[StepUP!]

Hello there!
I am seeking this community's advise/help in deciding my next bike. Before that, just a bit of background - My current ride is, rather was Versys 650. 5 years old, odo stands at 20000kms. Before this I had a CBR250.
While CBR was a good bike, my wrists always hurt due to sporty riding position. No matter how much I tried to correct my posture. I was in my late twenties then.

I went for Versys in my early thirtees, it being ADV has great suspension comfortable for long rides. It has enough grunt to keep up with superbikes, engine is typical Japanese, low speed high gears very much doable. Mild off-roading is breeze.

However after riding it for 4 years, I have overgrown it. With its advantages, I think it has it's own flaws:
1. I never felt connected to the bike, I sit on the bike and not in the bike. While it dismisses bad roads with aplomb, on the highway or taking corners, it feels usually boring. Don't get me wrong it has superb chassis to lean in corners but the this being being high CG bike, after you lean in, to get back in line, that nervousness is always there. Ofcourse attributed to my limited skills as well.
2. Always top heavy
3. Heavy 230+ kgs weight with high CG becomes scary to manage in traffic and tricky situations like when you have to stop on a slope or while coming to halt, your leg is on slippery surface or in the ditch. For reference I am 5'9" and with riding shoes I have to tip toe. I could never flat feet when in the saddle.
4. Lacks character. Engine note is meh

With heavy heart, I let it go. Versys took me to so many places and lot of beautiful memories are associated with it. Rode her to many forts, lakes, dams, ghats around Pune.
But I am convinced it's the right decision. I was not riding it much since many months.

What I want in my next bike
Budget max 10 lakhs OTR
Not too much downgrade in terms of power
Shouldn't be top heavy, lesser the weight, better.
Comfortable to ride. I am 40 now and don't want to strain my back, wrists.
Twin or more cylinders, no single cylinder bikes.
Open to pre-owned route.
Reasonable ASS and maintenance.
No Japanese.
No cruisers.
No KTMs

Am I asking too much?

My rides are weekend breakfast rides and sometimes ride to work which is 40kms to and fro.

Only 2 bikes come to my mind:
- Aprilia RS457 (actually it's RS660 but it's out of budget)
- Street triple

Please suggest if the above are right choices, and if there are more bike to consider fitting my requirements!


PS - I haven't taken any test rides yet but soon will do.

Thank you!

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by StepUP!

What I want in my next bike
Budget max 10 lakhs OTR
Not too much downgrade in terms of power
Shouldn't be top heavy, lesser the weight, better.
Comfortable to ride. I am 40 now and don't want to strain my back, wrists.
Twin or more cylinders, no single cylinder bikes.
Open to pre-owned route.
Reasonable ASS and maintenance.
No Japanese.
No cruisers.
No KTMs

Am I asking too much?

Candidly, yes. I’d encourage you to think through this list and perhaps break it up into the ‘non-negotiable’ conditions and the ‘good to have’ ones. That might help you broaden your option list a bit more.

Only 2 bikes come to my mind:
- Aprilia RS457 (actually it's RS660 but it's out of budget)
- Street triple

”Should not be too much of a downgrade”: That rules out the 457. As does perhaps the unknown on maintenance.

From the above shortlist of two, a sparingly used Street Triple R would suit your requirements quite well. You could also consider the Trident 660 perhaps. Again a nice enough motorcycle in its own right but the Street Triple will just be much nicer if you can snare a good one.

If you are open to classics you could also consider the classics range from Triumph. They’re heavier than the above two but not top heavy. You’ll again need to go slightly used to make it fit in 10 lakh.

I can’t think of much else from your listed requirements, which applied strictly rule out most other options.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by StepUP!

Only 2 bikes come to my mind:
- Aprilia RS457 (actually it's RS660 but it's out of budget)
- Street triple

Aprilia RS457 may run into issues during servicing and spares because they don’t have market penetration for the foreseeable future.

Street Triple while being a huge upgrade to your Versys power wise will also be a huge downgrade comfort wise. The rider triangle is decently committed and could get cramped which will not suit you either. I have owned this bike hence speak from ownership experience.

I would suggest a brand new Kawasaki Ninja 500 (forget your no Japanese clause) which has just been launched and will fit in your budget. It will not be too much of a downgrade power wise because it’s much lighter than the Versys 650 (~170 kgs versus ~230 kgs) and power delivery should be more direct. It should be comfortable to ride and own with Kawasaki service which should be better than Triumph and surely Aprilia.

Take a test ride with an open mind and see if it floats your boat. All the best.

Cheers

[Sudarshan42]

How about the Triumph Trident 660 or any of the other 660 triples (Tiger, Daytona) from Triumph? I know service is a hit or miss, but this will be the ideal upgrade given your constraints.

If not that, also consider the Honda Transalp or the CBR650R. The latter is a bit long in the tooth now, but given that it's a Honda inline 4, should be a decent upgrade. Another wild card can be the Kawi Z900, provided your no Japanese caveat is flexible.

