What bike to get?

[zbyrd]

Come Fall, I want to get a new(to me) bike. It will be my 3rd. I want to spend 2-3k, so nothing all that fancy. For background, I started on a CB250 nighthawk(19whp) before graduating to a VT500c shadow(49whp). As a young enthusiast, I love each and every bike I see, so making a choice is hard. I want something I can live with for a long time without drooling over lots of bikes I'd rather have. So far here's the short list:

Yamaha FJ1100/1200
Suzuki Bandit 600/1200
Honda V45/65 (Sabre/Magna/Interceptor)
Kawasaki Concours 1000
Yamaha FZ6
BMW K750/1000


As you can see, I value performance(on a budget), but not exclusively. Comfort is also important to me. I don't want to lay on the tank, but I also don't want long and fat. Thus, I'm definitely in the sport standard/sport tourer market. However, I do have a soft spot for classic muscle cruisers, like the v45/75, so don't count those out. They just have so much character!

What are your opinions on these choices? Anything else that might fit the bill that I apparently didn't think of?

[BuzZz]

An FJ1200 is the perfect bike for you. Without a doubt. It would be a crime against humanity to even consider anything else.

On a totally un-related note..... I have a 1990 FJ1200 for sale... $2500 obo....

[Amdonim]

The concours isn't a bad bike either. I adore those older ones. I also adore the magnas, but only as a museum piece. They're intensely uncomfortable (at least to me). I'd say FJ1200 or the Concours.

[RockBottom]

I'm confused. The BMW K750 hasn't been made for more than a decade. If you're looking for something that old, have you verified that the ones on your list are available?

[Ryethil]

Come Fall, I want to get a new(to me) bike. It will be my 3rd. I want to spend 2-3k, so nothing all that fancy. For background, I started on a CB250 nighthawk(19whp) before graduating to a VT500c shadow(49whp). As a young enthusiast, I love each and every bike I see, so making a choice is hard. I want something I can live with for a long time without drooling over lots of bikes I'd rather have. So far here's the short list:

Yamaha FJ1100/1200
Suzuki Bandit 600/1200
Honda V45/65 (Sabre/Magna/Interceptor)
Kawasaki Concours 1000
Yamaha FZ6
BMW K750/1000


As you can see, I value performance(on a budget), but not exclusively. Comfort is also important to me. I don't want to lay on the tank, but I also don't want long and fat. Thus, I'm definitely in the sport standard/sport tourer market. However, I do have a soft spot for classic muscle cruisers, like the v45/75, so don't count those out. They just have so much character!

What are your opinions on these choices? Anything else that might fit the bill that I apparently didn't think of?

This is my humble opinion...

You didn't say how long you've been riding so I can't be very specific. You also didn't say how big you are physically which also matters. This reply is only as accurate as I can guess.

Forget the BMWs for they are expensive to buy and fix and you claim your budget is really tight.

Stay away from the upper end bikes for 2 reasons. You have done the
right thing so far by starting small and then moving up to more powerful machine. The liter and above machines are are not impossible to learn on but the learning curve is very sharp. They are powerful and can get you into trouble if you're not ready for them. The second thing is a liter bike that goes for only 2-3K may have problems and you might spend a lot more trying to fix them. Again just my opinion.

The Suzuki 600 Bandit might not be a bad choice. More horsepower but great roll on power characteristics. A good step up from your Honda. Relatively powerful but still easily controled by the beginner/unexperienced rider.

Stay away from the FZ6. As you will hear on these forums one of the greatest negative statistics about motorcycles is how supposedly dangerous our sport it. Lets just say that the unexperienced newbie on a 600cc sport bike is a major cause of those statistics. Got to New Rider's forum and read about 600cc sportbikes.

That leaves the V series from Honda on your list. I suggest that the V45 or V700 "SABRE" is probably your best bet. The first ones had a problem of eating cams prematurely but any still running were built after they fixed that problem. But ask to see the maintinance records if they have them or just ask if they had problems. The V700 was a smaller V45 and was built after they fixed the camshaft problem.

