Given these choices of next bike, what would you choose?

[madjak30]

I am going to be getting a new bike for next season, but I can't decide between these four bikes...

Suzuki Bandit 1250S...



Suzuki Boulevard M90...



Suzuki V-Strom DL650...

Street version...



or Dirt version...



Yamaha MT-01...



I like all of these bikes for different reasons...the Bandit has the comfort and power, but lacks personality (kinda)...the Boulevard M90 has the style and sound, but you have to use caution in the corners...

The other two bikes are compromises...the V-Strom gives you the comfort and sportyness of the bandit, with a V-twin and dirt road ability thrown in for brownie points...the MT-01 has the attitude and personality to go with the comfort, power and v-twin sound (15L tank limits the range of the bike.)

Please give me your arm chair analysis and which one you would choose if it was your money...no option for two bikes...money and space is limited...

Thanks for your input...

Later.

[bill14224]

These bikes vary a lot.  Once you decide what kind of riding you want to do the answer will be clearer.  I know you said space is limited but I think the best thing to do is find the space so you can have an everyday street bike, a touring bike, and a dirt bike.  That way you have a bike for whatever you want to do.

If you're really strapped for space so you can only have one bike, I would get the V-Strom dirt version.  Then I would get an extra set of wheels so I had street tires and dirt tires.

[tt_four]

If you're really strapped for space so you can only have one bike, I would get the V-Strom dirt version.  Then I would get an extra set of wheels so I had street tires and dirt tires.

It looks like both bikes have the same wheels. I think the main difference is the lower fairing vs. the metal engine guard.

I second the recommendation to figure out what kind of riding you want to do. Your options are so completely varied that once you decide what you want to do, you should definitely know which bike you'd rather. If you do commuting/light touring, I'd go with the bandit. If you want comfort just to do some cruising I'd get the M90. If you want a lighter bike just to have some fun on, commute on, take some rough roads and aren't horribly concerned with HP, the v-strom would be good. If you just want an all around awesome bike that would be ok for touring, 2 up riding/cruising, and some sporty riding I really like the looks of the mt-01, but they're definitely a little heavy for the sporty side of things.

Let us know what kinda riding you think you spend most of your time doing. In my personal opinion, since that's what you've asked for....

1.  MT-01
2.  Bandit
3.  V-strom off road
4.  V-strom on road
5.  Boulevard

[tt_four]

Oh, and for what it's worth, I'm pretty sure my XB only has a 3.7 gallon tank, which is about the same size as the MT-01 and it doesn't really bug me. Doesn't help if you're looking for a touring bike but I stick around town and just fill up when my trip odometer hits 100 miles and don't give it a second thought. I've done the same thing since I was 17 and started riding on a 20 year old dual sport with a broken trip odometer. I would just fill up every time the normal odometer rolled over for another hundred. It works pretty well so I've just stuck with it ever since. I doubt the MT01 gets the same gas mileage my xb does, but still.

[mister]

At first I'm thinking.... sticking with Suzukis, eh. Then the MT01 makes an appearance.

Quick question.... why specifically the M90 and not, say, the M50 or another cruiser like the Triumph America? Cause New, the America is a little cheaper and 200# lighter than the M90. Sure, the engine is almost half the size, more like the M50, but the Boulevards are large bikes for what they are. The M50 being physically larger than the America, for instance.

Ok. So,with only the choices you gave and based on the riding I do...

1: Vstrom Street - larger tank, better mileage.
2: Bandit - smaller tank than #1, worse mileage, but if it was more comfortable to ride for an hour to hour and a half than they'd swap places.
3: Vstrom Dirt - no 3 cause I'd rather it over the last 2 but have no need for the Dirt kit instead of the street fairings
4: MT01 - would't even consider - don't like the look, don't need the size, pillions are screwed.
5: M90 - wouldn't even consider, but last cause it's heavier and physically larger so not suited to My riding or space requirements or mileage/range - and - any bike that has maneuverability issues is automatically out due to safety reasons.

