sorry for yet another long post. i'm going to try to reply to everyone in this.
HYPERR wrote:dean owens wrote:did you read my inseam?
Yes I did see it. Are you looking for a bike that you can completely flat foot on both sides simultaneously at a stop?
pretty close. i've been in situations with my current bike where because of my hight and the hight of the seat i would have been very stuck if not for someone else being there to help me out. so although i don't have to be able to completely flatfoot, i would like to be able to have my feet pretty well on the ground.
gsJack wrote:Many standard/sport type bikes with the single shock rear suspensions have a couple links connecting the shock lever to the swingarm and can be lowered easily with longer links that are relatively inexpensive. The FZ6 is not one of them, it has a single shock connected directly to the frame on the top and directly to the swingarm at the bottom. Requires an expensive shock replacement to lower.
good to know. didn't know that until now. that does present a little problem for me.
gsJack wrote:Have you considered a GS500 or Ninja 500 bike for your short commute?
i haven't considered the ninja. in the past i've considered the gs500 but not recently. i have a friend who has one. in a few weeks i'm going to take his for test ride to see how i like it. i'm "worried" about feeling like i've taken a step back with that bike. i do like the mpg and the weight of the bike. and it doesn't look bad either (particularly the faired version). thanks for bringing it up. it's now on my list of bikes to check out.
Wrider wrote:If the inseam height is an issue with the FZ you can always loosen up the rear shock, it's not very hard to begin with and if you loosen it up it'll sink under your weight.
hmmm, that's an option. i was also reading on the fz6 forum about how at least one guy shaved his seat down. sounds to be about my size and took him from not feeling comfortable to being pretty close to flat-footing it. i guess i won't know until i go and sit on one. it's still in my top pick right now thought.
slimcolo wrote:And as to ABS, most of the bikes with ABS are a bit newer and will be above your budget of $4000. (keep in mind also that with poor economy many bikes are selling for a lot less than a year ago)
Another note on single shock replacement, real expensive. I replaced the shock on my 91 GS and it cost $725 back in 97 (of course I got an Olins bot the OEM shocks were $425, at the time these were only two options)
first of all, i'm definitely looking used. unless something amazing happens with my finances i don't plan on picking up a bike payment.
and yikes, that's a lot for a shock. i don't think i'll be going that route either.
Wingnumberone wrote:... Vulcan 500 ...
For 4 grand, you could get one in "near new" condition. I paid less than 3 last year, for our '06.
that's not really a bad bike, but right now i'm not really looking in the cruiser market. i'm saying they are off the table, but not my first choice. but if i can find one to sit on i'll try it on for size. thanks for throwing in a bike i hadn't even thought of.
jmillheiser wrote:The FZ6 isn't as bad as its 31 inch seat height would have you think, the riding position is very upright which helps. Unless you insist on flatfooting.
Its actually a bit easier to flatfoot than a SV or 599 since its riding position is way more upright than the other 2. the FZ will be way cheaper than any of the BMWs.
Also check out the triumph street triple, iirc its seat height is under 31 inches and is lighter and faster than the FZ
yeah, the upright seating position and the price is one of the draws for me. that and the bike looks amazing.
about the street triple. that's a bike i like, but you know what they say about hen's teeth. those things don't ever come up for sale used around here.
HYPERR wrote:slimcolo wrote:
28K on a ten year old japanese bike may seem high mileage, but on a ten year old BMW that is low- average. I have seen several F650s with over 60K and less than a year old. (what BMW lacks in performance they make up for in dependability)
You think BMWs are more dependable than Japanese bikes?
are they not dependable? i always thought bmw's were good bikes.
thanks for the suggestions. if you have anymore feel free to post away. i have time though. i set the emotions of being frustrated with my bike aside. i want to make an impulse buy and get a nice shiny new bike, but i'm going to take my time and open a separate savings account for my bike fund. once i get all the cash together then i'll buy. that'll take me at least this riding season. so, it gives me plenty of time to go sit on bikes.
again, thanks and please feel free to add to this thread. when i buy, i'll let y'all know.