Been out of motorcycles for a while.. Good all round 750-1000?

[Nostril Cheese]

Gonna be back in the sun for a while and I havent kept up on bikes. Thinking about something for weekend fun in the canyons, going camping, etc.. Ideally as little freeway use as possible.

More emphasis on comfort than speed these days. Something like an old VFR or Sabre?

I rode a friend's Suzuki 750 GSX-S recently and just have to talk myself out of that idea...

I also took my brother's 1200 Bonneville out for a run while meeting my first nephew. Loved the torque, but it felt too big to have a bit of fun with.

Spent a lot of time on an SV650 and loved it. Always wanted to try a SV1000.

What could I get for around $3-4K? Pretty handy with most repairs, less bodywork the better. Not crazy about Transformer looking bikes..

Any ideas?

[Don Ro]

Dual Sport? Sport Touring? Street Bike? What?

[911_Dude]

One of these:
New for 2017: BMW S1000RR, S1000R and S1000XR Updates | BMW Motorcycle Magazine

[stevej37]

^^^^^$20,000 ??

Originally Posted by nostril cheese

what could i get for around $3-4k? Pretty handy with most repairs, less bodywork the better. Not crazy about transformer looking bikes..
Any ideas?

Have you looked at Craigslist in your area?
https://portland.craigslist.org/grg/mcy/6053226463.html

[greglepore]

If you like torque and handling, a Ducati monster. A bunch on CL in your area. You'll have to shop the low end at 3-4, but the first bike listed in a nice 750 in a bad color (yellow) at under 4.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

Dual Sport? Sport Touring? Street Bike? What?

Leaning towards sport touring. Simple is better.. but open to all suggestions..

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by greglepore

If you like torque and handling, a Ducati monster. A bunch on CL in your area. You'll have to shop the low end at 3-4, but the first bike listed in a nice 750 in a bad color (yellow) at under 4.

Whats the maintenance like with desmo/timing belts/electrical smoke?

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^^^$20,000 ??




Have you looked at Craigslist in your area?
https://portland.craigslist.org/grg/mcy/6053226463.html

Leaving the rain soaked macadam behind. Should say more of an upright bike than a CBR.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by 911_Dude

One of these:
New for 2017: BMW S1000RR, S1000R and S1000XR Updates | BMW Motorcycle Magazine

I'll park it right next to my bathtub shaped like a clam..

[Fast Freddy 944]

Oregon? Buy a XL-6fiddy, where you are you will need on road and off road capabilities. Now pass the flannel.

[yazhound]

Could get could used BMW R1100R within your price range. Great all around bike. Parabellum in Georgia makes good sport fairing and the BMWs hard cases are great, even in bad weather. Course sounds not nearly as sweet as Ducati.... Quite dependable. Never ever has it failed to run, or start no matter how long the intervals between rides.

Similar to above post, Suzuki DR650 is another do anything bike and lots of aftermarket stuff available .

[jhynesrockmtn]

If you want something with good manners on the road but can also do some camping, off road riding, basically with a lot of versatility and with your budget you could get a nice Suzuki Vstrom 650 or 1000. Very reliable, lots of aftermarket support, etc. Great bikes!

[jwasbury]

I bought my '98 R1100RT from the original owner with 30k miles, impeccable maintenance history, full BMW luggage and a pile of spares for 3.5k last year. Best 3.5k I've ever spent.

[greglepore]

The belts are easy diy. Electrical issues minimal. Valves are easy for a pro and infrequent. I'd echo the bmw comments but it sounded like you were looking for something more minimalist


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[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Whats the maintenance like with desmo/timing belts/electrical smoke?

Valve adjust is every 6k, however after the second adjustment they don't move much, you can stretch that out. I have never had a electric fault with any of my Ducs. Zero.

I'd like to to add the Ducati ST2 to the suggestions.

Avoid 05-09 plastic tank Ducs. Tanks expand because of ethanol, and I've heard conflicting results on the variety of fixes. 99-04 2v bikes are FI. Reliable, and still had the full trellis frame.

I had a 2002 Monster S. Fantastic bike.

[jwasbury]

I had a '95 900 Monster from new. Over 30k miles, including 2 seasons of AMA road racing. I used it hard, put it away wet, all the time. Other than a broken headstud (common for a few years around '95), no issues. Pretty solid bike, and with a tank bag made a decent sport touring mount. My longest day in the saddle aborad that machine was >600 miles.

[jgreen]

This does it all for a 65 year old. Over 900 miles one day

[Bowling]

Triumph Speed Triple, great motor, torque, upright riding position, minimal body work, used 08 to 10 - $4k to $6k.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Gonna be back in the sun for a while and I havent kept up on bikes. Thinking about something for weekend fun in the canyons, going camping, etc.. Ideally as little freeway use as possible.

More emphasis on comfort than speed these days. Something like an old VFR or Sabre?

I rode a friend's Suzuki 750 GSX-S recently and just have to talk myself out of that idea...

I also took my brother's 1200 Bonneville out for a run while meeting my first nephew. Loved the torque, but it felt too big to have a bit of fun with.

Spent a lot of time on an SV650 and loved it. Always wanted to try a SV1000.

What could I get for around $3-4K? Pretty handy with most repairs, less bodywork the better. Not crazy about Transformer looking bikes..

Any ideas?

I simply must ask...where are you in terms of skill? How long have you been off of the road? Apologies if this sounds condescending but the roads today are more challenging than before and the newer bikes can be chuck full of power.

What kind of riding do you want to do other than being comfortable? A good sport touring bike like a beemer would provide comfort plus some canyon carving ability.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Bowling

Triumph Speed Triple, great motor, torque, upright riding position, minimal body work, used 08 to 10 - $4k to $6k.

My brother has one of these that he really enjoys a lot. Naked sport bike. His has dinky little rearview mirrors, rather than none, and I think the graphics on his are orange. Bike looks close to the same though, different aftermarket muffler on his.