Quote from: RedShift


What caused you to get the ZZR over the other bikes you had?

A few things, I think I've posted about this before...mainly my gs is fun but didn't offer the wind protection I wanted. I wanted full fairings. I wanted something newer  but not drastically different than my gs when it came to riding position etc My zzr is 11 years newer than my gs. I rode my squidly cousin's R6 and became addicted but didn't want an R6 cause Im really short, they're really expensive and I found it uncomfortable.  The price for the zzr was right, but when it comes to my bikes...I'm insatiable which is why it's prolly going out the door come spring and a cbr is coming in...or to pay for that damn car I just bought. The gs won't ever be leaving though because I ride that the most.

[quote="Onlypastrana199"I'm insatiable which is why it's prolly going out the door come spring and a cbr is coming in[/quote]

Are you really just RG posting in disguise?

Speaking of annoying speedometers, I should post a pic of the DR's.  At the low end, the distance between major ticks isn't uniform; 10-40 is all off on the lower left-hand side, harder to see, and the sweep ends at 3, so there's unused space in the easy-to-glance-at area.

Quote from: dionysusAre you really just RG posting in disguise?

umm NO

I am also looking towards an upgrade, but for more than a single reason.  I have an old GS that is being held together by duct tape and bubble gum.  Right now she is running beautifully but it may, in theory, buy it at any time.  I use my bike every day for commuting, also do fun riding on the weekend, and for trips into SF (much easier to park and get through traffic).
I'm looking to upgrade to a sportier bike, like an R6 (damn, the new ones are beautiful).  I likely will never use it for everything it is capable of, but I do intend to enjoy it as much as I'll be able to.  And, like Pandy, reliability is key.  The GS will probably never die because I have a back-up bike I can borrow if she does.  But, with all the issues I have had in the past few months, I just want something that will consistently work and my GS would require more money that it is worth to get it 100% reliable, if that is even possible.

I've noted that most riders here are sport riders.  Even though the GS is a "sporty bike" not a sport bike(borrowed from another thread), most riders here would upgrade to another larger, newer sporty bike.  But I always like to be different, that's why I ride a GS.  Hopefully when I graduate I'll be headed for newer larger bike. I've looked at SVs, VFRs, ZZRs Ducs and seriously thought about buying my friends 2004 Bandit 1200.  Lately though, I've been stuck on a nice used 01-03 Honda Magna 750.  Other bikes seem to be uselessly powerful, or uncomfortable for a 200 mile day with a passenger.  I sure as hell don't want to start wearing chaps and leather vests and growing my hair into a braid that reaches my ass either so no Harleys are clones.  But it seems to be the right bike with enough power and the laid back attitude that won't get me killed trying to carve a corner(no canyons in Delaware) with my lack of skill.  Well I ranted a bit, hope I don't get thrown out for wanting my feet in front of my knees.

Quote from: Onlypastrana199

Quote from: dionysusAre you really just RG posting in disguise?

umm NO

Um trust me.  She is NOT RG posting in disguise!!!!!

I'd like a bike I don't have to worry about on longer trips.  No more looking for loose fasteners every 500 miles Having FI would be very nice.  More power?  Definitely useful during highway riding, and more torque would cut down on the incessant shifting even during more relaxed riding.

I figure a FZ6, a CBR or a SV would do pretty well The SV is too small, ergo-wise though

Oops, almost forgot.  Needs to be tour-able no full-on sportsbikes

Davipu is me posting in disguise.  I leave clues.

Quote from: RoadstergalDavipu is me posting in disguise.  I leave clues.

Your drunken alter ego?

Okay, it's my turn to answer the question. My bike would have to die before I bought a DRZ400S.

Quote from: RoadstergalDavipu is me posting in disguise.  I leave clues.

No wonder!!!

That explains everything.  

now it's time i give myself a roofie so I can get laid.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5I deemed that cruisers were not for me. I couldn't deal with the forward controls or scraping the pegs in turns.

You're not supposed to go around turn on a cruiser, silly!

I have no desire to replace my GS, but I do have the desire to ride other bikes...  As far as new bikes, I love my sister's Boulevard...  If I had too much money, I'd go buy an S50.  For some odd reason, it's fun to ride @ 25 MPH.  I really don't get it...  The GS is boring until about 35...  The Boulevard is fun in straight lines, but not so fun in the corners...  It's super comfortable and lazy...  The GS is more uptight and anxious.

They're total opposites.  Sometimes I feel like one and sometimes I feel like the other...  I'd love to be able to have the freedom to choose.

Then... If I had even more money...  Nah... I'll stop at that...  I could go on for days.  (Thruxton, just about any pre-'70 JP bike, just about any pre-'60 English/German bike)

... Sorry for the interruption but had bills to pay.  Where was I?  Oh yeah,

To cobalt135, DMac and banner, I think we're all thinking the same way.  I followed the same course and got my GS500 primarily on a recommendation from others that it was the right bike to learn on and still use for most everything a bike is good for.  In that, the GS500 has been the perfect steed.

RG said it straight away, there's no sense in moving up if you're looking for basic transport and the GS500 fits the bill.

Quote from: Church6360if you have to drive this far south lemme know, i've been over to that dealer a few times, pretty nice and they do let you test ride. ...

The earliest it'll be is sometime in the spring, but if I do decide to through money at a new ride, I'll take you up on letting you in to when I'll be in your neighborhood.    

