I would love to get a motorcycle, but I need something comfortable for long rides, something not too crazy speed/power wise, and something not horribly expensive.

I do NOT care about top speed, massive power, super acceleration. I have two kids, I'm not going to go out and kill myself on a bike. Figure it needs to go fast enough to be on the highway, handle well enough for regular curvy Rhode Island, CT, and Mass roads, and be comfortable enough to fit me (6'3", 185) and my GF (5'3", 115). She would also want to be able to ride it herself locally if she wants, so I don't want a 1500 cc monster.

I kinda like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-BUELL-ULYSSES-XB12X-XB12-XB-1200-V-TWIN-SPORT-BIKE_W0QQitemZ180258867601QQihZ008QQcategoryZ6704Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This seems ok, too:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-P3-LOW-MILES-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-2-OWNERS_W0QQitemZ190233443899QQihZ009QQcategoryZ499 82QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This is just awesome:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-Nija-ZZR-600_W0QQitemZ220249381799QQihZ012QQcategoryZ50019Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What would you guys recommend? Any experience with these bikes or similar? I don't want a Harley (too many fuckin' wannabe Harley guys around here, anyway) or anything that looks like a Harley. Lynn's Dad has a Yamaha that looks like a Harley, and while it's a nice bike, it's just not my cup of tea.

Many will tell you to go with a 600cc, but I think you should get a Ninja 250. They sell new for just under 3k IIRC. They can go on the highway and they handle very well.

Vert is a big fan of crotch rockets :bigthumb:

I agree with vert, The Kawi Ninja 250 is a sweet little bike. It handles great too. I have a ZX-6 and you dont want your wife on it.

I agree with vert, The Kawi Ninja 250 is a sweet little bike. It handles great too. I have a ZX-6 and you dont want your wife on it.

pretty much exactly what I was thinking.

Ninja 250's are fag bikes for total pussies.

I've ridden them, traded for them and sold them. They are anything but "sweet"

Look at some Suzuki SV650's or Bandit 600's.

Don't buy anything smaller than a 600. You'll regret it.

You're gonna have a hard time finding anything a girl a foot shorter than you is gonna fell comfortable on. It's a nice thought though. Do you also try to buy shoes that you can share?

Ninja 250's are fag bikes for total pussies.

I've ridden them, traded for them and sold them. They are anything but "sweet"

Look at some Suzuki SV650's or Bandit 600's.

Don't buy anything smaller than a 600. You'll regret it.

You're gonna have a hard time finding anything a girl a foot shorter than you is gonna fell comfortable on. It's a nice thought though. Do you also try to buy shoes that you can share?

Hey, it was her idea: "Maybe I'd like to ride it, too!"

Ninja 250's are fag bikes for total pussies.

I've ridden them, traded for them and sold them. They are anything but "sweet"

Look at some Suzuki SV650's or Bandit 600's.

Don't buy anything smaller than a 600. You'll regret it.

You're gonna have a hard time finding anything a girl a foot shorter than you is gonna fell comfortable on. It's a nice thought though. Do you also try to buy shoes that you can share?

Who the fuck rides SV650s? I work with a guy at Novurania that is a convicted child molester and HE rides one. See where Im going with this? Suzuki owners, child molesters....

Who the fuck rides SV650s? I work with a guy at Novurania that is a convicted child molester and HE rides one. See where Im going with this? Suzuki owners, child molesters....


Weak sauce.

I have a suzuki.

Honda Goldwing.

http://www.oliepeil.nl/archief/honda-goldwing-05-bikepics-482762.jpg
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/graphics/2001/06/09/mfhon1.jpg

Goldwing? :puke:

Thanks anyway.

Weak sauce.

I have a suzuki.


Im sorry. On a side note I bet you know in detail what the ass end of a Ninja looks like. :bigthumb:

I'd get a V-rod if I were in your position...

When I get back to the states I think I'm going to pick up a cheap ass DD (early 90's honda probably) and a bike. Course, I'm 24 and single, so it's probably be a 750cc crotch rocket.. gotta be able to keep up (to an extent) with my buddy on his busa.

get a buick

A Buick you say?

I don't remember being that tan....

Why a Buick? is it cheaper to buy/maintain/insure than a Japanese car, with better gas mileage? I've NEVER owned a Domestic vehicle, and pretty happy about that, lol.

i own a 2002 Buick Le sabre. a dreamy chassy system and great gas mileage if you drive it like grey hair people do.

What do you guys think of this?

http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/739975210.html

I think that's a little expensive for a '94. Especially on craigs list =P

With almost 20k on the clock don't bikes tend to depreciate?

