suggestions?

[tig488]

i know there are some very experienced riders here, and ive been contemplating buying one for a while. i grew up riding, and racing, probably have almost 15 years on motorbikes and quads, up to a 250R bike, and a 350 banshee quad, but zero hours on a street bike.

im 6'2", 225 pounds, looking to get on a reliable bike, not too powerful but able to move thru traffic if needed. i drive 90% on the interstate to work, but there are also alternative routes that are thru residential areas, which i would probably prefer on the bike. i drive around 80-100 miles everyday to/from work, and my 4x4 grand cherokee at 15mpg is getting rough.

i need some bike suggestions. brands, size, etc. im really looking forward to riding again.

[RxZ]

I am in the same boat as you are, except I do not have the experience you have. That said, I think either the Ninja 650r or SV650 would be just fine for you and what you need. They are relatively cheap, upright sitting position for comfort, and get about 50 MPG. These are the two bikes I was looking at, but due to my lack of experience I think I am going to start a bit slower with the new Ninja 250r. The new Kawasaki Versys may be a good bike for you as well. It has the 650r's engine, but the style looks more like an Aprilla to me. I have heard is is great for commuting.

[nicoG35]

^ Agreed, your past experience should already give a smoother transistion from track to street.

[terrasmak]

Are you looking for a sportbike , cruiser , sporttouring? Sporttouring is probably your best bet for the seat time you will do every day , if not a cruiser.

[tig488]

sportbike or sportcruiser would probably be best, dont see myself on a cruiser.

[2fast4comfort]

250 is a great bike some people dont like being at 10k rpm on the highway, i have done more that a few 2-4 hour rides and not been bothered

[buzzdsm]

I'm similar in size as you and also have had some off-road experience. 250r and DS650 bombardier.
I'm very happy with my Honda 919. 100 horsepower. It won't raise the front end off the ground unless you want it to, it's comfortable, and since it's a Honda it's reliable.

[bassholic]

Get a Ninja 250 and you will be fine....

[terrasmak]

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/pr...80/0/home.aspx FJR1300 would actually be one of my suggestions.

[tig488]

oh yeah, im looking for something around 5-6k, used-new, i dont care.

[Integrity]

Perhaps a Honda F4i?

[terrasmak]

Yamaha FZ1 or FZ6 would be a really good choice.

[zcaveman69]

With racing dirt your transition will be much easier to street than street to dirt, trust me from first had experience, I've been riding street for 15 years, then picked up a 2 smoke KX, yep, wasn't an hour on the trails and I broke 2 bones in my wrist from trying to gas over a creek bed, fuggin brilliant, wrapped it with duct tape and rode 6 hours in pain, was still a blast. 3 years later wrist still hurts. Still ride dirt too. If I was in your shoes, and you're lookikng for around 6 grand to drop, I'd go used, and in that category you're possibilities are endless with the current sport, sport/tour lineup assuming that's the route you're looking. I have zero experience with cruisers so no idea. Some sport/tourers-

Yamaha FZ6, ugly, but a great bike.

Suzuki SV650, awesome allarounder.

Honda 599, top notch bike, cannot go wrong with a honda.



As far as sportbikes, you can throw a blanket over the 600/liter class, so it's all about rider preference, I'm a honda fanatic, but others aren't a fan. Get some gear, nice helmet etc and some seat time, enjoy and be careful, post up what you picked up.

[ni$mo350]

I would definitely suggest the SV650 awesome overall and looks pretty cool I think. I had a chance to ride my buddies and it was fairly comfortable.

[russ713]

I've been fairly comfortable with my f4i. I put on a corbin seat to make it a little more comfortable. The furthest I've taken it was Dothan to Tallahassee and I was ready to get off there due to the heat.

I've got this one sold, and when the buyer has paid it off and picked it up, I'll be looking for another. My next choices are possible a duc monster, supermoto, or another sport bike. I believe the monster and supermoto would give a better riding position compared to the sport bikes. That's something that'll weigh a bit more in my next choice.

[tig488]

thanks guys, looking into all those mentioned.

[Alberto]

Im obviously partial but I love the SVS. 56mpg cruising at around 90-100mph is nice. Great powerband for around town. And its cheap on insurance. For your size the SVS with clip ons may fit better than the regular handlebar Sv. I have long arms and at 6'1" I felt too upright on the naked SV. Good luck!

[doug]

Originally Posted by tig488

i know there are some very experienced riders here, and ive been contemplating buying one for a while. i grew up riding, and racing, probably have almost 15 years on motorbikes and quads, up to a 250R bike, and a 350 banshee quad, but zero hours on a street bike.

im 6'2", 225 pounds, looking to get on a reliable bike, not too powerful but able to move thru traffic if needed. i drive 90% on the interstate to work, but there are also alternative routes that are thru residential areas, which i would probably prefer on the bike. i drive around 80-100 miles everyday to/from work, and my 4x4 grand cherokee at 15mpg is getting rough.

i need some bike suggestions. brands, size, etc. im really looking forward to riding again.

05 Honda 600RR

[eagletanggreen]

Get Ducati Monster!

Awesome street machine and very comfortable for tall guys. V twins for a street only bike FTW. Rode one last weekend, and also test drove the new 1100 hypermotard that thing is sick fun but too much $$$$$$ for the fun!

On the track inline fours!

[tig488]

my neighbor and good friend has a gsr1200? iirc, i know he said it was 1200cc. its several years old. hes got the front fairing off and it looks mean. i wouldnt last 5 minutes on that thing.