Great review in a very nice bike, with an attractive price point:

https://www.motorcycle.com/features/2022...-ride.html

(04-26-2022, 07:08 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: Great review in a very nice bike, with an attractive price point:

https://www.motorcycle.com/features/2022...-ride.html

A bit less torque (~6 ft-lbs at 9200-RPM) than the S1000XR for 2/3-rds the cost based on MSRP. And, most likely, you'll be able to buy leftovers at a discount in a year.

Downsides, no centrestand and heated grips are an option.

Color-matched bags are a ~$650 option, but MSRP is still under $14,000.

Not sure there will be leftovers any time soon, in Europe at least.

I have enquired about a test ride and they are scarce. No dealer is registering one as most 2022 allocations have been pre-sold. There are a lot of former K5 owners with mist in the eye.

Suzuki have been rotating 3 press launch bikes around UK dealers and my local dealer did not have one on a day to suit me.

I doubt I would be tempted to buy one as I would have to sell both of my 2016 bikes as I am not going to take on any debt for such a purchase.

(04-26-2022, 03:02 PM)wessie Wrote: Not sure there will be leftovers any time soon, in Europe at least.

I have enquired about a test ride and they are scarce. No dealer is registering one as most 2022 allocations have been pre-sold. There are a lot of former K5 owners with mist in the eye.

Suzuki have been rotating 3 press launch bikes around UK dealers and my local dealer did not have one on a day to suit me.

I doubt I would be tempted to buy one as I would have to sell both of my 2016 bikes as I am not going to take on any debt for such a purchase.

This kind of bike can set for years in a US dealership.

(04-27-2022, 05:43 AM)36654 Wrote: This kind of bike can set for years in a US dealership.

Yeah, you're probably right. No further comment from me on that and the US market ...

I once went into a dealership here in maybe 2017 and they had a brand new 2010 Honda VFR1200F on the floor for $10k ... said it was in a crate in the back when the dealership was taken over by the current owners ... I did not have a spare $10k or else I may have picked it up.

(04-27-2022, 06:51 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote:

(04-27-2022, 05:43 AM)36654 Wrote: This kind of bike can set for years in a US dealership.

Yeah, you're probably right. No further comment from me on that and the US market ...

I once went into a dealership here in maybe 2017 and they had a brand new 2010 Honda VFR1200F on the floor for $10k ... said it was in a crate in the back when the dealership was taken over by the current owners ... I did not have a spare $10k or else I may have picked it up.

Well, when you or I walk away from our bikes, we don't really appear to be motorcyclists in this part of the world, even if we're wearing our gear.........

In fact, wearing our gear, apparently, makes us look less like a motorcyclist.......

(04-26-2022, 07:08 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: Great review in a very nice bike, with an attractive price point:

https://www.motorcycle.com/features/2022...-ride.html

Not sure why anyone would choose this bike over the Kawa 1000SX, its most direct competition.

(04-27-2022, 09:56 AM)TriangleRider Wrote:

(04-26-2022, 07:08 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: Great review in a very nice bike, with an attractive price point:

https://www.motorcycle.com/features/2022...-ride.html

Not sure why anyone would choose this bike over the Kawa 1000SX, it's most direct competition.

Some guys buy the Impala, others go for the Galaxy. The ones that bought the Newport or Ambassador, don't live around here anymore.

(04-27-2022, 09:56 AM)TriangleRider Wrote: Not sure why anyone would choose this bike over the Kawa 1000SX, it's most direct competition.

Maybe one doesn’t like green …? . See here … maybe there is an answer to this question.

(04-26-2022, 01:20 PM)36654 Wrote:

(04-26-2022, 07:08 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: Great review in a very nice bike, with an attractive price point:

https://www.motorcycle.com/features/2022...-ride.html

A bit less torque (~6 ft-lbs at 9200-RPM) than the S1000XR for 2/3-rds the cost based on MSRP. And, most likely, you'll be able to buy leftovers at a discount in a year.

Downsides, no centrestand and heated grips are an option.

Color-matched bags are a ~$650 option, but MSRP is still under $14,000.

The S1000XR is not competition for this bike. The suspension and brakes alone put it in a completely different class.

Here is the MCN comparison between the Suzuki and the Kawasaki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plxndpn2608

I like / respect their opinions especially those of Michael Neeves.

(04-27-2022, 11:03 AM)TriangleRider Wrote:

(04-26-2022, 01:20 PM)36654 Wrote:

(04-26-2022, 07:08 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: Great review in a very nice bike, with an attractive price point:

https://www.motorcycle.com/features/2022...-ride.html

A bit less torque (~6 ft-lbs at 9200-RPM) than the S1000XR for 2/3-rds the cost based on MSRP. And, most likely, you'll be able to buy leftovers at a discount in a year.

