I know that bikes are designed for different riding styles and I guess it's impossible for one bike to cover them all. I have been debating lately if I would be happier with another type of bike other than my 2011 S3? I know for one thing I don't want to have any regrets by making a move to something else that I am not going to be happy with.
I have been looking and thinking about different bikes out there, spending time on cycle trader.com and wow, lots of good deals out there on used bikes, makes me think why bother with new again, but two many to choose from if I went that route.
The bmw s1000xr looking like a candidate but 19k plus? Forget it. Plus it vibrates a lot 4-6k rpm, right in the most used area.
I think my next bike might be another S3.. The aprillia tuono looks like a fun machine but no dealer close, forget that, plus 30 miles per gallon, Im a cheapo, like my 49 mpg with the S3.
I just can't get my mind wrapped around a cruiser, well maybe a Diavel, but that is not the perfect bike either.
Just rambling..
Anyone fond a better bike than the S3 for 90% of riding?
I'd like to ride the new Super Duke to see how it is. The Tuono also....but at 100 mile max range (so I hear) that would about kill it's chances with me.
The SD does look like a fun machine..
I see that they are making a SD ST bike that should be revealed soon.. That may be another option for me.. I would like more protection and the option of bags on or off when you need them.
Looked at the SD. Nice but doesn't work for me. And the price!!!
s1000R is a possibility. Rode one back to back with the Speed Triple. Chose Speed Triple.
I could be happy with one though if price was right.
Tuono is rediculiously thirsty. 125 max tank range would drive me crazy.
Really nothing out there at the moment to replace my S3.
I don't really like the looks of the S1000r compared with the S3. Now the Tuono looks better than the s1000r and the v4 motor is cool. Like you said, too thirsty.
I have a Kreiga 30 and US10 I put on the back of my S3 which is ok and works for the short 2-3 day trips I have taken. However I would like to get more wind protection which is the only downside of the S3.
I guess I am looking for a hot rod sport touring bike.
-The 1290 superduke. It's only real downfall is that it doesn't have adjustable preload in the front. You can go old school and cut some spacers out of PVC and make your own spacers.
-The S1000R is also amazing and makes the S3 look ancient. Performance wise, its easily the best of the supernakes class but after riding it for a day its not the best for touring or 2 up riding.
-the tuono is also amazing but I think it's a bit ugly. It could be objectively the best "do all" bike in production.
I have a 1199 Panigale. Love the bike (I'm a long time Ducati fan/owner stretching back 25+ yrs). Bought my '14 S3R for higher mileage/less frantic rides.
I love the S3R - especially the motor (having had a 955 Sprint ST for 16 yrs) - but I'm passionate about the Panigale.
One bike can't do it all. Both of mine offer unique rides and give me a choice.
Loved my 05 S3 and that's why I kept it for nearly 8 years, but I'm really loving the 1290 SD.
Clocked up 10,000km in the last 6 months and only issue so far has been a weeping fork seal, which was sorted under warranty. I imagine fuel economy would be about par with the S3 and I consistently get over 300km per tank. Usable measured capacity is 19.3ltr from empty, not the 18ltr total on the spec sheet?
Ergos are great and less cramped than the S3, so suit a taller rider. I find wind protection better with the SD and less fatiguing when ridden at speed. Seat comfort is good, but maybe not quite on par with the 2011+ S3.
Suspension on the SD is quite plush, but as always, could be improved. As mentioned earlier, lack of front preload is annoying and somewhat weird on a modern bike?
Yup, that was the one wierd thing I noticed when I rode one, at the track too none the less. The $17k USD Price tag really makes the lack of preload adjustment hurt.
I pretty much want to own all the motorcycles, but honestly the Speed 3 novelty wears off the slowest for me. I loved my 07 and I would marry my 13 R if it were legal.
