable for rider and pillion, includes preload adjust knob, cheaper but the difference is offset by necessary mods not needed by the FJ. People ignore it and check out your buddy's bike next to it.

 

[WWWobble]

... As it turns out I have not ridden the Ninja once since I brought the FJR home. The new bike is so much fun for cornering and for doing everything, and I just like riding it a lot more in general.

Same for me. Once I went sport-touring bike, every other bike I've had has done nothing but sit 99% of the time.

Same here. Any rider longer than just "doing errands" and I'd rather be on the sport touring one.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Since I just pulled a complete 180 and went from an FJ-09 to a WR250X I thought I'd give my two cents.

FJ-09: Great all around bike overall. Super comfortable for long distances and commuting, with great wind protection, very strong heated grips, ABS/TC standard, 12V outlet, big tank and decent MPG for long distances, etc. In spite of all that comfort, though, it pulled hard anywhere in the rev range and somehow in the twisties it hid its weight very well and was a lot of fun to play with no matter what type of road it was on.

The only downsides were the weight was pretty apparent at low speeds and while splitting it made you aware that it is a big bike. Also, working on it was never very easy.

I think overall, for an only bike it is one of the ideal ones. I was able to commute 450 miles a week M-F and still go on 100+ mile rides on the weekends, something I wasn't able to do on a sport bike.

WR250X: Definitely swings way high on the fun vs comfort scale. I've always liked slower vehicles I could safely wind out on the street and that really is part of the allure of this bike. Everything about it also so forgiving, which makes it easier (and IMO more fun) to ride. I also really like the fact that I can ride it pretty much anywhere (up and down stairs, curbs, etc, and it's narrow enough to fit almost anywhere).

Also, MPGs are better, parts are cheaper, insurance is dirt cheap and the bike is so incredibly simple to work on. Everything is pretty intuitive even without a manual. Since it's essentially a dirt bike I don't care as much about dropping it or letting others ride it, either.

On the downside, there is pretty much no comfort to speak of. Reliability is also an unknown for the mileage I'm planning on putting on it but with the money I save on insurance and parts I can probably afford a few engine rebuilds along the way.

Granted, I've just gotten the bike, so I'll have to see if I can put up with the lack of comfort. I really think the FJ-09 + WR250X would have been the perfect garage for me but unfortunately I can't afford to keep two bikes at once.

 

[ilikefood]

DRZ-SM vs. Multistrada 1100S

Very different bikes. The DRZ is my city bike, it actually makes riding in the city a ton of fun. No worries about potholes or bumps, easy lane splitting in stopped traffic, feels like a big bicycle. But it's not so great on the highway or for long distances, so that's why I have the Multi as my commuter bike. It's a great bike for that, very comfortable, tall, and upright. But it sucks in the city - too heavy, unwieldy, and doesn't cope well with bumpy streets.

I also have an ST4 that I haven't ridden in a while and really need to sell it, but haven't gotten around to doing that yet.

For me those 2 bikes are a minimum. For the third (after I sell the ST4) maybe I'd get at track bike or something off-roady and dirty.