Hey all-
So, my GS is going to go to someone else soon.  I have not outgrown it, but it is at the point where it is hard to 100% trust it for long trips, which my girlfriend and I want to take this summer.  So, the hunt for a new bike is on.  I have two bikes in mind that I like and am looking to see if you guys know of other options....  So, the things I am looking for:
1.  Nice low end torque for the inevitabilites of Bay area traffic, twisties, etc...
2.  Fully faired to make highway speed a bit more comfortable.
3.  Relatively reasonable price tag.
4.  New bikes only, don't want to own some one else's problem.

I am looking to do a lot of touring around, lots of twisties.  I will rarely have a passenger on the bike.  My girlfriend has an SV and neither one of us likes to ride on the back.  We're both control freaks.
i don't like the look of partially faired bikes.  I know the SV is a great bike.  I ride and SV regularly but I think the SVS and the Bandit are fugly.  I want to get away from naked bikes, try something different.

So, two bikes I have found that fit this description (one still shocks me).

1.  Triumph's new 675.  It has a lot of low end torque from the reviews I have read.  The seat height is comfortable for me (5'7" with kinda short legs).  It looks DAMN good.  The bad...  First year of the model, kinks haven't been 100% worked out.  Price tag is a little high but not out of what I am willing to pay at $9,000

2.  Ducati Supersport 800.  This one surprised me.  It's Ducati's entry level bike into the superbike class.  Again, rumored to have good low end torque, looks damn good as well.  I haven't sat on one yet.  It has been around for a while, so hopefully bugs have been worked out.  Yes, it's a Duc.  But, the reliability of Ducs has been improving dramatically from what I have been told.  So, please don't bash this bike purely on Duc reputation, I've heard that all before....  Price tag, $8000 around here.  Yes, more expensive maintenence.  I'm fully aware of that.  So, price between the bikes isn't a huge difference....

I will in time likely grab another GS (newer) because I enjoy it and it is nice to have a bike around that is a little more rough and tumble.  My current one has a great anti-theft mechanism....  It's old, beat up and someone put these eyes on it from a monastary in Tibet....

So, I would love any ideas on other bikes, opinions on the ones listed above or other comments.  My GS has been great, almost 4000 miles in 7 months.  I've ridden a handful of other bikes and want to try something different.

Thanks!!!!

Hey jbeaber,

Triumph's new daytona 675 wuold be my choice, i have not read a bad review yet, plus i just LOVE it, its one of the nicest looking sports bikes around IMHO 

However, what do you think of the CBR 600RR?

Don't know much about the CBR600RR.  Is it geared to keep up with the other Japanese superbike or like the Triumph with the low end power?

I'd be more inclined to get the F4i than the RR.  But, it's still a Honda.

FZ6.

Actully the CBR 600 RR is a race rep so it is more than likely geared a little towards the speedy side of things rather then going for good low-end grunt although I have heard it to be a nice ride (i.e. more comfy easy on the rider then some of the competition)

not sure if this helps much but i thought i would share the info 


Update:  just a little more info CBR = 66Nm at 11,000 rpm/ 115bhp
                                          675 = 72Nm at 11,750 rpm/ 123bhp

Quote from: scratch on February 17, 2006, 10:23:17 AM
I'd be more inclined to get the F4i than the RR.  But, it's still a Honda.  FZ6.  Or a Couch-a-saki, ZX6E (if they still make it).

They replaced the ZX6E with the ZZR600, which has been rated as a fantastic bike. Looks great too. You could go for the Ninja 650R too, if it wasn't ass ugly.

The Duc SS800 is a great bike from what I've read. I was looking at them very seriously for a while and researching into their reliability. I didn't find a single thing about problems except something dealing with a pinched vacuum line from the tank. That's it. The valve adjustments are also pretty easy too, and only have to be done every 6000 miles, rather than 4000 with the GS. Also, since it's a Duc 2-valver it's a lot easier and more reliable than the 4-valvers.

Don't like the SV1000 or SV650 with full fairings on it? You can get full body work on them that looks really really nice.

You might also consider Honda's RC-51, unless you want to stay in the middleweight range.

I have a 600rr. steer clear if you want to do any "touring", even light touring and the passenger seat sucks. actually the riders seat is compared to a plank of plywood. Great bike, but not my choice for long rides. Mines a trackday/canyon whore only.

I'd stay away from the daytona 675, even though I think its a great looking bike with lots of potential. I wouldnt want to have the first model year of any bike. Wait a year until they work the bugs out-that bike is all new from the ground up.

