GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: CanadianGS on July 20, 2005, 10:31:35 AM

Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: CanadianGS on July 20, 2005, 10:31:35 AM
I just wanna say that I love the GS and this Forum! :) Everyone here is so helpful and nice.  And funny at times :cheers: .  But the thing is that I have to upgrade.  The GS is fun, especially for a first bike, but I plan to get another bike over the winter.  The thing is, I have tendinitos in both arms and cannot handle the pressure sportbikes like nija's puton them.  So what are my options?  I don't like the look of most naked bikes, and they seem to be the only ones with acceptable handlebars.  What other bikes have a more upright position, are still sporty, and more power with fairings?  Please....ne advice would be appreciated!
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: conflicttheorist on July 20, 2005, 10:56:51 AM
YZF?
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: raylarrabee on July 20, 2005, 11:05:15 AM
If you want to stick with Suzuki, try the V-Strom.  It's suzuki's "Sport Enduro Tourer," which I think is designed as a poor man's BMW GS1150R.  Upright seating position, 1/2 fairing, and plenty of get-up-and-go.  

Not sure about the current model year, but 2002-2004, I believe there was a 650cc model (same engine as the SV) and a 100cc model (engine from the TL1000).

Reviews I've read say the Vstrom is a good tourer or highway bike, and that the seating position is much more upright.

Here's a page with links to reviews of both the 1000 and 650:
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/VStrom.html
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: Mountaineer on July 20, 2005, 11:35:37 AM
'65 BSA Lightning.
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: GT Eye on July 20, 2005, 12:03:04 PM
Don't they make risers for sportbikes?
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: Roadstergal on July 20, 2005, 12:20:23 PM
K75.
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: oppy00 on July 20, 2005, 02:52:57 PM
What about the FZ-6 it is half faired with traditional, read GS-like, bars.  I-4 with plenty of get-up and go.  The seat is a little higher than I would like, but I've never been called a tall man.

Or, if you have money...
Ducati Multistrada,or Triumph Sprint ST, Honda ST1300, Yam FJR 1300.

Or, if you are a senior citizen...
Honda Gold-Wing, which by the way is actually pretty durn fast, and handles well considering it is bigger than my car.  Plus if the weather is bad you can roll up the windows and turn on the AC. :lol:
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: AgentNitz on July 20, 2005, 03:03:25 PM
QuoteOr, if you are a senior citizen...
Honda Gold-Wing, which by the way is actually pretty durn fast, and handles well considering it is bigger than my car. Plus if the weather is bad you can roll up the windows and turn on the AC.

LOL. how bout the VFR's? i think they're more sporty than touring, but I find em to be veeeery comfy. Might be worth checkin out
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: Faxxxy on July 20, 2005, 04:11:37 PM
Dodge Tomahawk
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: Caffeine on July 20, 2005, 04:55:37 PM
How about a Ninja with apehangers?  I keed.  I was going to suggest the V-Strom.
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: RedShift on July 20, 2005, 05:49:01 PM
Quote from: oppy00What about the FZ-6 it is half faired with traditional, read GS-like, bars.  I-4 with plenty of get-up and go.  The seat is a little higher than I would like, but I've never been called a tall man. ...
I think you're in the right ball park with the Yamaha FZ-6.  When I sat on one it felt like the GS500's bigger brother -- much less aggressive than the SV650S but similar styling and more power to boot.

You might also sit on the V-Strom's -- the DL650 in particular.

If you're flush with green, head to a BMW dealership.  A lot to choose from with upright seating.
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: RedShift on July 20, 2005, 05:53:41 PM
... Oh, and if you ever make it to Toronto, head over to McBride Cycle (http://www.mcbridecycle.com/index.html) on Dundas St. West.  One-stop shopping on all the bikes I mentioned.
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: sys49152 on July 20, 2005, 06:13:23 PM
You might also want to consider the Z750.  I think they now offer a partially faired version (although I personally think that the seat style and lack of fairing make the naked look better).
Title: Help! Need Advice on A New Bike
Post by: mjm on July 20, 2005, 07:09:06 PM
Quote from: GT EyeDon't they make risers for sportbikes?

Check the small ads in the back pages of Cycle or Motorcyclist - there are several companies that make products to raise the bars on sportbikes.

For bikes with standard bars there are a lot of options.

For some bikes (like the SV650 & SV650S you have the option of buying factory parts for sister bikes like the 650 VStrom (top triple, top plate, brake line, clutch cable) and mounting standard bars on the sportier version - this was actually recommended in a recent article for someone with just your problem