[33129]

Buell CityX

 

[mscuddy]

Jawa 90

 

[stoutman]

Suzuki C40. This bike has a belt drive for low maintenance, and a big 650 thumper for getting you down the highway. To top it off you can buy it new for about $4,000.

 

[43256]

A 2000 Honda CBR 600 F4. Easy to find. Cheap. Super reliable. No fuel injection and easy to maintain. Plenty of power. Lots of fun on the back roads. Good aftermarket support.

 

[cruiz-euro]

Anybody who is on a tight budget and has some brains does not buy new. Get a low mileage five year old standard Japanese inline-4 and it goes as long as you want it to. And probably longer.



- cruiz-euro

 

[cruiz-euro]

Oops the previous guy suggested exactly that, well, great minds...



- cruiz-euro

 

[GTAJAN]

Good Call, but I would add

a used SV650S. About three to four thousand. Great aftermarket support, and the things run forever with very little maintenance.

 

[51475]

Ninja 250. Not the fastest or best looking bike around, but it's cheap, cruises comfortable at 75 mph, gets 65-70 miles per gallon, has 17+ years worth of used parts available, and it's easy to maintain. Just don't let your friends see you on one. Check out http://www.ninja250.org/forums/

 

[Buzglyd]

A stolen one?

 

[33809]

I've gotta go with the Buell too. It won't break your back on a lengthy ride, maintenance is cheap and easy, power delivery is perfect for urban riding, they're an eyecatcher and the 45+ mpg doesn't hurt either.



Or you could go with a nice generic SV650.

 

[KLRer]

Kawasaki KLR 650 wins this one, especially since you mentioned "back roads" but probably even if you didnt.

 

[seruzawa]

Actually you don't want to buy new. There are loads of 5 year old bike out there you can get cheap and most of them have less than 10K miles on them.



Examples: In 90 I bought an '81KZ750 w/8K on it. I put 50K on it. Replaced one cam chain tensioner.



In 98 I bought a 91 GSX1100G w/ 6K on it. I've got 75K on it so far. Only replaced the rear hub seal.



I recently bought a 2000 ZRX1100 for $2K. Needed a speedometer ($200). Only 14K on it.



Also picked a DR400 for $40 and had it bored, put in new piston and it runs just fine.



Another time I got a free IT175 in return for making my friend's XS650 roadworthy. Only neede a spring for the shift mechanism.



If you are really concerned about your budget keep an eye on the bike ads. Eventually a deal you'll like will show up. Used bikes are at rock bottom prices from now until next spring. I've bought new a couple of times, but you take such a bath on Japanese bikes that it's simply not worth it.

 

[57335]

SV650 or DL650 used - can found cheap if you look around -- and plenty of aftermarket accessories to customize for your budget and taste. Solid engine, reliable performance (plus engine parts can be found anywhere) good fuel mileage and zippy.

 

[47837]

DL650 V-Strom, KLR650, Ninja 250 or 500, SV650, or if you're comfortable doing the valve maintenance yourself, a Multistrada 620 would be a good choice too.



This is all assuming you insist on buying new.

 

[48968]

third on the buell. they're cheap used, the maintenance is easy to do yourself, and the suspension is better than an sv650. plus, people notice buells. sv650's, not so much.

 

[ymsamhi]

Nighthawk 750, change the oil, oil the chain. Has Hydraulic Valves. I saw one the other day with 93,000 miles on it. Mine has 30000. I have toured two-up, commute 64 miles each way on it, get 44 mpg solo w/ low octane, draged pegs thru deals gap and up Sandia peak. I way 240 and am 6' 2" and the guy who has 93000 on his is like 5' 7". Its a pretty good bike.

 

[SmokeU]

Concours



OR



M109R

 

[48107]

Triumph Speed Four.

 

[35380]

SV or DL650 suzuki

 

[34322]

I would get a DR650. Much lower maintenance costs than a DL650. Very simple and great mileage.