You want full fairing, for some touring and some twisties, with a little low end torque?
The RC51 is not a comfortable bike for long distances either though. I would suggest the Triumph Daytona 955i. Its a triple too, but its been around a long time and is a great bike. People usually refer to it as a real riders bike, and is perfect for your needs. Not sharp enough for the track (regularly) but great for long distances, great for street twisties and good for the occasional trackday if you so desire. They're not popular so good deals can be had new or nearly new (you can probably find a 1-2 yr old NEW bike on the showroom floor. For mor info on this bike check out www.triumphrat.net

I've been thinking of the same thing recently, but more of a partial dirt situation, so I'm looking Multistrada/F650.

Before I moved to the great white north I was thinking along the same lines you are. I had pretty much settled on a yam yzf600r for insurance and expense reasons. The new Kaw650r would make me think twice. powerband of a twin, fuel injection, no exhaust issues for mounting soft luggage, could be quite nice.

RC51 if you can afford it. V-twin delivers lots of low end power, plus it has the looks of a Honda.

I am in the similar boat.....Love the Duc's, but I would go for older 900SS instead of 800ss, or better yet for SS 1000DS if you can afford it....unfortunately it is an expensive toy so jap bikes are always a "better deal".......at this point i am seriously considering ZZR600, if it was FI, I would've already owned it

My first thought was a YZF600r.  It's comfortable, powerful (de-tuned 4cyl from the R6), and nice looking.  On the other hand, if the only thing turning you off from the SV650s is the looks be aware that Suzuki offers a factory-fit lower fairing that you could add.  They look damn nice with it:



-M

Wow, thanks for the feedback and keep it coming!!!
RC51, out of price range.  That's a lot of money.
The SVS fully faired is a nice looking bike.  Definitely has potential.  One knock on it is that it is one of Suzuki's lower end bikes.  The suspensions, like the GS, leave a bit to be desired.  I could spend the money to upgrade it, but to do so to the point of the triumph or Duc would almost be the price difference.  I'd rather buy a bike engineered for what I want than to rebuild the front end and the rear suspension to get it where I want it.
I haven't sat on the YZF600R.  Definitely will check it out.  The nice part is that the dealership I want to deal with is a Triumph, Ducati and Yamaha dealership. 
I'm trying to avoid 5 figures on price tag.  I know, the Triumph is right under that.  But you have to put a cap somewhere.  I also want to stick new, hence ruling out the older Ducs.  Yes, you get a bike broken in if you go older, but I really want to know the entire history of my bike, know it has been treated right.  The current Ducs are the 800 and 1000.  There is about a $3000 difference.  Right now that is not worth that price difference to me.
You guys are really helpful, BTW.  I appreciate the efforts.

I'd recommend checking out the FZ6, but you're trying to get away from nekkid. 

Look at the forums for the YZF-600R. http://www.yzf600r.com/phpBB2/


http://www.yzf600r.com/

People love this bike for touring and a do it all bike.

No-ones mentioned BMW yet...check-out the F 800ST, its at the top of my most wanted list.

http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/gb/en/index.html

I am assuming they are available stateside.

The BMW doesn't seem to be in the US.  I couldn't find it on their website.
Will readup on the YZF-600R.  As I said, they do carry it at the dealership I'll be goingto to check out the Duc.

fg3

I ride an SV all the time.  I do enjoy it.  I will admit I have gotten used to a more aggressive riding position (I'm on an 89 GS with the stock clip-ons).  Again, suspension is one of the issues.  Too expensive to upgrade.  I rode a Monster 620 and the handling was so much nicer than the SV.  I wa told that was largely due to suspension.  Again, i love the SV, but it just isn't what I am interested in...

If you like the look of the SVS with the factory lowers on it, you'd probably like it even more with a sharkskinz fairing.  My next bike will almost definitely be an '05 SV1000S, if my tax return would hurry up and get to my house!  SVS with sharkskinz fairings:


i don't believe they're available color-matched, so you'd most likely have to get them painted.




www.sharkskinz.com

Doesn't Munroe Motors have BMW's?  ScuderiaWest?  I only really know of CalBMW: http://www.calbmw.com/ in Mountain View (also know as CalBMWTriumph: http://www.calbmwtriumph.com/).

Also, you know of MotoJava.  You know that Paul there, is very thorough when it comes to the bikes he resells.  I know you didn't want to go used, but I would definitely buy a used bike from him.  Just my opinion, though.