Bargain Sport Tourer

[texasaggie81]

Hello all,

   I'm glad to have found ST.N, a forum not in the middle for those who really like to ride.  Have grown sick of reading forums written by those who just like to eat pavement from the side of a bike too powerful for their skill level, or those who just want to look cool on their $17K hogs.  Not that I wouldn't mind having a Harley or a race replica, I mean anything with two wheels gets me excited, but I need something to really ride every day.  Which brings me to the point.
   I currently live in Houston(TX), and go to school in College Station, nearly 100 miles away.  I commute every day because I have a family and we own a home we really don't want to sell.  I have ridden old metric standards for about 10yrs, and my last Yamaha passed after electrical complications, and was given to a friend(electrical engineer).  I have managed to talk my wife into letting me buy another bike in order to save gas, if it's economical enough we can save almost $300/month and I'll get to see her and our daughter every evening.  
   Of course cost is a huge factor at this point and time, otherwise there are several nice choices I would like to have (Triumph ST, etc).  I have considered used, but there are just so many mistreated bikes out there.  However, for my price range I may just have to find something sturdy with 10K miles on it.  What I'll be looking for is:

   -Low Price ($3000 to $5000) maybe a little more if I bring home flowers that day
   -Good gas mileage (upwards of 55mpg) 70+ from Ninja 250 is tempting
   -Comfortable (1 1/2hr trip each way, all highway, 75mph, but generally light traffic, half of it semis)
   -Decent performance (yes, I ride bikes because they're fun too.  this is why I started the crusade to remount)
   -Would like to add rainproof hard case without killing lines of the bike
   -Durability (over the next three years I will probably rack up 60K+ miles

   I have done a lot of research on the web, and talked to a couple of dealers.  I believe I really like the ninja 500, but am unsure of it's touring capabilities.  It seems that for every person who says they have taken long trips and highways with no problem on the smaller affordable bikes, there are others that say they are not up to the task.  I'm sure it's all a matter of perspective.  The 21yr old on his new sport bike has no prob pulling off a 200 miles day once in a while, and the wise tourer wouldn't settle for anything less than a Goldwing or such.  
   I really like the Yamaha YZF 600R (not the R6) as it is sporty but more ergonomical than most, but it is really out of my price range, and may not look good loaded up.  The used models either look flogged or already have too many miles on the odometer to give me the lifespan I'm looking for.  I probably need to buy new, which puts many of the nicer comfortable bikes out of my reach.  Also looked at a used SV650s I could afford, but had been dropped, and not even the steering was straight.
   Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.  I'm sure ya'll have more experience and can tell me with which new bike best fits the bill, or which used bikes sell cheap but hold up well.  I hope to make a purchase with a week or so as I have already been looking for almost a month.  Thanks again, can't wait to soon be riding again.

   -Damon

[garry]

A 2002-2004 Triumph Sprint ST can be found for about $5K (lightly used with bags). Pretty much meets all your requirements. Fun and sporty, 50+ MPG, hard luggage, cruises the highways with ease. Bulletproof engine with great linear power. I put 43K+ miles on a 2002 Sprint RS and it was stone axe reliable. Great bikes.

[texasaggie81]

Have seen a couple of the STs, and am very enticed.   I was just unsure of repair and maintenance costs for an English bike.  Heard they were sturdily constructed, but imagined they were expensive to repair when they did break.  Also, with the 50+mpg, is that for the newer fuel-injected bikes or will the carbureted models also perform as well.  This is important as I am counting on the gas savings to pay off the purchase of the bike within a year and a half.  Thanks for replying.

[cjgauthier]

 200 miles a day commute? I admire your ambition, but I think you need to find a friend with a couch.

[Fourstring]

I'm sounding like a broken record here...

Seriously?  Last Gen Concours.  Comes with all the stuff you're looking for (wind protection, bags, etc.) and it's dirt cheap.  Granted, it won't handle like an SV650, but they're pretty nimble for the size.  I get about mid-40's on mileage driving 80 or so on the freeway.

I picked mine up for about two grand OTD, and a moran (sorry, that's how we spell it here) like me can maintain it.  Tires last almost 10k miles or so.  That's cheap!

