Need some motorcycle advice

[agallag]

Ok, here's the deal. I just got my motorcycle learner's permit, and I need some advice on a bike to buy. I'm taking a course to get my full (probationary) license in June, so I'll want a bike soon after that. Here's my criteria:

- I'm 6'6", 240 lbs, so it'll have to be on the big side
- no harleys (or anything even resembling a harley)
- no super crotch rockets
- must be significantly smaller than a gold wing

So far, the ones I like the best are the Honda ST1100, and the BMW R1100RT but they're CAD$16,000, and CAD$21,000, which are both way more than I'm looking to spend. I was thinking more along the lines of $6-8,000. I'm willing to give up some displacement, but I want a real windsheild (I don't fancy bugs in the teeth). I'm also willing to look at the used market, but given the option, I'd prefer a new one. Any thoughts?

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Andrew
Carpe Cerevisi

[Rags]

Get a Honda Shadow.

Too bad you aren't into the harleys or no windshields

Windshields suck IMO. I happen to LOVE bugs in my teeth

EDIT: Maybe the shadow is too Harley like for you, but here is a pic and MSRP's of a couple of models that should fit your build fine:

Honda NightHawk 750, MSRP 5799 USD:


Honda Shadow Sabre, 1100CC, MSRP 8200 USD:


Rags



[This message has been edited by Rags (edited 25 April 2001).]

[agallag]

The Shadow is definitely too harleyish, but the nighthawk looks good. However, it looks like it's either discontinued, or not available in Canada (see here). Maybe I could find a used one of those. Anyway, more stuff to think about. Thanks man.

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Andrew
Carpe Cerevisi

[Rags]

The NightHawk is still available and still being produced, it should be available up there as well. I just drove an 01 model last weekend and I loved it.

Rags

I still like the Shadows, though. Good looks, rides great, and still enough power to pull a guy twice my size around (6'3" 165)

Rags

[Kruzin]

I loved my old Honda Shadow (although I'll never buy a Honda car).
It had an aftermarket removable fairing, so if i was just bumpin' around town, i'd go without, but if I was going on the highway, I could mount the fairing in less than 2 min.
That fairing is a godsend when caught on the highway in a rain shower or storm.
In the US, BMWs and Harleys are too pricey for my taste. I'll go with a Honda or Yammerhammer for my next 2-wheeled ride...

[agallag]

Here's another possibility, the Suzuki Bandit:



Comes with 600 or 1200 cc, reasonable price, and looks like a good size for me. What's suzuki's reputation like?

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Andrew
Carpe Cerevisi

[Kruzin]

Myself, I can't stand the "crotch rocket" bikes like that Bandit shown above.
I like a bike I can can kick back on and relax while kruzin (like the Shadow), or sit upright on, and blow by traffic (like the Shadow). But that's only my preferance...

[Chris B]

by agallag:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">What's suzuki's reputation like?</font>

If you ask me, Suzuki is no better and no worse than any other brand. It´s a religion thing you know. It´s like asking hi-fi "geeks" if Denon or Marantz is the better brand.

Asking a question like this is also likely to get you a lot of "well you should get a (insert brand here)... that´s what I drive, and it kicks ass" answers, if you know what I mean!


Try checking out this link for some reviews... there are quite a few, and I thin k I saw the Bandit in there too!
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/manufac.motml#bikes

Hope you find what you´re looking for!

[This message has been edited by Chris B (edited 25 April 2001).]

[Taz]

How about one of these



Being a Sports Tourer it's very comfortable, has a good tank range but also handles well and is pretty quick

I've done 42k miles on mine without any problems so they are reliable.


[This message has been edited by Taz (edited 25 April 2001).]

[Strahd]

The Honda Sabre that Rags posted is a beautiful machine. A friend of mine has an older one and it's a cross between the Custom(harley style) and the sport bikes. I like the newer model better.

At least it's better than this one.

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[Jammrock]

BMW!!!!!! AAAAAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAA..

No seriously. BMW motorcycles are awesome and don't cost that much. You can get an R 1100 RL for around $9k brand new. Used one run for $5k and less.

http://www.bmwusacycles.com/

Check it out.

Jammrock

[SCompRacer]

Now this is reaching back in time. Taken by my dear wife of 25 years about a year before we were married. She was still in the process of reforming me.

[agallag]

Kruzin: That's hardly a crotch rocket. It seems like more a sport/touring, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I really don't want anything even remotely resembling a harley. I don't like the sound, the look, or the "image" of that style.

Chris B: Thanks for the link, looks like it'll be informative.

Taz: That's a triumph? Wow. A bit too crotch-rocket-like for me though.

Jammrock: We don't get the RL up here in the great white north, but the R1100R starts at CAD$14,650 (that's the cheapest in the R series for us). Still way too steep for me.

SCompRacer: So that puts that picture at around 1974ish? Funny, that's the year I was born I think that's what sets this forum apart from all the other hardware sites. I'm usually the old guy on any other forums. Not here though

Edit: very late typo correction
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Andrew
Carpe Cerevisi

[This message has been edited by agallag (edited 30 April 2001).]

[Kruzin]

In my book, if you can't mount pegs on the engine guards and actually sit back while riding, it's a crotch rocket.

[agallag]

Hehe... I want to be relaxed while riding, but not quite that relaxed. To each his own I guess. I drive a small japanese car too, so yeah, I'm that kind of guy.

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Andrew
Carpe Cerevisi