See if you can take them all for a 30 minute test ride. Then get the one that's most comfortable and has no minor issue you think you'd get used to - you never get used to them and they turn into annoyances.

Michael

[madjak30]

Quick question.... why specifically the M90 and not, say, the M50 or another cruiser like the Triumph America? Cause New, the America is a little cheaper and 200# lighter than the M90. Sure, the engine is almost half the size, more like the M50, but the Boulevards are large bikes for what they are. The M50 being physically larger than the America, for instance.

The M50 and other cruisers in this bracket (Vulcan 900 Custom, Star 950) are only a small step up in performance compared to the GS500...and I weigh 275lbs, so my weight really affects the performance of smaller bikes.

That is my biggest concern about the V-Strom...the low torque numbers...yes it is 30% more than the GS, but I want significant/noticable performance increase.  The GS500 can go as fast as I want it to, unless there is strong winds or steep hills...then it falls flat...I want something that can pass at hiway speeds with authority.  Most of my riding is done on the hiway between 110-120kph (70-75mph), and I don't know if the smaller displacement engines will give me what I am looking for.

I have test rode the Bandit and the MT-01, both have no problem with power (I don't think that was ever in question)...but the MT-01 has some serious presence/attitude.  But the Bandit has the larger tank and the fuel range.  I haven't been able to test the V-Strom...the local dealer doesn't have any demos available...I also have not ridden the M90, but I did test the M50 and found it a little more powerful, but not mind blowing.

I really like the range available with the V-Strom, but worry about the power issue.  The MT-01 has the sound of the cruiser and lots of attitude, but the small tank makes me a little nervous.  I am leaning towards the Bandit since it is the mose versitile of the four bikes (the MT-01 has fittment issues with luggage and would need an aftermarket wind deflector of some kind)...but I think all four bikes would be a good choice for the riding that I do.  That's why I was asking for opinions.

Thanks for the input so far...lets keep it coming.

Later.

[tt_four]

Some of the 600s will have enough power for normal riding, but if most of what you're doing is on the highway you'd probably appreciate a little more. You could downshift to 3rd gear and really move, but when you're cruising on the highway it's much nicer to just twist the throttle, like you could on the bandit or MT01.

When you're talking about luggage, or you thinking for trips, or just highway commuting? I think the only thing you'd have a tough time with on the mt01 are saddle bags. You could still find a tail bag that would fit, and of course a tank bag. I like having everything I carry either on my tank so I can see it, or on my back so I can feel it. I'm nothing but paranoid when I have stuff strapped to the back seat because for all I know, it fell off 20 miles ago and scattered along the highway.

I just typed 'Yamaha mt-01 saddlebags' into google and came up with a lot of responses too. Looks like Ventura sells a bit of stuff for it.









As you can tell I really want you to get an MT-01, partly because I can't even get one in this country, and partly because even if we had them here, it will still be too big for my 150lb self.

Edit: checking out this picture makes the back seat look a lot better than what I had imagined, and as I read more about it it says that there's a fan under the back seat specifically to draw heat away from it, so it may not be all that bad. Who wants a passenger anyway? The first thing I did when I brought my new bike home was to pull the passenger pegs off.

[madjak30]

When you're talking about luggage, or you thinking for trips, or just highway commuting? I think the only thing you'd have a tough time with on the mt01 are saddle bags. You could still find a tail bag that would fit, and of course a tank bag. I like having everything I carry either on my tank so I can see it, or on my back so I can feel it. I'm nothing but paranoid when I have stuff strapped to the back seat because for all I know, it fell off 20 miles ago and scattered along the highway.



As you can tell I really want you to get an MT-01, partly because I can't even get one in this country, and partly because even if we had them here, it will still be too big for my 150lb self.

I'm thinking of carrying my rain gear...I feel the same about strapping crap to the back of the bike, who knows if it is still there...so I end up reaching back every couple of minutes or so...I was looking for the soft saddle bags, but the Ventura rack might do it...doesn't look so dorky...