Quote from: jbeaberI am also looking towards an upgrade, but for more than a single reason. I have an old GS that is being held together by duct tape and bubble gum.  ...

That's what it takes for me to let go of my four-wheeled transportation.  I usually by them used and run them into the ground.  Getting a new car is an event 'cuz it happens once per decade or so.

Quote from: dmanben... Well I ranted a bit, hope I don't get thrown out for wanting my feet in front of my knees.

Hardly, unless you start slagging everyone else's tendency to sit jockey-style.

Quote from: TurkinaI'd like a bike I don't have to worry about on longer trips. No more looking for loose fasteners every 500 miles  Having FI would be very nice. More power? Definitely useful during highway riding, and more torque would cut down on the incessant shifting even during more relaxed riding. ...

As I mentioned earlier, for longer rides I'd like a more comfortable seat.  On shifting, I've cut back some with a taller front sprocket, but isn't that part of the fun of riding a bike?

Quote from: RVertigoAs far as new bikes, I love my sister's Boulevard...  If I had too much money, I'd go buy an S50.  For some odd reason, it's fun to ride @ 25 MPH.  I really don't get it...  

I would count the S50 as one of five bikes currently in production which interest me (DR650/DRZ400S/Ninja650/SV650).  Liquid cooled/shaft drive...I like that combination.  And quite a bit leaner than its sister BLVDS.  Low end torque is fun anytime.  Sportbikes, OTOH, are all about the next corner--which are usually few and far between.  But don't think the feet forward riding position isn't sporty; it may represent the future if mock-up prototypes making the show circuit are any indication.  A set of extended shocks would do wonders for handling and ground clearance on the S50.  

I had no intentions of buying a new bike, but when my wife decided that she wanted to get into the sport and that she also wanted to start on my GS500F, I started to look around.  

side note : she decided that even after lowering it 1.5 inches, it was a bit too tall and a bit too top heavy, and opted for a virago 250 instead.  She's more than ready now for a bike that won't scrap pegs on most turns, and perhaps ready to re-try a GS  :dunno:

Anyhow, I tried out a few bikes including the SV650S.  I really wanted to try the unfaired version given that the seating position would be similar to the GS, but they didn't have any on the lot.  I decided that the SVS didn't feel right for me.. I just couldn't get comfortable on or with it.

I'd heard a lot of positive things about the older F4i's (01-03), so I figured I'd have a try.  I wanted a fuel injected bike, something with more power especially since I spend a lot of time on the highway commuting to work and back.  And something that would be reasonably comfortable.  And it had to be pretty, at least to me.  I didn't much care what anyone else thought, but I had to like the way it looked.

I fell in love with the first F4i I saw.  The fit was perfect.. more sporty than the GS but not scrunched up uncomfortable.  I've since tried a '97 VFR and found that the seating position didn't really feel significantly different to me, although I've never really ridden much more than 5-6 hours at a stretch.  The seat on the VFR is a ton more comfortable, but I've gotten use to the CBR's 2x4.

And to joerocker's credit, he often mentioned how the inline four mid range torque (or lack thereof) really wasn't an issue for newer bikes, and he was on the money.  Up to 6000 RPM, the bike pulls pretty damn hard.  And north of that will get you past any car's blind spot in a fraction of a second.

I've averaged around 2,000km's a month, mostly commuting to work (an hour to an hour and a half each day each way) and the bike has been an absolute pleasure to ride.  The fuel injection on my '01 is a bit on/off, but that's what you get for buying a first generation FI bike.  I'm sure the newer bikes are much better.

Whatever you decide, try the bike out first.  If that means you need to wait for demo days or you need to come back up here to McBride's and scam your way to a ride , do it .

Quote from: sys49152

I fell in love with the first F4i I saw.  The fit was perfect.. more sporty than the GS but not scrunched up uncomfortable.  I've since tried a '97 VFR and found that the seating position didn't really feel significantly different to me, although I've never really ridden much more than 5-6 hours at a stretch.  The seat on the VFR is a ton more comfortable, but I've gotten use to the CBR's 2x4.

And to joerocker's credit, he often mentioned how the inline four mid range torque (or lack thereof) really wasn't an issue for newer bikes, and he was on the money.  Up to 6000 RPM, the bike pulls pretty damn hard.  And north of that will get you past any car's blind spot in a fraction of a second.

+1

I've only compared the two on test rides but I agree with your assessment.  I preferred the F4i over the VFR.  Handles much better and does not feel big and bulky like the VFR with about the same comfort level.

Honda Canada has a touring fleet of test bikes that travels all around Ontario all summer.  Go to Honda Canada website and check out the "come ride with us" event.

I still say SV.  When I'm parked downtown in the cycle-spaces I get a chance to walk behind the row of sport-bikes and see the difference in the width of the bikes.  Those I-4 machines are all PORKERS compared to the profile of the SV.  If you want useable power and a narrow chassis, the SV is the way to go.

I have toured on my SVS (600 miles, 2 days) without discomfort.  The ergos are very agreeable for both spirited twisties and for highway eating.

I'm glad to find out about the Honda Touring Demos, gonna hook up w/ that for sure!

Also, Just to throw it out there b/c nobody I know on this form (few in general other than testers) have ridden a 650 Ninja. Fully faired, nick named the SV slayer.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this one work, because a huge focus of this bike was put to riding positions and development..
We cna only wait and see