What Bike 2?: I did not listen to you guys last time.

Last year I asked you all what bike I should get, you all said SV650. I found a good deal and ended up with a... Yamaha XT225. Yeah, I know.

Anyway, it's been fun, but I am predictably ready for a more highway-capable bike now. The XT225 is super easy to ride, but I end up treating it like a scooter, lots of short trips but I leave it at home for any trip that involves a freeway (which is a lot in Columbus, Ohio).

Based on my experience with the XT225 and my general thoughts I'm looking for:

1. Cast wheels (not requiring inner tubes)
2. ABS (ideally, but negotiable)
3. FI - (non-negotiable, I hate waiting for the carb to warm up on a cold morning)
4. Center stand (at least a good aftermarket one available)
5. Windscreen (the more wind/weather protection the better)
6. No weight on wrists seating position (I have a bad wrist, the XT doesn't bother it at all and I'd like to keep it that way)
7. High MPG
8. low overall maintenance/parts costs
9. simple maintenance (I don't want to have to go to a shop or find some special tool to adjust the valves)

I'd like to say I would do some touring with a bigger bike, but I don't know if the GF would really let that happen. Maybe an occasional day trip. I do know that the bike will get used for commuting and errand running. Looking to spend no more than $5,000.

I sat on an SV650 and the seating position and seat seemed good, but I don't see an accessory windscreen adding the protection I want.
I know I need to ride a V-Strom 650, sat on a brand new one and it fit well, I really liked it. A nice ABS one seems perfect. The CBR250R seems like a prospect, but there is some disagreement over whether it's big enough to be comfortable on the highway.
I've seen some interesting stuff on craigslist, Interceptor VFR800's and a BMW F650GS thumper. What else should I look at? Recommendations from the GRM brain-trust?

Buell blast, but it has a carb so maybe that is a non-starter. The blast has an auto-choke though so you just start it 3min before you have to ride. My bike was reliable but I beat the crap out of it so if you don't wail off the rev limiter and let the shift pawl mechanism get way out of adjustment the transmission and engine should last longer than mine did. If you leave the tune stock(no fun, sounds like lawnmower and runs dangerously lean) you'll see between 60-65mpg. My bike with header, rejet, foam filter on my tune by feel, I get around 45-50mpg so I took a hit.

VFR800, BMW pick one (I like the K100RS in the class you are looking at)

I think the new Ninja 300 may check off all those, except maybe the center stand, and the non-ABS version is under 5K.

Flight Service wrote: VFR800, BMW pick one (I like the K100RS in the class you are looking at)

VFR is perfect.

Does that mean he will buy a sportster? : p

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Nah, Hyosung GV650

In reply to Flight Service:

Hyosung uses Suzuki-licensed engines, so it has that going for it.

As for the GV650 I think I'm gonna puke.

Struggling as I am with a replacement for my mighty but agricultural KLR, someone turned me on to this site: Cycle Ergonomics That should be helpful. I have the same issue with not wanting much, if any, forward lean on my next bike.

The V-Strom is a good piece of equipment, but a lot of guys have described it as such; a boring appliance that merely get the job done efficiently. I personally can't get past the look of the headlights/fairing. The thing is just hideous to me. I'm fairly sold on a Triumph Tiger 955i which has most of what you want, but am also considering (if I can find one) the Aprilia Caponord. Some of the Tigers have alloy wheels. The Aprilia has a high-tech tubeless spoked rim. Both are injected. I don't think the Aprilia had ABS available but that's not a deal breaker for me because I like to think I know how to operate a brake lever (but yeah, ABS is nice).

Every time I see a picture of a SV650 I linger, but the riding position probably won't work for me and the pillion comfort level looks pretty low. Same with the Suzuki Bandit.

Your price range might put you in Triumph Bonneville territory. The newer ones have FI but not sure about ABS. Every person I've talked to that has one loves it.

Forget touring, get the VFR since just south of you (hocking hills) are great roads that a VFR would be ideal for.

