I think I've narrowed it down to two options

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion) 06/17/2020 at 20:52 • Filed to: None

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1. Honda Vfr800. Specifically either the 5th Gen fuel injected bike(top ), or a 2006- 6th Gen VTEC . It’s looking like I should expect to pay anywhere from $3k-$5.5k. 

2. SV650. The pre-gladius generation. While I’ve avoided these as the boring option, I’ve come to realize that in silver I find them quite striking! Go figure. Prices seem to fall in the $2.5k-$4k range locally.

Runner-ups -

FJR1300. (used)

Still a possibility. Definitely a bit further towards the touring side of sport-touring than I’d prefer, and probably more bike than I should have right now, but they’re a steal and seem to all be owned by old men with meticulous service histories. Practically untouched mid-2000's e xamples with matching luggage can be found under $5k all day.

Ninja 400. (new)

This is probably what I *should* get, as it’s the measuring stick against which all others are ruled in terms of reliability and simplicity, but it’s just. So. Boring. A $5500 price tag and unwillingness to negotiate really knocks it out of the running.

Yamaha MT/XSR - 07/09/700/900.

I love the two engines, just not quite the overall package I want.

KTM 390 Duke. (new)

Reliability concerns. If I’m getting a lower-powered small commuter, it needs to be ninja levels of reliable to make up for the poorer touring ability. By all accounts, these Dukes are plagued with issues. I’m absolutely in love with the styling, but I’m not letting that sway me. *must. Resist. Buying.*

BMW F850GS. (used)

Cost. While lightly used models seem like a steal for what you get, that just so happens to still be outside of what I want to spend. But yeah... I’ve been seeing a lot of these on CL lately and I’m a huge fan. Anywhere from $5k-$9k depending on year, trim, and mods.

Kawasaki KLR650. (used)

Carburetor. No desire to deal with carburetors again until I have a garage. A shame, as turn-key adventure ready KLR’s can be had for pennies.

Ducati. (new)

Cost. I can’t in good conscience spend over $10k (over $15k more likely) on a new bike that’s going to be pricy to insure and maintain. But there will be a monster/supersport/hyper/V2/street fighter in my life at some point.

From four cars at the same time, to nada. Send me links to bad ideas. I'm trying to prolong the bike purchase for as long as possible, but if anyone can help me break, it's all of you. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 20:56

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You could buy Immoralminority’s ninja. I forgot if it was a 250 or 400. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 20:57

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If you weren’t so far away I’d make you a deal on a 1989 Honda CB-1. 400cc inline 4 with gear driven overhead cams that revs to 13,500. It’s a de-tuned NC27 race bike engine. And it’s naked.

AestheticsInMotion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/17/2020 at 21:02

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If he throws in the Supersport I'll do it

dogisbadob > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 21:07

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yellow is awesome

SmugAardvark > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 21:12

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My first Japanese street bike was an SV650. I absolutely loved it. Super easy to ride, very comfortable riding position for me (being hunched over like on most sport bikes is terrible for my back spasms).

I’d probably pick up another one to putt around town in if I was in the market for a bike at the moment. But alas, I think my two-wheel days are pretty much behind me.

AestheticsInMotion > dogisbadob 06/17/2020 at 21:18

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Agreed x1000. Unfortunately I haven't seen a yellow one pop up for sale in the 6 months or so I've been watching these :/

Beefchips > Snuze: Needs another Swede 06/17/2020 at 21:20

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Daaamn that looks hot. Love me a naked bike! What's it weigh out of curiosity, with the 4 cyl engine?

VincentMalamute-Kim > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 21:23

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Too bad! I like the yellow VFR best. SV650 as second choice. But please get one with a color!

For some reason the SV evokes the ur-Katana to me:

OhCrikeyTheRozzers > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 21:44

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I’ve ridden your top picks and several of the others you mention.

TL;DR: If you’re responsible and ride within your limits, the SV650 can be a great bike to learn and develop your skills with for a long time. It does everything fairly well, and should be relatively easy to maintain and cheap to repair.

