Well I had high hopes for the new Transalp, but those hopes have been dashed. I'm not going to go bog hoping on a 200kg, £10k bike so I don't want a 21" front wheel, especially one that runs a tube.

So perhaps the new Suzuki V-Strom 800? Nope, the same 21" tubed front wheel.

The Italjet 500 Dragster looks like a laugh mind.

Well put Steve, I too was looking forward to the new Translap... As for the new 800 Strom, no V twin not a V-Strom 😜 Added to which its up from 216 kg (my 650xt)to 230kg!!!                                                                                                                                                                             

What's the worst that could happen Steve. Yes I remember didn't you park the Ten in a river ??                                                                                                                                                                             

What could possibly go wrong JP? Well I could add a flat tyre to my aquatic woes.                                                                                                                                                                             

Its only flat at the bottom                                                                                                                                                                             

Just to add to the specs of the 2 newbies, neither has cruise control... aagh!!!

Maybe I'll keep the Strom😂                                                                                                                                                                             

How about the new Honda NT1100? More road oriented version of the Africa Twin if your a Honda person. If you're looking for a small tourer there's also the F800GT, Versey. Kawasaki 1100SX is a popular bike in my group at the moment as well.
                                                                                                                                                                             

I sometimes think I'm the one person who likes the style of the NT1100, but I'm looking to downsize cos I'm old, slow and sensible these days.

The new Hornet is just an up-engined CB500 and I was hoping for the same with the Transalp, a boosted CB500X if you like. But the current zeitgeist for middleweight big trailies is to give them genuine off-road ability, I guess that's what sells.

The last BMW I had was a GS1150. When the 12's came out the BMW mechanic said "If you want get there first buy a new GS, if you want to get home again stay with the 1150".

And my last Kawasaki was called You Cantankerous Bastard and we had a falling out when the right hand clip-on came off in my hand. That was an interesting experience.

I like some Honda's reliability and that some of their bikes have character (hi Scootie), but some are mind bendingly boring. Anyone want buy a CBF1000?

And to add insult to injury the Aprilia 500 isn't a production model 🙄

Get a Harley, I think you're old enough now.                                                                                                                                                                             

Noooo... 😱 Leatherette, open arse trousers just aren't me.

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Get a Harley, I think you're old enough now....