The shopping list

[duganc1717]

Sold my 06' GSXR 1k earlier this year and had planned to buy a co-workers 02' gsxr because it fell into my lap, but I got burned on that purchase. I really had not been missing riding until I spent Labor day weekend in North Conway and saw a bunch bikes out. Then I started thinking this be the first winter in 6yrs I would not be able to ride in the snow.
So I made a list of "tamer" bikes that I might be interested in.
The bike would see a short commute, less than 20 miles round trip, some weekend riding and a trip or two throughout riding season. Pretty sure I need to look for a more upright riding position, I would prefer FI (kills quite a few of my choices), large CC's displacement, huge bonus would be if the bike came withhard saddlebags and my budget will be around $4k to leave some money for the previously mentioned trips and to update some riding gear (~85K plus miles should justify some new gear).
My biggest issue with the type of bikes I am looking @ is the "lack" of decent suspension coming stock on these bikes.
Any thoughts and or input?.....

So far on the list I have:
Ducati ST3/4
Kawasaki zrx
Kawasaki Z1000 (already owned 1)
Yamaha FZ1
Suzuki Bandit (can't believe I typed a bandit)
Suzuki SV1000
Honda Blackbird
Kawasaki ZX12
Suzuki Hayabusa ($4k budget may be a challenge)
Honda VFR 800 (seems to be my top choice so far)
Aprilia Tuono
Triumph Speedtriple

Pics for clicks



Updated 25APR14

Expanded my budget to $10K, looking currently at:

2009 FZ1 (seems like the most logical pick)

2010 MV Augusta Brutale 990R (worried maintenance and lack of dealers for service)

2014 FZ9 (front suspension maybe a deal breaker)

2010+ Z1000/ Ninja 1000 (would have to come with factory bags)

2014 Street triple R (not sure how the smaller bike will be for a few two up overnight trips?)

Thought, comments?

[TheIglu]

Come up and try my Rex, then decide if carbs are worth the hassle.

I've had them apart once in 30k miles, and that was only to jet it.

[nhbubba]

I had a Bandit. If you're looking EFI, then you're looking at the newer 1250. I had the 1200. It was fine, but I would not strongly recommend cross shopping it with the rest of your list. The 1250 is watercooled EFI where the 1200 was air-cooled carb'ed. Totally different animals, I suspect.

The 1200 was cheap when I bought it. Cheap when I owned it. And cheap when I sold it.

I'm a fan of buying cheap bikes and upgrading them. Wrenching is half the fun, IMO.

VFR would be my pick of your list. I want one myself.

[me109g4]

ZZR1200??

[maxim_X]

You can find some Kawi ZX14 around for that price. They are similar to a hayabusa but generally cheaper and more comfortable. Also the older zx12 is a more comfortable ride than most 'sport bikes'. But, have you ever considered a Ducati monster? I did a quick craigslist search and this is the first one I found. http://southcoast.craigslist.org/mcd/3233222938.html

[boosten lebaron]

Blackbirds are really nice and you can pick between carb'd or fi. The hayabuse would be my first choice on that list but with only 4g to spend its not going to happen. Need about 5g to start getting into busa's. The zx14 is also a choice not on your list. Bandits are nice but more or less basic. The vfr is a solid choice too.

[Garandman]

If you are looking for "Upright sport bikes" - BTDT.

Triumph Tiger 1050.

Put bags on it and ride for hours, or take the bags off and go nuts. Available with or without ABS, has radial-mounted brakes and big inverted front forks. Rear shock is a relatively "high-spec" Showa but I replaced it with Penske.

Just be prepared for the "TDF" - Triumph Delay Factor. Who knew every male of a certain age in New England owned a Bonneville?

[reks95]

I love the idea of the Tiger too, but that $4k budget would probably be pretty tough.
I've seen a lot of FZ1's used, pretty upright, still pretty fun.
Ninja 1000 would probably be good too, but might also be tough on the budget.

[duganc1717]

+1 on the cost of a Tiger and not sure I'm ready for that "upright" of a riding position.

[nhbubba]

Totally. They are old man machines. Stay the hell away from them. I want the used Tiger market to myself!

[aldend123]

BMW has several models that will fit your bill, but surely be on the upper end of your budget.

I'm new to biking, but I've been watching CL for "the next bike at the right price". Sounds like our desires are similar, and I've developed a list that looks a hell of a lot like yours (minus the busa).
Only one that stands out on CL list is aprilia futura. I've also been watching for ST1300's... I see you're approaching 40 so it might work

[duganc1717]

Added a first gen Tuono.

[SVRACER01]

what about the honda 919?
i bet those can be found pretty cheap. FI. bulletproof motor. upright seating

[SVRACER01]

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/mcy/3249431676.html
http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcd/3227049408.html

i found a bunch around $4k. i even found one for $900 that had been crashed. you could easily have this thing mint for well under $4k (at least based on the pics and info given)
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mcy/3288307717.html

[falcodave]

Aprilia Falco - sold mine two years ago, big mistake, missed it as soon as it went out of the garage. Nice twin motor, not too upright, never a problem

[dankatz]

I have a 2007 VFR - great all around bike. Does not excel at anything, but is very good in everything.

I think the 2007 FZ1 can be had for less than the equivalent VFR, have more powerful motors and still have excellent suspension and brakes.

Interestingly a bike I would like to own one day is a 2005-6 GSX-R1000 :-)

[duganc1717]

what about the honda 919?
i bet those can be found pretty cheap. FI. bulletproof motor. upright seating

I not have been a big fan of the 919, not even really sure why other than I remember them being a little on the slow side when they came out.

[nhbubba]

Shit ton of FZ1s on CL right now... some well within your price range.

[duganc1717]

Bump, added Ducati ST3 and ST4 to the list plus considering older Speed Triple.

[duganc1717]

Expanded my budget to $10K, looking currently at:

2009 FZ1 (seems like the most logical pick)

2010 MV Augusta Brutale 990R (worried maintenance and lack of dealers for service)

2014 FZ9 (front suspension maybe a deal breaker)

2010+ Z1000

2014 Street triple R (not sure how the smaller bike will be for a few two up overnight trips?)

Thought, comments?

[loudbeard]

Might as well throw the Speed Triple in there since you have a few other naked liter bikes on the list.

Between the street and FZ9 I'd say those are great bikes but 2 up over nighters aren't going to be the best time. If that's your thing I would really be looking at a Tiger 800 or GS800. I really want a Tiger myself.

[nhbubba]

I hear really great things about the Ninja 1000.

http://worcester.craigslist.org/mcd/4389474726.html
http://southcoast.craigslist.org/mcd/4416286461.html
http://capecod.craigslist.org/mcd/4391712347.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/4430025671.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/4386855647.html
http://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/4424899598.html
http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/4438356079.html

[dontpanic]

I like my N1k a lot, but it does need a front sprocket one tooth larger and a cushier seat (both of which are pretty easy to fix). Add some soft luggage and you're in!

[duganc1717]

Might as well throw the Speed Triple in there since you have a few other naked liter bikes on the list.

Between the street and FZ9 I'd say those are great bikes but 2 up over nighters aren't going to be the best time. If that's your thing I would really be looking at a Tiger 800 or GS800. I really want a Tiger myself.

Updated the first post, Ninja 1000 and Z1000 fall into the same spot. Not really looking at ADV bikes @ this time, I would probably look @ the sport tour category before the ADV bikes.

[JettaJayGLS]

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...-RS-3-999-obro

Seems to fit the bill.