T he SV650 has been my go-to recommendation for a first larger bike for decades. It’s a nice, neutral seating position and should do just about anything you ask of it fairly well, and it’s telling that people buy these both for city commutes and as track bikes. As I understand it, they’re also fairly reliable and there should be no shortage of parts and accessories to repair or modify as desired. Importantly, they’re reasonably forgiving motorcycles and the first one I rode was as a racetrack rental.

The Interceptors are fun bikes and definitely have a loyal following as well—I’m partial to the VTEC generation, bro, and I can tell you it really does make for a good time when it kicks in around 6000-7000 RPM or so. They’re much more sport-oriented than the SV, which is just to say that it’s going to be a bit less comfortable out of the box as a commuter or tourer than the Suzuki given its ergonomics. They’re also substantially faster, less forgiving, and probably more expensive to maintain. I’d also caution any newer rider to think about the cost of replacing those beautiful fairings if you ever drop the bike.

Last two and I’ll stop. I’ve ridden FJRs a fair amount and they’re great bikes, but would probably be overkill. They have a surprising amount of torque and are properly quick—a number of police departments use them. They are fantastic sport touring bikes but need an experienced hand at slower speeds as I recall the luggage and ergonomics can make them feel top-heavy. They’re also just 1300cc bikes and will not be very forgiving. I also had a Ninja 250 as a very first bike, and have spent some time with the old Ninja 500 (never the 400 though) as well.   Perfect beginner bikes but you might lose interest after awhile, because *whispers* they can be pretty boring.

camarov6rs > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 21:53

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VFR is awesome, ridden both of those, but I would do the SV or the smaller new options. If you’re new the top heavy VFR can be a little cumbersome. In that same vain I’d do a hard no on the FJR just due to how different it is on your list. Depending on how hard they are to find in your area have you looked at a Triumph Street Triple or Tiger 800?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Beefchips 06/17/2020 at 22:10

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Its listed at 413 lbs wet. What the pics dont show is its a smallboi, almost like a 3/4 size, so it feels really small and flickable, more so than say my old CBR1000RR (which was only 12 lbs heavier).

It makes 55HP stock, but if you aren't terribly concerned about living, a CBR600 engine can be easily made to fit...

bob and john > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 22:21

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i mean honestly, the VFR and the SV are cult bikes for a fucking good reason.

VFRs do. not. die. unless they are stuffed into a bush bass-akwards.

Svs are very much the same. except they go into the bush forwards.

QCGoose > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 22:21

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Oh man, 5th gen VFR all day. V-4 with GEAR-driven cams? That bike sounds like an exotic V8 with a supercharger. Absolutely one of the best-sounding motorcycles ever IMO.

Plus, it still has clean looks, is stone-reliable, and is all-day comfortable while nearly being able to hang with the supersports in the twisties. Just a fantastic machine all around that’s got character in all the right ways. I can’t praise that bike enough.

The 6th gen "VTEC" model, while still a good bike, really lost a lot of personality and "rider connection" that the 5th gen had (and had in spades). The 5th gen was more "analog" while the 6th gen was more "digital", if that makes any sense.

Chariotoflove > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 22:24

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You were jumping curbs on this cute little scooter with flames on it, and then I blinked.

Where’s that “well that escalated quickly” jpeg?

TheJWT > Snuze: Needs another Swede 06/17/2020 at 22:31

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I shouldn't even ask cause I DO NOT need another bike, but where and how much?

sinhumane > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 22:33

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You need a Ducati

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 23:02

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Just a heads up - KLRs use “CV” type carbs so they keep themselves in adjustment just fine. Honestly, as a big honker of a single cylinder, it’s stone dead simple to work on and if you do need to take one to a shop, parts are definitely in stock and rates and turnaround times are low.

Also I got a new windshield for mine and I was ble to do 75+ on the freeway today in my commute with ease. It really is a proper ADV now with some new  knobbies on it.

nermal > AestheticsInMotion 06/17/2020 at 23:15

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Get a Shiver. Looks better than everything you mentioned , rides and handles better as well , and currently advertised for $7k for leftover 2019s at multiple dealers . Possibly the best and most overlooked value in motorcycling.

