Honda Interceptor has an upright position, sport styling/handling and reasonable hard luggage capacity. A Triumph Speed Triple would be a good bet as well though you might have to go third party to accessorize it fully.
Help to pick my second bike
Hi all! I have been riding for about a year now on my first and only bike a 2002 Ninja 500R. It has been a great bike but I am now ready to trade up. I like the sport handling of my Ninja but I want my new bike for longer rides (perhaps weekend trips) and some city driving. I live in the California bay area so riding all year is not a problem. I probably want some space for cargo (i.e. lockable trunk) and the ability to bring a passenger.
I would appreciate any suggestions you guys might have!
Thanks,
Jonas
I would appreciate any suggestions you guys might have!
Thanks,
Jonas
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
If you don't mind the snickering and laughing behind your back (and to your face!) look at a PC-800. It is the epitomy of "locking trunk" - look up those words in an English Concordance, there'll be a pic of a PC next to the definition..........
Oh yeah - don't drop your keys in, then slam the trunk-lid closed. It is a Royal Bytch getting it open to retrieve them.........If you look at a PC-800. It is the epitomy of "locking trunk"
(don't ask me how I know this.)
(that's a Warning.)
(seriously - it's not funny, STOP LAUGHING!)
(no, it wasn't My Bike..........)
No, no man, we're not laughing WITH you, we're laughing AT you.....so, honestly...were you wearing tight leather pants while you bent over the trunk "looking for your keys"?...(snork)... sorry.....Oh yeah - don't drop your keys in, then slam the trunk-lid closed. It is a Royal Bytch getting it open to retrieve them.........
(don't ask me how I know this.)
(that's a Warning.)
(seriously - it's not funny, STOP LAUGHING!)
(no, it wasn't My Bike..........)
Any rate.. The Bandit is an excellent choice, the new Versy is supposed to be pretty capable or the 650 Ninja...a used R1150R BMW is about as versitle as you can get for adding and removing bags, trunk and windshield. An FZ1 would be fun...599 or 919 Honda's a pretty good choice...
Lottsa' choices out there. Stay away from full on sportbikes if you want versatility
It seems like you've described the Sport Touring catagory in your needs/wants description. That brings four bikes to mind immediately, there are certainly others: Honda ST1100, Yamaha FJR, Kawi Concours 1k or 14k, and the Triumph Sprint ST. You can get a nice pre-owned version of any of them for well under $10k.
And the...
...Bandit. Don't forget the Bandit makes a nice sport tourer too and is a lot lighter than the Honda. Well, almost anything is lighter than the Honda. Even a Dyna Glide is lighter than the Honda.It seems like you've described the Sport Touring catagory in your needs/wants description. That brings four bikes to mind immediately, there are certainly others: Honda ST1100, Yamaha FJR, Kawi Concours 1k or 14k, and the Triumph Sprint ST. You can get a nice pre-owned version of any of them for well under $10k.
Yeah, and the Honda looks really cheezy. I sat on a brand new one at the local dealer. The Kawi, Triumph, and Yamaha beat them hands down on overall impression of quality, fit, and finish. I'm sure they run well, but so what?...Bandit. Don't forget the Bandit makes a nice sport tourer too and is a lot lighter than the Honda. Well, almost anything is lighter than the Honda. Even a Dyna Glide is lighter than the Honda.
Bandito, you say? Hmm, you could get a giant sombrero, wear a bandanna across your face, and sneer at the gringos over the top of your cheap cigar as you blow by them in traffic.
That's a great idea!
I have to chuckle at today's bike buyers. Somehow people think that if they want to go sport touring they have to buy a proprietary design. Bandits, ZReX's, SV's, T100s... any can be a sport tourer with a set of bags.
It would give me a chance to wear my crossed ammo belts and tie my Marlin on my back!Yeah, and the Honda looks really cheezy. I sat on a brand new one at the local dealer. The Kawi, Triumph, and Yamaha beat them hands down on overall impression of quality, fit, and finish. I'm sure they run well, but so what?
Bandito, you say? Hmm, you could get a giant sombrero, wear a bandanna across your face, and sneer at the gringos over the top of your cheap cigar as you blow by them in traffic.
I have to chuckle at today's bike buyers. Somehow people think that if they want to go sport touring they have to buy a proprietary design. Bandits, ZReX's, SV's, T100s... any can be a sport tourer with a set of bags.
Don't Make me........
.......whip out the pics of my everythingbutthekitchensink-loaded FZ6, or Chris Karst's everythingINCLUDINGthekitchensink-loaded NT650 HawkGT.......I have to chuckle at today's bike buyers. Somehow people think that if they want to go sport touring they have to buy a proprietary design. Bandits, ZReX's, SV's, T100s... any can be a sport tourer with a set of bags.
