Are we experiencing a "practical bike" renaissance?

[madjak30]

We are starting to see more "sensible" bikes, but the displacement isn't small...Honda's new NC700 twins at 670cc, they also have the CBF600 which is a detuned sport bike engine, Yamaha has one of those on the cool wall this week in the FZ6R, Kawasaki has the ER-6n and Ninja 650, also the Ninja 400R in Canada...Suzuki does have the GSX650F, but it's a little heavy, and the Gladius...but they do have the DRZ400SM which would fit nicely into the category...or what about the Versys and the VStrom...BMW F650GS (or is it a F700GS now?)...I'm sure there are more...but really anything with 50ish Hp and around 400lbs would be a nice standard bike...

The biggest downfall with talking to people about bikes is most times the first question is...how fast is it? I think we should all just answer with "adequate"...and leave it there...but we do like to talk about our bikes and we take the bait...

Later.

[BRUMBEAR]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/09/ ... es-square/
cough cough umhum
Kawasaki says what?

[jmillheiser]

If there has been I certainly haven't seen it around here. Have seen a grand total of ONE street triple and one Ninja 1000 (the new one) and a few ninja 650s and SV650s in town, and the odd bandit or UJM but thats about it for standards. Its still mostly harleys around here.

Pretty much the same thing at the local shops too. The Kawasaki shop might get one ER-6n that wont sell and a couple of ninja 650s for the year (though KLR650s still sell well), the suzuki shop might bring in one or two SV650s for the year, The honda shop will get a few CBR250s but thats about it, our new yamaha dealer (just opened this week) has one super tenere but all of the other street bikes on hand are cruisers.

Would be nice to see more standards around, but they are even hard to find used around here.

[Wrider]

That's because you're in Flatland, USA! You ought to see the variety of bikes around here in the Springs. Even saw a Boss Hoss the other day.

[High_Side]

Honda has three new CB500 variations ready to launch based upon a CBR250 motor x 2. There will be naked, a sportbike and an adventure bike. These should all be practical motorcycles of the highest degree. Stay tuned.....

[totalmotorcycle]

Staying tuned!

I think the manufacturers have realised a 150hp+ bike isn't really that useable on the road for most riders. These lighter, more nimble and cheaper bikes will bring new riders into motorcycling and offer experienced riders a breath of fresh air over bigger, heavier and more powerful bikes. I've always said, there are trade-offs to a small and big motorcycle; good to see the manufacturers offering new products... even IF the bad economy is forcing them to do so.

Mike

[BRUMBEAR]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/12/ ... afe-racer/
Well Royal Enfield has given us there latest addition.

[High_Side]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/12/ ... afe-racer/
Well Royal Enfield has given us there latest addition.

Bloody fantastic. I want one

[madjak30]

Is Suzuki bringing the Inazuma 250 to Canada? It would be a better entry than the TU250 for younger riders...my daughter thinks the TU is dorky...and new young riders should be the target, not the retro look that appeals to the more "mature" riders...

Later.

[BRUMBEAR]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/12/ ... afe-racer/
Well Royal Enfield has given us there latest addition.

Bloody fantastic. I want one

It is a fine looking machine thats for sure!!!!