So, I saw one of these at the dealership.

[yamahonkawazuki]

I'd love a 350-450 twin that is well made - atleast GS like, has nice beefy components, aluminum frame, water cooling and fuel injection. Now we have come to the point in technology that FI is cheaper than carbs. They have to put a nice tight non oil  burning motor together and the rest they can mass produce, I'd settle for a early 00's or somehting similar GSXR frame with a 400 twin water cooled FI motor, nice light 110X140-150 tars with 15/16 inch wheels. A 100 mpg 100 mph commuter/beginner bike. Sorta scaled down and less crappy version of an ex500 if you will.

250's could be fine, but I dont like bikes we rev to the moon. I think a 11k redline is plenty, and 45hp is plenty and 375 lb soaking wet is about what it should weigh. A updated GS, I really think if they had the horizon of the GS - 22 year production run for it, it can be done. Heck I'd parts bin it with the GS. The old GS in fact, Just make an aluminum frame, or parts bin it wiht an early 00's GSXR

Cool.
Buddha.

well theres always royal enfield. something the indians DIDNT mess up. still seems to be a decent ride. had the chinese got their grubby paws on it, youd spend 2 mos gettign the lead shot out of it

[The Buddha]

The royal enfield is a single and 100% the opposite of what I am envisioning.
The joke is, its the royal oil field. That freaking thing is a guzzler, nothing modern about it.
OK fine its 00's metallurgy and 50's design, like the last 1/2 of the 20th century doesn't exist.
Thanks.
Srinath.

[madjak30]

We have the answer in Canada...kinda...

Kawasaki Ninja 400R



ENGINE

Type  4-stroke, Parallel Twin
Displacement  399cc
Bore and Stroke  68.4 x 54.3 mm
Cooling  Liquid
Compression Ratio  11.0:1
Valve System  DOHC, 8 valves

Fuel System 

Digital fuel injection with two 34 mm Keihin throttle bodies
Ignition  Digital
Lubrication  Forced lubrication (semi-dry sump)

DRIVETRAIN

Transmission  6-speed cassette, with positive neutral finder
Final Drive  Sealed Chain
Primary Reduction Ratio  2.095 (88/42)
Gear Ratio: 1st  3.000 (42/14)
Gear Ratio: 2nd  2.167 (39/18)
Gear Ratio: 3rd  1.640 (41/25)
Gear Ratio: 4th  1.360 (34/25)
Gear Ratio: 5th  1.192 (31/26)
Gear Ratio: 6th  1.040 (26/25)
Final Reduction Ratio  3.067 (46/15)
Clutch  Wet multi-disc, manual

FRAME

Type  Diamond, high-tensile steel
Wheel Travel: Front  120 mm (4.7 in.)
Tire: Front  120/70-ZR17
Wheel Travel: Rear  125 mm (4.9 in.)
Tire: Rear  160/60-ZR17
Caster (Rake)  25°
Trail  106 mm (4.2 in.)
Steering Angle (Left/Right)  35º / 35º

SUSPENSION

Suspension, Front  41 mm hydraulic telescopic fork
Suspension, Rear  Single offset laydown shock with adjustable spring preload

BRAKES

Front: Type  Dual 300 mm petal discs
Front: Calipers  2-piston calipers
Rear: Type  Single 220 mm petal disc
Rear: Caliper  Single-piston caliper

DIMENSIONS

Overall Length  2,100 mm (82.7 in.)
Overall Width  760 mm (29.9 in.)
Overall Height  1,200 mm (47.2 in.)
Wheelbase  1,410 mm (55.5 in.)
Ground Clearance  145 mm (5.7 in.)
Seat Height  790 mm (31.1 in.)
Curb Mass**  203 kg (448 lbs.)
Fuel Capacity  15.5 litres (3.4 gal.)
Fuel Consumption  TBA

** Includes all necessary materials and fluids to operate correctly, full tank of fuel (more than 90% of capacity) and tool kit (if supplied)

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Power‡  32 kW {44 PS} @ 9,500 rpm
Maximum Torque‡  37 N·m {3.8 kgf·m} @ 7,500 rpm

Should meet most requirements...this is where I would have started but it wasn't available a few years ago...

