You have $2,500 to spend on a used bike. What do you buy?

[Juan1]

A GS-500 is not an acceptable answer.  We already pieced together that you like that bike.

Me?  I'm going with either a 2000 VFR800 or a ~2004 YZF-600r.  I like something I can do longer distance riding on, but with sport-bike power.

[BaltimoreGS]

CBR600, Katana, Bandit or Hawk GT.

-Jessie

[mattnes17]

CBR

[The Buddha]

The vfr800 is trash. The pivotless frame = bogus.
Dont like the YZF600 either.
My vote gos to the SV650 and its competition from kawi, the er 650/versys.
Else a 650 bandit if you can find one, or a 600 or a 1200 of old, or a 89-90 GSXR1100.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Barrie]

2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster Xl883, Cruiser in Lox, FL 33470
$2,750

[SAFE-T]

2005 YZF-R6

[yamahonkawazuki]

A GS-500 is not an acceptable answer.  We already pieced together that you like that bike.

Me?  I'm going with either a 2000 VFR800 or a ~2004 YZF-600r.  I like something I can do longer distance riding on, but with sport-bike power.

a gs500 WITH a gr650 conversion could be done with that money. that aside, i could see and i agree with your choices

[The Buddha]

Actually I'd slap a lot of Buell and dirt bike stuff onto a GR, GR motor in GS frame while it does look like it was made for each other, it oesn't get you a whole lot, its low effort, low reward, a GR with a buell tail, tank, dirt bike swingarm etc etc is also just as much work IMHO but the reward is a lot better.
Cool.
Buddha.

[cbrfxr67]

fuel injected something,....

[SS Adrenaline]

a sv650 or a gsf400 for me.

[Flux Maven]

I would get an older GSXR or, if I could find one in good condition, an FZR. Crazy 90s paint job is a must! None of that flat black spray paint to cover the scratches BS!

[bombsquad83]

If I could get a 650 versys for $2500 I might already have one.

[SAFE-T]

If I could find one in good condition, an FZR.

http://www.sportbikerider.us/Pics1/Yamaha-FZR600-1994.jpg

Yummy !

[mattnes17]

Is there absolutely no honda love on this forum???  haha

[Juan1]

If I could get a 650 versys for $2500 I might already have one.

x2.

[redhawkdancing]

Everyone agrees the pre-VTEC VFR is rock solid except Buddha!  of course, he may change his mind.  I seem to recall him not liking the kawi 650 in the past too!   ,

[SAFE-T]

If I didn't already have a VFR800 I would have said VFR, although I prefer the slightly lighter and more compact '94-'97 VFR750

[Juan1]

The one thing that scares me with VFR's is engine maintenance.  I don't want to have to budget 2 days to adjust my valve shims.  That said, they rarely fall out of spec.

[The Buddha]

Pre V-tec VFR ? is that pre 1999 ? I love those, they are the VFR750's. Yea maintenance is a pain though.

The ninja 650 is a completely overpriced POS on the new market. Same $ as the SV and steel frame sorry even a parallel twin vs V twin cant make up that gap. However used er650 are not selling for as much as the sv's of the same condition in spite of the sv's being in high supply. Booya, excellent deal, @ 1000 less than an sv its a steal. Or steel. Either way ... There is one around here for 3K in showroom condition, and the best part, its not green.

Cool.
Buddha.

[holyfighter117]

CBR600, Katana, Bandit or Hawk GT.

-Jessie

I own a Katana and i enjoy it very much. Its a bit heavier than the CBRs,GSXRs and etc, but it rides really nice and is (to me anyways) comfy on longer rides.