What to buy? Updated - bought the new bike - pics are up!

[cdillon23]

I would say you need to hit a HD, Honda, and Yamaha dealer and just start sitting on bikes. Figure out what feels good to you.

Hey Gummie are those CAN prices? According to Harley's Website the Electra Glide Standard starts at $16,999.

BTW, I sat on a Electra Glide Classic yesterday and it was really comfy. I am a little shorter than you but around the same weight so for sure check the Harley's out.

[Gummiente]

Hey Gummie are those CAN prices?

Yes they are. My bad, I should have mentioned that. Probably doesn't help someone from Denver who is pricing out bikes, does it?

[MTNMAN800]

Wrider - If I only had the money - trust me the new Vmax would be in the garage. That is my dream machine on paper, haven't had a chance to throw a leg over one yet but that is one bada$$ ride.

Gummiente - I agree with your price comparison and that is part of the reason I'm not looking into the fully dressed versions of any of those bikes. I'm trying to keep the price tag at or under $10K. Pretty much looking in the used bike market. That is also why I'm interested anyone's experiences with reliability and resale with this group of bikes.

Fargo360 - Looking at the Honda ST1300 or the FJR1300 they look good to me as far as more along the lines of what I'm used to and definitely more sporty, liquid cooling, etc - I just don't see that many of them so I'm wondering about the comfort of the bikes. Anybody that has one, I would love to hear your opinions.

[Grey Thumper]

My main goal right now is to have a bike that is comfortable for my bigger behind but still "sporty" enough for me to enjoy.

I'm curious why you're looking at cruisers. Lotsa great cruisers out there, but it seems like sport tourers would be more up your alley, considering the bikes you've had, the kind of riding you enjoy, and the possibility of riding two-up.

You already mentioned Yamaha's FJR1300, Honda's got great sport tourers in the Interceptor/VFR and the ST1300, there's also the BMW F800ST.

The more sporty/street-oriented dual sports might also suit your needs, like the Suzuki V-Strom, Honda Varadero, Triumph Tiger, Buell Ulysses, Ducati's Multistrada, .

Plus there's also good old reliable open standards; Honda 919, Yamaha FZ1, Suzuki Bandit. Lots of possibilities out there for you.

[Wrider]

+1 on the Interceptor.

Thumper, what's the Varadero? Don't think they sell it here. And I know they stopped selling the 919 here.

Otherwise great suggestions.

[Grey Thumper]

+1 on the Interceptor.

Thumper, what's the Varadero? Don't think they sell it here. And I know they stopped selling the 919 here.

Otherwise great suggestions.

Sorry, just checked that the OP in the US. The Honda Varadero is basically Honda's V-Strom, available in 600cc and 1000cc variants.

From the Honda UK site http://tinyurl.com/lcjamw

There's also the Yamaha Tenere, although that's really more of a dual-sport bike and only available in 660cc.

http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/prod ... xt660z.jsp

[paul246]

I owned a Honda Valkyrie for a number of years. The Valkyrie is known for its ability to deliver power, comfort and handling in one package. They are also known for their reliability and longevity.

Your budget would get you into even the full dressed Valkyrie Interstate as well as the Standard and Touring models.

Check the classifieds located under "Features" at www.valkyrieriders.com

[jaskc78]

you can probably pick up a used VTX1300 pretty reasonably. i was looking at quite a few of them around my neck of the woods for $6,000 - $8,000 depending on year, accessories, miles, etc. brand new they start at $10,199.

[MTNMAN800]

I'm curious why you're looking at cruisers. Lotsa great cruisers out there, but it seems like sport tourers would be more up your alley, considering the bikes you've had, the kind of riding you enjoy, and the possibility of riding two-up.

Plus there's also good old reliable open standards; Honda 919, Yamaha FZ1, Suzuki Bandit. Lots of possibilities out there for you.

I'm looking at the cruisers because I need to do something different than what I'm used to. When I look around at what other people are riding - I see way more cruisers than I do the sport touring. That makes me wonder if I'm missing something there, never had one so I'm looking for opinions and before I go sinking some good money into another bike I figure I better look around a little bit this time. Sometimes a complete change is just what the doctor ordered! Also, when looking at the used market, there seems to be a lot of cruisers and a lot of racers. The other bikes (FJR1300 / ST 1300 / the Buells / BMW's etc ) are few and far between.

As far as the FZ's and Bandits - I just sold my FZ due to the sore butt syndrome. I'm not a seasoned rider, just ride for fun once and a while, I need something with a wider seat.


Thanks for the continued input.

Mark

[MTNMAN800]

I owned a Honda Valkyrie for a number of years. The Valkyrie is known for its ability to deliver power, comfort and handling in one package. They are also known for their reliability and longevity.

Your budget would get you into even the full dressed Valkyrie Interstate as well as the Standard and Touring models.

Check the classifieds located under "Features" at www.valkyrieriders.com

I appreciate the info and the link. That is a bike I had not really thought of; I'll look into it.