[texasaggie81]

   Hey guys, thanks for replying.  My little brother is up there, and has a couch, but I try to only take him up on the offer once a week as I like seeing my little girl.  
   I did find a nice 2004 Kawa Connie for $4500.  I had 9K on the odometer, but at that price I thought 109K would have been more likely as these sell for $14K or so new right?  Also I don't think the gas mileage would be quite enough.  Quite a predicament I have here, I know.  I have a car that gets 30mpg, so not sure if braving the elements every day (especially while tired from studies) would be worth it for marginal savings.  If I can get over 50mpg, my gas savings, along with those of my wife commuting in the 30mpg car instead of the truck will make it worthwhile.  
   Is there any way to increase the gas mileage on the bigger bikes even if it sacrifices performance.  Have heard of carb jet spacers to increase performance, but not sure of the validity of this mod and seriously doubt the motor was engineered to run very well on less fuel.  While a rich mixture will just burn more gas and give you a kick in the butt, I'm sure lean condition can cause overheating and other nasty problems.
   I am also hoping to lean a little more on the sporty side of the sport tourers, one for fun, two because they generally get higher mileage due to less mass (and wind protection I'm sure).  

[texasaggie81]

   Also not opposed to riding a cruiser (Vulcan, Shadow Spirit or such), but it seems that as far as economy goes, most cruisers are like the pointlessly large SUVs.  If any of these types of bikes compare well to a real sport tourer and have low maintenence/long life, I would mind riding a wannabe hog, but do prefer something a little sporty.  Especially so since chrome coated plastic wont get nods of approval with just about any cyclist crowd.

[ctfz1]

Used FZ6, ZRX1200, WeeStrom or SV. SV1000 need comfort mods but are not popular, read cheap. used Ninja 650R.  search. a friend looking for good condition KLR650 found an 1100 mile ninja 650r for $3800. (exceptional last Oct.)
They can ask all they like, check local selling prices, lowball and walk away.

[Yuma]

I would agree on the Concours (C-10).  New they were 8.5~10K and you can find them used all across the board. They are bulletproof, and there is help with COG, and on line.
Mileage will be in the 38~48 mpg range depending on your throttle hand.
It has bags and will handle that commute with ease.

But I am a little biased  

Yuma,

[squeezer]

200 miles a day of mostly highway, commuting in all weather, and coming from a metric standard...   Toss my vote in with used Concours crowd.  With your budget, you could get the bike, the gear, insurance, an mp3 player, a cell phone and bluetooth headset to call your daughter from the road, and still have enough left over to replace tires.

The Triumph ST is a good choice in that price range too.  Think that way if you want something sportier, but realize you'd be giving up some room, some weather protection, and taking on chain maintenance once or twice a week.

[photomd]

It depends on your size. If you're on the small side, look for an old Pacific Coast. I a little under 5'8" and it fits me great. It's got a good shaft, hydrolic lifters and gets fairly good mileage...if you can find one.

Another option is an old ST1100 or Connie; whichever appeals to you. The Connie will be cheaper, but sometimes it's hard to put a price on the   factor.

Another bike I've always considered if I were going to burn up miles for cheap would be the last generation Honda Nighthawk. You can put Givi's on it, a windshield and rack up the miles. It's easy to service; hydrolic lifters, and an engine that's been arould forever and is known as a reliable unit. It's not the prettiest, but it will get you there on the cheap.

[spd2918]

I would agree on the Concours (C-10).  New they were 8.5~10K and you can find them used all across the board. They are bulletproof, and there is help with COG, and on line.
Mileage will be in the 38~48 mpg range depending on your throttle hand.
It has bags and will handle that commute with ease.

But I am a little biased  

Yuma,

+1

[cbsnbiker]

Looking at the title of your thread, my first thought was the previous-generation Connie. However, you want more gas mileage than it will give you.

The Wee Strom (V-Strom 650) is a viable option. It will yield 50+ MPG on the highway, and otherwise meets your needs fairly well.

If you want even higher gas mileage, I'll observe that I'm getting 65 MPG on my F650GS....

[Nodaclu]

I did find a nice 2004 Kawa Connie for $4500.  I had 9K on the odometer, but at that price I thought 109K would have been more likely as these sell for $14K or so new right?