[Kashi053]

If you can make some exceptions below are the two top shortlist.
1. Street Triple R (~13L)
2. XL 750 translap (Japanese & 13L)

[Rahul_ak]

Striple all the way. R is good but if you can stretch a bit the RS is insane. Can check a sparingly used in the pre-owned market too. That bike is pure fun and will instantly take you out of the "boring" feel you seem to get with Versys. I have had experiences with all kinds of bikes and believe me nothing feels as fun in the 12-13 range as the Street Triple. Test drive it and you will not be disappointed.

[mugen_pinaki27]

Originally Posted by StepUP!

What I want in my next bike
Budget max 10 lakhs OTR
Not too much downgrade in terms of power
Shouldn't be top heavy, lesser the weight, better.
Comfortable to ride. I am 40 now and don't want to strain my back, wrists.
Twin or more cylinders, no single cylinder bikes.
Open to pre-owned route.
Reasonable ASS and maintenance.
No Japanese.
No cruisers.
No KTMs

Am I asking too much?

My rides are weekend breakfast rides and sometimes ride to work which is 40kms to and fro.

Thank you!

Given your requirements, I'd suggest going the pre-owned route. And within your budget, this baby comes to my mind:

https://nsone.in/bike/triumph-tiger-xrx-800-2/

With a little more wiggle, she can be yours for a brilliant sum. Best of all, you're getting the Tiger with almost all the necessary modifications and accessories at a good price.


Conversely, if you are open to Ze Germans, this BMW, too, would be a delight to ride

https://nsone.in/bike/bmw-f-750-gs/

Happy Shopping!

[bf1983]

Originally Posted by mugen_pinaki27

Given your requirements, I'd suggest going the pre-owned route. And within your budget, this baby comes to my mind:

https://nsone.in/bike/triumph-tiger-xrx-800-2/

With a little more wiggle, she can be yours for a brilliant sum. Best of all, you're getting the Tiger with almost all the necessary modifications and accessories at a good price.


Conversely, if you are open to Ze Germans, this BMW, too, would be a delight to ride

https://nsone.in/bike/bmw-f-750-gs/

Happy Shopping!

Both these options are just as top-heavy as the Versys. Plus his requirements are short breakfast rides and office commutes for which neither bike is well suited.

He needs something like a street naked for his requirements like a used Street Triple or a Trident 660. The only issue is the iffy Triumph service depending on where he lives.

The Ducati Scrambler 800 can also be an option as it's not a tall bike but the Ducati Desmo service is eye-watering expensive and the bike runs very hot.

[mugen_pinaki27]

Originally Posted by bf1983

Both these options are just as top-heavy as the Versys. Plus his requirements are short breakfast rides and office commutes for which neither bike is well suited.

He needs something like a street naked for his requirements like a used Street Triple or a Trident 660. The only issue is the iffy Triumph service depending on where he lives.

The Ducati Scrambler 800 can also be an option as it's not a tall bike but the Ducati Desmo service is eye-watering expensive and the bike runs very hot.

Won't the Street Triple be a little "extreme" for the rider? If that be the case, then a used Street Twin or a Bonneville T120, too, would be good contenders in my opinion. I've ridden the former and it was a delight

[shabih]

Since the CBR250r used to put strain on your wrist, I think the Aprillia and Striple will do the same. You may want to consider Triumph Bonneville or Street Twin. In the used market these two will come in between 5 to 7 lakhs. The classics offer you a no-fuss pure riding pleasure, a thumpy torquey engine, extremely healthy weight distribution that wouldn't feel top heavy at all and you can easily flat foot them. I own a Street Twin and I am very happy with what it delivers.

[abtyagi]

As other members have pointed out the awesomeness of Street Triple RS.

I would like to suggest a test drive of the new Ducati Monster. You'll be surprised how much fun to ride and live with this is. Brand new will be above 10L, but a preowned can for sure be found for under 10L.

[octy9833]

Originally Posted by shabih

Since the CBR250r used to put strain on your wrist, I think the Aprillia and Striple will do the same. You may want to consider Triumph Bonneville or Street Twin. In the used market these two will come in between 5 to 7 lakhs. The classics offer you a no-fuss pure riding pleasure, a thumpy torquey engine, extremely healthy weight distribution that wouldn't feel top heavy at all and you can easily flat foot them. I own a Street Twin and I am very happy with what it delivers.

I would second this opinion. For short/medium distance rides, the classics such as Speed Twin/Street Twin/Bonnie would be ideal. They are planted, easy to manoeuvre around, and will make the inner Pokemon happy with their grunt!!

[prasanna_indaje]

I would suggest you look at used 850 GS / GSA or Tiger 800.

[shabih]

Originally Posted by octy9833

I would second this opinion. For short/medium distance rides, the classics such as Speed Twin/Street Twin/Bonnie would be ideal. They are planted, easy to manoeuvre around, and will make the inner Pokemon happy with their grunt!!

And they don't look like a 1 bedroom house on two-wheels so no stress in parking it at the office or drawing unwanted attention when you're out to buy veggies or milk haha.

[Sachin_Nair]

While this motorcycle is priced at around 11L+, the Tiger Sport 660 would be my pick based on your requirements. Its Inline 3 engine is full of character and packs a punch. With a comfortable seat for long-distance rides, it will also keep you happy for shorter breakfast rides.

Test rides would definitely help you decide whether you prefer the slightly more aggressive stance and powerful engine of the Street Triple R or if a Trident 660/Tiger Sport 660 suffices your requirements.