Adding a 2nd bike to the stable...

[SRTie4k]

So I'm kinda sorta on the hunt for a 2nd bike. I love my 1290SA, but I want something compact, preferably naked, to add to the stable for around-town riding. The 1290SA will be my long distance and off pavement steed. Looking at $3000 and below.

Now I've always adored the Buell XB Lightnings...unfortunately I've never ridden one. Would jumping into an XB12S as an around-town bike be dumb? I've read enough about them to know they're akin to paint shakers, that they have questionable reliability, but I don't know too much more. I've also heard they handle incredibly, sound wonderful, and have gobs of torque. And of course I love how they look.

The other bike I've considered is a Grom. Yeah it's a monkey bike, but it looks like stupid fun going full throttle everywhere and hanging off the thing like an idiot. I can hoon it at legal speeds, which I like. The other nice thing about these is you're pretty much guaranteed to get your investment back if you don't like it. And I'm sure I'd never question the reliability. The biggest thing I'd be giving up on the Grom is longer distance rides, say an hour or more. I don't think it'd be very fun on highways or going an hour outside of town.

Any comments on either? Or other recommendations? Not interested in an SV650, I've ridden plenty of those and while great vanilla nakeds, I want something a little different.

[Falko]

I loved my Aprilia Falco, fun bike, most can get a number of hours out of one comfort wise, but small enough to rip it up. What about a Triumph street trip?

[Paul_E_D]

Duke 390. It's a grom for grown ups.

[TheIglu]

Duke 390. It's a grom for grown ups.

Ya think they are out there for $3k or under?


If it were me, I'd find a big stupid single for rippin around town. Or something cool like a CB-1.

[Chippertheripper]

If you're gonna get an Xb I think the 9 is a better motor. The numbers certainly show the 12 is "better" but the 9 is a little more rev-y and I felt, much more fun.
But yeah, 390 duke would certainly put a grin on my face.

In all seriousness, I would wholeheartedly recommend a 300cc scooter like what ducdave has. Ride hard, put away wet, smoke cars, grin ear to fucking ear, repeat.

[cdovego]

When there was a grom in the garage (Duncan's) - it got rode the most out of all the bikes. I vote grom.

Bonus is everyone smiles and waves when you're on a grom, even the angry cagers soften up.

[Pigman]

I have 2 Groms.....if you want to ride one or both you are very welcome. Love my grom and it gets the most use out of my 5 bikes. They have tons of parts for them and they hold there own on the road. They aren't bad for long rides and seat isn't a rock but DEF softer than my WR450....there is not much negative about them other than out of the Box they need some fixes but thats half the fun of buying a new toy...

Im in pembroke...

[jhawley]

the grom is stupid. that much money for a not even a real motorcycle.

[SRTie4k]

the grom is stupid. that much money for a not even a real motorcycle.

I don't feel like I need "a real motorcycle" for ripping around town. When I need "a real motorcycle", I'll take my 1290SA.

- - - Updated - - -

Duke 390. It's a grom for grown ups.

I have yet to find a Duke 390 for sale at all, let alone for $3k.

[Paul_E_D]

They're only 5k new... nickel difference.

[SRTie4k]

Actually I could just wait for the 17 Duke 390. Beautiful bike, not too expensive, great for around town.

[Paul_E_D]

I kinda prefer the 1st gen 390. A little shocked that they redesigned it already!

[PhilB]

You've got lots of options at or near that price.
Older Monsters. Honda 919, or CBR600. A lot of UJMs. a few years old Triumph Bonneville. V-twin Aprilias.

As someone mentioned, a Vespa 300 would be a great option; that's what they are made for.
Or a Suzuki Burgman or other big scoot. Honda Helix, or PC800 Pacific Coast.
(I know, not naked, but very practical and useful.)

PhilB

[RyanNicholson]

If I was looking for a cheap/fun around town hooligan bike it would probably be a KLX250SM. I put about 1000 miles on a buddy's while he stored it in my garage (with his permission) and I had a shit eating grin on my face the entire time.

[SRTie4k]

As an alternative to the Grom, I've considered the SSR Razkull as well. It's essentially a Chinese Grom knockoff without the EFI but with much better looks and a much better price tag at $1800 brand new. It actually won the Motorcycle.com ankle biters showdown.

[Garandman]

Trailway 200. People go nuts for it.

[cdovego]

As an alternative to the Grom, I've considered the SSR Razkull as well. It's essentially a Chinese Grom knockoff without the EFI but with much better looks and a much better price tag at $1800 brand new. It actually won the Motorcycle.com ankle biters showdown.

Every person I know who owns one or has owned one (ssr) treats them as throw aways. Everything you'd expect out of a chinese knockoff.

[loudbeard]

I'll chime in since my old grom got an honorable mention. I loved the bike to start with, it was a stupid amount of fun to rip around Boston. I could lane filter without anyone getting pissed (cause it's so darn cute!) hop curbs like a sumo, and it was a boss of a pit bike. Literally everywhere I went the throttle was pinned.

Anyway, slowly the love affair faded. Outside of tight city streets it's boring to ride, and it's absolutely tapped to maintain 55 mph. I grew up where you live and ride my bicycle all over Swanzey, if I wanted a fun second bike around there it would absolutely be a motard.

[Pigman]

SSR's are not cheap as the others...they are made just as good as a others. You have to be a bit pickey and or get the higher model but they are not a knock off junk...


mine

[duganc1717]

I'm a fan, not sure why though?

2009 Buell XB12SS Lightning - WHOLESALE TO THE PUBLIC

[SRTie4k]

I saw that. Seems like a steal, I gotta wonder whats wrong with it...

[RyanNicholson]

That Buell is one of our bikes, if anybody is seriously interested feel free to PM. Looks like a good bike if you're willing to put a few bucks and bit of elbow grease into it though.

[Damnut]

That's a great deal on that bike. If you're looking for a Buell, I may be selling my S1 in the near future.

[Paul_E_D]

If this bike had the 1125 rotax, I would have owned one.

I'm a fan, not sure why though?

2009 Buell XB12SS Lightning - WHOLESALE TO THE PUBLIC

[nhbubba]

My DRZ400SM is my chucker bike. Costs little. Always starts and runs. Impresses no-one yet is stupid fun.
I'm seriously going to miss owning it.