Are we experiencing a "practical bike" renaissance?

[momule]

Due to a completely ruined hip and knee I bought a Suzuki Burgman 650 Exec last year. It is very quick and very comfortable and very practical plus it is VERY QUICK. I know that motorcyclists dislike scooters and I never thought much of them myself but that was because of the misconception that they are 49CC and not worth a damn. My opinion has totally changed. Sure I miss my L+ Suzuki and some Harleys are peices of sculpture, but I'm damn happy with my Burgman. (I agree that the name is dumb as hell).

Before anyone criticizes, test ride a 650 Burgman or a Yamaha T-Max - you'd be impressed.

[Ninja Geoff]

Cbr1000rr and saddle bags sounds plenty practical to me.

[BRUMBEAR]

I hear what Jstark is saying I even ran a thread asking for opinions on what would be the norm now that liter bikes are well over 12K and 600 are ranging any wear from 6 to 11K. In the US market there is IMO a need for a 500 or lower cc standard hear in the 3-5K range they would sell absolutely look at the little 250 resurgence is all you need to do.
The scooters will take a bit of the business but a motorcycle is a better platform for the US.The 440 ltd and gs550 and Honda cb 500 four rocked the house in the days of my youth

[jstark47]

I was with a guy last night who just took his MSF and got his endorsement. He picked up (for free!) a 1982 Suzuki GS450T in running condition. Needs just a little work, mostly cosmetic. I sat on it, expecting it to feel clunky and clumsy, but it felt beautifully light and balanced. A small displacement UJM (would have been considered mid-size in the day), what a revolutionary concept!!! [/sarcasm]

So why can't we have bikes like that nowadays?

[HYPERR]

I was with a guy last night who just took his MSF and got his endorsement. He picked up (for free!) a 1982 Suzuki GS450T in running condition. Needs just a little work, mostly cosmetic. I sat on it, expecting it to feel clunky and clumsy, but it felt beautifully light and balanced. A small displacement UJM (would have been considered mid-size in the day), what a revolutionary concept!!! [/sarcasm]

So why can't we have bikes like that nowadays?

Because your fellow Americans never buy them. They have them in Japan and Europe.

[jstark47]

I was with a guy last night who just took his MSF and got his endorsement. He picked up (for free!) a 1982 Suzuki GS450T in running condition. Needs just a little work, mostly cosmetic. I sat on it, expecting it to feel clunky and clumsy, but it felt beautifully light and balanced. A small displacement UJM (would have been considered mid-size in the day), what a revolutionary concept!!! [/sarcasm]

So why can't we have bikes like that nowadays?

Because your fellow Americans never buy them. They have them in Japan and Europe.

Which is why craigslist is full of low mileage, large displacement garage queens for sale (around here, anyway). They buy those honkin' big bikes, then don't ride them.

[pchast]

I'd buy 2 if I could find one.

[dablade]

After owning a Honda VTX 1300, I fail to understand the whole large displacement cruiser thing. It was pretty, but it didn't do anything particularly well. I had much more fun on my Kawasaki 550 LTD. I still like big displacement bikes, but I expect them to be rideable. Love the Yamaha FJR 1300 and both of the Honda Goldwings that I have owned. But they are not cheap. I would still like an enduro and an R6 in my stable, but I guess you can't have it all.

[sapaul]

We had a similar discussion when I bought the R1200R. I already have a GS and many said that the GS was a better bike. In some ways, it is, but is is a large bike that you end up on tippy toes. It can get blown around when loaded with panniers and the front end can get squiggly at high speed or not so perfect roads. The R12R by comparison is much more firmly planted, much more nimble and I can flat foot it. The luggage system is more than adequate and I get much better mileage.

A perfect bike is what you make of it, and thank goodness, how boring it would be if there was only "One Bike" to choose from.

[dr_bar]

I'd buy 2 if I could find one.

But then where would you get the other one from...??? )