This isn't the bike for Mary (no weight savings), but it would be a nice bike to get in place of the GS...just sayin' 

Later.

[yamahonkawazuki]

id say the cbr will be perfect for her needs. except one concern she mentioned. its ergos. suck ass. not made to be comfy. its a diet litre bike. same ergos pretty much. not comfy for someone in good health. let alone whats ailin her.

[mister]

Interestingly, I saw a pic of an XJR400 today... 53hp, twin front rotors, ohlins rear suspension, 20 liter tank, I want...



Michael

[yamahonkawazuki]

agreed. mister i DO like that one

[madjak30]

Don't get too excited yama...we won't see that here...it won't sell without farings...very few naked bikes make it here without having a "name brand"...Ducati gets away with it, Aprillia too...but Yamaha 

Too many possers here...buying a bike because of how you look next too it...we miss out on a lot of very nice bikes because of them... 

Later.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Don't get too excited yama...we won't see that here...it won't sell without farings...very few naked bikes make it here without having a "name brand"...Ducati gets away with it, Aprillia too...but Yamaha 

Too many possers here...buying a bike because of how you look next too it...we miss out on a lot of very nice bikes because of them... 

Later.

very true. kinda prefer the naked bikes myself. but i guess im in the minority Eh?

[scratch]

Yes, we are.

[SAFE-T]

It's freaking COLD here. All the time. Even summer temps are often only 15-20 C (59 -68 F) most days. A naked bike is also a cold bike at 100 km/h (60 mph). I had a couple of different non-faired bikes over the years and you only have to get stuck in the rain when it's about 9C (48F) ONCE to understand the benefits of a good fairing in terms of keeping you warmer and drier.

[mister]

Unfortunately, the XJR 400 is not available in Australia either - unless it's a grey import.

Michael

[yamahonkawazuki]

The royal enfield is a single and 100% the opposite of what I am envisioning.
The joke is, its the royal oil field. That freaking thing is a guzzler, nothing modern about it.
OK fine its 00's metallurgy and 50's design, like the last 1/2 of the 20th century doesn't exist.
Thanks.
Srinath.

i considered it a good bike before the indians took over. for a while i was writing it of as an offering from chinabikers.com. it has improved i will admit. modern no. old design etc. maybe newer metals. but in marys case, could we suggest something as nimble or more so than our beloved gs?, and cheaper too. i hadto push mine up my driveway. TRIED. well was successful, but second time i did that, along wiht my harley, i used the ramp, went thru yard and onto porch. but stil neither one is easy. keep in mind her condition. she can elaborate on that if she wishes, but main thing is, physical exertion, at the least will cause significant pain. at worst, well, hospitalisation. mary maybe that cbr and mod hte handlebars, to be more like hte gs'?, hell you could sell its handlebars to someone here for a project? just a thought but risers on that biek would alter it slightly. maybe enough to make it comfy

[SAFE-T]

The manufacturer's specs put the CBR250 at 359 lbs, and the GS500F at 380lbs.

Not a lot of weight savings there 

[Paulcet]

^^^ I believe that's the CBR wet weight vs the GS dry weight.

[yamahonkawazuki]

It's freaking COLD here. All the time. Even summer temps are often only 15-20 C (59 -68 F) most days. A naked bike is also a cold bike at 100 km/h (60 mph). I had a couple of different non-faired bikes over the years and you only have to get stuck in the rain when it's about 9C (48F) ONCE to understand the benefits of a good fairing in terms of keeping you warmer and drier.

even on warm days it gets chilly goin naked. i used a windshield on ym gs' collection. sometimes used chaps too. or if i had to ride in 20f weather id put trash bags inside pant legs. works wonders, ka a poor mans thermal undies