I just traded in a 2013 675 R for my 3r and could not be happier. I've put 1500 miles on it in a month. I test rode the S1000r, S1000xr, Tuono V4 R, Street 3r, and the stupid MV Brutale. The Tuono almost got me, but it just didn't feel comfortable to me with the upright position paired with super flat seat. The engine in all of them was also just not as usable for what I like to do most of the time(beautiful Colorado canyon roads). I honestly did like the Aprilia and S1000xr a lot, but I just couldn't find a fault in the Speed 3 besides outright power. Outright power just can't tip the scales for me over an absolute dialed chassis/handling and complete comfort.
The other thing that I love about the Speedy, is that is doesn't need rider aids. 160+ hp is fantastic, but I love the fact that the Speedy needs none of them.(abs is great however) It has the proper amount of power and torque without needing intervention. I realize the more modern bikes are more capable, but I just have more fun on my bike... until the 800cc Street come out.
My other bike is a 99 Sprint, so I think I just love the triple as well.
The S3 motor is what sold me. I came from a ZX6, then a SV1K to the S3. It is the best of both worlds between I4 and Vtwin, and usable power anywhere, anytime. I love the uniqueness and the looks that the S3 has as well. As with any bike, there are improvements to be had (suspension for my 250lb frame), but I really love the S3 and it excites me every time I take her out! She NEVER disappoints.
Anyone have any experience with the BMW K1300S? I have been looking at one for a few months now as a second bike on top of my 2009 S3. I know it's pricey but seems like the perfect balance of performance, comfort, and engineering.
After my beloved 2001 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport suffered major engine failure in May of this year, I researched all of the bikes and test rode many bikes in the naked liter bike category and ended up with a 2015 S3R. I looked seriously at the Tuono, the SD, the 1000R and the entire Ducati line (I owned a 750 Super Sport until I sold it to my son-in-law 18 months ago). What won me over was the S3R engine, brakes and suspension. In my 47 years of riding and having owned eight different bikes of all varieties, I think my S3R is by far the best combination of engine and pure handling of all the bikes out there. No gimmicks, just solid performance. I really wanted to like the 1000R but couldn't get friendly with the styling (particularly the tail section). I agree with the previous poster who said the Tuono tries to hard and the Super Duke looks over styled to me as well. The engine, handling and set up of the S3R are ideally suited to my back roads riding style. The sound of the triple and the styling are the icing on the cake for me. It may not have all of the gizmos and outrageous hp as some of the other bikes in the class, but my S3R is a keeper. I guess I like classic engines that have been proven over many years--keep in mind my last bike was a Moto Guzzi :wink2:
If I were in the market for a current-model offering I'd be seriously interested in the new Suzuki GSX-S1000 (in addition to the KTM SD and the Ducati 1200/s/r). Having sat on one I can say it feels good, and is (similarly to my beloved Speed Triple) not trying to win the HP race but rather the real-usable-fun run. (145HP, 80ft-lb, 11,000rpm).
If I'm staying in the $5000 range, then I don't think I'm gonna do better than another used Speedy.
But if I were to add a second bike, I'd want it to be a dual-sport, so I could hit all these fire roads up here in the NW.
A friend of mine has bought Tuono 1100 V4RR this year as a replacement for Street Triple R. Tried to convince him to stay with triples and buy Speed R but ... anyway, the Tuono is really a rocket on 2 wheels. The V4 engine is simply a beast and all the electronic stuff is a must here. The front wheel touches the ground only sometimes with traction/wheelie control switched off. From 1st to 3rd gear you can stay only on the rear wheel just by opening the throttle
I like the power delivery, its pretty the same as my Speed R on low to mid revs but the real fun begins at approx. 8k rpm. Yes, the Tuono is thirsty (compared to Speed) but who cares ? For the power, fun (and danger) it offers I would say the fuel economy is enough to stop at regular intervals to fill the tank, smoke a cigarette and calm down a bit
I like my Speed R and the way it delivers the power, nice suspension package (worth the money imho) and fun. I'm not any slower than a buddy on the Tuono but I know this is because I'm a better rider indeed )
There are some things I don't like on the Tuono however: especially brakes are too soft for my taste, riding position doesn't suit my personal needs for longer trips and the engine produces a lot of heat to your back.
Other that that - the Tuono is probably on of the best naked bikes on the market these days.
