Street Motorcycles

[sherpa]

The 95 Honda VLX 600 weighs 408 pounds with a seat height of 26.4 inches lowest setting.
The Yamaha XT225 dual sport weighs 238 pounds with a seat height of 31.9 inches. (Half price insurance for less than 300cc engine)
sherpa

 

[Car Doc]

No, they weren't making any of those back then, 1974, mine was a 250 Enduro; two stroke on/off road.

That brings back fond memory's- Yamaha 250 Enduro! I had a beautiful like new maroon 1971 DT1 for 20 years I rode that thing everywhere. Man do I kick myself for letting my brother talk me into selling it to him and it still ran perfect and looked like new. Those things go for 3-4 grand in ride able shape on ebay now days not that I would sell it just sayin what a following they have.

 

[TripleR]

That brings back fond memory's- Yamaha 250 Enduro! I had a beautiful like new maroon 1971 DT1 for 20 years I rode that thing everywhere. Man do I kick myself for letting my brother talk me into selling it to him and it still ran perfect and looked like new. Those things go for 3-4 grand in ride able shape on ebay now days not that I would sell it just sayin what a following they have.

Yeah, I wish I had hung onto mine too, but you know how that goes.

I sold mine and bought an Ossa Explorer 250 which I did manage to keep. I haven't been able to ride it in years, but if I put some premix in it, I guarantee it would start right up. A few years after I bought it new, I bought a spare parts bike for when the motor went out; never needed it.

 

[BrandonR]

Motorcycles are not less expensive to commute on than an economy car because bikes burn through consumables (like tires) faster and the fuel economy (for anything bigger than a 250) is not much better.

 

[SanDucerro]

I despise cruisers (but I'm fine if you have one - just not me). My suggestion for the OP is a Kawasaki Ninja 650R. This is NOT a supersport, but rather a UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle). It has an upright riding position, a 650cc engine, gets 50 plus mpg (pretty much however you ride it), and it will go like stink if you want it to. Top speed is 130ish, quarter mile is in the 12's, has full fairings for a bit more wind protection, and it's a GREAT all around bike - good beginner bike as well. These have been made since 2006 and there are a ton of them out there at under $3000.

I bought one of these for myself when my wife decided she would like to start riding (bought her a Kawasaki Vulcan 500). I've been riding since I was 15, so I've had just about everything under the sun at one time or the other. The 605R was one of the better bikes I've ever owned.

The wife out grew the Vulcan 500, switched to a Kawasaki Mean Streak (at 1600cc BTW), and I moved over to a Suzuki Hayabusa - but we kept the 650R as a "back up" bike. She's since sold the Mean Streak and taken over the 650R - which I've lowered for her (she's only 5'4") and now she commutes 25 miles into Houston on a fairly regular basis. She loves the bike.

 

[stuckmotor]

TripleR and oldnslow,
Your input is very helpful, thank you for your answers. I may just stick with the moped, it's nice to be able to carry a 50# salt block on the floor board and hall more cargo on a milk crate on the back.

 

[Piston]

I'm glad to see some other dual sporter's out there! I'm riding a KTM 640 enduro (took it on a 4,000mi trip, over 2,500 of that was all offroad/dirt) and it beats the heck out of my Harley Heritage softail that I had. I'll never have another Harley again.

Regarding the 250cc cruisers, my wife bought a Hyosung 250 cruiser, it gets insane mileage and is actually sort of fun to ride. I wouldn't spend much more than 5 mins on the highway though, for a commuter.

You can pick up a good used SV650 (Suzuki) for around 3 grand, it would probably be in really good shape as well, they dont' hold their value at all.

Look into the Kawi Ninja 250's as well. This year they replaced them with fuel injected 300, those have really good reviews for cheap prices.

I certainly wouldn't recommend commuting on a bike, unless your doing it because you love bikes. :thumbsup:

Notice the tank on my wife's Hyosung.

 

[Bird]

I'm surprised I haven't seen scooters mentioned in this thread. I know "scooters" used to be small, slow, etc. but not anymore. I have an older neighbor who works at the Peterbilt factory and he rides a big Honda. And I have nephew who rides a Yamaha motorcycle, but his dad (my brother) who is 67 has one of Yamaha's biggest scooters. They make some fairly long day trips together. You know those things weigh nearly 500 pounds and will do about 100 mph.

 

[Piston]

BMW also just came out with another scooter. Some of them are nice, but they're also pretty pricey. I just don't see the advantage of a scooter over a regular motorcycle. I can't see anything they're better at .

 

[Bird]

BMW also just came out with another scooter. Some of them are nice, but they're also pretty pricey. I just don't see the advantage of a scooter over a regular motorcycle. I can't see anything they're better at .

Convenience. I grew up driving manual transmission cars and trucks, but I drive automatics now. And while those big scooters are pricey, they're not as expensive as a motorcycle with a comparable seat and comfort. I haven't ridden one of them myself, but the seats on the big Honda scooter look as good, if not better, than the seats on the big Honda motorcycle.

