StinkyPete's Quest for a Lighter Bike

[Biggles]

There is an alternative to a lighter bike:

https://www.facebook.com/share/CdMPyQYufKak4SpM/

A gift at $11,000!!

[Dick B "Yewie"]

Just making one of my rare visits to the Forum and spotted the thread on your quest to find a lighter touring bike. You have probably moved on and have your new mount by now but I thought I would throw my experience into the mix just for the heck of it.
I reached your position in 2017 and eventually settled on a 2015 Yamaha MT09 Tracer (c/w OEM panniers)
It took me a little while to get used to it after stepping down from the silky smooth ST1300 but soon came to love this firey little machine. I have now done over 60,000 mostly touring k’s on her over the past 7 years. It pretty well ticks all your boxes. I can definitely credit this little bike with keeping me touring on into my dotage (turned 80 this year) and am planning to celebrate with a 4000k x 4 day run in a couple of weeks.
Here endeth the lesson
Cheers
DickB aka Yewie

[StinkyPete]

Nice to hear from you Dick.   I haven't made any decision yet, and am still considering if my aches and pains will let me ride again.   The MT-09 has indeed come up on my radar as an alternative to a big tourer.

[Wild Rose]

Anything happening here ????

[StinkyPete]

Nothing yet, as my injury is still restricting what I can do.   

[Williamson]

Any update on this Pete?  As I've decided to downsize, I need to look at options, and just wondering where you are with this, I could do with some of the benefit of your toils.

[StinkyPete]

Any update on this Pete?  As I've decided to downsize, I need to look at options, and just wondering where you are with this, I could do with some of the benefit of your toils.

There's several contenders that have popped up.    Honda are said to be bringing out a GB500, which is a retro style, with a little more grunt that the current GB350.    Royal Enfield also look like resssurecting the 500 Bullet, which has also caught my eye, as the 350 Bullet is a bit asthmatic at highway speeds according to Langers.   Of the current crop of possibilities the RE Interceptor remains top of my list if Chris still wants to ride pillion.   If she choses not to, then the Kawasaki Z650RS is looking good as it's lighter then the RE with a little more HP.  My back continues to slowly improve, thank goodness, but I'm not up to riding yet.

[Williamson]

.... my specs.....
*  Not much more than 200kg
*  Somewhere reasonable for a pillion to sit from time to time
*  Not too tall in the pillion seat, which makes mounting the bike difficult
*  The ability to fit some nice soft panniers to carry a few bits and bobs
*  I'm not too fussed about fuel range any more

My needs / wants are pretty similar.  Bikesales.com searches have been a process of adding criteria, deleting criteria, filtering, etc. and have resulted in some confusion, but also some interesting results.  Outta the blue, this little gem, the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer, came from left field, although it may quickly be dismissed after a first look in the flesh and /or test ride, particularly the latter as the bike looks a bit sporty and the riding position / rider pasture may not be conducive for my aches and pains.

This link is one (of two) at a dealer near me.  Will have to get there for a good look and a test ride soon, very soon.

https://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes/details/2016-yamaha-mt-09-tracer-mt09tra/OAG-AD-24171960/?Cr=0

One of my key needs / wants is kg, at 190kg, this looks the goods, for me anyway, from the aspect.

Another high on my wish list is the Suzuki V-Strom 650, a completely different style of bike, but much more versatile, and weighty, as well as more expensive when compared with a few other makes & models of similar age and km.

Oh, I am confused.

I have plenty of time to considered as I won't be doing anything prior to returning from Toowoomba.

[Langers]

Your 190kg weight is misleading - you won't get far with no oil or petrol. The '16 MT09 Tracer tank holds 18 litres (13.5kg) and Oil is 3.4 litres say 3.2 kg so the 190kg is in reality close to 207kg. Still a lot lighter than 330+kg.
The Himalayan is 196kg. I enjoy the weight loss (of the bike), but I enjoy the long distance riding comfort and ability of the V-Strom even though its wet weight is 233kg.
Good luck with your searches gents.
PS, on the AuStrom FB site, there is much love for the 650. Its dirt road manners are very good apparently and only 4kg heavier than the Tracer.

Oops, just saw the table you included. Not sure where the extra 3kg have come from unless it includes radiator and brake fluid - surely not.

[Williamson]

... you won't get far with no oil or petrol ...

Yes, re. the oil, I learned the hard way on the Suzuki TS185, back in '75, and have run out of petrol in car and bike more than once.  And, apparently it was my fault (so my boss at the time said, despite being in his work car) when we ran out of LPG in the Nissan 200B (dedicated LPG) out the back of Castlemaine back in the early 80's.  That proved difficult, like it's not easy to carry a 4 gallon can of LPG to refill it.

Back on topic - with a Strom, although not too heavy, I may be missing the opportunity to shed another 30kg which may mean another downsize required, albeit in another 5 years.  Buy aye, it's only $$.