There's only one choice...new CBR. Comfortable riding position, ggreat handling,easy to ride and maneuver, park, etc., easily run at interstate speeds(for long times) EFI, great gas mileage, warranty,and under $5K. And it's a Honda.

In reply to minimac:

CBR250, right?

Bump your budget $2K and get a Honda NC700X brand new. Looks cool, If you want that style/category of bike a Kawasaki Versys might also be your cup of Tea.

There are my oddball suggestions for this one.

Note: I am the one who brought up the Pacific Coast in the last one of these, so I am good at oddball

Might I suggest the G650, ABS, upright riding position, moderately indestructible and found in your price point.

Why do you want a center stand? Anyway, I can't think of a better bike than the VFR for what you're wanting. Have you considered an SV650s?

In reply to rotard: I want a center stand b/c I am sick of balancing bikes on milk crates to do maintenance tasks that require a wheel to be in the air. I'm interested in the VFR, though I must say it seems like a lot of bike for me I've got a 31.5" inseam and only break 160 #'s when fat, I am a Honda-phile. I' haven't checked out an SV650S, I've heard the seating position is different from the naked bike so I've discounted it.

wearymicrobe:
I haven't seen any G650's locally, and there's not a lot on the 'net about them. Is this a pretty new bike? I am generally interested in all BMW's that are FI and don't look vast. I actually even like that oddball cruiser thing they had in the '90's. I'm not sure about maintaining a BMW bike though, in terms of time, tools, and parts cost. I'll keep an eye out for the G650, maybe head over to the local BMW guy in town sometime soon.

Flight Service:
I'm afraid I've already bumped the budget to get to $5k. I really like the NC700x, (well, from the magazine articles) but its not in the cards. Looked up the Versys, I like, it's on the list, thanks!

Minimac:
We are talking about the new CBR250R, right? It is definitely on the list, once I can find one to ride. What information do you have to indicate that it will "easily run" on the freeway? This is my major concern with such a light, fully faired bike.

Rusnak_322:
I'v actually never really checked out the roads down there, I did go horseback riding there last year... Anyway, the VFR looks good on paper but I think it might be too wide/heavy for comfortable, I will be looking for one to test ride.

ddavidv:
What is the word on Triumph and Aprilia reliability? I have owned lots and lots of Japanese cars, and I lived in Germany. I am a bit distrustful of British and Italian manufacturing. Thanks for the cool link!

I promise not to buy a Hyosung, and I am not much of a cruiser guy so I don't plan to look at Sportsters. Probably.

eastsidemav:
I think the Ninja 300 would do it for me too, but at $5500 MSRP I don't see them getting into my price range over the winter. Promising though.

Flight Service:
I get it. VFR. I will find one and check it out, unfortunately this one: http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/3339385964.html is silver, which I hate, but probably worth checking out anyway. No, K100's in my neck of the woods, but I am open to BMW's.

benzbaron:
How comfortable is a Blast on the highway? They sure are cheap used! I could overlook some compromises at that price point! (Fact: I am cheap)

In reply to ShadowSix:

Has anyone mentioned a VFR? Kidding.

If weight is an issue, your right the VFR may not be your bike. Great weight for a sport tourer and a little heavy for a sport bike, which makes them great highway high speed cruisers. They will go waaaaayy beyond my abilities in the twistys but if your not comfortable with that much weight slow then look elsewhere.

My experience with older Triumphs is not so good on the reliability side with the triples. I don't know anything about the twins. The Aprilia tends to use Rotax engines, which are very good. Same company the little single and parrell engined BMWs use.

I like a little larger bike, 34" inseam and 6'4" weighing in at 230 I can flat foot the tallest dirt bikes.

Another odd suggestion since your weight is low and you want a cheap to maintain and ride bike, what about a VTR250R Honda or a Ninja500? Both should be dirt cheap by now and dead nuts reliable.

Oh yeah if you want the Top Gun look try a Suzuki GS550ES.