Downsides, no centrestand and heated grips are an option.

Color-matched bags are a ~$650 option, but MSRP is still under $14,000.

The S1000XR is not competition for this bike. The suspension and brakes alone put it in a completely different class.

Perhaps. But you're paying over $7K more for something the typical rider may never notice.

(04-27-2022, 10:28 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote:

(04-27-2022, 09:56 AM)TriangleRider Wrote: Not sure why anyone would choose this bike over the Kawa 1000SX, it's most direct competition.

Maybe one doesn’t like green …? . See here … maybe there is an answer to this question.

I will say that Suzuki has looks going for it...other than that?

(04-27-2022, 11:29 AM)36654 Wrote: Perhaps. But you're paying over $7K more for something the typical rider may never notice.

Indeed. It is great to have choice, since we all have different requirements and there is no absolute “best”. I guess the fun is in trying to convince others that there is.

For me, when the price differential is huge there must be justification, and if you’re not riding the bike to the limits then all the excess that is never used is a waste. Even if that excess is used once in a blue moon it is a waste.

I agree that the looks are the Suzuki’s strong point, and of course mention was made of its smoothness, quick shifter, and power. These are big pluses. Dumb that the heated groups have to be added but at least it’s available. Overall it represents good value to me.

(04-27-2022, 11:29 AM)36654 Wrote: Perhaps. But you're paying over $7K more for something the typical rider may never notice.

Maybe, maybe not...but it doesn't really matter...doesn't change the fact that the S1000XR brings way more to the table than the Suzuki. Price comparisons between the two are kind of silly.

I know a few peeps with the Kawasaki 1000 and have not seen the Suzuki yet. Both great bikes I am sure but I get board with the inline 4. My flaw not the bikes.

(04-27-2022, 12:30 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: if you’re not riding the bike to the limits then all the excess that is never used is a waste. Even if that excess is used once in a blue moon it is a waste.

That is the reason I keep looing at these.

Both great bikes. The Honda CB500X is very well regarded. I had the CBR500R before the RS and still miss that bike, and that was a 2014 model. The latest ones have more upgrades. If it was good enough for Itchy Boots its more than good enough for me. The Ducati is a very nice bike also, but I don't like curved seats like that. At least it is not curved and sloped (into the tank) like the Tracer was before I modded the seat.

(04-27-2022, 12:30 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: For me, when the price differential is huge there must be justification, and if you’re not riding the bike to the limits then all the excess that is never used is a waste. Even if that excess is used once in a blue moon it is a waste.

Price differentials with luxury items such as BMWs are divorced from practicality. If you're not familiar, check out Veblen goods -- with luxury items, increased price alone can drive consumer interest because of many factors: rarity, status, conspicuousness, etc.

The excess that is never used is often an internal justification for purchase, with considerations completely divorced from reality. If some Starbucks-hopper bought a GS because they want to be viewed like Boorman or McGregor yet they never ride it off asphalt -- but it fulfills their self- and projected-image goals (possibly the primary reason they bought the bike at all) is that a waste, or money well spent?

Why don't we all just drive a Camry? There is almost nothing practical about owning a bike if you also own a car. If you are just riding around having a good time, you are literally burning cash and pumping carbon into the air for no practical reason. When the most practical option is no bike, it makes no difference if you are on a CB350 or a Hayabusa. Ride what makes you feel the most awesome. Forget practical.

(04-27-2022, 04:30 PM)Pyrrho Wrote: Price differentials with luxury items such as BMWs are divorced from practicality. If you're not familiar, check out Veblen goods -- with luxury items, increased price alone can drive consumer interest because of many factors: rarity, status, conspicuousness, etc.

I was not familiar with Veblen goods until now … thanks for pointing that out. I would suggest that the phenomena not only applies to luxury goods. I was a long time buyer of Hyundai cars and watched their quality improve over the years until they became equivalent to Japanese. One of the things Hyundai did at just the right time, was raised the prices across the line so that they were pretty much on par with Honda, Toyota etc. Sales took off as people felt that they must be just as good.

(04-27-2022, 04:30 PM)Pyrrho Wrote: The excess that is never used is often an internal justification for purchase, with considerations completely divorced from reality. If some Starbucks-hopper bought a GS because they want to be viewed like Boorman or McGregor yet they never ride it off asphalt -- but it fulfills their self- and projected-image goals (possibly the primary reason they bought the bike at all) is that a waste, or money well spent?

I guess. It depends on the individual. People make purchases based on different reasons, not all of them smart. Lots of posers fit that description. BUT, if they are pleased as a result and they can afford it then their purchase is successful for them.