You keep this up and I'm posting the photo of the red and gray "Sport Tourer" with the set of bags from Daytona again. I mean it!any can be a sport tourer with a set of bags.
The reason I mentioned the interceptor is because he's still a fairly new rider, the bike is medium-sized, and comes with pretty much the whole ball of wax without having to third-party shop his way to what he wants. It was more about where he was coming from than what I would consider an "ideal" candidate under all circumstances. Hell, I do my sport touring on a naked with a bikini fairing and a tail bag 
And another thing Mr. Zawa: IMHO, a proper sport tourer is going to have:I have to chuckle at today's bike buyers. Somehow people think that if they want to go sport touring they have to buy a proprietary design. Bandits, ZReX's, SV's, T100s... any can be a sport tourer with a set of bags.
- A full or nearly full fairing and widnshield to keep you dry in the rain and warm in the cold. Or drier and warmer.
- Quick detach luggage that doesn't take tools or 1/2 an hour to remove and take into the hotel.
- Includes or has accomodations for a top bag, OEM or aftermarket.
- A resonably comfy seat for the 'geena.
Sure, I used to hang throw-over bags and a windshield on the Low Rider, and put the Mustang touring seat on it, but still...it's doesn't make it an ST. With the Concours my boots don't even get wet in the rain!
Oh lordy, Ken....
Oh boohoo. I got my tootsies wet. Boohoo. Sorry but I'll keep My Zrex for my sport tourer and continue to show my taillight to all of the "proper" sport tourers as I ride through the mountains like I do now. Concours.. oink oink. Nyah nyah. If you tell mom you're a chicken.
... are we starting that "proper" nonsense again? Who defines proper?And another thing Mr. Zawa: IMHO, a proper sport tourer is going to have:
- A full or nearly full fairing and widnshield to keep you dry in the rain and warm in the cold. Or drier and warmer.
- Quick detach luggage that doesn't take tools or 1/2 an hour to remove and take into the hotel.
- Includes or has accomodations for a top bag, OEM or aftermarket.
- A resonably comfy seat for the 'geena.
Sure, I used to hang throw-over bags and a windshield on the Low Rider, and put the Mustang touring seat on it, but still...it's doesn't make it an ST. With the Concours my boots don't even get wet in the rain!
Oh boohoo. I got my tootsies wet. Boohoo. Sorry but I'll keep My Zrex for my sport tourer and continue to show my taillight to all of the "proper" sport tourers as I ride through the mountains like I do now. Concours.. oink oink. Nyah nyah. If you tell mom you're a chicken.
It looks a bit funny, but a Suzuki V-Strom would probably work. And you can get it with ABS if you want. If you want real sport to go with your touring, you can get a Honda Blackbird and add some helibars and bags to it. They stopped selling them in the States in '03, but that just means you can get them for a good price. And if you have the clams and want to stick with the Kawasaki brand, you can shell out some for the new Kawi Concours. It's a sportbike "converted" for touring by the manufacturer.
You're right; trying to define motorcycle catagories to minute detail is pointless. Put your Memphis Flabs windshield and throwover bags on your UJM or whatever and call it a Sport Tourer. And I'll call my Concours a chopper, cause all the guys think choppers are the coolest.... are we starting that "proper" nonsense again? Who defines proper?
Oh boohoo. I got my tootsies wet. Boohoo. Sorry but I'll keep My Zrex for my sport tourer and continue to show my taillight to all of the "proper" sport tourers as I ride through the mountains like I do now. Concours.. oink oink. Nyah nyah. If you tell mom you're a chicken.
My Concours may be ugly, but it loves me. And I love it back. And my kid likes it too. I'm telling Mom! NYAH NYAH NYAH!
Wee Strom around the bay area is an excellent choice. Tall and Skinny for splitting through traffic and looking over traffic. Yet you can go full givi's on it.
The DL is an excellent suggestion. The "new" bandito/kan-a-tuna replacement would be a decent choice, as well- gsx650f (i think). A good used katana isn't a bad choice. A Honda 599 will make a great bike. Really- it depends on factors you have not shared with us: age, experience, typical use, and so it goes..........Wee Strom around the bay area is an excellent choice. Tall and Skinny for splitting through traffic and looking over traffic. Yet you can go full givi's on it.
My "old" Bandit with a tank bag works pretty good too plus it's air cooled screw and locknut valves and carbs. If you're a total cheapskate like me I'd rather have simple-that-I-can-fix than the latest wizz bang electronica. I gave up deluding myself that I could fix anything on my Exploder except air and oil filters and plugs. Of course being a Ford it's reliable as a brick and doesn't require any repairs.....
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
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