If I didn`t already have my Spd.3, I`d look for a used, low mileage Suzuki Bandit 1200/1250. You can get `em almost free in comparison to other bikes. Then I`d go to Dale Walker`s Holeshot site & pick from the menu of engine & chassis products to build what I want.
For 1/2 - 2/3 of the admission for the trendy high priced Euro alternatives, I`d have something more unique, built by me, & more up my alley.
The latest Jap nakeds don`t do much style wise for me either.
I`m more into the original "streetfighter" style than the "video game" look of the latest offerings.
It was love at first sight when I saw the 2013 s3 SE and a year later I had the cash to buy one nicely discounted too. I already rode an 06 R3 2300 c.c. beast and this summer I went sport touring and bought a used k1600 gtl. waay smoother on the hwy, but I traded my rocket and i kinda miss the drama that bike brings to the party. I think the S3 is great for the money and if I could do it over I would demo the tuono v4 before I made my choice. I would lose $4000. trading mine in on an 1100 factory easily and then i'm stuck in cornfield usa with 100 mile range, naaw, I'm going to look into a turbo for the s3. best of both worlds.
I came to my 2011 S3 from a Ducati 998S. I was bowled over (and still am) by my S3's easiness to ride, the engine's forgiving nature and general all round ability. I've turned my mid-century and to be honest, I've never been a serious knee scraper and the riding position of most sports bikes are just uncomfortable for me these days. I average around 4,000 miles a year and my S3 has more than enough performance for me in most situations.
That said, I quite fancy a ride on the new Multistrada and BMW s1000xr - but I am not planning on letting my Speedie go too soon...
Test rode the S1000XR a while back. I do like it but not enough to trade the S3.
It's a little flat on the btm end with normal riding next to the S3.
Runs 6500 RPM at 85 mph and a little buzzy at the bars
Otherwise excellent bike.
Didn't make me want to trade.
I took the 1290 for an unsupervised demo and when I got back I offered them my 2013 SE and $7500. cash for their demo bike. I started the ride doing an effortless wheelie across a 5 lane intersection, wheelied again shifting to 2nd and again into 3rd gear then with a shift light blinking at 93 mph i shifted into 4th. Very little time elapsed. The engine winds out effortlessly and there's so much power to weight that the ride feels rough because you actually feel the engine, not like the other V-twin that rattles in its cage, but every engine stroke pushes the bike, it felt like it had knobbies on it. The SD gets comparable range to a tank of gas estimated 180 miles. My bike is stock and I want to sell it after that ride.
Great comments here! I really love my 2012 S3 as an all around bike but if I were buying today that new Monster that Flyfisher mentioned would be at the top of my list. I really like how narrow Ducati's are & how that makes them feel much lighter than they are plus who doesn't want 160HP & I bet once you ditch that ridiculous Euro 4 exhaust & tune it you would have close to 180 HP. I guess the real question is will it be with 10K more than my S3? I went into the S3 with the intention of buying a Ducati SF 848 or a used Hyper 1100 EVO but one test ride & the $10,900 OTD price put me on the S3 with no regrets.
I`ll never buy a Duc., based on a friends experience with their big Streetfighter.
Big $$ to get into, bigger $$ to maintain. Cost him $20,000 CDN taxes & all to get it out the door. $2000 CDN (on sale) for Termi. exhaust & electronics to get it running right. Low speed fueling & surging issues B4.
Recalled for fuel pump replacement. $1000 CDN for a replacement fuel tank, `cos of swelling issues. He found the new tank in Florida. Local Duc. dealer quoted $3500 CDN. Now he has to coat the inside with some special stuff ($50-$75) & hope it works.
Clutch now making ugly noises even though low mileage.
They recommend a new timing belt every 2 years. $600 CDN if they install it. Sure they`ve doubled the valve clearance check intervals, but the dealer wants $1500 CDN to do it :surprise: .
I`ll take a less exclusive bike, with less power, & less curb appeal to avoid all that.
Besides... we were out ridin` last weekend & my old `03 with 45T rear sprocket & Tri. TORS pipe was on his arse all the time. Even if he did have a wheel in the air on several occasions :grin2: .
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