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r/motorcycles•
stormborn

Bike recommendations - I'll tell you what I've owned, and what I'm looking for, you tell me which bike

I'll be picking up a new bike sometime between this autumn and next sprint (still pretty far in the future, but there is a lot to think about!), and I'm not sure exactly what to go test ride. I have had a few, but never really had something that made me say "Yes, this is just right, I love this!" which has lead to me swapping bikes every few years.

I've had:

  • 1992(?) Honda Nighthawk 250 - Great to learn on, reliable, a bit small and slow
  • 1974 Harley Sportster - A head turner, a bit (OK, more than a bit) unreliable. Probably needs the attention of a real mechanic, rather than my amateur attempts. This is still in the garage, but will likely be sold to fund this new bike
  • 2003 Suzuki SV650 naked - Getting warmer, loved the performance increase over my previous bikes, didn't love the seating position. Somehow I never really "bonded" with this bike, so I sold it to buy...
  • 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 - Much more comfortable, I like the styling, performance is "meh," especially at highway speeds, where it feels like it needs at least one more gear in the transmission. My current bike, will be sold to fund this purchase.

So, here's what I think I'm looking for:

  • Fuel injected, not carbureted - easy cold starts, no flat spots, etc
  • Cruiser or standard/naked - not really into fully faired sport bikes, although I haven't really ridden one for more than a few miles
  • Must feel faster than my Vulcan - something in the SV650 performance range would be quite sufficient. Assume aftermarket exhaust/intake/EFI tuning if that helps.
  • Must be comfortable enough for my 120mi commute, and feel OK at highway speeds - all my bikes to date have failed this test (SV on seating position, Vulcan on high-speed vibration/straining)

So, what am I looking for?

Posted Apr 5, 2012, 3:15 AM UTC

615
phattywierz04 Honda CB600F/02 XL1200C•

How about a Yamaha FZ6/FZ1, Kawasaki Z1000R, Suzuki Bandit 1250? I am not sure if you want a liter bike, but all of these have modest seating positions. I currently have a Honda 599, which I constantly take on 100+ miles days, and I am comfortable. They make it in a 919 version, but both are hard to come by.

Edit: Lizards recc is also a good one, if you are looking at the cruiser type.

4
stormbornOP•

I'll have to check some of these out, I haven't had a chance to see any of them in person. The Honda 599 in particular seems really interesting.

Thanks!

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SNOWLIZARD•

dude! you want a 08 onward softail harley. fuel injected cruiser, faster than a vulcan, lots of aftermarket shit. comfortable, it will eat up 120 miles , you know im right.

2
stormbornOP•

I've only ridden a HD Softail once, and it was a Heritage with a couch for a seat, windscreen, etc - it was all a bit too much for me.

I will definitely be giving one of the more stripped-down Softails (something like the Blackline) a test ride at my local HD demo day.

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t0rchw00dTriumph S3 1050•

European naked bikes are probably a good place for you to start, the japanese nakeds aren't bad but tend to be less exciting. The triumph speed and street triples are a blast, the ducati monster line is a bit more aggressive but very fun (get a newer monster if possible to avoid expensive and constant tune-ups), the streetfighter is also a blast but even madder than the monsters, or you could try the Diavel, a bit more of a muscle bike than pure naked bike.

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stormbornOP•

Thanks! I'll make sure to try one of the Triples at the local Triumph demo day this summer.

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Quantis_OttawaON - '09 WR250X/R•

Try a KTM 990 SMR

http://www.ktm.com/supermoto/990-sm-r-eu/highlights.html

Fuel injected

Naked (Compared to the 990 adventure)

upright riding position = comfortable

Fast!!!!

Not what people usually think of but it might just be that left field bike that fits your needs. Also take a look at the 990 adventure as it has a bit more wind protection in it's stock form.

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[deleted]•

What are your thoughts on a Suzuki V-strom or similar, either 650 or 1000?

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stormbornOP•

I'm a bit unsure about the seat height - I'll have to find one to sit on somewhere.

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patleemanNYC 2002 Triumph Speed Triple•

Street Triple

or

Speed Triple

  • EFI
  • Standard/Naked style with an aggressive stance
  • Definitely faster than your vulcan and SV650. Lots of aftermarket exhaust choices, tune ECU - Free program to tune the CPU after you buy a $10 ODBII cable.
  • Has a sort of upright seating position (note risers vs clip ons). On my 955i Speed Triple I feel like I'm in the bike.

I would get a street triple if I were buying new, or a street triple (05-current) if buying used. Just my preference.

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GoombombSuzuki GS500F•

Kawasaki ER-6N is a possibility. Similar to the SV650, but I believe the seating position is more upright.

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HolePunch662003 Kawasaki ZRX1200R•

I have an 03 Kawasaki ZRX1200R, (Eddie Lawson Replica) it has a nice upright riding position and tons of power. You can pick up a decent one for $3500 or less.

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TajPo06 Ducati 749 Dark•

Sounds like you want a triple or a monster.

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jimbophobe05 Ducati 749 Dark 07 Kawasaki Vulcan 900•

120 miles! check out the yamaha fz8.. the 6 is gonna be too slow, the fz1 too fast! and the fz8 juuust right. OR the triumph street triple R. i love riding this bike in the rain over any other bike i've been on. i dont know why.

if you aren't splitting lanes, consider with the harley. i feel ya on the vulcan series. it gets me to work at its leisurely pace.

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SkullDumpKTM 990SM•

120 miles! check out the yamaha fz8.. the 6 is gonna be too slow, the fz1 too fast! and the fz8 juuust right.

How can either be too fast or too slow when both machines are perfectly capable of doing highway speeds and the speed you do is totally dependant on you, the rider?!

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