Decisions decisions...

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Didn't you recently survive the Ironbutt on the 250? what are you complaining about? :D

Alright, now being serious. Don't rule out the Ninja 650. I did the switch from 250 to 650 and couldn't be happier. No need to get a Corbin seat (stock is cushy enough). I've 2-up'd and it's really comfortable for both. The adjustable windscreen really works. The riding position is comfortable and I can keep riding at highway speed until the tank runs dry before I take a break (and that's with a no-drag knapsack). If you are looking for luggage, GIVI makes the top case and side cases for it, or you can go with tailbag/saddlebags. The Ninja 650 behaves like a 250 in terms of maneuverability, it handles like a "bigger & heavier" 250 and even easier with slow speed stuff. Don't let the "sport-touring" fool you - it packs a punch at high speed that can also get you into trouble with HTA172 easily, not that you'll be doing that sort of stuff when you go on long touring rides. My only complaint is its 16L tank... wish it's 18L.

Check out the new bikes coming out for 2013. Lots of choices. I got my eyes on the CBR 500 (with ABS), but probably ended up riding the 650 for another full season.

It'll be cool to see another 650 with the World's Toughest Rider license plate on the road. Hit me up with any questions you may have.
 
Nc700
 
carboncat said:
yzf600r BEST sport touring bike with plenty of power and handles great in the twistys!
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Don't listen to him...he doesn't even own one.




















...anymore. :p
gap02.jpg


I'd say upgrade to a bigger bike if you plan on any 2up touring.
 
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This is what you want.

kasasaki-z-1000-sx-test_27.jpg
 
If you are at an age where insurance isnt too much what about just keeping the 250 if you love it, and pick up a used V-Strom for use touring. You can pick up one with higher mileage and with all the farkles that'll do you for a few years. Plus those things are ugly enough you dont need to put theft on it! With the cost of luggage etc if you sharpen your pencil it might just work
 
socially distorted said:
If you are at an age where insurance isnt too much what about just keeping the 250 if you love it, and pick up a used V-Strom for use touring. You can pick up one with higher mileage and with all the farkles that'll do you for a few years. Plus those things are ugly enough you dont need to put theft on it! With the cost of luggage etc if you sharpen your pencil it might just work
Click to expand...

Ive actually considered keeping two bikes but I don't have any space to hold them...only a single shed and insurance would basically double (32m) so its not really a viable option at this stage.

Im looking forward to the December show to sit and get a feel for all the bikes I'm looking at and then take it from there.

The following is what I'm looking for in a bike:
- abs (nice to have)
- good aftermarket support (luggage options being the most important)
- comfortable seat
- reliability
- FI (mainly because I worry about carb in the cold)
- passenger comfort
- under 1000cc
- fuel efficient (as much as it can be)

I am looking at the following bikes in no particular order:
- BMW gs650f
- ninja er-6n
- gladius 650
- cb500f/x
- sv650
- vstrom 650

Thanks for all the suggestions guys I really appreciate it!
 
mimico_polak said:
Ive actually considered keeping two bikes but I don't have any space to hold them...only a single shed and insurance would basically double (32m) so its not really a viable option at this stage.

Im looking forward to the December show to sit and get a feel for all the bikes I'm looking at and then take it from there.

The following is what I'm looking for in a bike:
- abs (nice to have)
- good aftermarket support (luggage options being the most important)
- comfortable seat
- reliability
- FI (mainly because I worry about carb in the cold)
- passenger comfort
- under 1000cc
- fuel efficient (as much as it can be)

I am looking at the following bikes in no particular order:
- BMW gs650f
- ninja er-6n
- gladius 650
- cb500f/x
- sv650
- vstrom 650

Thanks for all the suggestions guys I really appreciate it!
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V-Strom would probably be your best bet, if you like the looks. I personally hate the looks of that bike.

Otherwise, I would recommend the Versys 2010 +. (with an aftermarket seat or Airhawk or smth similar) I was looking for a bike with the exact same features as you describe and after months of research(forums, mags, friends, blogs) I finally got a 2012 Versys (for a sweet price too).
Most owners swear by them and I've seen plenty of them with 6oK +, so you know they're good.
Compared to the V-strom, the Versys is better looking(imo) and more fun to ride.

