Upgrade bike decision time once again...

[Mk1inCali]

So, I'm again reaching the point of being completely fed up with having a truck I never drive, a GS500 that is cramped for anything longer than 20 min drive, and lots of guitars/amps laying around un-used.


Thus, I post and ask whether I should get a motard or an SV or a Monster of some sort.  I'm halfway thru the first 4 years of college, I have covered and underground parking that is locked for my bike, I haven't touched my guitar gear in months, and I only use a motorcycle to commute to work about 8 miles each way or when I am headed out to a friend's house near the beach so we can go party and I won't try to ride my bicycle back home drunk.

SVS vs Monster vs YZF426 motard.

[ignoreance]

Go with the duck.

[aplitz]

Motard, no contest.  Do it Tony.

[pantablo]

the duck will probably fit you better. teh 'tard will probably only be good for the 8 mile commute, and canyons. I dont think the svs is any more roomier than the gs. You'd have to try it on.

[Stephen072774]

Motard, no contest.  Do it Tony.

yes... the motard is the way to go... the perfect commuter

[Egaeus]

The SVS feels like you're trying to do a colonoscopy with your heels.

[Mk1inCali]

I'm leaning towards motard, I see them every once in a while down here in San Diego, and I guess it's a throw-back to my earlier days of racing motocross, but I like standing up while riding, and I hate how I have to hunch over, trying to stand on the GS.  Plus, I know the 426 insides like the back of my hand (sort of, I helped rebuild my cousin's 400 once and we checked the valves on my dad's 426), so there is a lot more familiarity there than with either the SV, which I have no experience with, or the Duc.

My dad has owned 2 Duc's, killed an older 900SS SP off with a deer, and now he's got ~17K on an ST2.

He checked it out, and since I'm still at school, he'll continue to pay the insurance on whatever I get next, which makes this whole thing possible (and yes, I understand how much of a lucky SOB I am), and an '03 SV would be 380/yr, an '03 M620 would be 850/yr and I know the motard would be rediculously cheap since we had them insured back while we were racing weekly.

Basically just need to get my truck sold or traded towards a motard now...

[dynamic213]

Duck all the way! I've owned a 00' M750, and now a 01' M900Sie and they are a great all around bike. Plenty of low-end torque and great handling once you have your suspension dialed in.

[Jake D]

The SVS is a torture rack.  Kind of why I got rid of mine.

I'd get the Duc (or a Super Hawk). 

[Mk1inCali]

Well, I am 6'6...so what I remember of the Duc is a smaller feeling bike than the GS is, but that was before I got the GS, so it's been a long time since I've planted my ass on one.


I'll have to see what insurance will be for a motard, and what I find for trades for my truck.  Hopefully somebody will just buy it outright.

[CirclesCenter]

Hmmmm......

What about a KAwi Z1000?

[ukchickenlover]

Hmmmm......

What about a KAwi Z1000?

I want one of them, but I need more money first. They look super cool.

[LizardQueen]

What about a Suzuki V-Strom (DL650)? It's a twin (same engine as the SV), it's a dual sport that is much more aimed at road riding than off-road, and it's taller than SV or Monster. Seat height is about 33 inches.

I'm 5'10" with a 34 inch inseam and I could barely get my feet down when I sat on one at the dealer.  Getting on it was sort of like climbing on a horse too  .

They have a lot of plastic on them but with you being that tall it may be just the ticket for you.

LQ

[Affschnozel]

Tard it!      I mean motard it!
I am thinking of DR650SE conversion,it's not comfy for long rides but it's got enough power and speed on highway
and so much fun around town

[RedShift]

I'm 6'4" and agree with LQ that the DL650 is rather roomy for the vertically gifted.  I also found there was a lot of plastic on it, and I'm still not sure it's on the list for me.

I was recently impressed with the Kawasaki Z750S.  It's got high bars, lots of wind protection, and I felt rather comfortable on it.  Never rode or know anyone who owns one, but that's where on-line forums are for.

Choosing is hell, but with the right choice under you, there are nothing but smiles.   

[Dr. Love]

MSRP $7,499
Link http://www.husqvarnausa.com/2006/06_SM610.html
Big enough for highway work, comfortable enough for commute... 

[CirclesCenter]

DL650 / DL1000 ARE FREAKING HUGE

If you're a tall boy these are the ticket though!

[Mk1inCali]

Might look at the DL closer, but that new of a bike would be pretty spendy on insurance and I'd like to keep it cheaper.  Z1K is a cool bike, but too much money for insurance for me...I'm only 21...and too big for lanesplitting/thrashing around San Diego's beach roads.

No way I'll have the cash for a Husqy, and I'd go DRZ400SM before a Husqy too...


Couple of motards on the SD CL now as well, we'll see...Dad said we could throw the GS towards a trade of some sort as well, so I've got ~2K more to work with than I thought previously.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

d4

[Alphamazing]

Might look at the DL closer, but that new of a bike would be pretty spendy on insurance and I'd like to keep it cheaper.  Z1K is a cool bike, but too much money for insurance for me...I'm only 21...and too big for lanesplitting/thrashing around San Diego's beach roads.

No way I'll have the cash for a Husqy, and I'd go DRZ400SM before a Husqy too...

I'm 19. Insurance for the Z1000 for me is $243/year, minimum liability.