Lightweight, small engined, long distance motorcycle

"David Talmage" (davidtalmage) 04/05/2016 at 13:19 • Filed to: None

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I wonder if such a bike exists. It weighs under 400 pounds. It has an engine between 250cc and 500cc. It has a range of 250 miles per tank. Like a big cruiser, it has a fairing, either built-in, after-market, or DIY. It is comfortable for a long legged person to ride all day on back roads and for a little while on the highway.

I already have a super scooter, a 2003 Aprilia Atlantic 500. It’s great. It’s close to what I want. It weighs over 425 pounds wet and that’s just a little too heavy for me sometimes.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 13:23

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Suzuki GS500F

500cc motor

Full fairing

4+ gallon tank

440lb curb weight. (you won’t get much lighter for a faired motorcycle, fairings and tank add weight)

David Talmage > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/05/2016 at 13:37

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Interesting. It’s comfortable for touring all day? I’ve only ridden my scooter long distance, so I don’t know about these things.

Master Cylinder > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 13:50

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One of Honda’s 500 twins probably comes close. The weight is probably over 400 though.

Hammerdown > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 14:01

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Only thing I can think of is a KLR 650. While it’s out of your cc range, with an aftermarket tank it could have the range you’re looking for.

Can you explain why you want the things you want? It might make it easier to give recommendations.

jariten1781 > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 14:14

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Honda VF500F from the mid 80s is as close as you'll get. ~400 lbs dry, full fared, has 5.2 gal tank (full plus reserve). Still a number out there, pretty much designed for lightweight sport touring (ie, standard riding position, 'sport look' fairings). There are folks that can pull 50 mpg with freshly redone carbs and aired up tires but most folks get ~40 and hit reserve in the 140-160 mile range.

Justin Hughes > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 14:14

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It’s bigger than you specified, but the Honda PC800 is the smallest bike in the sport touring segment that I’ve seen.

It has an 800cc motor and weighs around 600lbs, but most of that weight is down low so it doesn’t feel that heavy. I’m 6 feet tall and rode mine from MA all the way out to Cape Breton Island, NS, to ride the Cabot Trail.

It was plenty comfortable for a week on the road. Its range is a bit less than you want - I fill up around 150 miles to be safe - but it works for me.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 14:18

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BMW F650 Funduro

Ask The Man Who Owns One

650 single (VERY well counterbalanced and surprisingly smooth)

half-fairing (good weather protection)

5.2 gallon tank (4.5 + .7 reserve) 50+ MPG, you do the math ;)

421lbs wet

all-day comfortable, compliant but responsive ride and handling.

coelacanthist > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 14:36

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Okay, I’m kidding, but aren’t these cool?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_MB5…

Pixel > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 14:37

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I have an earlier ‘96 GS500E(no fairings, smaller tank) and get about 50mpg with mostly highway driving.

It is pretty comfortable, though a bit hunched over. Taller bars would probably help.

David Talmage > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 14:57

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Hammerdown asked me:

Can you explain why you want the things you want? It might make it easier to give recommendations.

I’m looking for a smaller bike for a few reasons. I don’t need to go very fast for very long. The smaller displacement engine will be thrifty on gasoline. The smaller bike will be lighter. That’s important because I’m not very strong. I’m 6'1" and I weigh about 145 lbs. If I rode a big touring bike, I wouldn’t be able to pick it up when it fell over.

I don’t want a naked bike because I want protection from wind. I live near Washington, DC and I ride year round. The fairing on my scooter lets me do that. The winter in DC isn’t as cold as, say in New England, but 20F is plenty cold at 75 MPH in the morning on my way to work.

David Talmage > Justin Hughes 04/05/2016 at 15:05

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Lovely bike! Have you read Vermin’s adventures on Cack , his PC800? They’re highly entertaining.

Justin Hughes > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 15:11

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Thanks! I have indeed. Very entertaining.

brianbrannon > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 15:27

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You don't need smaller bike you just need to learn how to pick it up. Small women can pick up Harleys and BMWs

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > David Talmage 04/05/2016 at 15:51

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The fairings will reduce wind buffeting a lot, and the ergonomics of this bike are not “hunched over” like you get on what are called “super sports” or even other sport bikes. It is far closer to a standard, more upright position. Use this website to compare the ergonomics of bikes and see how you’ll “sit” on one of them - http://cycle-ergo.com/

Hammerdown > David Talmage 04/06/2016 at 10:31

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If it falls over, you need to know how to pick it up properly. Do some Youtube searches and learn the right way. I’ve watched 100lbs girls pick up 900 lbs Harley’s at demos. As long as you lift with your legs you should have no problems. Also, do you plan on laying it down often?

That being said, any of the 650-850cc cruisers with an aftermarket windshield would cover all the bases. I haven’t heard anything about offroad/gravel roads, so if it’s pavement only, a cruiser would be a good choice. My pick would be a 750 Honda Shadow:

fuel mileage in the 50's. Very comfortable. Very well supported aftermarket, and very inexpensive. If you’re really looking for extra range consider buying a fuel bottle and carrying it along.

My bike only goes about 120 miles on a tank, but my but only goes about 100 miles before I need a break anyway, so I just take my breaks at gas stations.

David Talmage > Hammerdown 04/06/2016 at 12:04

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Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve seen some of the videos you mentioned on YouTube.

No, I don’t plan on laying it down often. Nobody does.

Hammerdown > David Talmage 04/06/2016 at 14:08

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It doesn’t seem like it would work (picking a bike up in that manner) but I tipped my VTX 1800 over in the garage a couple of weeks ago (weighs about 850lbs). That method was the only way I could get it to budge, and I got it right back up. I’m 6'4" 210lbs.

David Talmage > Justin Hughes 05/19/2016 at 16:26

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The Cack is for sale! $500.

http://advrider.com/index.php?thre…

bob and john > David Talmage 09/19/2016 at 12:45

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IDK why I just came on this...

but the whole idea behind touring is to relax. most bikes under 500cc are NOT relaxed on the freeway, you have to rev them out a little to get anywhere.

you are sort of asking for a motor with the fuel econ of a 4 bangers and the power of a V8 thats cheap. doesnt reaaalllyyy exist.

the PC800 is pretty much the smallest ‘tourer’ you can get. if you are willing to make some mods, look into an SV650. buell foot pegs, taller handle bars, an after market screen and a lower final drive is what you would need. pretty bullet proof bikes, and I’ve hit high 60s mpg with mine.

you could go to a small or mid sized cruiser, something like a shadow 750 or a vulcan. heavier, but due to low Center of gravity, easy to pick up.