Best "Stop and smell the roses bike"?

[Rabidsnipe]

The reality of living in central Oklahoma is I am 108 miles from the nearest “curvy road”.  Although that isn’t that far when taken in the context of a trip, it means that, for the most part, there aren’t a lot of Saturday rides that involve any sort of sport riding.  The vast majority of riders that I know (and would ride with regularly) are not sport riders and, instead, ride an assortment of cruisers, scooters, and tourers.  

The FZ1 isn’t, for me, a whole lot of fun to just poke along at 55 on straight two-lane blacktop.  It’s not really my thing.  However, there are a lot of people that are close to me that enjoy that type or riding (dad, future step-mom, step-dad, mom, father-in-law, et. al.).  So what are the best “stop and smell the roses” type of bikes?  KLR650?  V-Strom 650?  A cruiser?  Give me some suggestions.  And try to keep it cheap(ish).

PS – Like any and all of my bike suggestion questions, this isn’t a replacement for the FZ1.  I really dig that bike for what it is.

[Rincewind]

Poking along at 55mph on 2-lane, I think that is Moto Guzzi territory.    

For me, a twin of some variety is more pleasing for that sort of riding.  Triples and Fours just want to run.  What I would want for that type of riding is a Ducati Monster or a Triumph Scrambler.  Something that is naked, simple, and easy to hop on and ride.  An SV650 naked would also qualify, as would a Buell CityX.

[Blunder]

I see a Moto Guzzi in this man's future.

How about a DR of some sort? The 350s are indestructible and the 400s are moreso.

[Rabidsnipe]

I see a Moto Guzzi in this man's future.

How about a DR of some sort? The 350s are indestructible and the 400s are moreso.

Interesting you suggest a DR350 considering I've got one  Its big limitation, at least right now, is that it is huffing hard-core if any interstate is required.  Maybe a sprocket change is in my future.  Plus it's got fairly aggressive knobbies.  An extra set of wheels?  I also wouldn't regard the seat as super comfy either.  Sounds like I'll be doing valve checks all the time too!

[iXXion]

An restored CB350.  There's a reason Honda sold so many of them.  So utilitarian they are fun, cheap, and pretty torquey under 60mph.  Good seat height, high up and simple controls, no surprises.  Absolutely great for beginners and up.  

Now why did I sell mine?  

[chornbe]

The FZ1 isn’t, for me, a whole lot of fun to just poke along at 55 on straight two-lane blacktop.  It’s not really my thing.  However, there are a lot of people that are close to me that enjoy that type or riding (dad, future step-mom, step-dad, mom, father-in-law, et. al.).  So what are the best “stop and smell the roses” type of bikes?  KLR650?  V-Strom 650?  A cruiser?  Give me some suggestions.  And try to keep it cheap(ish).

Something low-revving and lopey... Sportster, SV, Guzzi, cruiser-du-jour, or a big-bore I4 that is also lopey... akin to the FJR, etc.

[bomber]

I'd also go with some for of Dual Sport --

Or, perhaps, a Bonnevile Scrambler -- bonus points for looking like Steve McQueen (so long as your helmet's on, of course).

[Roadscum]

All of the bikes in the Triumph Classic line would do the trick, except the Thruxton(riding positionis a bit  aggressive). I've got a Scrambler and it's my favorite for the type of riding you want. A KLR650 might also be a good bet if you want to get off the paved roads.  

My Guzzi 1200 Sport is a nice bike for the long haul, but for a day ride I'd rather be smelling the roses from the seat of my Scrambler or my KLR.

[Justin]

You need a Moto Guzzi, nuff said! Check out Daniel Kalal's photo threads from Kansas in region three, the bikes just seem to go with the country side

[Papa Lazarou]

Guzzi or Bonnie.

[Justin]

From Daniel's threads .. says it all..





And if you get one, that will make 3 Guzzi's in Kansas!

[Bounce]

Seriously... there are quite a few day trips (out and back) that can be fun
from OKC
there's all around Talihina and SE OK that's a ride out, rip it up, and back all in 1 day.
there's 2 s of 270
there are the roads around most of the lakes (even Draper, Thunderbird and Hefner but Eufala and Tenkiller as well as the state parks - even the wildlife refuge near Payne).

just get off the thick lines on the map and pick a random road. if it dead ends turn around and go back a different way.

but you pretty much have to head east to take advantage of the AR/MO hills that spill over into OK.

[kendenton]

One of the Triumph Bonnie's with an Arrow pipe would be a very nice "tool around" mount.

[Rabidsnipe]

While true that you can get some (long) day rides in that have some sport riding, I suppose 1/2 the point was these aren't the types of rides that the people I'm interested in riding with will be going on.  This was about a bike that will be comfortable/fun while riding with cruisers/scooters/tourers on the straight flat roads of central Oklahoma.  Not how to get some sport riding in on a Saturday.

[desertxxrider]

Too bad they don't sell the Transalp here anymore they're fun to ride.

[gradus]

If you're looking for a forced "stop" to smell the rosses, an AMF Harley is best.  But any Harley will do.    

[atadaskew]

Guzzi or Bonnie.

Exactly.
There is a beautiful super low mileage Breva 750 for sale in San Fran for something like $3500.  Meant to be in perfect condition.
3400 miles on her..
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcy/1632909124.html

[HipGnosis]

I traded in my beloved Sprint 955 RS on my K12RS to do more long distance riding and two up riding, which the K is very good at.
But I don't really enjoy the K around town... so last spring I got a used Ninja 650r and I'm very pleased with it.  I was looking at SVs too, but came across a deal on the 650r.  It's soo much lighter than the BMW that it's actually fun to commute and ride around town.  It has no problem going on the highway either. I've ridden it on pert-near all-day trips w/o much problem at all (except I still need to wire it for my GPS).

I just got a tail bag (thank-you NewEnough clearance) so it'll be doing even more errands and trips this year.  I can see that I'm going to have times when it'll be hard to decide which bike to take, and that ain't such a bad problem to have.

[Tar Snake]

My old K75 is a good all rounder mainly due to ergonomics that work for me fast or slow and the luggage. You can do fun stuff like bring a picnic lunch or walking shoes go hike a nature trail, ride to sporting event, whatever.

It's modern equivalents are the Honda Dullsville (I guess I just like being dull ), BMW F800 series, V-strom 650 w bags, Versys ditto, that sort of thing.

All those bikes look comfy are light enough a dirt/gravel road exploring is doable yet they would also do fine sport riding and touring.

For years my K75s was my only bike, if you only want one streetbike an all-arounder is good.

[sammyseaman]

Triumph Bonnie or Scrambler: Just because they're cool and perfect for just fartin' around at a liesurely pace.
Yamaha Roadstar Warrior: Torquey lump of a twin that actually handles good for a cruiser.
Random Supermotard: Because they're badass.
Hopped-up scooter: I'm not kidding.
1st gen Vmax: Fun, fast, reasonably priced used.
V65 Magna: See above ^ (good luck finding one in good shape though)
Guzzi California: Old school cool, comfy, not busy, different.
BMW 800GS: A lighter, cheaper version of the 1200.
BMW R1200c custom: Quirky, cool, you would probably be the only one around with one which is always great in my book.
HD Sportster: Small, fun, can wrench on them.
Aprilia Shiver 750: Vtwin, fun happy goodness.
Buy an old UJM and turn it into a street tracker ala Clay.