[61657]

I want to make sure I'm not missing something I should be considering.

I am most interested in a standard-style bike (new or late used) that includes an upright riding position, super smooth tranny and power delivery across the board, strong torque. I like the naked look, but also would appreciate a bit of fairing, although my riding is almost all in town.

I currently have a '91 Yamaha Virago 750 and an '05 BMW F650 GS. The virago is ready to be sold. I love many things about the BMW, including riding position, light weight, low CoG, ABS, low seat height. But here's what I don't like: *terrible* local service (e.g. they damage the bike and try and hide it when you give it to them for service), clunky tranny, not enough torque/power.

Bikes I'm considering are: Bandit 1250, Honda 919, Ducati Monster (800 or 1000). Unfortunately, the local suzuki/honda dealer doesn't carry either of the first two, and the closest Duc dealer is about 100 miles away. I'd consider the BMW R1200R, but with the rotten service I can't really consider it unless I'm willing to take it over 2 hours to the next closest BMW dealer.

Seat height is a real issue for me. My F650 is a lowered model with 29.5" seat height. It's very comfortable. I'm 5'7" with a 27.5" inseam, so I can't do anything too tall. I'm hoping I can fit on a Bandit, but haven't tried it yet (found one close by to check out soon). I don't need flat foot, but I need enough grip to back up and be safe.

Thanks for any suggestions of other bikes to consider.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Go visit your friendly neighborhood Triumph dealer. They have more than enough models that fit your description to at least have a look at. The dealer in my area was extremely helpful; I had a fun 1/2 day at the place a few weekends ago.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Give a list of what dearlships are near you. You sound like you don't have much dealer support out there...though, you mention Ducs and Beemers.

 

[62055]

MO has some great shootouts

Besides a low seat Buell Lightning I have some obvious suggestions, please forgive me if you have already considered these Suzuki SVs 650 and 1000 and Kawasaki Versys™ and Z1000 and Yamaha FZ1 and FZ6.. and of course last but certainly not least the Buell which have some low seat variants.. MO has some great shoot outs for Standards

 

[62055]

Great point. I always forget Triumph but the dealer near to me let's you test bikes and sarnali has had good experience with both the bikes and this particular dealer.. That Speed Triple is cool looking bike..

 

[61657]

Give a list of what dearlships are near you. You sound like you don't have much dealer support out there...though, you mention Ducs and Beemers.

I have:

-Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki/Victory dealer that carries sportbikes and cruisers (no standards)
-Harley Dealer (no Buell)
-BMW Dealer (with such bad service and experience that I'll never go back)

Then, the closest of the rest:
-Ducati: 90 miles
-Triumph: 45 miles (low inventory)
-Buell: 50 miles (no idea of inventory)
-BMW: next closest is about 120 miles

I am about 135 miles from downtown Chicago, so I could always go there if I had to. However, the best option would be a make that could be serviced locally. I don't have the ability to haul a bike anywhere.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

You could start scanning Cycle Trader etc. and see what's available. You could see a lot of bikes, save all that depreciation on a new bike, and finding a low mileage version of most anything isn't that hard. A lot of buyers wind up parking them in the garage after the first cager comes at them.

 

[BrowningBAR]

I have:

-Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki/Victory dealer that carries sportbikes and cruisers (no standards)
-Harley Dealer (no Buell)
-BMW Dealer (with such bad service and experience that I'll never go back)

Then, the closest of the rest:
-Ducati: 90 miles
-Triumph: 45 miles (low inventory)
-Buell: 50 miles (no idea of inventory)
-BMW: next closest is about 120 miles

I am about 135 miles from downtown Chicago, so I could always go there if I had to. However, the best option would be a make that could be serviced locally. I don't have the ability to haul a bike anywhere.

I would drive the distance to see what is out there and what is comfortable and than try to force a dealer near you to order a model you want. After all, if you are willing to spend cash, you should be able to get them to bring in any model.

 

[longride]

I want to make sure I'm not missing something I should be considering.

I am most interested in a standard-style bike (new or late used) that includes an upright riding position, super smooth tranny and power delivery across the board, strong torque. I like the naked look, but also would appreciate a bit of fairing, although my riding is almost all in town.

