Not sure what bike to get

[High_Side]

So I guess the weight is not that far off, but note that Sprint's weight includes the detachable side cases. You can shave a few pounds by removing them. Also, Sprint has significantly better torque and power/weight ratio. Plus, the seating position is much more comfortable.

Both bikes are significantly heavier than something like GSX-R, of course, but Sprint ST is the only sport-touring bike I know of that combines the comfort of a tourer without forgetting about the sport part.

Not everything you read off a spec sheet applies to the real world. You haven't ridden either the Sprint or the VFR have you? If 1.7 % weight difference makes a difference between a "heavy pig" and the ultimate sport tourer......

Nick; good choice on the Yamaha FZs. I haven't ridden either The FZ-6 or FZ1 but I hear good things. There was a lot of buzz about the injection mapping of the '06 FZ-1s being a problem but apparently it has been cured for '07. They are also selling new FZ1s relatively cheap around me so there could be good deals to be had.

Good luck.

[High_Side]

Well to get back on topic I went and tested out a few bikes. I pretty much hated the SV. It was a S, so I wont comment on the ride position (which sucked), but i did not like the roughness of the bike.

They are a good bike for twisties and local fun but not so much for long tours (don't tell my buddy as he kitted his with hard bags and went on a seven day tour with me this year - you CAN tour on any bike if you want to). You have to like twins to really appreciate it (I do). But if you think that the riding position sucked wait until you get your girlfriends feedback from riding on the back!

[nick9871]

I think that the SV would have been worse for touring, just because of the roughness of the engine and the strange riding position. Keep in mind that they only had the SV650 S which has a very different position then the SV650 which I might go try to ride. Just to be sure it wasnt just the position that put me off... I know that the FZ is not a "touring" bike but I really dont feel like I am ready for a heavier bike such as the VFR and still ride a lot in the city. So the FZ seems like a good fit. Also the dealership has a new 07 FZ600 that he will sell to me for $5000 or a 07 FZ1 for $8000 so pretty hard to pass up those deals. Just gotta check the finances...

[badinfluence63]

5-8000$ sounds pretty doable considering the costs of some machines out there .

Good luck with whichever you end up chosing. Make sure to show and share a photo of her.

[sapaul]

Have to agree that the choice of bike is as individual as the rider themselves. Just for the record, The Goose is 5'8" and weighs in at 56kgs.

Ninja79, If you found the VFR to be heavy then I suggest a visit to the doctor for a check up and some tonic. Perhaps after that you can go to a track session or two to brush up your skills too.

Nick good luck with the search, sit on as many as you can and ride as many as you are able. In SA we are lucky in that most of us have an opportunity to ride the bike before we buy, which in certain parts of the world can be a problem. I personally will not buy a bike I have not ridden but I think we are a little spoilt here



Pig my "O Ring".