Buell blast tops out around 85mph which is driving the crap out of it. I'd get one cheap used and budget 300-500$ to make it how I like it. Throw a exhaust on it, rejet the carb, then just ride and enjoy. They are very low maintanence, belt driven, no valve adjustments(hydraulic valves, no radiator etc. The only thing you have to do is change the primary fluid every 10-5k miles and oil ever 2k miles. I don't mind riding the bike on the freeway but that is me. The forward position with feet down is a bit wearing. I like that the blast is pretty light weight and great in the city as the low weight and torquey single makes moving through traffic easy. Oh with an exhaust these bikes are LOUD, like loud pipes, small penis loud! I'd just consider one if you are looking at small bikes. The blast also has cheap parts if you crash it. I just think the blast is the last honest thumper, but that is my flawed opinion.

I have to throw this in the mix, even though it is carbed. '86/87 Rebel 450. Comfortable, easy to work on, cheap to buy, good mileage, easily cruises highway at 80. When set up right warm up time isn't an issue.

I can personally vouch for a ninja 650/ER6/Versys. Very fun and capable machines even in the twisty stuff. Tons of torque down low

I sure do love my BMW K100RS . . .

Check. 1.Cast wheels (not requiring inner tubes)

Check. 2.ABS (ideally, but negotiable)

Check 3.FI - (non-negotiable, I hate waiting for the carb to warm up on a cold morning)

Check 4.Center stand (at least a good aftermarket one available)

Check. 5.Windscreen (the more wind/weather protection the better)

Check 6.No weight on wrists seating position (I have a bad wrist, the XT doesn't bother it at all and I'd like to keep it that way)

40+7.High MPG

Meh .... 8.low overall maintenance/parts costs

Check. 9.simple maintenance (I don't want to have to go to a shop or find some special tool to adjust the valves)

I sold my K-100rs for an R-1150rt. After all these years, I still like it! If you go for the K-100, get the "bar backs"; it moves the handlebars up and back an inch in each direction. Big difference.

I sold the K for $3200 and bought the RT for $6,000. It can be had now for ~$3500.

Note: Neither of these bikes are mine, unceremoniously hotlinked from fleabay.

You want my fuel-injected, comfy, quick, ultra-reliable 2000 Honda VFR800.

$2750.

I got over thirty miles to the gallon yesterday. That won't impress you much, until you hear where I was riding. Texas World Speedway.

It's not a particularly good track bike - the 600s ran away from me on every straightaway and definitely handled better in the fast corners - but through the slow corners and accelerating up to 80ish MPH it wasn't bad. I didn't break anything,and it didn't even get all that hot, despite riding it as hard as I could.

914Driver wrote: Check. 1.Cast wheels (not requiring inner tubes) Check. 2.ABS (ideally, but negotiable) Check 3.FI - (non-negotiable, I hate waiting for the carb to warm up on a cold morning) Check 4.Center stand (at least a good aftermarket one available) Check. 5.Windscreen (the more wind/weather protection the better) Check 6.No weight on wrists seating position (I have a bad wrist, the XT doesn't bother it at all and I'd like to keep it that way) 40+7.High MPG Meh .... 8.low overall maintenance/parts costs Check. 9.simple maintenance (I don't want to have to go to a shop or find some special tool to adjust the valves) I sold my K-100rs for an R-1150rt. After all these years, I still like it! If you go for the K-100, get the "bar backs"; it moves the handlebars up and back an inch in each direction. Big difference. I sold the K for $3200 and bought the RT for $6,000. It can be had now for ~$3500. Note: Neither of these bikes are mine, unceremoniously hotlinked from fleabay.

If a VFR is " too wide/heavy " - then there is no way that green BMW is going to pass the test.

Don't bother with the Blast, it's a scooter, and you've already got one of those!

The VFR camp is good, it weighs about what the Strom does. The Strom is good, though you're giving up a bit for the "adventure" side of things. Not much, but a bit. Never even sat on an ER-6F or a Versys, but the ER-6F apparently is comparable to the SV650.

Speaking of SV650s, if the naked fits your need ergonomically, have you considered swapping the bars and pegs from one to the SV650S? That'd work.