I currently have a '91 Yamaha Virago 750 and an '05 BMW F650 GS. The virago is ready to be sold. I love many things about the BMW, including riding position, light weight, low CoG, ABS, low seat height. But here's what I don't like: *terrible* local service (e.g. they damage the bike and try and hide it when you give it to them for service), clunky tranny, not enough torque/power.

Bikes I'm considering are: Bandit 1250, Honda 919, Ducati Monster (800 or 1000). Unfortunately, the local suzuki/honda dealer doesn't carry either of the first two, and the closest Duc dealer is about 100 miles away. I'd consider the BMW R1200R, but with the rotten service I can't really consider it unless I'm willing to take it over 2 hours to the next closest BMW dealer.

Seat height is a real issue for me. My F650 is a lowered model with 29.5" seat height. It's very comfortable. I'm 5'7" with a 27.5" inseam, so I can't do anything too tall. I'm hoping I can fit on a Bandit, but haven't tried it yet (found one close by to check out soon). I don't need flat foot, but I need enough grip to back up and be safe.

Thanks for any suggestions of other bikes to consider.

Hmmmmmm.....need a bike with torque, low seat height, a standard, and could possibly use wind protection, I'd say that a Sportster would fill the bill perfectly. Tranny might not be super smooth, but I tested an 06 and liked it alot. The 07's are fuel injected this year, and the price for a Sporty is very reasonable. Other than that pick, I'd stick with any of the Japanese standards, except most dont have an abundance of torque and almost all have tall seat heights.

 

[BrowningBAR]

If he's looking to replace the Virago with something comperable, than a sportster would be it.

As a side note, do most people get the smaller or larger tanked sportsters?

 

[mscuddy]

Get a big standard Jap liter bike, put on a flyscreen, and ride it for zillions of miles before you have to do anything to it.

The rest are neat, but who needs the headaches like goofy dealers/high maintenance costs/etc...and in the case of the Buell, strange motor issues.

 

[longride]

If he's looking to replace the Virago with something comperable, than a sportster would be it.

As a side note, do most people get the smaller or larger tanked sportsters?

I have no idea what size tank they usually get. The standard one is 3 1/2 gals. At over 50 mpg, it'll get you far enough.

 

[seruzawa]

ZRX1100/1200. Do it.

 

[57085]

If he's looking to replace the Virago with something comperable, than a sportster would be it.

As a side note, do most people get the smaller or larger tanked sportsters?

With mid controls, a Sportster's seating position would be closer to the BMW than it is to a Virago.

How about a Yamaha FZ6? Looks more like a sportbike than a standard, but it has a fairly standard riding position.

 

[BrowningBAR]

"I'm 5'7" with a 27.5" inseam"
--Seat height on an FZ6 is 31.6". Also, it doesn't seem like he is going for the sportsbike look. He's looking for a naked standard based on his list with a low seat height.

Seat height on the Bandit 1250 is 31.1". So, that might not be an option either.

The monster 695 is 30.3". So that seams promising. The 800 monster is 31.5"

The Ninja 500R comes in at 30.5".

The sportster is around 26-26.5".

 

[mugwump58]

500R isn't a bad way to go

It's my parents fault and I'm taller than them. With the money you'll save, even if you buy new, you can build a sweet front end with some springs and emulators. It'll power electric gloves. If you don't mind spending Euro's you can hard bag it out. If you over ride it you need to be on the track. With some risers and a laminar lip it's a great commuter/sport tourer. Once you take the stickers off it people may even say it looks nice. Maybe some heavy bar ends? If money isn't an issue a custom rear shock, but only if you think you need it. You can run at 80(indicated) and still make 50 + mpg. And if you baby it you'll have to take fuel out at night so it doesn't over flow.

 

[tripleripple]

Nevermind the man behind the curtain...get thee to the nearest Buell dealer and be done with it. There, problem solved.

(Or do what Cuddy says and get one of those stupid old super-reliable-comfortable-powerful-worry free Jap bikes...any of those would probably work too).