Looking for my first sport tourer, but not the usual post...

[lifesamodelkit]

Ok,

First the background:

I've ridden: (1) '92 Kawi Vulcan 500 that i had to hammer the carb before every ride so the float wouldn't stick.  I have about 1500 miles on this bike (2) '02 GSXR 600 which was really easy to ride and i thoroughly enjoyed but i never rode it long distance(very few miles on this one). (3) '04 BMW K1200LT: been on a 4000 mile cross country trip splitting the piloting.

Price range: don't want to spend an arm and a leg, so let's say under 5K

What I'm looking for: I will keep an open mind, but I'm looking for a sport tourer with some good aesthetics(stylish, so fairings please, i don't like naked bikes), the ability to strap some soft or hard bags on it and take it on a ~1000 mile trip, and the ability to take the bags off and put it through some twisties and mash the throttle every now and then.  I'd like a decent riding position(long distance) but be able to tuck down and pretend I can go fast.

Oh, and I'm not looking for a really powerful or really heavy bike, so that(in my possibly ignorant beginner's opinion) kind of eliminates the 100hp+ bikes as well as the 1000cc or larger bikes.

I've been looking at an SV650 with fairings, a Katana, a V-Strom 650(naked but it didn't look too bad, i don't know if they make it with fairings), etc

I've locked my ego in the closet and am open to suggestions, comments, concerns, gripes, moans, etc.

I'm 5'9 and 180

[veefer800canuck]

Unfortunately, you just missed this one:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,46155.0.html


But maybe you could find another.... there are at least 4 on Fleabay at the moment:

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A15%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1&_nkw=gsx650f&_dmpt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=3&_sc=1

[SpitfireTriple]

Read this and get back to us

[UHOH]

Oh, and I'm not looking for a really powerful or really heavy bike, so that(in my possibly ignorant beginner's opinion)
 kind of eliminates the 100hp+ bikes as well as the 1000cc or larger bikes.

I've been looking at an SV650 with fairings, a Katana, a V-Strom 650
(naked but it didn't look too bad, i don't know if they make it with fairings), etc

until that I thought you were one good candidate for Bandit 1250.
The ones you listed are A1 choices.

[falconati]

Used SV650?

[scramblerracer123]

 used 6th gen VFR- prices have dropped since Honda has Warehouses full of $7000 new 07 red/white/blue VFRs.  
Comfortable stock, can be made more comfortable with bar risers, larger windscreens, lower pegs, aftermarket seats.  Plenty of power to have fun, not enough power to have to worry, factory hard bags, or GIVI bags pretty common.  
Gratuitous pic to follow

[Ack535]

Based on your criteria, I would go with a VFR800. You will soon outgrow the SV650, and be wanting of more HP and performance...

[falconati]

scrambler - the bike in front looks sexier

[scramblerracer123]

scrambler - the bike in front looks sexier

Since it is hard to see the wrecked Ninja in the ditch I assume you are referring to the Triumph.
My buddies Speed Triple is alot cooler than the VFR, but on our recent trip to Arkansas for the inagural Twisty Butt ride it decided to puke some of its oil out the exhaust.  Sometimes cool doesn't fit the bill.

[knolltop314]

May want to contact this guy .................
http://www.gsx650f.biz/for-sale-2008-gsx650f-114-miles-and-ext-warr-until-2011-t2309.html

[Zerosum]

Ninja 650R?  Any of the 650 twins from Kawasaki or Suzuki would be great, really.  Just within that category, you have a ton of options.

Re: fairings on the V-Strom, those are aftermarket.  They come color-matched.  

As others have said, the VFR is a superb value.  You can basically pick your price point and there's a VFR out there for you.  $3K will get you a 4th Generation 750, or $5K will get you a 6th Generation 800.  Arguably, the 5th Generation was the best, though I can attest that the 4th is no slouch.

[lifesamodelkit]

?Ladies and Gents?,

I fully appreciate the posts.  I appreciate the guided replies in response to my preferences to a smaller bike, as well as the ones who comment that I will tire of a 650 size bike rather quickly.  I appreciate it.  I feel I've put the kawi 500 through its paces and scraped through a few turns.  I feel im leaning towards a VFR with all the replies.  I'm going to do more research, but will be checking this post fairly often to see any newer/more valuable opinions/replies.

Go Team,

Dan

[veefer800canuck]

?Ladies and Gents?,

I fully appreciate the posts.  I appreciate the guided replies in response to my preferences to a smaller bike, as well as the ones who comment that I will tire of a 650 size bike rather quickly.  I appreciate it.  I feel I've put the kawi 500 through its paces and scraped through a few turns.  I feel im leaning towards a VFR with all the replies.  I'm going to do more research, but will be checking this post fairly often to see any newer/more valuable opinions/replies.

Go Team,

Dan

Slide over to vfrdiscussion.com and check out the classifieds.  

[Baz]

not enough power to have to worry

 

Is there such a thing as too much?

[Nodaclu]

Unfortunately, you just missed this one:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,46155.0.html

Yup, mine would have been a perfect ride for you...



I'd definitely recommend keeping your eyes open for another one. I can't speak for everyone, but for me, with plenty of roll-on for the real world, and still accelerating at 120mph indicated, it had all the power I would ever want or need.

[Norwegian Blue]

As soon as I read your post, I thought "VFR."

Then I read the other posts and saw others beat me to it.

So here are some realistic alternatives:

Triumph Sprint (probably the most direct competitor to the VFR)



Ducati ST3 (likely out of your price range) or ST2 (probably more toward your price point):





An older BMW R1100RS:



and -- if you care to add at least $3,000 to your price point, the BMW F800ST:



But VFR is probably your best bet.