However, in the end sit on as many bikes as you can and see what fits you the best. If it doesn't fit you then it will be a source of constant irritation. So keep your list in mind but try all sorts of motorcycles. You may surprise yourself.

[Wrider]

He did point out that he has experience, so I'm going to vote the FZ6. It's fast enough to keep up with anything you need to, it's comfortable for all-day use, and they easily run forever with decent maintenance.

[zbyrd]

Where are you at Buzzz? I am leaning quite heavily towards an FJ to be honest. I would even be interested in the 600, but they seem somewhat difficult to come by.

As for my experience, I've been riding for about a year and a half. I also spent 10 year before that on the dirt. I am humble about my skills, as one needs to be to avoid getting hurt on a bike, but I feel pretty comfortable on anything with about 100hp and 500lbs of weight, or something in that ratio. A little lower would be safer and still have plenty of juice to not get boring. I am definitely ready for more, but I know better than to get too big for my britches.

As for physical dimensions, I'm 5'11 and 200lbs. Neither my VT nor my CB have been roomy enough for maximum comfort, but it was nice to put my feet flat on the pavement. I'm not opposed to greater seat height though.

Anyway, I guess the v65 is off the list. Beautiful, but too much power. I will also nix the BMW for expense reasons.

Please, keep coming with the advice. I really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Zach

[MZ33]

Vstrom 650/1000?
My prejudice falls in favor of the Versys, but you won't pick that up for a couple of grand.
Are any of the old Nighthawks available? Everyone who has ever had a 750 seems to rave about them.

[Ryethil]

Where are you at Buzzz? I am leaning quite heavily towards an FJ to be honest. I would even be interested in the 600, but they seem somewhat difficult to come by.

As for my experience, I've been riding for about a year and a half. I also spent 10 year before that on the dirt. I am humble about my skills, as one needs to be to avoid getting hurt on a bike, but I feel pretty comfortable on anything with about 100hp and 500lbs of weight, or something in that ratio. A little lower would be safer and still have plenty of juice to not get boring. I am definitely ready for more, but I know better than to get too big for my britches.

As for physical dimensions, I'm 5'11 and 200lbs. Neither my VT nor my CB have been roomy enough for maximum comfort, but it was nice to put my feet flat on the pavement. I'm not opposed to greater seat height though.

Anyway, I guess the v65 is off the list. Beautiful, but too much power. I will also nix the BMW for expense reasons.

Please, keep coming with the advice. I really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Zach

Now I feel like a fool. I misjudged completely.

Go with what ever you feel most comfortable with. The V65 was awesome in it's top end potential for its time. However, it was relatively comfortable to ride with a linear power build up. As long as you don't get too aggressive, too soon then I wouldn't rule it out. I happened to like to work on the "V" series and the bikes were relatively reliable.

As for the cost/expense situation, what I said still holds for the bigger bikes but if you are jusdicious in fully checking the bike that appeals to you most then you should be fine. For that matter, you should be wary of any used bike and really go over it for signs of abuse.

I will disagree with "Wrider" about the FZ6 but only because they are subject to quirks that affect how you ride them. Think about it . They get an extreme amount of HP out of a smaller engine. It has to be gotten from somewhere, somehow. So they tend to peaky and require a lot more consentration that you would first suppose. If you want your first canyon carver, look at a 750. they are usually easier to ride and they won't be much more in cost than a 600cc.

However, a word of warning. With 10 years of off-road and a year and a half of on road experience, you are most definately ready for a bigger bike. Just don't try and get too greedy too soon. Also, one thing still applies. Check your inseam against any bike you try out. While you may feel you don't need to be flat footed (and with a little more experience you won't) make sure you are comfortable in how you feet balance the bike you choose. Dropping a bigger bike can be expensive. Don't be to aggresive too soon. After a period of time you will naturally be accustomed to handling what ever bike you chose. It will come naturally or with just a little going over the basics.

What ever you decide, have fun for that should be a big reason to ride in the first place.

[BuzZz]

My rock is currently located near Edmonton. I'm not sure where you are, but chances are, it's not close enough to be worth the bother. But the bike is just sitting here unridden.....