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Hi, a few of you may remember my thread from this time last year where my son very quickly passed his test and we spent a while touring Europe on our motorbikes - lots of great encouragement from here which was much appreciated.
Well, we're in a better place than this time last year which is great, and my son's really keen to do another trip ... which is really great. So we're off in June, aiming to spend c.3 weeks in the Dolomites/Alps areas, riding and camping every day. He's still on the Bandit 600 which has been wonderful, and he does ride well now. I had to sell my Triumph as I don't have my previous job, so budget demanded it!
But I'd be interested on any thoughts on bike choice for me.
I did buy a SV1000 (naked but with a remarkably effective Puig screen) which is lovely looking, comfy, very smooth on A roads, v reliable but a bit of beast in terms of power delivery - probably a reflection on me rather than the bike. It's a lot lighter than the Bandit6 but I reckon feels heavyish/not v flickable to throw around country lanes. But it'll handle a tour plus luggage with ease.
An Aprilia Pegaso came up recently, exc condition, 1 owner, low miles etc and cheap - I thought this might be a lighter version of the Tiger 800 so I picked it up, with the plan on getting rid of 1 bike. I know the Aprilia reputation, but in the 500 miles I've done (and a few washes with a hose to test for electrical gremlins!) it seems pretty good so far. Comfy (bum and seating position), really light, loads of fun on country lanes, quite like the single cylinder, v easy to ride. The lack of outright power makes it a confidence inspiring ride as it doesn't feel it'll get out of hand Vs the SV1000.
So pros and cons of SV1000N Vs Aprilia Pegaso for the trip? (I know it's my choice but I flip-flop between the 2 each day so any prompting would be appreciated!)
We'll avoid motorways, we choose 'winding routes'. We'll prob do c.3K miles. I'll be carrying tent, topbox and panniers. Young son is going to fly out to Italy and go on the back of my bikes for a few days to join in 🙂
Happy days!
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Pegaso looks great! Bandit too, Im not jealous at all, no. #kickscat
Two up with luggage would make me favour the SV1000, bit more grunt and more importantly two disks up front to stop the weight.
Take the small bike, a tank bag for pants and socks and a t-shirt and credit card..
All you need innit?
Sounds flipping awesome, have fun!
Pegaso is mostly a Yamaha XT660 engine isn't it ?
Which would you find most comfortable? Aprilia would be my choice. Less weight on the wrists and neck.
Dogbone (Cherbourg - Oporto and back via coast road on MZ251 with a bodyboard and camping gear)
thanks - I'm being a ridiculous ditherer about this as both/either would be great. Erring towards the Pegaso today.
And yes, it's the XT660 engine. Despite only one caliper up front, it's a Brembo and remarkably effective.
Iv'e had sever XT660Xs and loved them.... I don't get the impression the Pegaso is quite up to the build quality of the Yam all round, but can't see any reason you'd have issues on them for a trip like this.
a few of you may remember my thread from this time last year
I certainly do, given the conclusion it was best STW thread of the year AFAIC, and still makes me smile today, thanks so much for posting it.
In answer to your question bike choice is pretty much irrelevant, I suspect you already know that.
KTM 990 SM-T as an option... ?
If the SV1000 is feeling a bit ponderous, what tyres is it running?
Also you could look to raise the fork tubes through the yokes maybe 5mm, should make it a bit more agile. Though try it out as it could make it a little less stable.
I am sure the Aprilia would be fun though (I have a V4 Tuono, so I am a fan) its is a supermoto basically, so is going to be fun around town and in really tight stuff. However is is going to be that much fun on slightly faster roads and the little bit of slog you are going to have to do. I assume its geared like a Supermoto ?
I think the aprilia might become quite tiresome after the second or third hour on a motorway. It won't enjoy the experience either. The SV would be my choice. Actually it wouldn't as I'd sell both and do as rickmeister suggests. 950sm/990smt is almost the perfect touring bike - fast enough for the autobhan, chuckable enough for the twisties. Later SMTs with ABS are superb.
outofbreath - v kind words, thank you and absolutely right, either bike is good.
hotfiat - sadly the budget is £2k ... I only have the 2 bikes as the Pegaso was an itch and came up at a good price, whichever I take, the other one goes sadly.
bazzer - interesting re the fork adjustment. It's got Bridgestones on at the moment ... I think it's more me than the bike, maybe I'm just adjusting to it and how to wield it after the very relaxed manner of the Triumph Tiger?
I think then give the Aprilia a good trip on a motorway and see if vibes rear their head. We always end up spending two or three hours on one despite our best intentions to not stray from the nice twisties. The SV would be a good choice. Keep the baffle in if you have one. Touring on a big V-twin with no baffle is fun for a very limited amount of time and makes going anywhere near Switzerland difficult. Does the givi rack take side cases as well as a top box?
Check the tyres are not flatted off also if they are an older less sporty tire they will make the bike feel a bit slow to turn. A new set of sports or sports touring tyres would probable pep it up a bit.
Also if its got clipon bars (can't see from pic) move them out a bit to make them wider. Will make it a bit more tiger like 🙂
Like Others have said, the important thing is going and the bike does not really matter. However you have the choice and you have the SV1000 so if you can get it handling as you like then thats got to be good.
Also i know this is like teaching you to suck eggs, but check the tyre pressures on the SV
too.
Thanks all, and as a couple have said, it's the going that matters, either bike will be great.
I've done a 200mile m-way trip on the APrilia, found it surprising un-vibey. The SV's tyres are 1/4 worn I'd say, and newish, and correct pressure - I think it's more me adapting to the SV rather than a problem with it! Whereas the Peg, it nearly feels like a toy! I'll be strapping the tent onto the pillion seat, soft panniers and a top box.
It's sometimes nice having a choice ... but sometimes best not to and just get on with it!