Motorcycle Suggestions

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Getting my Motorcycle license finally after years of contemplating. Used to ride a 1957 Enfield - a 250 cc Motorcycle.

My criteria -

1. sports touring type motorcycle - plan to do long distance trips
2. Need to accomodate a passenger as well
3. About $10,000 budget - can be 1 or 2 grand more
4. Looking for used motorcycle mostly


What I have in mind now in no particular order -

1. Ducati Multistrada
2. Ducati Monster
3. Harley Dyna
4. BMW F800


Looking for more suggestions from motorcycle aficionados

If it's purely for sports touring then i'd suggest you go for the Honda NT 700V (with anti lock brakes)

depending on your location it should be available

I wouldve suggested the BMW, but they tend to become oil burners....and since youve been riding on an ancient/vintage 250, i wouldnt even suggest anything more than 750-1000CC for you since it's more than you'll be able to handle

but if you think you can -- check out the Kawasaki Concours series bikes....they tend to de-value pretty quick but then again that's because people who own them ride them long distances

just make sure that whatever you do, ensure that the chains regularly been lubed and that oil changes have been done regularly....and make absolutely sure that there are ABSOLUTELY no signs of oil leakkings below the crank-case or around the forks. Thats the number one thing i always look out for.

i dont know about sports tourers but i know on crotch-rockets i will always go full throttle first to second to third (both clutch and then flat-shifting just for fun) to ensure there are no fuel delivery issues either....changing things like throttle position sensors (TPS) can be a handful of work and time and money

me personally ive always been a crotch rocket guy (owned a 636 Ninja and a 600RR with jardine exhaust) but ive sold both since i finished MBA and have loans/bills to pay off....




p.s. the Harley you mentioned isnt a sports tourer; i wouldnt bother, you wont find a decent one within your budget

 

[MilSpec]

Getting my Motorcycle license finally after years of contemplating. Used to ride a 1957 Enfield - a 250 cc Motorcycle.

My criteria -

1. sports touring type motorcycle - plan to do long distance trips
2. Need to accomodate a passenger as well
3. About $10,000 budget - can be 1 or 2 grand more
4. Looking for used motorcycle mostly


What I have in mind now in no particular order -

1. Ducati Multistrada
2. Ducati Monster
3. Harley Dyna
4. BMW F800


Looking for more suggestions from motorcycle aficionados

How long is your "Long distance"

 

[Argus Panoptes]

@Sashan The longer you wait this year to buy a bike, the less of the riding season will remain to be enjoyed, but the deals will get better too.

I had the lessons scheduled for March, the beginning of the season here but had to move it couple of times for certain reasons.

Just stop traveling and start riding! The season's slipping away.

 

[Sashan]

How long is your "Long distance"

I intend to do East coast to west coast or do the Pan American highway till Panama next year.

 

[MilSpec]

I intend to do East coast to west coast or do the Pan American highway till Panama next year.

Ok your requirement suggests BMW r1100's, yamaha FJR1300, honda VRF 1200, but you list has duc monster and fatboy harleys....

Next is your experience, you haven't ridden for a long or big, but you will get it fast. choose a bike based on your height and build. for 10g's you can easily get a mint used nice jap sports cruiser and those damn things will last you for ever, I am on my second yamaha, and the thing is built like a tank. Best suggestion is go to one of those motorworld kinda stores who carry yamaha's, suzuki's, kawi's, honda's and try all of the sports tourers/cruisers that you would like.... Also you can get incredible deals on stock clearances for previous year, keep that in mind. lastly if you do go for a new bike, dealerships will match prices, remember that, so get a cycletrader magazine from the gas station...

best of luck, and do post pics when you get the bike...

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

yeah def. go through dealership and pay a slight premium but get a certified good used bike.....if ya go through craigslist or those other sites there never is any guarantee its been babied

i dunno how knowledgeable you are on mechanicals - but if not -try to bring a knowledgeable friend along to have a glance-over

always remember that the first sign of a crappily maintained bike is any sign of oil below the crank on the underfairing

Honda VRF series is another good suggestion. Me personally I'd go go the Kawasaki Concours but i guess its personal preference (if i had to get a sports tourer that is)


be sure to also invest in a good helmet (Arai, Joe Rocket, etc) and some gloves









p.s. i suggest you do a lot of practice if youve only been riding 250s....but you'll get the hang of it if you're a half decent rider

 

[Argus Panoptes]

I intend to do East coast to west coast or do the Pan American highway till Panama next year.

Now that is a great plan. Post pictures whenever you do that, please.

 

[bandit]

Those skill courses are lame as shyt, i had to bear two just to bring down my insurance from 3500$ a year.

 

[Argus Panoptes]

Those skill courses are lame as shyt, i had to bear two just to bring down my insurance from 3500$ a year.

Anything that saves you money is not shyte, is it? Pretty useful for the pocket book it was I think.

 

[bandit]

Anything that saves you money is not shyte, is it? Pretty useful for the pocket book it was I think.

Money saving is obviously good, but have you ever sat through one?

 

[Argus Panoptes]

Money saving is obviously good, but have you ever sat through one?

A few hours to save thousands? Pretty good deal I think.

 

[bandit]

A few hours to save thousands? Pretty good deal I think.

Would've been better not to go through the pain and save money...

So, have you sat through one

 

[bandit]

Getting my Motorcycle license finally after years of contemplating. Used to ride a 1957 Enfield - a 250 cc Motorcycle.

My criteria -

1. sports touring type motorcycle - plan to do long distance trips
2. Need to accomodate a passenger as well
3. About $10,000 budget - can be 1 or 2 grand more
4. Looking for used motorcycle mostly


What I have in mind now in no particular order -

1. Ducati Multistrada
2. Ducati Monster
3. Harley Dyna
4. BMW F800


Looking for more suggestions from motorcycle aficionados

So you buy anything yet bro?

 

[Sashan]

So you buy anything yet bro?

Mate - in 2-3 weeks

 

[bandit]

Mate - in 2-3 weeks

So you got your eyes on anything yet or still looking..