I didn't know BMW made a scooter. My last motorcycle was the BMW R80RT; nice little around town bike, but not in the same class as the full dress Honda Goldwing. I left Dallas about 1 a.m. one morning and rode to Colorado Springs in one day; not a bad trip. But when I returned, I left Colorado Springs about 7:30 a.m., rode up Pike's Peak, and then home; didn't get in until after midnight. That wouldn't have been too bad either if it hadn't been that about 300 miles of that trip were in a downpour; heavy rain, thunder, and lightning.:laughing:

Dallas to Bremen, GA, in one day was a much more pleasant trip on the Aspencade, even pulling a trailer behind it.

 

[TripleR]

I'm glad to see some other dual sporter's out there! I'm riding a KTM 640 enduro (took it on a 4,000mi trip, over 2,500 of that was all offroad/dirt) and it beats the heck out of my Harley Heritage softail that I had. I'll never have another Harley again.

Regarding the 250cc cruisers, my wife bought a Hyosung 250 cruiser, it gets insane mileage and is actually sort of fun to ride. I wouldn't spend much more than 5 mins on the highway though, for a commuter.

You can pick up a good used SV650 (Suzuki) for around 3 grand, it would probably be in really good shape as well, they dont' hold their value at all.

Look into the Kawi Ninja 250's as well. This year they replaced them with fuel injected 300, those have really good reviews for cheap prices.

I certainly wouldn't recommend commuting on a bike, unless your doing it because you love bikes. :thumbsup:

Notice the tank on my wife's Hyosung.

View attachment 310274

View attachment 310275

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Very nice bikes.:thumbsup:

 

[Car Doc]

No comment. :laughing:

 

[Rayster]

'95 FXST, raked with a built EVO. I don't care for the computer scooters any more.

 

[Rayster]

'95 FXST, raked with a built EVO. I don't care for the computer scooters any more.

View attachment 310298

A few more years and I'll go back to a "geezer glide".

 

[scesnick]

At that price point you are gonna be limited. I would suggest a KLR 650. check this one out. I live in your basic area and found this one...

Sale Pending: 2005 Kawasaki KLR 650 Dual sport

 

[Car Doc]

It is getting deeper. :laughing:

 

[DK35vince]

I think a Suzuki V-Strom 650 or a Kawasaki Versys would work well for you.
Can be found reasonably priced, get decent gas mileage, reliable, and fun.
Snap some luggage on and use it to get to work on the weekdays. Pop the luggage off and have fun tearing it up on the backroads and twisties on the weekend.
Personally I'm not into the 800lb cruisers with 2 inches of suspension travel

 

[MIKE7639]

Let me start by saying that I currently ride a 2010 HD Fatboy and my wife rides a 2012 HD Street Glide. Great bikes but both are gas hogs.

That said, the best bikes we ever owned -- bar none -- were a pair of Honda CN-250 Helix 250cc scooters. I had a 1997 and my wife had a 2002 model. I'm 6'1" and 250 lbs and could maintain 60 mph no problem. My wife at 5'7" and 130 lbs could easily maintain 70 mph. Turbulence is what it is but those bikes got great mileage, were 100% reliable, and had no clutch -- just twist the throttle and go. Not the bike to ride if you are trying to project an image but if you (like me) just don't give a darn what other's think of your mode of transportation they are hard to beat. I rode mine from 1997-2010 as a daily commuter without a single trip to the shop. Oil changes and one belt change was all it took. Wish I could say that about my HD motorcycles.

 

[Wagtail]

After reading this thread, no one has mentioned a Maxi-Scooter. I used to (retired now) regularly commute on my Suzuki Burgman 400cc. There are many advantages to these bikes which may fit your situation.

A 'Maxi' is not your standard scooter. They have a longer wheel-base = stability, more power for the highway (I have never had a problem maintaining 110kph + heaps of passing power) and they are CVT automatic. That means that they are 'twist & go' = less to worry about gears & braking and more time to watch the "tin-tops" that are ALL out to get you. (Sorry, "tin-tops" are what we Aussies bikers call cars).

You also ride these Maxis as you would a cruiser. I call mine my Lounge Chair On Wheels. The petrol tank & motor are low, again this equals great stability. I replaced the factory windscreen with a larger GIVI screen which actually wraps the wind around me and 'hits' me on my back. Under the seat is a huge, lockable, boot (what you would call a trunk) that has the capacity for 2 full-face helmets. If you're commuting there's plenty of room for all of your wet weather gear + a briefcase/backpack.

Give it a go. There are many makes of Maxi Scooters out there. Piagio/Gillari (yes, the Vespa people) have a 500cc 3 wheel version (2 up front) that is incredibly stable!

 

[arrow]

I went cross country twice on a Yamaha 650. My wife rides her Yami 1100 and is the bike we load up with all the camping stuff. I never had a problem with trucks and got as high as 57 mpg. My wife's bike did mid 40's. You can pick up a 650 made in the early 2000's for lesss than $2500. They go forever and 25000 miles is nothing on these.