I think I'll always have something vintage in the garage. And, unfortunately, I like projects....something to do.
However, lately, I've REALLY been kicking around the idea of thinning the herd and getting something a few years old to really pile on the miles.
Don't get me wrong....I LOVE my CB550's, and I've always had an XS650 in the garage ever since I started messing around with motorcycles. But after a recent trip to the North Georgia mountains (in my cage), I really started wanted something.....else. Something modern, not needing constant tweaking, something that I could really put some highway miles on....
Trouble is, I don't know what I'd get rid of. I LOVE my '71 CB500, but with the 400F bars and rear-sets, it's not good for 300 mile days. The '78 550K is super comfy and fun to ride, plus I just finished it about 200 miles ago. The XS is down right now with an undiagnosed engine noise, but I don't want to get rid of it, either. An XS was my first bike and it's getting hard to find nice examples for a decent price.
Then.....what to get?
- A Triumph Bonneville or T100? LOVE the Thruxton, but I already have a bike with low bars.
- BMW GS? Not quite my style and a little spendy.
- Kawasaki Versys or ER6N? A little odd looking.
- SV650?
- V-Strom?
If you were in the market for an affordable standard style bike, what would you look at? Something with handlebars, NOT clip-ons. Preferably a twin of some sort. Something, say, less than ten years old. Has luggage or can be fitted without much trouble. Something not quite "dual sport" like the Tenere', etc. And semi-affordable....~$5500-6500 range, max.
However, lately, I've REALLY been kicking around the idea of thinning the herd and getting something a few years old to really pile on the miles.
Don't get me wrong....I LOVE my CB550's, and I've always had an XS650 in the garage ever since I started messing around with motorcycles. But after a recent trip to the North Georgia mountains (in my cage), I really started wanted something.....else. Something modern, not needing constant tweaking, something that I could really put some highway miles on....
Trouble is, I don't know what I'd get rid of. I LOVE my '71 CB500, but with the 400F bars and rear-sets, it's not good for 300 mile days. The '78 550K is super comfy and fun to ride, plus I just finished it about 200 miles ago. The XS is down right now with an undiagnosed engine noise, but I don't want to get rid of it, either. An XS was my first bike and it's getting hard to find nice examples for a decent price.
Then.....what to get?
- A Triumph Bonneville or T100? LOVE the Thruxton, but I already have a bike with low bars.
- BMW GS? Not quite my style and a little spendy.
- Kawasaki Versys or ER6N? A little odd looking.
- SV650?
- V-Strom?
If you were in the market for an affordable standard style bike, what would you look at? Something with handlebars, NOT clip-ons. Preferably a twin of some sort. Something, say, less than ten years old. Has luggage or can be fitted without much trouble. Something not quite "dual sport" like the Tenere', etc. And semi-affordable....~$5500-6500 range, max.