Entertaining ideas for a new bike

[luukasama]

Hey guys,

So I feel like I need a new bike, so I'm starting to take a look around to see what my options are. I don't really have super high expectations or desires. The biggest thing is that I want this bike to be electric blue. I am partial to Kawasaki, but open to looking at other brands. My boyfriend suggested that I look into dual sports, but sporty is good for me also.

The main thing for me is that I have no idea what engine size to upgrade to. Currently, mine is a 498cc. What's the next jump up for me? Should I be looking into liter/leader(?) bikes, or stick to somewhere in the middle? My main concern that I feel like I'm straining my bike in each gear that I go into. I want something that will allow me to out-accelerate any douchebags who feel like racing me and get away from them as fast as possible. I don't want to a racing machine, just something more powerful that my current ride. Most of the times, this bike would be used just for regular commute.

What would be the best criteria for me to consider when I'm looking for something new?

[r1dermon]

Yamaha fz09 if you want a hot rod. Wait for the fz07 if you want a step up from a 500.

[mzdagrl]

How tall are you? this may affect your comfort level in traffic situations. I personally love my SV (yes, even though I upgraded). It is a great all-around bike, comfortable for long rides, sporty for the twisties, and has enough power to out-accelerate those you wish to. It isn't a liter-bike, but it is a step up and a good one, plus they are inexpensive and available in electric blue (I have lower fairings that I may be willing to part with for a few dollars if you find an S without the lowers).

[TheIglu]

Liter bike. A liter is 1000cc's. Hence 1000cc bikes being known as a liter bike. You don't need anything that big for street duty. Need and want are two very different things.

Any modern 600-1200cc bike will be plenty fast.

If you think people will stop racing you, or you can "get away" from them just because you have a faster bike, you'll be sadly mistaken. Only way to not race douche-bags is to not race them at all.

[Karate.Snoopy]

I am a fan of the 600s nimble and plenty fast. Triumph Street Triple, FZ09, Kawasaki 650R.

[r1dermon]

Personally, I like the smaller bikes. Liter bikes are great if you want to go 200mph on the freeway, which is like playing Russian roulette. But they're heavy and cumbersome around town. They're almost always super sports. You'll have more fun on a hooligan bike like a fz, or a KTM 690 Duke. Honda has a few good bikes coming out as well, the cb500f or the nc700 comes to mind. But the Yamaha have more edge. Plus with 26k mile valve checks, it's a no brainer. The fz09 is scary fast and flickable based on reviews. Sub liter bike, less on insurance (some insurance companies consider naked bikes as standards). Upright riding position for more comfort...

[Billy]

Owning a 750cc and a 1093cc, 750cc is an "easier" ride on the street. What I mean by that is it's more predictable and more forgiving!

[aldend123]

A bike targeted more at street riding (instead of a supersport) will usually have a wider, and therefore more streetable power curve. This is usually a result of the cam profile, engine tuning, and engine type (I4, Triple, V2, V4, etc). Engine size is not the only aspect to consider.

It sounds like your primary concern/issue is with winding out the engine to red line in every gear in order to get noteworthy power? Or that there is not enough power at lower RPM's so you have to constantly down shift?

[nt650hawk]

and add some NOS to it

[TheIglu]

1. BUSA because that's the answer to everything. If it's a bit too big for you, you can just get a couple guys to help lift it.

2. SV, what mazdagrl said. I'd recommend the nekid one vs the S model. But it's all personal preference. You'll love the torque and it still has a lot more top end than the EX500. I've owned both and am VERY happy with my SV as an all around fun bike/track weapon.

3. BUSA

[jasnmar]

Thank you Gino. I was starting to wonder if this forum was the same one I remember.

And Clayton got it right, twice!

[SVRACER01]

kawi ninja 650

[nt650hawk]

Thank you Gino. I was starting to wonder if this forum was the same one I remember.

And Clayton got it right, twice!

i Know! People are slacking and getting all PC. but seriously based on her "I want something that will allow me to out-accelerate any douchebags" the NOS will allow that to happen..LOL

[Imbeek]

This one might suit you but it's not electric blue

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...mph-Speed-Four

[ZX-12R]

But they're heavy and cumbersome around town. They're almost always super sports.

So the extra 15ish pounds a liter bike has over its 600cc brother makes it too heavy and cumbersome for around town use?

[JettaJayGLS]

So the extra 15ish pounds a liter bike has over its 600cc brother makes it too heavy and cumbersome for around town use?

Is it even 15 pounds these days?

[PainfullySlow]

I just got my wife a street triple and she loves it...but it is electric purple :-p The 675 is a ridiculously good motor for around town/commuting.

[r1dermon]

so the extra 15ish pounds a liter bike has over its 600cc brother makes it too heavy and cumbersome for around town use?

Compared with a motard or naked bike, yes. Clip ons and a forward leaning seating position put you in an uncomfortable position resting on your wrists. Not ideal for seeing through traffic, or longer commutes. I never compared the liter bikes to their smaller twin brothers, but compared with the fz's that I recommended, they're heavier and more awkward. The r1 is 454lbs, and the r6 is 417 both wet. 8.2% heavier, and that's still barely a liter bike. Compare it with a busa or a zx14, or do people call those liter and a half bikes now... Lol.

[TheIglu]

Too bad liter (+) bikes like the FZ1, Speed Triple, ZRX, Z1k, SV1k, etc don't exist. If they did, they would be comfortable, fast AND great around town. MIND BLOWN!

[r1dermon]

Bandit 1200, monster 1200...commuting=gas mileage. And coming off a ex500.

Now that I think more about it... BUSA!

[ZX-12R]

Is it even 15 pounds these days?

There is a 13lbs and change difference between the '14 6R and 10R. Apparently the R1 is a porker compared to the svelte R6.

[jasnmar]

Makes no sense. The 10R has bigger holes in the motor. It should be lighter, right?

[ZX-12R]

There are bigger plugs in each one of those holes though...

[Sheppo]

I prefer a liter bike around town, cause I am lazy and don't have to shift as much as a modern 600. But then again I ride a 2cyl 800 sport tourer.

[luukasama]

Wow, guys, thanks for all the advice. Since it'll be kinda inane to have multiple replies in a row from me, I'll answer the questions here:

mzdagrl: I'm 5'6"~7"ish. When you say SV, what is the full brand name that you are referring to? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with bikes enough to know them by their initials or just models.

aldend123: I'm not quite sure how to explain it. My boyfriend said that I should be putting my bike through its paces, so instead of switching gears at 4-5 rpm interval, I try to do it at 6 and 7. But when I go up higher, it just produces this higher pitched noise and I don't like it. It feels like I'm pushing the bike too much. It just feels very, very wrong when I switch at higher.

nt650: That Hayabusa's color looks sexy, but it looks like a humpback camel. Plus, I don't have a deathwish and I heard those are wicked fast. I don't want to accelerate into the grave, lol. I think that's too much bike for me.

I know that racing a douchebag is not the first thing that should be on my mind, and it isn't. It's a plus. I just want a bike that won't scream like I'm pulling its hair if I rev that throttle a little higher. It's almost like a psychological thing. Plus, color to me matter a lot, so I have no real attachment to that bike. Call it stupid, I don't care, but that's how it is. I have a thing for blue.

I'll try and take a look at some of the models you guys recommend. See if something catches my eye. Btw, what are you guys' opinions on the Kawasaki Versys?