Sunday bikelopnik - does this type of bike exist?

"themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
06/24/2018 at 19:25 • Filed to: None

Next year, I am getting a new motorcycle. But I’m having trouble finding my ideal bike. I want a more standard riding position, 50-100hp, and as close to, or under, 400lbs curb weight. I want a more road oriented bike and it can either be really sporty and I’ll keep my KLR as a balanced “fuck it” bike. Or I get a softer, more well rounded bike and I’ll build the KLR for off road fuckery.

Near as I can tell, I’m limited to the FZ-07, the Ducati scrambler, and...maybe something from Husqvarna? One of the 701 variants? Am I missing any? What else is out there? I’d love the vitpilen 701 but we shall see how it holds up over the first year.

DISCUSSION (27)

XJDano > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 19:46

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Well since it’s not your “First Bike” cafe racers are now an option.

bob and john > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 19:50

how the fuck did you forget the SV.

sad sack of....

or the ninja/Z650
or the KTM duke 690.
or the Honda 500.

or an older hornet599.

jimz > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 19:56

FZ-09.

You’re welcome.

Oh wait, it’s the MT-09 now. Right at about 100 hp and 400 lbs.

Kinja'd!!!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > bob and john
06/24/2018 at 20:01

I knew you’d suggest it! I also just.....eh.....it does nothing for me. The Z650 is a possibility and I forgot it here. I love how light that feels when moving so it is a strong contender. I’m against KTM due to reliability and servicing issues (the only dealership that carries them i s out in the damn sticks) and I’m aware this rules out Husqvarna too. Honda 500s are fat and underpowered. I’d get a ninja 400 instead. It’s as powerful, lighter, and cheaper than a CBR50 0R. I might try to find a 599 or hell, even a 919 but then I’m at the whom of the used market.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > jimz
06/24/2018 at 20:02

I do nt need to do dank whoolies and the reputation for the current bike is still one with a on/off throttle switch and crap suspension. I'd get the 07 instead.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > XJDano
06/24/2018 at 20:03

I s aw a nice Ducati scrambler cafe racer (the actual package) in leftover stock at my dealership. It's tempting...

Nom De Plume > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 20:17

I have looked down this road many times . Currently the answer is a BMW R1200R. That is if you plan to ride it as delivered without resorting to kludges for inane unsolvable issues with proprietary parts.

Yamaha is currently the class leader in this department. A personal favorite is their throttle design. You twist a little, twist a little more, keep going and still nothing there as you feather the clutch trying to move away from a dead stop. Then WHAM the engine revs jump up to meet your half throttle or greater input. Loads more features where that came from you slowly discover feed all your hard earned income into their classy and professional network of officially licensed stealers.

Nom De Plume > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 20:22

Good man, the FZ are so close to being great yet let down by easily correctable design issues.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Nom De Plume
06/24/2018 at 20:25

Too big and bulky IMO. I like them, but they also all have big price premiums. I might get an F800 that's a few years old, but I don't think I'll get a 1200 BMW. I'm not there yet.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 20:28

KTM duke 690

Kinja'd!!!

Or Ducati Scrambler Icon

Kinja'd!!!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
06/24/2018 at 20:29

Scrambler is a maybe, but KTMs are nearly.impossible to buy and service in my area.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 20:32

What about bmw motorcycles? R-nine-T?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
06/24/2018 at 20:47

Bit too expensive and the r-nine is a bit heavier and more powerful. I want something more basic and cheaper. I still need to rack up miles.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 21:23

What would your budget be?

jimz > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 21:35

that reputation is from the pre-2017 bikes. in drive mode “B” it’s a pussycat unless you really give the right grip some twist. and I don’t know what the complaints were about the suspension, ‘cos I don’t have any.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
06/24/2018 at 21:41

8k and under, preferably

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > jimz
06/24/2018 at 21:43

Ive heard otherwise, but I still maintain I’d rather have the 07 due to it being much easier and lighter to manage .

jimz > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 22:19

ok. I tried out the -07 before I bought my -09, and it’s a perfectly cromulent bike.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 22:40

Ducati monster 797 is 9,200 . Link below

https://www.thoughtco.com/great-commuter-motorcycles-under-10000-2399393

nermal > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/24/2018 at 22:53

Kinja'd!!!

Get an Aprilia Shiver.

It’s sexy, Italian, <$10k, and fits all of your other requirements while being unique.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > nermal
06/24/2018 at 22:54

Oooooooohhh.....Tempting.

Xx6star9xx > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/25/2018 at 01:31

Check the Kawasaki z650, bought the 2017 model about 3 months ago and it’s a g eat ride. All within your specs.

thejustache > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/25/2018 at 12:04

I’d like to know the answer too , but personally I’d rather have 100 torques than 100 hp. My ‘78 kz750 makes 45 lb.ft (at 3k) and 55hp, and while it was a porky 500lbs from the factory I’ve stripped it down 50lbs or so . I use it to commute every day and I still enjoy it, but I’d like a new bike that is both lighter and has more shove, not just high end power. What I see is this: z650 43.6lb.ft @ 6k. SV650 44.2lb.ft @ 8k. FZ-07 46.3 lb.ft @ 6k. Vitpilen 701 53 lb.ft.

No doubt all of those bikes are lighter, better engineered, and would run circles around my 40 year old bike. That’s the thing though, if I’m replacing a machine from literally 40 years ago with a new one, I kind of want the specs to be a big jump in every single way! Where is a lightweight bike with an upright riding position and say... 75 lb.ft of twist?

JKER > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/25/2018 at 13:06

Yamaha XS900. 430 lbs so a bit over your ideal weight, but it’s purty!

Kinja'd!!!

BobintheMtns > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/25/2018 at 15:52

If you’re going to be racking up miles on it, and the r-nine-t is too expensive, then look for a slightly older Bmw—- Nice thing about them is the shaft drive... If you’re putting lots of miles on a bike, having to adjust the chain every week gets OLD....

Something like a 2002ish R1100S can be found CHEAP with low miles these days- and it’s said that they handle beautifully.... And the 1100 generation of the boxer twin is one of the most reliable bmw engines ever..

Kinja'd!!!

Edit to add-- didn’t see “new” in your post... oh well

CaptDale - is secretly British > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/25/2018 at 16:35

You could buy my Aprilia Sl1000 Falco and put upright bars on it....

bob and john > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
07/07/2018 at 14:39

as much and me and Jimz disagree and but heads, he is right. the 17+ was MAJORILY revamped and suspension totally re done. its actually rideable now.