Here's something to make up your mind:
[video=youtube;GaRU79do4ak]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaRU79do4ak[/video]
 
rorider said:
V-Strom would probably be your best bet, if you like the looks. I personally hate the looks of that bike.

Otherwise, I would recommend the Versys 2010 +. (with an aftermarket seat or Airhawk or smth similar) I was looking for a bike with the exact same features as you describe and after months of research(forums, mags, friends, blogs) I finally got a 2012 Versys (for a sweet price too).
Most owners swear by them and I've seen plenty of them with 6oK +, so you know they're good.
Compared to the V-strom, the Versys is better looking(imo) and more fun to ride.

Here's something to make up your mind:
[video=youtube;GaRU79do4ak]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaRU79do4ak[/video]
Click to expand...

That is definitely a nice looking and versatile ride! And if the girls look at me like in the commercial then I'll buy tomorrow! LoL

Theres a ton of great bikes out there and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one going and doing a lot of research. I think all the bikes on my list have great features. Looking at pricing the ninja is a great deal for the type of bike it is and good models can be had for less than 5k. I can't wait for the show to check more out and then hopefully have a decision before the new season.
 
is Kawi gonna be at the show this year?
 
nfq said:
is Kawi gonna be at the show this year?
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If not I'll just pop by the dealer showroom. The great part about Ready Honda in Mississauga is they have such eager salesmen I can (and have) milled around for half an hour once on every bike I wanted to sit on and not a single one came over to ask if I'm interested in anything...it's like they just don't care! Last time bought the bike elsewhere because of this.
 
mimico_polak said:
If not I'll just pop by the dealer showroom. The great part about Ready Honda in Mississauga is they have such eager salesmen I can (and have) milled around for half an hour once on every bike I wanted to sit on and not a single one came over to ask if I'm interested in anything...it's like they just don't care! Last time bought the bike elsewhere because of this.
Click to expand...

Ready Honda in Mississauga on Dundas? I believe one of their salespeople is on this forum. Just do the search. He was very helpful before. Unfortunately I didn't save his PMs.
 
Has anyone driven the NC700S? I've been doing some more research on the bikes mentioned but this bike keeps coming up as a viable option as well. Only issue at the moment is price, but it is a bike I'm interested in hearing more opinions about. MacDoc here has ridden it and didn't like it, but most of the reviews that I read online are very positive for this bike.

Anyone on here ridden the 700S/X? I'd like some real world experiences and thoughts about this bike. There's absolutely zero of them online for sale as used, but that could be because they entered the market late last year, or sucked, or the owners love them. I checked the 700 forums but that's like checking the 250 forums, the bike can do no wrong! LoL
 
I test rode the NC700S and did not like it. The bike handled well, but the motor had a very low rev range and I kept hitting redline. I get that the motor is tuned towards more useable power down low and also higher fuel economy, but I just wasn't used to that style of riding (still owned the Ninja 250 at that time and was used to revving it a lot).
 
nfq said:
This is what you want.

kasasaki-z-1000-sx-test_27.jpg
Click to expand...

Now thats lookin very cool...

[video=youtube;5ZAd6I8Obrs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZAd6I8Obrs[/video]
 
If you would consider a used bike you really ought to consider the VFR800
ABS
linked brakes
FI
fuel efficiency
very passenger friendly
lots of after market support
and when that Vtec kicks in you get all the power you need
not to mention Honda reliability
I have owned a 98 VFR - awesome sound with the gear driven cams
and I have owned a 2003 VFR - both were fantastic.
 
JERVFR03 said:
If you would consider a used bike you really ought to consider the VFR800
ABS
linked brakes
FI
fuel efficiency
very passenger friendly
lots of after market support
and when that Vtec kicks in you get all the power you need
not to mention Honda reliability
Click to expand...

I've seen run into it a few times in my research but it seems like a fairly aggressive riding position. The only bike I'm looking at new is the CB500 series as all the other ones are priced within my budget as used bikes. But I will dig into this one a bit more to learn more. Thanks for the suggestion.

There was a really sweet one posted for sale here on GTAM a few months ago but I think it's sold by now. Price seemed very fair as well for what the bike is.
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