I really want the MT-01, but like I stated, I have a couple of concerns...fuel range (if I take the back road, who knows where the fuel stations are?), and where to put my rain gear (I am thinking that a tank bag might do)...the Bandit just makes it easier...but I don't think I want to make the sensible choice, I always do that and end up kicking myself...and the MT-01 is quite comfortable, even though it doesn't look it...

I have to say that when I took the MT-01 for a test ride, I had a stupid grin on my face the whole time, and when I rolled on the throttle on the hiway...giggling   

Later.

[Twisted]

I would go with the Bandit if I was in your situation. Parts would be so more readily available and cheaper if (heaven forbid) anything goes wrong with or you drop your bike as compared to a bike that is a grey import. (The MT01 is in your country isn't it?) Have you checked parts availability and servicing costs yet?

Who cares if the Bandit doesn't have personality. If it is the bike that you feel most comfortable on, it will be the bike you will enjoy riding. You can always give it some personality with a few aftermarket upgrades here and there which I dare say you would have more options to do than say the MT01. A decent aftermarket pipe and can on the Bandit and you will be grinning and giggling pulling out on to the highway too i bet. I reckon they're beasts   Just like the GS they've been around for a fair few years now so they must be doing something right. Yeh I know this sounds sensible and not what you want to hear but you still may end up kicking yourself if you choose the non sensible bike too.

Good luck with it  

[thecdn]

As I own a V-Strom 650, guess what gets my vote? 

Of course the Strom doesn't come in either a 'street' or 'dirt' version, it is what you make it. I really like the look of the street version, the lower fairing pieces are aftermarket extras but it looks much better than my black and silver 04.

The Bandit would be second choice, good riding position, pretty good looks, good function.

The other bikes do nothing for me.

[tt_four]

and where to put my rain gear (I am thinking that a tank bag might do)...

That's definitely important to me. Not important enough to choose a bike without trunk storage, but it's still super convenient to have. My Triumph didn't have a ton, but there was just enough room to roll up some rain pants and tuck them under the seat, plus have some room for other things. It took me a week to even figure out how to fit my bungee net under the seat of my XB, and that's taking into account that it only has 3 hooks on it instead of the normal 6. I've always been ridiculously jealous of the truck space you get with an SRAD gsxr. It's like having a bookbag built into your bike. I've gotten used to riding with a bag, I barely even notice it anymore. It would be nice to at least have room for my phone, an underarmor shirt, and maybe one other thing, but instead I just jam everything into my jacket pockets.

[ohgood]

+1 for the vstrom.

the others are meh.

why not a klr 650 or a beemer ? maybe a burgman ? scooter trash is getting hi powered nowadays.

[madjak30]

I would go with the Bandit if I was in your situation. Parts would be so more readily available and cheaper if (heaven forbid) anything goes wrong with or you drop your bike as compared to a bike that is a grey import. (The MT01 is in your country isn't it?) Have you checked parts availability and servicing costs yet?

Who cares if the Bandit doesn't have personality. If it is the bike that you feel most comfortable on, it will be the bike you will enjoy riding. You can always give it some personality with a few aftermarket upgrades here and there which I dare say you would have more options to do than say the MT01. A decent aftermarket pipe and can on the Bandit and you will be grinning and giggling pulling out on to the highway too i bet. I reckon they're beasts  Just like the GS they've been around for a fair few years now so they must be doing something right. Yeh I know this sounds sensible and not what you want to hear but you still may end up kicking yourself if you choose the non sensible bike too.

Good luck with it 

The MT-01 was imported by Yamaha Canada, so I don't have the same issues as I would if I lived in the States...and it may be more expensive to repair the Bandit with the half faring, than the naked MT-01.

I think I have really narrowed it down to the Bandit and the MT-01, so personality does play into it...and no matter what you do to the Bandit, it will never have the attitude of the MT-01.  It is raw and in your face...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5CxnmIy618&feature=more_related


It's one of those things you either love, or hate...I'm in the love it camp...

That doesn't mean the Bandit doesn't have its advantages...smoother engine, mirrors that can see past your arms, luggage is more easily found, much better fuel range...

