Bargain Sport Tourer

[bikerfish1100]

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. 

I always get a big chuckle out of the "i want a bike to cut my gas costs" line of reasoning. I hear it quite a bit now from studentsin the MSF classes. Have you priced tires for a bike lately? And considered how long they're NOT going to last?
Get a bike cuz you want it, not cuz it's gonna net you massive transportation savings over a car (especially if you still keep the car).

[Rincewind]

If gas mileage is key, I would suggest looking for a used BMW F650CS.  Not only does it apparently get good mileage (+50 mpg, I believe), it also has a belt final drive.

The Sprint would be a hella lot more fun, though!

[JamesG]

You ought to come down here and buy my YZF.
Its a perfect turn-key medium sport tourer.  Just add gas and go.  

[cbsnbiker]

Get a bike cuz you want it, not cuz it's gonna net you massive transportation savings over a car (especially if you still keep the car).

That's really the key. A bike might save one money if one gets rid of the car. It's almost guaranteed not to do so if one keeps the car.

[JamesG]

Unless you really like riding and are not afraid to ride when its less than nice.  I put less than 5K miles on my truck a year...

[jhawk]

   -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
 

A 3-4 year old Concours fits 5 out of your 6 critera very well. Mileage is a little lower than your figures, but it's not unreasonable to expect 50mpg from a Concours. They are certainly durable, and bargain priced. (the local BMW shop had an '03 with 9K miles for $3500). A used Connie is much less likely to have been abused than a 600cc sport bike. IMO

[Clair]

Honda ST1100 will get you around 48 mpg assuming you're averaging 75-ish on your commutes. That's what I get on mine.

Ninja 500 might also work.

V-STrom 650 if you're not too interested in a lot of 2-up

SV650 is also another option

[Elseanno]

The Concours is a great deal and likely a comfortable commuter particularly if you get an aftermarket seat & risers. You needn't pay more than $3500 for a nice Connie. You will need to learn to do valve adjustments for the bike as the valves are 'supposed' to be adjusted every 6K and need adjusting nome more than every 12K.

I love my Connie, but think there are plenty of bikes out there V-stroms 650/1000 Fz1, Fz6, Bandit 600 (not sure the 1200 gets over 40mpg but neither does connie) The sprint sounds like a good option.

I'm envious. I don't get to ride like I used to. Good luck!

Elseanno

[cultureslayer]

Ninja 250 or 500.

With new fork springs and maybe a new rear shock if you are on the heavy side, they are better on the highway than most people think.  The 250 will perform at least as good as a car and you shouldn't really be going much above 80 anyways (top speed is over 100, and trust me you CAN get speeding tickets on the highway on a 250).  I should have some idea as my 250 has over 14k miles on it (bought it with 540 miles on it in December of 2005, started riding in January 2006).  Putting on a 15t front sprocket (stock is 14) makes a HUGE difference.  Lowers the cruising RPMs so I can keep up with traffic at 73ish mph and it's only at about 8k rpms.  One of the 250 forum mods has the same year bike as me (2003) and over 60k on his so I am expecting it to last a while.

They are nice and cool to ride as well.  That's a BIG advantage in texas with the temps you will see.  The 250 can get a little  warm, but the 636 feels like a furnace between my legs.

Another consideration is tire cost.  You can get a set of ST66 tires that fit the 250 and will give you ~10k miles for $100 (assuming you check tire pressure regularly).  I order WIX filters for about $5 each (www.rockauto.com) and use Rotella T syn (a gallon is $16.24 and will last you 2 oil changes or 8k miles).  

Right now I just have soft bags but I am considering either a custom luggage rack so I can mount side and top hard cases or one of the rubbermaid action packer containers for a dirt cheap approach.

[killerST6]

Honda ST will get you 45+Mpg, handles well with good power and will not get blown off the road on your long commutes.

[canada goose]

BMW K75S, if you can find a decent one. Cheap, comfy, has luggage, above average fuel economy.

Ken

[bikerfish1100]

BMW K75S, if you can find a decent one. Cheap, comfy, has luggage, above average fuel economy.

Ken

umm, you forgot "bulletproof".

[USA MEDIC]

PM Goldylocks, he has toured from CA to South Dakota and elsewhere on a YZF600 yamaha

[HappyRiding]

I have an '02 ST1100. I usually get around 55mpg. Although it's 700 pounds of curb weight, it feels much lighter as soon as my feet are on the pegs. I got 13,000 miles on my last set of tires and have had no mechanical issues. It has good weather protection and weathertight luggage. It is stable in windy conditions and when passing semi trucks and RVs. Most older ST1100s will already have had a more comfortable saddle and windshield added. Can you tell I might be a bit bias? I get to work looking like " " instead of " " since I started commuting everyday on my Big Little Honda.
 

[RBEmerson]

Speaking of Connies, there's an ad on this site... linky

Doh... and there's another Connie ad (no idea if it's still on the market but what's it hurt to ask?): linky, too.  Gotta warn you this one is "Amaranth Red Micah" or what most folks would call purple.  