AestheticsInMotion > nermal 06/18/2020 at 00:22

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Honestly, the shiver does nothing for me. Although now that you mention it, there's an Aprilia/moto guzzi/mv Agusta dealership down the street that I've yet to check out... 

AestheticsInMotion > Chariotoflove 06/18/2020 at 00:32

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Don’t blink!

AestheticsInMotion > QCGoose 06/18/2020 at 00:33

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I think you’ve single-handedly cemented a 5th Gen VFR as my first choice.

Now to find the right one... 

AestheticsInMotion > OhCrikeyTheRozzers 06/18/2020 at 00:37

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That was some great info, thank you! It’s always great hearing from people with relevant experience.

I think at this point I’m just going to choose between a VFR and SV650 based on whichever good-looking example pops up on the local market first. 

AestheticsInMotion > VincentMalamute-Kim 06/18/2020 at 00:37

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Oooof. That is not a good angle. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > TheJWT 06/18/2020 at 02:58

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Washington DC area. The bike pictured is not mine, mine was resprayed red and it needs a bit of work.  I haven't been seriously looking to sell it, so I have no idea on the market value, but I'm thinking around $1500 is what I'd want for it. 

pip bip - choose Corrour > AestheticsInMotion 06/18/2020 at 03:26

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https://www.bike-urious.com/zero-miles-2003-cannondale-x440/

QCGoose > AestheticsInMotion 06/18/2020 at 06:44

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Motorcycles are a very emotional purchase, so by all means take my opinion as just that, but that bike truly is up there with the all-time greats.

I'd highly recommend browsing some exhaust video s on YouTube for the 5th gen and prepare yourself for some heavy eargasms.

TheJWT > Snuze: Needs another Swede 06/18/2020 at 08:27

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Gotcha... I definitely don’t need another bike right now but I’d love a CB-1 at some point

nermal > AestheticsInMotion 06/18/2020 at 09:38

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The good thing about buying any of them is that they drop in value super fast - You can get great deals on new but previous model years.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > TheJWT 06/18/2020 at 11:50

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They are really fun bikes, but Honda timed them poorly. I mean it makes great business sense to bring over an obscure, naked, 400cc bike at the same time you’re introducing your new 600cc rocket that’s only a few hundred bucks more.

My bike has quite a history behind it - I bought it used back in 2005 and the same day I got it I dropped it due to the P.O. incompetently “repairing” the brakes. The drop cracked the crankcase and did some other minor cosmetic damage. It was a bit scraped up, and I’d seed pictures of red ones in other markets, hence the red respray.

I eventually got a junkyard motor that had a bad top end, but goo d block so I had the 2 motor halves mated together to make one good one. It ran great for a couple years until it started making some weird noises, so I stopped riding it. I was in the Navy at the time and t ransferred duty stations and just didn’t have time to mess with it or troubleshoot it. This was back in 2008 time frame.

What I now know is that the noise was probably a bad starter clutch (after I changed a lot of them on the CRF450 engine we used in the FSAE car back when I was in school). After I graduated, 2013 , I had it in a friends garage for a while and got it to where it would start and roughly idle . Then he lost use of the garage and I had to put it back in storage. We bought a house back in 2017 and I finally have a garage. Back in the fall I cleaned the gas tank out, it had a bit of gunk in it, but couldn’t get it to start . At this point I’m sure it needs a carb cleaning, and who knows what else.

I can’t do any heavy lifting due to my recent surgery, so that means no suspension work on the Volvo . But carbs aren’t heavy, and i t’s supposed to rain all weekend, so maybe I’ll tear into the bike and see if I can at least get it started and running again.

Now I’m inspired.  Thank you.  

TheJWT > Snuze: Needs another Swede 06/18/2020 at 12:04

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I always thought it was odd that Honda sold the CB-1 and my bike, the Hawk at the same time. Very similar power figures and weight, similar styling, but one has a relatively pedestrian V-twin engine and a fancy aluminum sp ar frame and single swingarm and the other has a conventional steel frame but (in my opin ion) a much more interesting engine. And then like you said, both got handily outsold by the CBR600.

