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A 650 Yamaha V-Star is a good bike for entry level as well commuting and highway riding.

zapblam I felt the same way you did when I first sat on a TU250 a couple years ago at the big bike show. Really liked it but it was only a 250 and a quick check of a MCN roadtest showed a 72 mph top speed. Not really up to 70 mph highway commuting but would be great around town. I've always favored smaller bikes and have done my last 14 years and 175k miles on a couple GS500s. That's a standard type bike that would fit your needs. I've done quite a few 400 mile interstate days on my GS500s.

The latest 250's have tweaked my interest. I really liked that new little CBR250R, fit me much better than the Ninja 250 that's been around for a while but I've never cared for the plastic wraped bikes either, prefer naked standards. These 2 would work as 70 mph computers as would the new for 2013 Suzuki GW250 naked bike. The CBR and GW have top speeds of about 88 mph and the Baby Ninja tops out in the 90's.

The new March Cycle World has comparo tests of six 250 bikes, three sporty types and 3 dual sport types and they show a 81 mph top speed for the KLX250, might not even need a KLR650 for your commute.

gsJack wrote: The new March Cycle World has comparo tests of six 250 bikes, three sporty types and 3 dual sport types and they show a 88 mph top speed for the KLX250

I had to pull out my March issue to check this out as I know that even my modded KLX250S is not capable of anything close to 88 mph. I just looked and it says the top speed is 81 mph; you might have misread the chart?

Fixed, my mistake. TY

Jack you beat me to it

the Aquila is an awesome bike, can handle the gravel no problem and can cruise with the best of them. One of the best handling small cruisers out there, great choice.

Eventually I'm going to talk one of my friends into buying an Aquilia, so I can take it for a spin...

It will suprise you,

I would highly suggest that you take a look at the scooter offerings from Suzuki, Yamaha, and Honda. Especially Suzuki (but of course I'm a bit biased). The 650 Burgman is a wonderful machine and it's smaller brother, the 400 is very nice also. They'll be no problem on the highway, give you a lot of storage, and will protect you in less than ideal weather. Plus they're smooth, twist and go (no shifting) and very nicely equipped. I've owned a number of different cruisers and now own a Burgman 650 and my next bike, if this one ever wears out, will be another Burgman.

Since you value having a windshield and other protection, since you don't care what the Harley crowd thinks, and because you understand that you need some power for the highway, you owe it to yourself to at least look at a Burgie and try to find one to test ride. You'll be pleasantly surprised I suspect.

I am not Burgman fan, but I do echo your sentiments about the maxi scoots. The Kymco 500 is another option.