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What's a good bike for me?

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:37 am
by Rebel0007
I'm looking into getting a sport bike in the not-too-distant future. This will be my second bike, so I'm looking for something fast that can hold its own its own on the highway, but while still getting good gas mileage. In summary, my priorities are:

-Good mpg
-Low seat height
-Can handle highway speeds well
-Inexpensive, reliable, blah blah
-Ability to do a wheelie 8)

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:45 am
by VermilionX
gixxer600

- low seat height 31.9"
- around 40+ avg mpg
- power is good for highways
- the GSX-R line is already time proven
- it can wheelie
- less than $9K USD.

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:11 am
by Rebel0007
I thought a lot of bikes got like 50+ mpg?

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:14 am
by Shiv
Depends on how you drive them.

I'd recommend an EX500/GS500. It's the classic answer, and they can wheelie with enough skill.

Which means you won't be doing a wheelie on accident and dumping yourself off the back of the bike.

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:29 am
by rapidblue
Bike choice all depends on your top priorities. Milage/power/"cool" factor/

A 600 sport bike would fall under "cool factor"

500cc and less would be fuel mileage.

even 250s will have enough go for higways. but a 500 would be better.

ninja500, monster 695, sv650, honda 599 all real good sporty yet relaxed bikes

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:48 am
by ninja79
The Crimson Rider® wrote:gixxer600

- low seat height 31.9"
- around 40+ avg mpg
- power is good for highways
- the GSX-R line is already time proven
- it can wheelie
- less than $9K USD.
my sv650 gets over 50mpg on the highway, low 40s in the city. A 600cc supersport bike is NOT good for commuting and will have mpg only slightly better than a car. And I wouldn't call $9000 "inexpensive".
Rebel007 wrote: -Ability to do a wheelie
With that attitude, I wouldn't recommend you getting a bike at all.

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:00 pm
by VermilionX
ninja79 wrote:
Rebel007 wrote: -Ability to do a wheelie
With that attitude, I wouldn't recommend you getting a bike at all.
nothing wrong w/ wheelies.

just as long as it's done on a controlled environment.

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:16 pm
by Rebel0007
Thanks for the opinions, guys. I'll probably go with one of the 500's, as mpg is a high priority, as is touching the ground with more than just the balls of my feet :frusty:

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:19 pm
by VermilionX
Rebel0007 wrote:Thanks for the opinions, guys. I'll probably go with one of the 500's, as mpg is a high priority, as is touching the ground with more than just the balls of my feet :frusty:
yeah, if commuting is your main purpose for the bike... i wouldn't have suggested the gixxer.

good luck!

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:36 pm
by CNF2002
Commuting?

Nighthawk 250
Ninja 250
Ninja 500
Blast 500

All getting around 60-70mpg, used models for under 3k very plentiful and under 2k with good research.

Go used, anything well kept in good condition will be reliable with good maintenance habits on your part. Buying new is great if you have money to burn, but financially doesn't make much sense. If you need new, you can pick up a used year-old model with under 1K mileage thats already taken its initial depreciation hit. Older models, and lower CCs, will also lower your insurance premiums. Buy with cash. Good luck!