Had to jump in on this part real quick.

The all new Concours 14 retails for $12,899. As the previous generation Concours was aging, it's price was kept very low. I can't remember MSRP off hand, but it was in the $8,500 range, and I had a dealer on the California coast (where *everything* is expensive) practically begging me to take his new 05 model off his hands. It was listed at $7,495.

So the 04 Connie you found was likely legit at 9K miles, and $4,500 is probably about right for the part of the country you're in. If the gas mileage works for you, I'd give that bike another look.

Or if you don't, maybe I will.....

[gamountains]

You cant go wrong with either the Conni. or the Sprint ST but  I'm bias to the Sprint. I do know that you can turn that 100 mile comute in to a 55 minute ride on the Sprint.  

[veefer800canuck]

   -Good gas mileage (upwards of 55mpg) 70+ from Ninja 250 is tempting

The Ninja 250 you mentioned would get great mileage, but I don't think you'd really enjoy riding it 3+ hours per day at 75 MPH on the highway.


My wife's little VTR250 Interceptor starts to feel a little breathless at 70 MPH and absolute top speed is 100-105 MPH, so it's quite a busy little bike at those speeds.


I mean, it'll do it, but something that ticks over at ~4500 RPM at 60 MPH would be preferable to ~7000 RPM. Your comfort as a rider whilst commuting is a big factor.


Now if you had an hour commute on CITY STREETS, then yeah, the Ninjette is a no-brainer!

[servicerifle]

Even as a Sprint owner I think I'll cast my vote for the Connie or the Pacific Coast in your case.  They are the ultimate "cheap" distance commuters.

[USA MEDIC]

weestrom or connie +1

[texasaggie81]

Thanks for all the replies,
   Forgot to add that I'm 5'11 and 215lbs.  I will give the Connie another look, but am still leaning   towards something a little sportier and a little bit more gas mileage.  But I definitely understand the comfort and maintenence benefits of this bike.  That being said every time someone says Ninja 500 or GS500/650F my pulse quickens a bit.  I try to justify it with the gas mileage, but honestly I've never owned a sport bike, only ridden an older EX500 and found it awfully quick but easy to handle with much more room to explore.  Are there any bikes in this price reange that would be close to the comfort level of the Connie, easy to maintain (honda, Kawa, Yamaha?), but get more mileage and be a little sportier.  For some reason I have this lovely picture of a YZF600R dancing in my head, and wanted to know if any of you have touring experience with this bike, or if it's just referred to more as a tourer by the sportbike crowd.  If the latter is true I let it go and buy smart, actually buy what I need.  Thanks again.
    -Damon

[RBEmerson]

I do fairly regular 250-325 mile one day commutes on a '99 Concours without a problem.  I mix the route up between slabs and back roads (partly because I-95 is currently being improved and partly because... why not?  ) and the bike does it all well.  With the C10's fairing, riding in the 30's is much easier than with bikes with less protection and, as long as the bike's moving riding in the upper 80's to mid 90's is tolerable even in full (mesh) gear. 

I assume 40 MPG (on regular, BTW) for planning purposes although it varies with the traffic and throttle hand.  Tires... Metzler ME880's work well with this bike.  The center of the tread has a "lasts forever" compound while the shoulders have a stickier compound.  I got 20K out of the last set (actually nursed them out to almost 22K but really should have changed them at 20-21K).  Add an Audiovox CCS-100 cruise control and you're set. 

I'd recommend looking at a '95 Concours on; there was a major model update in '94 and a few odds and ends weren't sorted out until later in '95.  The pre '94's are good bikes but, IMHO, the later edition offers better value for money (better brakes, for example). 

Added:
Re-reading your comments on mileage and hopes to use the savings to pay for the bike.  Uh... not really a good bet to think the difference between car and bike mileage will pay for the bike.  There are too many variables (not the least of which is the cost of gas) to make this really work.  "Help pay for some of the bike" works, but all of the bike?  Nah. 

Depending on your bike savvy and general confidence, think about looking at bikes coming onto the market in places where winter riding is limited.  There are lots of "gotta make the tuition bill" sales happening, too.  Buying a bike 1000 miles from home is certainly a crapshoot, but it might just a) get you a good deal and b) get you a nice long ride.