This is a picture of my "Barney purple" '99, just to give an idea of the color.

[texasaggie81]

Thanks guys,
   Ya'll are a wealth of information.  I REALLY WANT A BIKE.  Just wanted to get that out there.  If the gas savings pay the note, then it's a sell with the wifey, who thinks I should just wait until I graduate and reward myself.  To me that just means 3yrs less riding experience and fun.  Even though my four previous bikes were old, cheap and beat up, it really hurt every time I let them go, and I spent the next several months asking myself why (it broke down, had to move, etc) and devising a plan to get back on.  So that's what it's really about, getting back on a motorcycle, because I love to ride.
   Luckily, this time I have a case, and have more reason to convince my wife with than just the fact that the motorcycle bug has bit me, again.  My original thought was to buy a ninjette or $2K used bike, as the first year's savings in gas would pay for it and a nice weekend with the wife, keeping her very happy(very important).  I realize that for the amount of time I am going to spend on the bike I should invest in something much more comfortable, and simply would like to retain as much of the mileage and price advantage that I can.  I know that when it comes to things I love and want, I can very easily go overboard (say, run out and buy a new interceptor) and my darling wife will very quickly slam the door.  I respect her opinion, so I have to be sensible.
   I would be very interested in the used YZF I saw posted above, as most that I have seen in the area appear as though the PO bought it mistakenly thinking it was an R6 and flogged it thoroughly.  Besides that I'm leaning heavily towards the big brother ninja(500) as a local dealer has a deal on their old stock, but wonder how much on top of MSRP hard cases would run.  I have been looking up your recommendations, and comparing used prices of each, and still haven't quite found what I'm looking for, although the YZ600 seems pretty close.  I've read that the motor is really peaky for the type of bike, and would prefer something like the SV650 twin.  Thanks again for all the help, will keep checking craigslist and such.
   -Damon

[Ant]

Eeeeeeww.... purple  

[Yankee Dog]

OK, one more arguments for the Connie along with a short plug for the Trumpets.  

One thing to remember is that you are going to be riding 200 miles a day.  You really should stick to something with decent weather and wind protection.  Also, the Connie is not exactly a race bike, but performance wise I dont think I would call it anemic.  

Also think about ergos.  You are coming off an old cruiser correct?  The riding poistion on a sport bike, even a Connie is a lot different from what you are used to.

One last word about Triumphs.  My 2000 RS got about 52 mpg.  My 2004 RS gets about 48.  I believe the 955 STs are about the same.  The Triumph reliablity is great or I wouldnt be on my 3rd one.  The cost of repair when you do have a problem is about the same as any Japanese bike.  

Rubber is going to be a big cost.  Go with ME 880s.  A lot of people say they are too hard.  But you can get 12,000 miles vs. 3,000 for sport bike tires.  And as long as you are not grinding your pegs they will be just fine.  

Yankee Dog

[cultureslayer]

Damon,

Are you talking about a top case, or side cases as well for thte 500?  There are racks you can buy for about $150 and a JC whitney trunk, or do the same rubbermaid action packer idea as with the 250.

The nice thing is that they are inline twin so the power delivery is very even, cheap to insure, and hold value VERY well.  In fact, I've seen 1995s listed for $2k with a few flaws.  What they sell for is something else, but it's not like a supersport where once the newer model comes out no one will want yours anymore.

[RBEmerson]

[...]Rubber is going to be a big cost.  Go with ME 880s.  A lot of people say they are too hard.  But you can get 12,000 miles vs. 3,000 for sport bike tires.  And as long as you are not grinding your pegs they will be just fine.  
[...]

Er, I stand by my claim of "20K on ME880's".  When they came off, the wear bars were hinting at showing up but the real down-check was general tread depth was below PA state inspection minimums (my measurement, not someone who wanted to sell me tires) so I said "party over".  And that was after 20K.  

The tire is a sandwich of two different compounds, sticky on the shoulders and firmer in the middle.  It's the combination of better grip when leaned in combined with longer wear while standing up (and let's face it, even if all you ever did was city riding driving around blocks, more riding is done standing up then leaning on turns) than makes the tire a long-distance winner.  In terms of overall stability, I can put Barney into a turn and not have to worry about bumps or changes in the road sending the line off in some exciting direction.  Riding on milled roads and grated bridges, there's little or no twitchiness, unlike some bikes where it's been Toad's Wild Ride on even worn-down milling.  I prefer not to ride in the wet but I do it when I must and the tires weren't a problem there.  

Which is not to say the ME880 is the ultimate canyon carver tire for the daily commute, too, but it's certainly a good choice if the alternative is maybe getting 4-5K out of a set of sticky o-rings.  

P.S.  FWIW, the tires seen in the picture are ME880's.  I can't recall how many miles were on the tires when the picture was taken.