Neck fusion=selling the Sportbike, what's next for a speed freak?

[Accidental L8 apex]

So, I had 3 vertabre fused last year 2 days before Thanksgiving. Suffice to say, that even with recovery going as well as possible, leaning over and having to look up to ride just isn't going to work. Honestly, it's barely been working for the last 5 years as the neck muscles would tighten to the point of inducing a migraine and I was taking pain pills after every ride.

So, after I sell my 600 Ninja, just what is out there that will give near the same visceral feeling a crotch-rocket gives, but with a much more sit-up-and-beg riding position. Wind protection would be nice too since that helps with neck-fatigue too. I'm considering the new Ninja 1000 with some bar-risers and an aftermarket screen, but at this point, will take any advice.

If lack of dealers, higher than Kaw's purchase price and wind protection were better, a Tuono would be my no-brainer as I've lusted after these since the 1st gens.. :drool:

[TurboWraith]

The Ninja 1000 is an outstanding bike. I'd own one right now if we wouldn't have decided to remodel our kitchen.

You nearly sit upright on it, much higher than a VFR or similar - I'd be surprised if you need risers. But, if you were to put some on there you'd have near adventure bike ergos.

I would look heavily into the sport touring segment. There are a lot of bikes that lean more towards the sport side - that Ninja is one of them. Depending on your budget, a Multistrada would be a good pick, as well as the Triumph Tiger 1050.

[dts]

Triumph Speed Triple.



If that's not enough wind protection, BMW K1200R Sport:

[Spinnaker]

Go M109R, because I've always kind of wanted a power cruiser.

[GLi401]

second the speed triple. i have been considering picking one up myself for a daily rider

[Frosty_spl]

You can get a leftover Tuono for less than $10k.

[gr8shandini]

I'll "third" the Speed Triple suggestion. I've owned mine since I bought it new in '05 and I'm still as excited to ride it as I was the day I picked it up. If you need wind protection, check out the Sprint ST. Pretty much the same bike, just a little heavier.

[hrama803]

I have ZX6R, had 2 Vertebra in my neck fused, lots of screws and rods. I guess im short enough not to lean forward so much. Im usually upright as much as possible, I havent ridden much lately and my neck seems to hurt more.

[soldierguy]

http://cycle-ergo.com/

Great site for seeing about how you'd sit on a motorcycle. Lets you choose the bike, enter your height and inseam, and it'll give an idea of how you'd fit.

I'd start by seeing how the site thinks you fit on the Ninja, then use that to compare to other bikes.

[freedomgli]

Most any motorcycle with 60+hp is thrilling if you twist your wrist far enough, but if you're used to modern sports bikes then nothing else will come close to matching their performance. But since you're talking about riding on the street it doesn't matter much since no one can fully exploit a modern sportbike on the street legally and responsibly. I think what you're probably looking for is something that offers a similar power to weight ratio but with a more upright riding position. Visceral feeling and comfort are subjective but here are some bikes you should take a look at. Welcome to the old man's club.

Honda ST1300

Yamaha (Star) V-MAX

Suzuki Boulevard M109R

Campagna T-REX 14R

[MobiusXX1]

Kawasaki Z1000. First gen had the same inline 4 (but retuned) as the ZX-9. Have yet to ride a naked bike that matches it for mid and top end balls-out, eye-melting, psycho-rocketship speed.

[nhbubba]

The Triumph Tiger 1050 is even more upright, if you can't do the Speed Triple.

Most of the 'adventure' bikes aren't so adventurey. Don't feel bad riding one 100% street. Slap some sport tourer rubber on and be happy. That's what I do.

<= Rides an upright SV650, more commonly known as the V-Strom.

[Accidental L8 apex]

http://cycle-ergo.com/

Great site for seeing about how you'd sit on a motorcycle. Lets you choose the bike, enter your height and inseam, and it'll give an idea of how you'd fit.

I'd start by seeing how the site thinks you fit on the Ninja, then use that to compare to other bikes.

Ok, using that site it shows my current bike is @ 25 degrees forward lean angle while a new Ninja 1000 would be @ 13 degrees. My current has 1/2" bar-risers while the Ninja 1000 is stock. I'm pretty sure that will be my next bike. It ticks off every box I've made up that my new bike must meet.

There are others that have been suggested that have crossed my mind many times, namely the Trumpets and Adv. bike suggestions, but in the end, the Kaw would've had to specifically not make the cut before the others even really got considered. I've never owned any other brand of bike, not that I'm adverse to it, but my dealership knows this, knows all of my other bikes have been bought there, they're close so parts are easy to come by and I just like dealing with them.

I really appreciate all of the suggestions and the simple fact that this thread took no wrong turns. How often does that happen anymore?

[nhbubba]

Yeah, I can't blame you at all. The Ninja 1000 looks to be a helluva bike.

[sucking chest wound]

I blew out a disk in my neck last July and was basically immobile for 6 months. Fortunately, I've recovered enough to ride again (feels fine but still not doctor endorsed..).

I sold my Sprint ST this spring, which is not even all that hardcore of a riding position - but it still gave me an unsettling feeling that I would mess up my neck again.

Now I have a 2011 Street Triple R for banging around town, and a 2012 Multistrada S Touring for more serious stuff.

The Street Triple R is easily as quick as my old CBR600RR (2008) but much more comfortable to ride. Great exhaust note. Total hooligan machine.

The Multistrada has the ultimate sit-up-and-beg riding position. And it hauls ass, like a demonic freight train powered by meth, when in Sport mode. But, you can dial the fuel map back to something tamer (Touring, Urban) when you want to chill out a bit. Impossible bike to get out of sorts, with ABS and traction control and Ohlins. Great fun, very practical, gets a lot of attention. The obvious downside is the price.

[karl_1052]

B-king

[Spinnaker]

oooooooooh I forgot about the Bking

[Accidental L8 apex]

oooooooooh I forgot about the Bking

No wind protection to speak of and the constant buffetting wears out the neck too fast.

That one also appears to have a turbo on it and that's close to the last thing I or that bike need.

[autotragik b3attlewagen]

I am a huge fan of the Ninja1000 and the z1000, for variety sake however, what about a Suzuki GSX1250FA?
There is a nice review/ build of one in Sportbike Mag. in the last few months. They uncorked quite a bit of power w/ simple mods.






Or another option: CBF1000F






Ninja1000 for comparison sake:

[Village Idiot™]

The Speed Triple is my next bike.

[karl_1052]

I met this guy at Wheelers shop in North Carolina a few weeks ago.
It is a Triumph Speed Triple with a second gen FZ1 fairing.

[MRVW00]

Having a bad back, and more metal in my leg than a '75 Vega, I was worried about this same issue.

My Buell XB fits the bill with a few mods. Plus they're cheap!