[ruSTynutz]

Will the seat height of the MT09 be an issue, Michael? It's around 40mm taller than the ST...

[ruSTynutz]

Have you checked out the Suzuki SV650, Michael? 
Wet weight -198kgs
Seat height -785mm

https://suzukimotorcycles.com.au/range/road/sv650/

[Williamson]

Will the seat height of the MT09 be an issue, Michael? It's around 40mm taller than the ST...

Yes, I've noted that, not sure if it would be an issue, sitting on & riding one will confirm that for me either way.  I initially had the ST1300 seat positioned on the highest setting (without any issue) before I realised there were lower settings.  The main reason I ride the ST on the lower setting is for a better view of the dashboard indicator lights.

Re. the ST1300's specified seat height of 790mm, does anyone know if that's low, medium or high?

Have you checked out the Suzuki SV650, Michael? 
Wet weight -198kgs
Seat height -785mm

https://suzukimotorcycles.com.au/range/road/sv650/

Yes, but dismissed. My view is they're a little bland, and as far as I can determine there isn't any decent OEM or after-market integrated, stylish hard panniers or topbox available - another want, rather than need.

Hope Pete does mind the hijack and thread title change, but I figure any discussion around downsizing options is healthy.

[ruSTynutz]

Re. the ST1300's specified seat height of 790mm, does anyone know if that's low, medium or high?

A quick Google search found these seat heights for the ST1300: 775, 790, 805mm

[Langers]

One thing I do miss is the shaft drive. Cleaning, oiling, cleaning, oiling, replacing the chain and sprockets - not a big job, but a PITA nonetheless.
So, out of left field - how about a Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel (Cruise control, adjustable suspension, panniers - the works) Dry weight 210kg (don't look at the wet weight) and you'll be the coolest rider on the road.
https://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes/details/2020-moto-guzzi-v85-tt-travel/SSE-AD-17510080/?Cr=2

[Williamson]

https://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes/details/2020-moto-guzzi-v85-tt-travel/SSE-AD-17510080/?Cr=2

Seems a bit pricey, but enough to get me thinking.  Moto Guzzi Martin (had a big arse California), downsize to an MV Augusta, not sure which model, but something like this.
https://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes/details/2016-mv-agusta-turismo-veloce-800/OAG-AD-23561801/?Cr=2

Some many options .....

[Williamson]

Something came from far left field today, so far left it was outta the ballpark, in the next suburb.

I mentioned to Helen that a mate was selling his BMW outfit (no, not that), and asked if I've considered an outfit or a Spyder.  I didn't need that question asked again.  Long story short, after a couple of phone calls and messages I found out that my brother-in-law is selling his 2018 F3 LTD with 15,800km on the clock.

Yeah, I know it's not 100kg (or more lighter) and a little more $$ than I'd intended, but big, powerful, comfortable, stable and manoeuvrable enough to allow me to continue riding.

Away next week camping, but a trip to Benalla first thing the week after, and I think I'll know by then.

[Dragonstaff]

Weight might not be much of an issue if you don't have to hold it up, and you can still tow a trailer if you want.

[Williamson]

Weight might not be much of an issue if you don't have to hold it up, and you can still tow a trailer if you want.

Yeah, at 460kg the weight is massive, but with three wheels and reverse I suspect it won't be an issue at all.  I'm currently without a trailer, don't think I'll get another one though. 

The deciding factor will be the ride.  I haven't ridden one since 2009 (at the Ulysses AGM test rides at Penrith), and whilst I wasn't a big fan of the ride then, 16 years later, a few push bike and motor bike incidents has caused some wear & tear.  Perhaps the ride won't be an issue.

[Williamson]

This has prompted me to search BikeSales.com.  Some people really know how to spoil a bike.

https://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes/details/2017-can-am-spyder-rt-ltd-se6/SSE-AD-18171909/

I suppose some will like it, but not me - que sera, sera.

[Brock]

Interesting paint job, but not my cup of tea..

[Shiney]

The black Spyder looks great

The bikesales one, not so much.

[ruSTynutz]

This has prompted me to search BikeSales.com.  Some people really know how to spoil a bike.

https://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes/details/2017-can-am-spyder-rt-ltd-se6/SSE-AD-18171909/

I suppose some will like it, but not me - que sera, sera.

What, you don't fancy yourself as the Lion King, Michael?   

[Shillas]

  

[Langers]

Good hijack too 

There are many motorcycles out there today 100kg or more lighter than the venerable ST. I've been very happy with the V-Strom 1000 after a bit of farkling and I'm sure there are many other marques with better credentials than the V-Strom. Even the Himalayan is a handy touring bike, It's done a couple of FarRoad1000's and hasn't disgraced itself. It does have a seat no other bikes I've ridden come close to for discomfort - perhaps I'm just delicate 

I think I'm just saying perhaps look a little wider before settling for an over weight, over powered gopher