Help me pick a motorcycle

[Bill]

If or when I am again in the market for a fun ride, this is probably what I'd get. Performance of a Duc for half the price, plus you get Japanese reliability and less expensive parts and maintenance if you ever even need it:

I had a original round tube frame SV650 standard, GREAT bike. I put a RaceTech kit in the forks, a Fox twin clicker shock out back, a Yosh RS-3 race slip on, and a Factory stage one jet kit. Galfer front brake lines. Ran great, handled great, then in a fit of stupidness I sold it to a buddy for $3k. Dumb.

 

[jesse]

If or when I am again in the market for a fun ride, this is probably what I'd get. Performance of a Duc for half the price, plus you get Japanese reliability and less expensive parts and maintenance if you ever even need it:

I considered that. The cost of insurance and my love for the inline four cylinder pushed me towards the Bandit 1200S instead.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

Wow, that is a snazzy bike. Much more improved over my 1996 Vulcan. Mine has 13,000 miles on it. I start it every two weeks and let it run if I cannot ride that week. It has yet to let me down. Recently, I just put new saddle bags on it. It really helped the looks. On the picture, those are not stock pipes. I have 2" straight pipes. I do not recommend them. They blued very quickly and heat shields are hard to find for them.

This would not be a bad ride for you:
http://www.sparksamerica.com/

Nice bike! I'll have to check out that site from home... I wonder why it's blocked at the office?!

 

[Anthony]

I considered that. The cost of insurance and my love for the inline four cylinder pushed me towards the Bandit 1200S instead.

At my age I probably don't have the insurance issues you do. I prefer the midrange torque and power of the V-twin over the inline four. I don't understand why insurance wouldn't be the same on either bike.

 

[steingar]

The average in-line 4 liter sport bike lasts about a month before its trashed. I wouldn't be surprised if it were the same for the V-twin Sportbikes. Few people need a liter twin Sport bike; they're not comfortable enough for most to do long distances, and a smaller bike is more than enough to blitzkrieg around town. A lot get used to stunt, and that's hard on bikes and riders. Insurance for them is just nuts no matter who you are.

 

[DeeG]

Why'd I get a bike? Long and short of it: for $20 in gas I can have a full weekend of adventure, whereas $20 won't get me to the hold short line in an airplane. I'll still fly, but this is something I can do "with the guys", and I think I miss "guy time" with all the ladies in the house.

Same reason for us. Avgas was getting too expensive, and I wanted something economical to commute with. I think we've become a bit crazed though, 14 and counting.....

Soooooo.....when ya gonna pick up a bike for the wife, so she can have something to do with 'the gals'?

 

[DeeG]

If you want smooth riding and fast, a GoldWing GL1800 would probably surprise you.

Nah. I like two of my cruisers better

BMW R1200C. Smooth, good looking, fast and will get looks where ever you go. The only BMW that I like better is the newer R1200R. Got a loaner one when I took the C in for its first service. Danged good thing I don't own one, I'd probably no longer have a valid drivers license.

Or perhaps the Moto Guzzi California EV. Fine Italian design and styling. And cruising through town, you'll never have to shift out of first gear.
Best looking V-twin out there. (Next to my Guzzi Breva, that is)

GW's are nice, but they're just too......I don't know.....common, I guess.

 

[Ted]

I love Moto Guzzis! A California is on my list of "Bikes I want to own some day." It's just not something I've been able to convince myself to buy yet. Maybe after I sell the Interceptor...

I seem to recall that my post had to do with more stating that GL1800s were surprising in just how smooth, nimble, and quick they are. I know I was very surprised when I rode one. I did not expect a bike that large to move, turn, and be as easy to ride as it is!