Been looking hard for a new bike to replace my Savage. I'm real picky, in all honesty I'm looking for a standard bike; neither a cruiser nor a sports bike. Too bad they are hard to come by in North America. However I found a nice cruiser as an upgrade:
It's a 97, which is only a year younger then the bike I own now, but seems to be in good shape. Looked up the specs and found quite a leap in HP from my current bike. I've been riding for about 6 months almost everyday (it's my only form of transportation) and wondering if this bike is ok for a second bike, or if the sportbike motor is a bit too big. I'd rather ask you guys because the last time I asked my Honda dealer for advice, they tried to sell me a v65 sabre.
I don't have an answer, but a question. You say the bike is your only transportation, which is my situation as well. Actually, my 150cc scooter and my pedal power bicycle have been my only means of transportation for months, and I've been happy. But I'm fixing to enter my first winter and am worried about what to do when it's slick. How have you dealt with that? Also, how have you dealt with carrying the occasional slightly awkward and largish thinger?
Sorry for tackling your post, but I'm just full of curiosity Oh, and I also share your love for standard bikes and really wish there were more newer bikes like that.
I'm entering my first winter here too, but it rains here often so I've had my fair share of slick. Funny to see the only biker out riding in the pouring rain, I guess I'm just a little masochistic. Like everyone will say, you take it easy in rain. I find my actions are usually a bit in slow motion (not just keeping your speed down, but also no sudden transitions). If it just started to rain, try to avoid the middle lane as it tends to get slicker from the oil. Leave plenty of room for braking (again nothing sudden). Keep plenty of space in between you and the car in front of you. Ignore the cars that zoom past you, they're not on a bike, they don't understand. You might check the road a bit more often in the rain too. Need to be most cautious at corners, don't lean much so take them slower. And always use both feet when stopping. I feel sorry for the sportbike riders, I'm sure they have a harder time in the rain. My cruiser seems pretty stable, but gravel is always worse. Gravel on the road is much more slick then water.
As for baggage, I ride to work with a mid sized backpack and I don't find much of a difference. Just make sure whatever is inside is not going to roll around too much, and keep the straps tight on you. If they are loose, you get a parachute effect at high speeds. More of an annoyance then anything though.
I haven't carried larger stuff much, only a couple of times. Again a backpack, but a camping backpack, large and filled. If that's the case, then just take it easy on corners again. Lean a bit less, and thus take them slower then usual.
I've also ridden with a completely flat back tire; that was fun...
Sounds like a lot of the stuff I've done with my bicycle and scooter. Only bigger
Oh, and the back tire thing...I had that on my scooter and it took me a whole minute to realize why leaning didn't do me much good! That sucked because I then had to carry the entire wheel on my back on the bicycle to a local Harley Davidson shop to get it patched. Much like Rodney Dangerfield, I got "no respect."
You'd probably be fine with that as a second bike.
There are a few standards in North America, they just don't get advertised as such. Off the top of my head, V-Strom, SV650 naked, Ninja 650r, GS 500. Possibly the 250 and 500cc Ninjas. The Ducati Monsters, although they may lean you forward more than a real standard. The Honda 599. I'm sure there's a bunch more out there.
'07 Suzuki V-Strom DL650
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The Thruxton was on the top of my list, but I've been having trouble looking for any used, Bonnies too. They are usually only a grand or so less then a new one.
As for the other modern standard bikes around, most are still a tad too sporty for my liking. The few exceptions are usually starter bikes, and something I wouldn't see myself keeping for a very long time.
One bike stands out to me, it's just too bad it's 1200cc: the ZRX 1200.
Rain isn't too bad to ride in, you'll actually be surprised just how much grip there is still in rain. Be wary of drain covers and painted road markings though, they're slippy as hell. So pick your line carefully through corners and when braking to avoid them.
Light drizzle is also incredibly slippery (as is the first 5 minutes of a rain storm) drizzle floats all the oil in the road to the surface where is contacts your tyre, but doesn't have enough water to actually wash it away into the gutter.
Large Hail stones are a "dog" to ride on, as is gravel
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Oh, and I also share your love for standard bikes and really wish there were more newer bikes like that.
