Maybe a baby GS?

Hi All

The time is drawing near for me to finally take my motorcycle course. Looks like house #1 will be sold in August and house #2 should be ready to go by Christmas.

It looks like I'll be starting a new full time service contract this fall. Big year for Marty.

Anyhoo, I've been looking at bikes with the intention to buy in the spring. Even though there's lots of time, my Aspie/ADD/OCD brain is in full on bench racing mode.

My little dream: the highway, a bike, me. I would like to be able to travel and visit the friends I've neglected over the years due to lack of time and money. Maybe make some new friends in the process.

The bike requirements: noob friendly, comfortable, clean burning, affordable new, available hard luggage, fuel efficiency and range.

So far, I'm considering the Yamaha FZ6R, WeeStrom and I've lately been attracted to the G650GS and F650GS. The G650GS has the fuel efficiency of a sailboat and the price is great. It's currently at the top of my happy list. I'm aware the WeeStrom may be the obvious choice, but something about it just rubs me the wrong way.

Thoughts, opinions, suggestions?

Thanks!

Have you ever ridden a motorcycle on a highway for a long period of time?

PHeller wrote: Have you ever ridden a motorcycle on a highway for a long period of time?

I've never ridden a motorcycle.

May I suggest something older and more well loved to learn how to ride? Maybe a GS500 or EX500?

Plastic bits are pricey if you drop the bike ($$$)

Grtechguy wrote: May I suggest something older and more well loved to learn how to ride? Maybe a GS500 or EX500? Plastic bits are pricey if you drop the bike ($$$)

+1 with a MSF or equivitlent course like Harley-Davidson® Rider's Edge Course

I'm definitely taking the course before i do anything beyond buying the gear required for the course.

I may in fact not like it at all. I've driven standards since 99 and I do ride my pedal bike enough that grabbing a hand full of front brake doesn't put me off. I think I'll do ok and enjoy it.

I understand the appeal of learning on something that won't leave me heartbroken of it gets damaged. I'm more concerned about reliability. I plan to buy gently used, but I may just buy something new.

I've ridden several F650GSs as loaners and wouldn't take them on longer rides. Big singles are fun on local roads but not when there is no corner between you and the next county.

BoxheadTim wrote: I've ridden several F650GSs as loaners and wouldn't take them on longer rides. Big singles are fun on local roads but not when there is no corner between you and the next county.

It's on my list because people take KLR 650s all over hell's half acre and it's a single. I ASSumed BMW's reputation for tough bikes (earned?) in a form similar to a KLR might be a good choice for my purposes. Why not just get a KLR? 29" inseam.

If you are planning on doing mostly highway I would go with the WeeStrom.

EvanB wrote: If you are planning on doing mostly highway I would go with the WeeStrom.

It's very likely the best choice of the lot, but my brain's like "ANYTHING ELSE, PLEASE!"

It's almost chemical.

akamcfly wrote:

BoxheadTim wrote: I've ridden several F650GSs as loaners and wouldn't take them on longer rides. Big singles are fun on local roads but not when there is no corner between you and the next county.

It's on my list because people take KLR 650s all over hell's half acre and it's a single. I ASSumed BMW's reputation for tough bikes (earned?) in a form similar to a KLR might be a good choice for my purposes. Why not just get a KLR? 29" inseam.

They're not overly pleasant highway bikes either. They're great if you want to ride the Trail Across America or something like that, or hoon around locally, but for distance work I would chose another bike.

Well then you definitely shouldn't spend new-bike money on something you don't want.

How about a Triumph Tiger 800? Same list price as the F650GS.

Slightly used Moto Guzzi Stelvio?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Moto-Guzzi-Stelvio-aluminum-saddlebags-/290742878824?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item43b1a04268

Or the F800GS for a little more than the 650, doesn't that have the Rotax parallel twin?

EvanB wrote: Well then you definitely shouldn't spend new-bike money on something you don't want. How about a Triumph Tiger 800? Same list price as the F650GS.

You must keep in mind that I haven't even sat on a WeeStrom - it might be love at first sight when i do start bike shopping. Everything points to it being the perfect bike for me, but who wants to be rational? Part of this whole mid-life crisis thing it to be somewhat irrational.

I've never sat on a WeeStrom either but I still don't want one.

If I was rational I would be probably be riding something other than a Moto Guzzi.

EvanB wrote: I've never sat on a WeeStrom either but I still don't want one. If I was rational I would be probably be riding something other than a Moto Guzzi.

I've always loved Moto Guzzis. I shouldn't say always - ever since I read "The perfect Vehicle". maybe I should go total mid-life crisis and look for one. They're lustaliscious.

I never thought....

EvanB wrote: Slightly used Moto Guzzi Stelvio? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Moto-Guzzi-Stelvio-aluminum-saddlebags-/290742878824?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item43b1a04268

Damn, you're an enabler. Only about an hour from here too.

You know you want one.

It will be reliable and eat up the highway miles, good enough for some dirt roads as well. The only thing I wish my Guzzi had was a slightly more comfortable riding position and hardbags. I just took it on a 350 mile trip a couple days ago and my throttle hand was a bit numb but you wouldn't have that problem on a Stelvio.

Found one in Nepean for similar money. I hope this is a good sign.

Beautiful, the right brand and type of bike and waaaaaaaaaaaay too much bike for a noob. It's perfect!

In reply to akamcfly:

I wouldn't say waaaay too much bike for a noob. I don't know the power figures for the engine in the Stelvio but my V11 isn't really any faster than my SV650. It is very easy to control.

What it does have is a ton of torque and a very smooth power band. It will lope along in 5th gear at 1500rpm and then pull hard all the way to the redline.

You can also check out the different bikes here:

http://cycle-ergo.com/

It looks like the Stelvio has the same seat height as my V11 (32.3") and I fit fine with a 30" inseam.

Also check out the classifieds on ADVrider, you have to register but if you aren't already you should.

http://advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=52

Of the bikes listed in the original post, I'd be most inclined to get the FZ6R. Probably the cheapest to maintain, the middle weight, middle power, pretty comfortable. Consider one of the Kawasaki Ninja 650 or 650R, whatever they're calling the parallel twin ninja now. The WeeStrom, while on paper an excellent motorcycle, does absolutely nothing for me either. I've ridden the BMW's and while the value for your money is definitely there with the 650GS single, I found it too vibey and boring to ride. I thought the F800GS was boring too though so maybe BMW's and I just don't get along.

For my next bike, I'm still stuck hard on a classic looking Italian standard. Still really really really wanting a new Moto Guzzi V7 Stone or an unmolested Guzzi California, and still lusting hard for a Ducati Monster S2R.

Owning a KLR, I wouldn't buy a single cylinder bike to ride long distances. Yeah, you can do it, but at my age I wouldn't want to, and I do love my KLR. But it's a good local and dirt road bike, not a long distance tourer of any degree of comfort. I'm looking to get a second bike for that task.

I ASSumed I wanted a V-Strom, but have yet to even sit on one. I have thus far based my opinion from reading too much ADVrider.

My brother-in-law rides a BMW R1100R. Beautiful bike, and very affordable used. He's had no real trouble with it, though it does have the patented clunky BMW gearbox. I'd consider one, along with a couple of Triumphs, before I'd fully commit to being a V-Strom sheeple. I can't afford new bikes, so don't pay much attention to them. Plenty of low mileage pre-owned bargains out there if you look.