I want a bike!

[NPloysa]

Just bought an R/C heli after wanting one for years, now I am itching for a bike after wanting one for years.



I would love to have an older BMW or Duc but not real sure. I do know how to ride (no license yet) but never had my own bike.



What do you guys ride? I don't want a loud Harley type, but I don't want a crotch rocket either. I would like a touring bike or a dual-sport type like BMW and Yamaha make.



What to look for? I will have to finance one! How many miles is too many on these? What size? (I am 6'1", 155 lbs). Would a 750-900 size be good? What I am looking for is an alternative, fun, vehicle besides my truck and since the g/f just bought an Audi I don't need a car to play with!



Thanks!



Nick

 

[mgoncalves]

Have you looked at the Buell's? They sound kind of like what you're looking for.

 

[NPloysa]

You know this is just my opinion but I can not stand the looks of the Buells! I am sure they are good bikes, but I don't like their stance at all.



Thanks though Matt!

 

[Bloomy]

I have an 03 Triumph Tiger. Sport/Touring Combo. 955cc I-3 fuel injected. 104hp. Smooth, fast, handles like a crotch rocket and comfortable. Different look but I absolutely love it. Huge tank. Fuel light comes on around 240 miles. Mine is the same color as the picture. As soon as I figure out how to resize my pictures I will post them with the hard bags and without.



Thomas

 

[JSmith]

Go to the local Suzuki dealership and check out the 650 and 1000 SVU, and they make a rather dual sport bike. Very good writeups on the bikes.

 

[KBennett]

Nick, did you get my PM?



That Tiger looks sweet. It would be a handful off road unless it was a maintained road.



The Suzuki DR's are nice for true Dual Sporting. I have a Yamaha WR400F and it's barely streetable but fast

If you want something to ride up and down I-25 to work I would go with something like that Tiger or a sport bike.

 

[NPloysa]

Kirk, I didn't get your PM!



Yeah, those are both sweet bikes! Unless I get a good deal I will probably get a used bike. I'm going to look at some tonight. I also found a Beamer on Traderonline.com that is similar to what I am looking for. Here is a link to a pic:



http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/9/4/75257494.htm



I'm not wanting a BMW just because it is a BMW, I am also looking at those V-Stroms pretty closely.



Thanks guys!



Nick

 

[Bloomy]

I had a Suzuki DR 650 before the Tiger. It was a nice bike. Like KBennett said the Tiger can be a handful offroad. It ended up that I was riding the DR less and less offroad. So i decided to shop for a more streetable bike. I tried a couple of longer road trips on the DR and it just isn't built for that type of riding. It was great for around town and short commutes. The Tiger is just as good around town and short commutes but rocks for long rides and twisty torque eating roads. Test drive one!!

 

[NPloysa]

I had a Suzuki DR 650 before the Tiger. It was a nice bike. Like KBennett said the Tiger can be a handful offroad. It ended up that I was riding the DR less and less offroad. So i decided to shop for a more streetable bike. I tried a couple of longer road trips on the DR and it just isn't built for that type of riding. It was great for around town and short commutes. The Tiger is just as good around town and short commutes but rocks for long rides and twisty torque eating roads. Test drive one!!

How much is that Triumph?? Aren't they expensive? I wouldn't mind buying something a few years old to save money but if it's the same payment a month I will buy a new one.

 

[Bloomy]

Nick,



They are around $10,500. They started issuing the side mount hard bags as standard equipment. They cost around $1000 for the pair with mounting brackets. I picked mine up as a leftover. They threw in the bags and dropped the price. I know the owner of the shop where I purchased mine. He said it is probably the last bike you will buy. The engines last forever. He was more right then he knows. The price is a lot higher than I was going to pay for another bike, but it was worth it especially since I don't intend to get rid of it. They hold their value fairly well. Better then the jap bikes and a little less then the Harley's. My payment is around $235/48 months. Triumph was offering 2. 9% for three years and 3. 9% for four. I don't know if that is still being offered or not.



Thomas

 

[NPloysa]

Thanks! That's right around the price I was thinking of. Are those models new this year? Are there earlier (2000-2003) model year bikes like that? I know some bike companies changer models often, that's why I am asking.

 

[Bloomy]

There are three generations based on the engine. I think the first year was 1993 or so. I'm not that certain. The engine that is in mine started in 02. The 01 had a slightly smaller enigine. There was a used 01 at the shop when I bought mine, but the price difference with the bags thrown in made the new one the best option. A good selection of aftermarket and factory accessories.



Thomas

 

[KBennett]

Kirk, I didn't get your PM!



Yeah, those are both sweet bikes! Unless I get a good deal I will probably get a used bike. I'm going to look at some tonight. I also found a Beamer on Traderonline.com that is similar to what I am looking for. Here is a link to a pic:



http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/9/4/75257494.htm



I'm not wanting a BMW just because it is a BMW, I am also looking at those V-Stroms pretty closely.



Thanks guys!



Nick

A guy at the office has the BMW that they bought for his wife. I thinks it's the CS which has more street options and is lower. They have had it for 2 years with no problems.

From the pictures I like the Tiger better IMO... . probably a bigger bike too.



I will re-send my PM.

 

[Bloomy]

Here are a few links:



http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=230574&fSectionId=921&fSetId=381



http://motoring.excite.co.uk/display/visualizzanews.php3?id=8568



These are based on the 01's. Check them out.



Thomas

 

[mazdarotary]

Hey Nick,



I had a 88 BMW R100GS for a few years. I just sold it last spring more due to me not using it enough,and the fact we just had a baby in 2002. I loved the bike a lot. I was great because it was a simple bike with lots of storage(I had hard cases,and a large tank bag),it was a decent handling ride,and you didn't have to worry about hitting a dirt road,and turning around. It was my first bike,and I had never ridden a bike before. I took a rider safety course before I got my bike,and I recommend it to everyone regardless of riding experiance. I love the BMW's,and think the old air cooled ones are very simple,and easy to fix if you need to. They can be found pretty cheaply as well. Good luck

 

[scootergmc]

You can get a sweet deal on a Suzuki V-Strom right now... check it out.

 

[NPloysa]

I found an 01 955 Tiger with 4900 miles for $6950 in the cycle trader. I am also going to Grand Prix Motorsports this afternoon to look at some new and used bikes.



I will check out the V-Stroms also, thanks for the info!



Also, Matt, I did go to the Harley/Buell dealer and looked at some of the Buells and really like the Firebolt XB12R! However, I am not sure if its too sporty for what I am looking for. Nice bike though, love the huge front disk brake disk and the aluminum frame.



I will keep you all updated if I find anything!



Nick

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

In another life I had a Honda 350, a BMW 600, and a BMW 900. The BMW boxers are fantastic bikes. Simple to work on, at least the older air heads were (pre oil heads).



Having said that I am glad I survived bike mania and now can cruise in my CTD with a wife and/or a couple of dogs to talk to, whilst staying dry, listening to XM radio, and crawling in the topper to spend the night



Doesn't compare. Oo.

 

[cyborg]

I tried to make a HD sportbike.

Worked good enough to put 27k on it in 3 years.

 

[mike r]

A Valkyrie is a poor bike to buy for a beginner. I just sold mine the other day and the fella that bought it has a Goldwing. I wouldn't have sold it to someone that didn't already own a street bike, its just too much bike for an inexperienced rider. The guy that bought it wanted to use it for a daily rider so he can save his wing for traveling, that's my kind of biker. Start out with something around 800cc or so and then decide if you really like it. Remember, real bikers get wet while riding their bikes, not looking for cover for them!