Motorcycle advice?

[benzene]

I'm thinking of selling the motorcycle I have now, the smallest Yamaha cruiser (V-Star 650), and buying something a little different, and would like any advice from any bike riders. I have been riding my V-Star for two years now, and it's been a good starter bike, but I'm ready for something a little lighter, quicker, and less of a pig -- a more standard bike... and I'm over the chrome fixation too.

I'm a fairly inexperienced and conservative rider, and am less impressed by quarter-mile speeds, highest horsepower bragging rights, and the ability to pop a wheelie than I am in a comfortable, smooth highway ride, good ergonomics, and responsiveness in handling and acceleration -- I want to be able to accelerate away from hazards when appropriate, but don't need the bike with the most CCs on the block. I'm also fairly small at 5'7", so any tall monsters or very heavy bikes wouldn't be my thing -- seat height has ruled out some bikes for me. I have a strong preference for liquid-cooled over air-cooled, and would like a fairly standard seating position rather than something that requires me to hunch low over the gas tank.

I have had the opportunity to ride both a Triumph Speed Four and Speed Triple, and liked them both a lot -- they feel great and look great too. I have an idea the Speed Triple may be a bit much for me in the sense that it has more power than I am ever likely to use, but on the other hand, is there really any danger to a moderate rider having a lot of power? I'm also reading good things about the Suzuki V-Strom and of course the Suzuki SV650, but have never ridden either. I also read great reviews about the Kawasaski KLR650, a rather visually-unappealing (to me) dual-sport, but the reviewers sure love it.

Any advice or thoughts?

[PC Dave]

Try some of the Japanese mid-size standards - the Kawi Z750S, Honda 599, Yamaha FZ6, or the Suzuki Bandit 600. They're all variations on a theme, all list for around $7k, and you can get deals on all of them. The SV650 might be more hunched over than you'd like, though the Vstrom 650 (same bike in dual-sport form) would cure that (though it might be too tall for you).

If I were your size, with your stated priorities, I'd probably be happy with any of those bikes. Since I'm my size with similar priorities, I ride BMWs.

[benzene]

The V-strom is very nice... if only they came used

[MTI]

BMW R or K series . . . at least with the boxer R, your feet stay toasty.

[Jim H]

Here's my take on BMWs.

BMW K75 - Sit on it and try it first! It has a TALL saddle height, non-adjustible. Smooth and bullet-proof engine, though. K75C is standard seating, K75S is a bit more lay-forward, sportier.
BMW K100 - Same frame as K75, a bit more power, a bit more vibration.
BMW R - 1970's 'Airhead' (air-cooled) vintage, durable, not quite 'modern'
BMW R - 1980's 'Airhead' (air-cooled) better brakes, durable, more 'modern'
BMW R - 2000's "Oilhead' (oil/air-cooled) a leap ahead in frame and motor technology with EFI
BMW F650 - liquid-cooled, carburetors 1997-1998 (or so) EFI afterwards. Very light, agile, competent on highway, but not first choice for freeway droning... 50-60 mpg, though... Dakar is biased toward off-road, others are biased towards street. All are competent on the street.

Past motorcycles I have owned:
1982 BMW R100RT - airhead, touring (sold with 30k miles)
1992 BMW K75RT - brick, touring (sold with 45k miles)
2002 BMW R1150RT - oilhead, touring (sold with 15k miles, bought K1200LT) [Fast, comfortable, fast!!! Good two-up, d****d good solo!!!]

Present stable:
1994 Yamaha Virago 750 - fun V-Twin, not enough spare $$$ to insure right now
1998 1998 BMW F650 - 2-carburetor 650cc single, a giggle and a half
2002 BMW K1200LT - brick, touring, 'Light Truck' (current two-up, me & Mrs.)

Try out as many as you can, it's hard to buy a bad bike...

Best Regards,
Jim

[LaughingGravy]

I ride an '85 K100. The seat height is on the high side, but it's roughly 1000 cc.
The extra power is greatly appreciated to get me away from people in big Buicks who don't see me. I ride very conservatively as we have two kids and I'm the bread and butter aside from my life insurance policy

[PC Dave]

If you're open to buying used, BMWs are the best thing out there (and there's a strange correlation between MB diesel ownership and BMW ownership). Check out the K75, a 750cc water-cooled triple, sold from 86-95 in the US market. Jim H is right that the standard version has a fairly high saddle height, but many of the ones sold from 89-95 had a factory lowered seat option that's very easy for anyone to ride. The bike is very smooth, very well made, has decent power and decent handling. If you get one that's been maintained, you can maintain it yourself and it will last forever. It's hard to pay over $4k for one, and with some negotiation you can pay a lot less. Look for a local one in the K-bikes section on the Internet BMW Riders' Marketplace site:

www.ibmwr.org/market/

[engatwork]

Here is the one I lust after.

Bergman400

400cc is plenty.

Here is a Honda with 250cc with I'm sure, plenty of zip for around town.

Honda Reflex with anti lock brakes

I would not mind riding either one.

If all I wanted to do was ride and party with it I would take the Harley . Who is worried about comfort then.

[H2O2]

Get a Bimmer or older MotoGuzzi--I wouldn't bother riding anything else.

Past: '73 R75/5
Present: '78 R80/7
Future: R100S and/or R80ST

[MTI]

Italian and UK bikes have their endearing quirks . . . just like their cars . . . if you catch my drift.

[GermanStar]

Originally Posted by MTI

Italian and UK bikes have their endearing quirks . . . just like their cars . . . if you catch my drift.

I like the retro look myself...

[benzene]

I was originally thinking a BMW F650S because a dual-sport would be a plus... however, I sat on one a while back and was somewhat intimidated by its height. I know there is or was a shorter version, and some people get them lowered a bit and get the seat shaved, so it is still a possibility. I know they have fantastic reputations. I will make it a point to try one out, as well as perhaps that K75 recomended by PC Dave, if I can find one. I'm not only open to buying used, I prefer it this time around.

I'm lusting a bit after the Triumph Speed 4 also, and would also like to see an SV650 and a V-Strom.

I hadn't thought about a Yamaha FZ6... I guess I thought it was too much of a sportbike, but perhaps not.

engatwork, is that a scooter? Gah!

[engatwork]

I had motorcycles for most of my life before kids came along. The last one was a 1988 BMW R100RT. I miss it.

[boneheaddoctor]

Buy a real bike.....a Harley Davidson.......not the ones the Japs try to make look like one.

None hold their value longer.

[PC Dave]

Just about any dual-sport is going to be taller than you'd like. If you like F650s, consider the Strada version (F650ST) from the first generation (ending in '00). Those were built as street-only bikes, with smaller front wheels and less suspension travel, so it may work fine for you without modification. In the second ('01 to date) generation, take a look, if you dare, at the F650CS. It's also a street bike with a lower ride height. The styling is...different. You may find it fugly or hip and daring, it's all subjective (http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/machine/models/model.jsp?model=f650cs). Plenty of F650s on the ibmwr site, also try the classifieds at www.f650.com, the owners' club.