Researching a new bike... what to avoid?

[mahgnillig]

Hi all

I've been riding my trusty Ninja 250 for almost 2 years now, and I think I'm ready for something with a little more oomph. I promised myself a good 2 years of riding experience before getting a new bike, so I'm not really in a particular hurry... just researching things to look for. Since none of my local dealerships offer test rides, I thought I'd ask for a few opinions before I go to there and get bombarded with useless information and end up with a bike that is more than I can handle (I know how dealerships like to try and convince you to get something that's not necessarily right for you just to get the sale).

First off, I like sport bikes. I'm not concerned about having the latest super sport demon, but I like the look of sport bikes, and am not really interested in getting a cruiser. This is going to be a bit of an issue because I'm short (5'2" with a 30" inseam) and sport bikes seem to be made for taller folk than me. So what I'm looking to rule out here is any bike that can't be made shorter with a lower profile seat or without messing up the suspension too much (my local dealership says they can make any bike fit, but I really don't want to mess with the suspension if I can help it - I'm sure the suspension is the way it is for a reason).

Second, I want some power but not so much that the bike is twitchy and finicky. A 600 or 650 is about the highest I want to go. I'm looking for something that is practical enough to sling my saddle bags on and ride to work, but powerful enough to let me keep up with my hubby on his Concours. I'm thinking most of the super sport bikes are probably out here... but I really don't know, so please enlighten me if there is a gem out there in the super sport world that isn't too twitchy to ride in traffic.

Third, I'm looking for something that's going to be reasonably comfortable and not too buzzy. My Ninja is pretty comfortable to ride, but the road buzz does get to my fingers after a while, even with gel grips and heavyweight bar ends. I'd like something that's good to ride for a few hours at a time, and that I'm not going to crawl off with all my muscles cramping up and my hands feeeling like I've just spent the last few hours digging up a road with a jackhammer.

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions on specifically what to avoid or what to look at, I'd be grateful. At least then I will have a some things in mind and some ruled out so I won't be at the mercy of the salespeople

[Septimus]

FYI, most suspensions are designed to be adjustable. My EX500 weighs about 388 pounds dry but its maximum recommended weight of bike + passenger + whatever else is about 800 pounds. That's a +/- 250 pounds for most riders, and one suspension setting is not ideal for all of those conditions.

So while you may want to be sure your dealer isn't just trying to make a sale, if all a bike takes to get you comfortable on it is adjusting the suspension, that's not (necessarily) a bad thing.

[Sev]

I'd be looking at the naked/sport standards.

Honda 599
SV650
Ninja 650
FZ6

are the major japanese models right now. Other manufacturers have them as well. They're fairly comfortable, more powerful then your current ride and still a lotta fun. Plus you can travel on them fairly well.

[Veda]

I don't have any advice for you, but I'd be interested to hear what you end up deciding on. I think I will be in your shoes when I'm next in the market for a new bike. The bike's Sev has listed are all the typical "2nd bike, want something sporty, but not a supersport bike." Unfortunately, I think they all have about 2 inches and 100 lbs. on the ninja 250.

I'm holding out hope that by the time I've become an "intermediate rider" I've built up some thigh more muscle and grow an inch in height. Anyone have any leg lengthening elixir?

[RC Fan]

I'd be looking at the naked/sport standards.

Honda 599
SV650
Ninja 650
FZ6

These were the bikes I was most interested in because of the upright riding position they offer. I really liked the FZ6 and the 650R because I wanted the fairing as well. As far as I know there is no problem in lowering the SV or the FZ6--they just swap out the dog bones for some lowering links.

I ended up getting an '07 Bandit 650S, which I love. It has been lowered with no problem. It is a heavier bike than the ones suggested above, but I am very happy with it.

[Drakan]

What about a Ninja 636? From what I've heard, they are a cross between sport and touring, allowing a comfortable position, but still able to carry saddle bags, etc, and go fast?

[Shorts]

636 as a Sport Tourer??? No way Jose.


I'll 3rd Sev's suggestion on some sport standards. Good power, good comfort, good traveler.

[Sev]

What about a Ninja 636? From what I've heard, they are a cross between sport and touring, allowing a comfortable position, but still able to carry saddle bags, etc, and go fast?

That's a sportbike. Actually, that's the street version of Kawi's 01-06 race bike. They added a little extra displacement for more midrange oomph, but otherwise it's a legal race bike. And speaking from experience, you're a damn fool if you think a race bike will be comfy for a long trip. It's going to hurt! But I went anyways, and I'll go again.

[Erg0n]

When you buy a bike from a dealership do they adjust the suspension for you? or you got to work that in the negotiation, or bring it to a mechanic?

[shane-o]

When you buy a bike from a dealership do they adjust the suspension for you? or you got to work that in the negotiation, or bring it to a mechanic?

If you ask, they will adjust it, but usually one would need to ride the machine first for a bit to work out what and where required some tweaking, further more, it usually is not a difficult process to do your self, and a "trial and error" method is usually the one employed to do suspension changes.

IMHO