Quote from: Roadstergal

Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXI'm sorry, but the Burgman is not hot. I saw them at the Zuke dealership and was wondering who would ride one of those. I pictured a big, fat, old man cruising it. Which, now that I think about it, sorta rules  

I would LOVE to be able to borrow one for a track day.  Hanging off of one of those...

I see a ton of businessmen riding that and scooters like it these days, though.  If you're being practical about things (which businessmen would be), the big scooters just jump out as being low-maintenance, carry a lot, comfy, and get insane mileage.

I think I'm a businessman, as I'm the assistant controller of my company. But I wear jeans and Ts, so I have a distinct advantage over the other suits  :nana: Much easier to ride a bike to work when you can just take your leather off and throw a shirt on, rather than dealing with a suit.

I know what you mean though. I have the ability to ride a bike, and I take advantage of that. For some people, a scooter makes sense. I'll pass though...

Dave  

Thanks Everbody for your input.  I had considered the DL650 and the sv650 (and sv650s).  I can not flat foot the DL650 (almost, just not quite), so I kinda put this one off to the side (on the plus side it has a huge gas tank), but until I sat on it, this was my front runner.

I am not sure why the sv650 got off my short list, but I think i might have had to do with reviews that stated worse gas milage than my current bike. Does any one know the approximate mpg on these bikes?  

As far as standards, I had thought about CB750 (Nighthawk) and the Kawasaki ZR-7s, and the 600 bandit, but none of these are not in production any more.  I guess, I should reconsider some of these again.  My worry is that parts will not be "readaly available" for these bikes.  I had also considered the Yamaha FZ6 and honda 599, but both seemed to be overkill for what I need.  

As for a scooter, I just don't think I am cut out for them, althoguh I had consered them for a few days..., One bike (or scooter on roids as some people call it) I did not mention, is the honda PC800, which I have really wanted since 1989...

Quote from: scratchRemember he is still looking for fuel economy.

I remember my little 250, an '87 Yamaha SRX250 air-cooled, 315lbs wet, 22hp (vs. 33hp for the Ninja), single cylinder, and it would rail everywhere scratch would go. It got 75mpg no matter how hard I rode. It redlined in 6th at 95mph. I never had problems on the freeway. I would think a 250 Ninja could do better and still get the same gas mileage.

I miss my lil SRX.  For a first bike that one couldn't have been better.  Enough power to go about anywhere but not enought to get me in serious trouble.  I am still trying to get my current bike to handle 1/2 as good as that one did, I scuffed the pipe and the pegs a bit.

While I'd like to believe that it isn't the power that keeps you out of trouble (its your awareness), I'd have to say going from a 700 to a 250 might get a little boring making you very quickly wish for another bike.  I'd have to vote GS too.

Quote from: ShadowrideRDoes any one know the approximate mpg on these bikes?

I got mid-to-high 50s on my '01 SVS vs. mid-to-high 60s on my two GSs.

Quote from: fettcolsI'm suprised the V-Strom didn't make the list... The small one is pretty cheap and has a similar engine to the SV.....

Wow... for some reason I hadn't seen that bike on the Suzuki site.  I dont' know if i'd call it 'fairly cheap' as all the ones i've seen are around $5k-$6k which puts them squarely in the middle of the pack as far as motorcycle prices go.

I think i might like it better than the SV650s just because of the different look and the exhaust's position by the tail.  

Perhaps it will be my next bike!

The V-Strom is a dualsport, so you have to look on that portion of Suzuki's website.  If you're little like me, you'll hate the height and the center of gravity.  It feels heavier than it is due to the latter.

I got rid of my F650 because I didn't need the trappings of a dualsport in order to commute, and I didn't like how the things that made it a successful dualsport made for more maintenance.  More maintenance for a lazy whiner like me who also has a hard time popping a tall bike on and off of a centerstand, I should be clear.

remember katanas are an inexpensive bike as well, not to mention sharp looking

Quote from: ShadowrideRAs for a scooter, I just don't think I am cut out for them, althoguh I had consered them for a few days...

I'm thinking about getting my dad into motorcycling, so I've looked at some scooters since this post.  The Aprilias - 200 and 500 - were kinda big and clunky, but more fun to ride than I would have thought.  I tried the Burgman 400 today, and man, I was shocked at how nice it was.  Totally comfortable, room to stretch the legs out, a car-like dashboard combined with the nimbleness of a bike, tons of storage, power socket, very nice fit and finish.  If one is looking for a commuter, those Burgmans (Burgmen?) are an awfully good option.

I agree with Roadstergal how great scooters can be for commuting. The Yamaha Majesty's are similar; very smooth, car-like dashboard, can easily go highway speeds, excellent on gas, very comfortable seats, etc. The one my buddy has that I rode around was not as nimble as the GS, but had a very smooth throttle