As for being comfortable, I found the MT-01 just as comfortable as the Bandit, maybe even more so...32.5" seat height on the MT-01, 31.7" seat height on the Bandit.  And your right, I could end up kicking myself for sticking my neck out and getting the attitude bike, but I won't be second guessing myself as per usual.

@thecdn:  I like both of the versions of the DL650, but I don't think it will have enough power for me...

@tt_four:  there is absolutely no storage under the seat...I popped the seat to check, I don't even think I could put my i-Pod touch under there...??

[Caffeine]

I had my Wee-Strom for 3 years and 14,000 trouble-free miles.  There is a lot to like about it.  225 miles before you hit reserve...the range on a tank of gas is mind-blowing!  It is zippy enough and will happily do 90mph without straining.   There are a huge number and variety of luggage & box options, and changing the oil couldn't possibly be faster or easier!  You will likely need a taller windshield and Madstad bracket.   I can't really say anything bad about the Wee.

But I did just trade the Wee in on an '05 Bandit 1200 (carbureted version).  Overall, the bike is a bit less practical, but I bought it more for the grin factor.   And it gives LOTS of grins!  Lacks personality?   I think naked bikes are sexy as hell, but that's just my opinion.   It does get lots of compliments, and it doesn't look like every other CBR or Gixxer on the road.   But I've put less than 500 miles on it, so I can't really say what it's like on long trips.   The gearbox shifts very quickly and smoothly, and the bike really feels like the tires are connected to the road surface.   I love it so far!

I would go with the Wee or the Bandit.  Think about what kind of riding you will be doing and what you want out of the bike.   Do you want an economical Swiss Army knife?   Go with the Wee.  

[Twisted]

[/quote]

The MT-01 was imported by Yamaha Canada, so I don't have the same issues as I would if I lived in the States...and it may be more expensive to repair the Bandit with the half faring, than the naked MT-01.

[/quote]

Do they sell the naked Bandits over there?

[madjak30]

Do they sell the naked Bandits over there?

Yup, those are supposed to be coming for the 2011 models, but it isn't the styling that I don't like...it is mostly the sound...I know, kinda shallow, but I just don't care...I couldn't decide between the M90 and the Bandit...the cruiser for the sound, and the Bandit for the power and cornering...then I found the MT-01...



Later.

[tt_four]

I know it's not a necessary either, but USD forks like you get on the MT-01 really make a bike seem a lot classier to me. That's always one of the first things I check out when I look at other bikes.

[madjak30]

I think I have figured out the range anxiety issue...I will get the Ventura parcel shelf, and carry a 5L gerry can on touring rides  ...a tank bag and a back pack should be enough for my crap...

I think I may have a bike to buy...

Now I just have to convince the wife that we need a couple of dirt bikes for me and the kids, and I am golden...

Hey, a guy can dream can't he...

Later.

[tt_four]

Just paint the can black, or find a nice black container that gas won't eat through and you'll be set. I don't take many trips, but when I do I'm always tempted to get a small(20oz-1 liter) bottle to hold gas in to stash somewhere, just incase. I've never taken the time to look around and see what kind of bottle I could use. Not sure if a nalgene or sigg bottle or something simple like that would do.

[madjak30]

I never thought of that, you could go to the camping supply store and pick up a camp stove fuel container to carry the extra gas...might be a plan. 

I just got back from a ride on my GS, and I still enjoy riding it.  I'm going to have a hard time justifying a less efficient and smaller tank bike...I sometimes wonder if I would be happy just keeping the little Suzuki.      Or maybe just getting the V-Strom DL650, same mileage with a bigger tank and more leg room...

This is why I don't just run out and buy it...but in reality, my ride today was only 150kms...I should be able to get 200kms on the MT-01 before the low fuel light and counter start.  Maybe I'm worrying about nothing...

Naaah...disreguard this whole post...I'll just get the bike I want, and make it work...

Hey...ya think I'm bi-polar or something...??     I'll have to make up my mind one of these days...

Later.