Look for an R6 or an F4i, IMO.

SV1000s will do, too. At least in my case for all of the above.

I love Kawasakis though. Always have. I gotta say, some of the Buell bikes are bitchin' looking.

I don't want a Concours, even though it's a beautiful bike. It just screams "Fat Old Man Riding" when I look at it.

I want something that can be a bit sporty.

Look at it this way: I want a bike that is pretty forgiving, but that I can grow with as a rider. Anything 250 cc is a no. If I'm going to put me and my GF on it, it needs to be able to move. Ideally, I'd like to stay between 600 and 900 cc. If I found a great deal on something like that ZX-11 I put up, I'd go for it. The Buells I put up are 1200 cc, but I don't think they run quite like a 1200 cc sportbike.

Oh, and welcome back, Mark....


...for now anyway. ;)

I showed this one to my GF, she loves it. But, my mind isn't made up, and quite frankly, I'm gonna have to test ride all the contenders.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-BUELL-ULYSSES-XB12X-XB12-XB-1200-V-TWIN-SPORT-BIKE_W0QQitemZ180258867601QQihZ008QQcategoryZ6704Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



buy an older ZX-10, like early 90s....comfy bikes, but they look old

Did you see the ZX-11 I linked a couple posts up?? What do you think of that one?

With that kind of mileage, do I need to worry about anything? I know cars can go 100k, 200k miles, but isn't 19k pushing it for a bike?

http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/740345167.html

A buddy of mine in the Navy had one of these, but his was a 900. I remember watching him hand polish the frame for a week when he got it.

what's your budget? I've seen left-over brand new '07 ZX-10R's going for about $9000 or less http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/2007-KAWASAKI-ZX-10-92783979

I would like to keep it under $4k. We only have 4 or 5 months of riding weather per year, so I can't justify an expensive bike.

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/1999-Triumph-SPRINT-ST-89103330

Look out for second gear issues on older ZX Ninjas says the guy who needs to pull the motor and replace second as we speak. :(

Im sorry. On a side note I bet you know in detail what the ass end of a Ninja looks like. :bigthumb:


Not the back of any bench seated ZX6's I don't :)

Shiot... 93 ZX6 bored to a 636, 4 into 1 header with a D&D exhaust, Factory Stage 2 Jet Kit, Accel 8.8's, Factory +4 Ignition Advance.


I piss on a SV650. :)

So do I :)

What do you ride?

What do you ride?

Aside from the other guy in that pic he posted?

:owned:

Buell Blast= hella gay
ZZR= great bike... but doesnt meet your "comfortable for long rides" requirement

http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/739975210.html

The more I think about it, the more I really like this ZX-11.

:owned:

Dammit!

I have an '01 Gixxer 600

I'd whuppa dat Gixxer ass!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Jpcy2GZ1Q&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cMHuPPaNiE&NR=1

In all seriousness a Gix would out handle me and Im man enough to admit that.

probably not with me on it, lol.

1revnrex would be able to handle a Gix if you were on it with him?

83 CB1100F with either a dual or single headlight conversion.

http://www.digitalpizza.com/DSC02367.JPG

No, I just checked recent ads on craigslist in my price range.

I bought my Nighthawk from Craigslist. Was a good experience.

I sold my GTI on Craigslist. Horrible experience.

LOL:

http://providence.craigslist.org/car/735697250.html

I'm going to go and look at this just to see it.

And, I'm going to take my 'vert, just to make the guy feel bad. :D

I've been looking at a bike recently too... thought about the ninja/sport-bike equivalents... cost to insure those is ridiculous.

That being said, i've been seriously contemplating either a KTM enduro or KLR650.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Kawasaki-KLR650b.jpg

Me either, I live in FL.

I've been looking at a bike recently too... thought about the ninja/sport-bike equivalents... cost to insure those is ridiculous.

That being said, i've been seriously contemplating either a KTM enduro or KLR650.



never ridden the KTM, but I used to have a KLR 650 years ago...flat-out awesome ride. It took a ton of abuse and never left me stuck. I wish I never got rid of it...maybe I need to get back on one myself.

insurance on a sportbike isnt too bad here in cali. well for me at least. i pay like 107 a year for minimum coverage.

To Fatmike's Avatar:

"Zoom, zoom, zoom!"

lol i think i changed it after you wrote this haha. my bad.

i think most people want one just no money

I love motorcycle because I can go anywhere I want, no hassle. Its easy to drive on. I have one suzuki and one yamaha.