An ongoing saga of why I have dire need of my fellow Opponaut's help in a most Jalop of matters - uhh, part 1 I guess.

"No, I don't thank you for the fish at all" (notindetroit) 12/07/2015 at 12:46 • Filed to: motorcycle shopping, bike shopping, two wheels good, two wheels bad, no theyre not

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I’ll just tell you upfront, long story short: I’ve been given a new opportunity to be gifted a new motorcycle, virtually any bike new or used under 9k, whatever I want. I need your help to find that bike.

I’ve already written a good bit about what kind of bike I think would be good for the type of riding style I enjoy, particularly !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (at least the somewhat underpowered, overly long VStar 950 I have) and more generalized thoughts about riding !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . TL;DR: I think I’m just more into casual, standard-ish bikes like the good old Honda CB500, the base model Civic of motorcycles, or the Suzuki SV650, the, uhhh, base model Suzuki Kiasashi of what the heck am I saying, nobody knows how a Suzuki Kiasashi drives.

On the other hand....*sigh*...as much as I hate hipster culture, I have to admit I’m in love with the classic standard-universal look. I also love naked bikes - or at least the concept of naked bikes. The problem is most of the naked bikes in this price range honestly look half-assed to me, and the really gorgeous naked bikes I love can be had for the price of a brand -new S63 AMG, you can ride this instead!

Illustrative example of what a proper naked bike I will never be able to afford looks like.

But yeah, that said, I’m very seriously taking a look at the FZ-09 and even the FZ-07 (like I said I’m not big into outright knock-down power). I suppose the Ducati Scrambler is not only comfortably within the budget but more ideal to what I’m looking for, provided I can find a dealer and it won’t drain finances every time it goes to the shop. I’d really like to take a look at the Indian Scout, except even in 60 form it’s at the outer edge of the budget. I’m also seriously taking a look at the Vulcan S and even the VStar Bolt.

But I’m also thinking about maybe even seriously downsizing. I know people told me the Yamaha SR400 is a turd but it’s still an intriguing bike, at least I’d like to test-ride it. And for some reason even the tiny little Tu250x looks interesting, even though I’ve logged quintuple digits on riding miles. I’d really, really like to take a look at a Royal Enfield 500 but 1.) where the heck am I going to find a dealer? and 2.) most of my riding is done at 60-70MPH so I’m worried about the comfort of that single cylinder (likewise the Tu250x and SR400).

Aaron M - MasoFiST > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/07/2015 at 12:51

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Based on what you’ve mentioned you should at least look at a KTM Duke, though you may have the same dealer issue. A 690 if you don’t feel like downsizing, 390 if you do.

And if you’re worried about the Enfield on the highway but want something naked and retro, what about a Honda CB1100? A couple years old and it’ll squeeze into your price range.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/07/2015 at 12:53

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First bike? You need a ‘Busa.

bob and john > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/07/2015 at 12:56

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seriously, look at the new SV650 (naked). the ‘old’ sv650S (1/2 fairing) is still around.

also, look into BMW F800R and see if you cant find one in your budget.

Nonster > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/07/2015 at 13:18

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I got to ride a TU250X at my MSF class and I really liked the little bike, it was slow, but dammit it was a charming little bike. Although I don’t know how happy it would be at 70mph.

Two bikes I’m currently in love with are the Indian Scout & Sixty and the Yamaha XSR900. If I decide to buy a brand new bike it’ll probably one of these two.

I haven’t ridden it yet, but from just sitting on it the Scrambler didn’t feel like it was worth the asking price, but ymmv

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/07/2015 at 13:21

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Who loves you enough, but is also at some level ambivalent about your safety, to gift you $9000 dollars worth of motorcycle? =)

Good luck with your decision!

DKerstan > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/07/2015 at 13:55

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Ducati Scrambler. This is just one in my area, but I’m sure it would not be hard to find one in yours. it mixes the best of your wants, and still squeezes in under 9k. http://www.delamomotorsports.com/inventory/v1/C…

Master Cylinder > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/07/2015 at 14:22

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For a newer rider who likes nakeds, there’s a lot of choice out there. The FZ-07 is a great bike and reportedly outhandles its bigger sibling.

Have you considered a supermoto? I’ve been riding for more than a decade on everything from a wheezy old 70s 500 to a full-boat Goldwing, and I have never had anything come close to the fun factor of a supermoto.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/07/2015 at 14:58

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Enjoy. Smooth and tolerable than some SV thing. I should know, I own one (in picture!)

If you’re into classic simplicity and beauty, the Honda 919 may be your best bet.

BringBackTheCommodore > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/08/2015 at 13:30

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I’m a little late to the party, but I’ll suggest the Kawasaki ZRX 1200R:

This bright green one is not the one I had, that one is below:

Mine (back when I had it, never should have parted with it, long story) looked like this:

I had mine jetted, piped, and ran a K&N drop-in filter. Altogether, it was good for this:

Most of the time, a ZRX 1200R can be had for under $5K. If you drop about $2K into the bike, you’ll have a fairly stout performer (mine was good for...a fairly high speed.)

Boring cruisers, you say?

My ‘95 VF750 Honda Magna would go faster rapped out in 3rd gear than my 2008 Suzuki M50 will go in 5th gear rapped out. The Magnas can be had for under $3K, and you can nab an engine from a VFR750 interceptor of ‘95-’96 vintage, and drop it in. One enterprising individual discovered a way to graft ‘95 (‘96?) Honda CBR600 fork lowers onto the Magna fork uppers.

And, my final contention with the “boring cruisers” argument:

Rather than 180 hp at the flywheel, it was 180 hp at the rear wheel.

Of all the bikes I’ve owned, the VMAX and the Rex were my favorites.

So yeah, I might be a little biased on the ZRX. And the Max. (this pic was taken before I had a bunch of parts powdercoated on the VMAX).

BringBackTheCommodore > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/08/2015 at 19:53

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I thought of another one that might be right up your alley:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB-/…

$1.00 shy of $8K, for a brand new bike (admittedly, a 2013 model, but still a new bike). I’ve sat on one, it felt somewhat light despite the 540 lb curb weight. It’s got the classic looks, modern fuel injection, and from what I’ve read is a fun bike to ride.

GhostZ > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/10/2015 at 12:20

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hyaBROsa!

Colddeadfinger > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/10/2015 at 15:00

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Indian Scout - the model “Sixty” comes in just below $9,000.