Common Sense Motorbiking. Where Is It?

Buell Ullysses

V-strom

SV

Ninja 650

Old Connie (surely some still on the sales floor)



Some of these have more than 800cc's but they won't do 200mph and probably get better than 40mpg



Or...

Burgman

Silverwing

Majesty



I know these are scooters, but the PC800 has got to be the most scooterlike non scooter that has ever been. Hell, I bet these things make about the same (or more) power!

I hear ya for sure: folks undoubtedly are buying motorcycles for some stupid idea of cool factor not for usability and efficiency.



Moto-Guzzi Breva 750 or 1100 (or even the 850 if they bring it to North America) sounds like it might fit the bill - bit underfaired though. And pricey. And painful for parts (so I hear). And the 850 and 1100 are both on the heavy side.



I keep waiting for Suzuki to build an SV with shaft-drive:-D



You're still gonna get hassled for your choices not being other people's choices though. And called a "girl" or whatever, as though your 'equipment' somehow governs whether you can turn your right wrist.



And I reckon that's the problem - half the MOrons above are so concerned about what other people might say that they buy bikes that are too impractical to actually use on a regular basis.



But anyway, there are bikes out there do fit that middle ground - you might have to customize them a bit to make them really fit - you know, you probably won't get what you want off the showroom floor.

Re: GO TO THE HONDA, KAW, SUZUKI, and YAMAHA (STAR) SITES

...and you'll find bikes that fill the needs you've outlined:

All of the bikes below are reasonably affordable, lightweight, comfortable, get excellent gas mileage, and can be ridden on the interstate:

Honda Silver Wing

Honda Reflex

Honda Helix

Honda Shadow Aero

Honda Shadow Spirit 750

Honda Shadow VLX 600

Kawasaki Vulcan 750

Kawasaki Vulcan 500

Yamaha Star V-Star 650

Suzuki SV650

Suzuki Boulevard C50

Suzuki Boulevard S50

Triumph Bonneville

Moto Guzzi Breva 750

I think Forest has it right. In the U.S. bikes are recreation vechicles to most people. In Europe they are part of the whole transportation system. When , not if, gas prices hit $4.00 a gal. Perhaps things will change. I would definitel look at a standard, with hard bags, plus windshield or fairing, ABS, etc. if I was going to start commuting. Like Buz said it's the free enterprise system but the problem is the true cost of gas is not reflected at the pump. i.e. the taxes spent .. A study was done if we allocated the DOD budget spent on protecting the shipping lanes, etc ($55 billion to $96 billion) Gas would be $8.00 a gal. Some say even higher

So familydad right now the automobile i.e Buz's SUV is subsidized by the U.S. government in the form of low gasoline prices. I suspect if gasoline prices went up to the true cost, common sense would prevail and the pratical bikes you are talking about would sell like hot cakes.

You're right about the Breva. The nearest dealer is 100 miles away. Way to far to drop on in.



I like your idea of an SV with shaft drive. I'd buy one tommorrow.



They can say anything they like. I have 4 strong sons, and a killer attack dog. Between us, we can make a pretty good showing.



There are some, but the customization is either too expensive, or impractical (like adding shaft drive).



Maybe, I should move to Australia or Europe so I can pick up a Honda Deauville.