Don’t get me wrong though, I’d love both. Hell, throw in a CBR600 too. Honda was on another level in the late 80's- early 90's

Snuze: Needs another Swede > TheJWT 06/18/2020 at 12:54

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I didn’t know you had a H awk, that’s awesome. I always wanted one because I consider the Hawk and the CB-1 to be sib lings. Plus I’m a sucker for single sided swing arms. If I remember correctly, they also share the same gas tank, seat, and a few other bits and bobs.

Also, if you are indifferent about living, an early CBR600 engine will basically bolt right into a CB-1 frame. As I understand it, though, the frames tend to have a little trouble coping with the power and usually end up cracking. But it would be a hell of a ride, for a while.  

TheJWT > Snuze: Needs another Swede 06/18/2020 at 12:57

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If you’re ever in Ohio we can trade for a day!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > TheJWT 06/18/2020 at 13:02

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Gorgeous bike!!!

If I get the CB-1 going I’ll get it cleaned up and get some pictures.

To be honest, as much as I love my Hondas, I’ve always wanted a Duc.  If I get the CB-1 running it will probably go up for sale and the proceeds put towards a new or gently used Ducati.  Now I just need to decide which one!

DipodomysDeserti > AestheticsInMotion 06/18/2020 at 13:32

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I almost pulled the trigger on a ‘94 VFR a frw weeks ago. There’s an ‘84 VFR1000RR with the HRC livery  for less than $3k on my local CL right now. It’s tempting me.

AestheticsInMotion > pip bip - choose Corrour 06/18/2020 at 13:41

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I had absolutely no idea Cannondale made motorcycles at one point. Neat!

They're the guys who have the scary single side suspension, right? Or is that Gary Fischer... It's been at least a decade since I was in the mountain biking world lol

doodon2whls > AestheticsInMotion 06/18/2020 at 19:41

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You have done VERY well down selecting to two great choices. I am partial to the 5th Gen VFR as I have 36K+ miles on my 2000 VFR - owned since new... Ridden 1st and 3rd gen VFRs too... Rock solid best all rounder hands down...

The SV650 is a solid 2nd choice, and if you find a clean non-abused one I would look long and hard at it. It just isn’t going to be an all rounder like the VFR.

I have countless videos and photos of my 2000 VFR I could share, but you can find equally drool worthy material on YouTube and Flickr... This is an old video, but the best one. The symphony of sound is well represented here... Drive off exhaust sound, running thru the gears up to redline, crisp downshift, fly by, and then idle chop with gear driven cam whine... Put some headphones on with great dynamic range...

I have ridden some others like the Duke690 ( https://oppositelock.kinja.com/have-you-ever-cheated-on-your-motorcycle-i-have-an-452180027 ) R1200RT (  https://oppositelock.kinja.com/so-cal-fling-with-an-r1200rt-cheating-on-my-motorcycl-456701283  ), but the VFR keeps me coming back for more.

AestheticsInMotion > doodon2whls 06/19/2020 at 17:58

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Oh lord. Yeah, I need a VFR. You even have a yellow one...

You need to write more here! Those were both great reads! 

AestheticsInMotion > DipodomysDeserti 06/19/2020 at 17:58

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Just don't you dare buy a yellow one. Me first! 

DipodomysDeserti > AestheticsInMotion 06/19/2020 at 18:32

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doodon2whls > AestheticsInMotion 06/20/2020 at 08:07

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Yeah... 5th gen #VFRLife is pretty good, man... You need in on that. Mine is not for sale. ;-)

I used to write quite a bit on Oppo, but I don’t have much time to write now... At the time, I was traveling quite a bit for work, so I would write in the airport or on the plane (if not on a red-eye)... I travel less now and am crazy busy, sooooo... Less writing material and time.

I did a bunch of Oppo Review of cars, too... Mostly rentals and stuff ... Oh, and there was that time I flew a P-51 ... Did a few trips reports , museum visits , too... And I drove /reviewed a Tesla Model S in 2013 ... This was when the press wasn’t really invited to drive the Tesla much... It raised some eyebrows at Tesla, as I had some Tesla HR folks checking out my LinkedIn profile.. LOL

WOW ! A lot of the writing was from a long long time go.... Time flies...

Good luck, and have fun !