BIKES Q & A
Q My Suzuki GSX-R1000 K2 has given me all I need for the last 13 years, but now it’s also giving me a few aches and is getting long in the tooth. I rode a GSX-S1000 recently, which I really liked. Is there anything else like that you would recommend?
A The naked Suzuki GSX-S and the half-faired FA are great bikes, with strong engines descended from your K2 – and there are good finance options at the moment. There are plenty of other naked bikes based around big sportsbikes. Yamaha’s naked MT-10, derived from the R1, offers a little more technology and a monstrous engine with modern, if Marmite looks. BMW’S S1000R, based on the RR sportsbike, is probably closest to your GSX-R’S performance (especially the more-expensive Sport version).
Then there are the big naked bikes built for the road. Kawasaki’s Z1000 is involving and aggressive. Triumph’s Speed Triple has a fabulous triple engine – and the R version has extra top-quality sporty components.
Q The new BMW GS Rallye has some viciouslooking footrests. Would they be worth fitting on my 2014 GS?
A The Rallye pegs give more grip when standing up off-road (hence the large teeth) and are wider for more comfort when standing for long periods. Nippy Normans (www. nippynormans.com) sell similar-sized Pivot Pegz for £99. For another £15 you can buy rubber covers to avoid catching yourself on them when not off-road, as well as saving the soles of non-motocross boots. Q I want a small-ish go-anywhere bike that’ll do touring and some light off-roading. I’m considering the BMW F800GS and Yamaha Tracer 700. Anything else?
A If you’re going to ride off-road, forget the Tracer: it’s a pure road bike. The F800GS sounds like just what you need, but you should also look at the Triumph Tiger 800 XC and Suzuki V-strom 650 XT.