Second bike - help me decide

[D-Mac]

I'm looking for a second bike to compliment my RT. The RT is perfect for touring, and it's fun in general, but I'd like to have something smaller (and lighter) for tooling around town and riding on two-lane roads. Until recently I had a 1970 CL-350 as my second bike, but it was pretty unreliable and it finally blew up.

Current candidates. Each represents a different direction.

CBR250R. I like the styling and I'm thinking it might be really fun to flick this thing around. It could also serve as a light commuter (it could nearly pay for itself just with the gas savings). Cheap to buy and super cheap to fuel and insure too. I think this would be a great bike for working on my street skills too.


DRZ400. I'm not much of a dirt rider, but maybe this bike could be the ticket to new adventures. They can be had quite cheaply, they're reliable, and mod possibilities are limitless.


Ducati Monster. I really like the sound of the L-twin and the styling of the Monster. If I buy a new one (or even a gently used one) it would set me back a lot more than the other options. Cost of maintenance, mods, and insurance is much higher than other bikes. This would be a "tough sell" to my wife too.

[mvg2]

My vote is for the little cbr.  It sounds like you just like the idea of the monster, but have pretty much talked yourself out of it.  the other two bikes are a much better counter point to what you're riding now.

The drz and the cbr are certainly two different animals.  If youre going to commit to doing some ADV offroad type stuff then, obviously, the drz is the way to go.  Otherwise I don't see any benefit.

Have never ridden the cbr but my wife has got a little ninja 250 and i ride that thing just as much as my strom.  The little 250's are a blast to wind out and are super flickable.  Like a bicycle with a highstrung motor.  Great fun!  

good luck on your pursuit!

[Mastros2]

I say Italian!  

[DNA]

I too am looking for a second bike to compliment my GSA uber pig.

I'm thinking the perfect stablemate is the street triple

A mid sized upright fun bike that should make me grin.  I'll be looking for one soon.

[sammyseaman]

I say the DRZ. You've got a nice streetbike so might as well get your arse on the dirt. Posting this poll on this site means the dirtbike will definitely lose out. Too many cats here who've never been on dirt  

[Rincewind]

I voted for the new Honda thumper.  I'm a big fan of the Monsters, too - a fun and soulful ride, no doubt.

[expatbrit]

I'm down with the DRZ; fuel-economic, infinitely farkleable, grab spare wheels for around town to make it an SM.

[Grainbelt]

Kawasaki ER-6N.

They are all but giving them away, and after 30k miles on its faired sister I can attest to its flirtatious nature. Indestructible, fun, and cheap. Put tires on it and change the oil every now and then, otherwise just ride the crap out of it.

Yeah, the Duc is prettier, but you'll have just as much fun on the little kwacker.

[Cablebandit]

You have a street bike, so get the dirty bike.

[bucktownbilly]

Loving the 2002 919 I picked up for a city bike.  Dirt cheap and reliable.  Haven't been on the FZ6 for weeks but that could change come first week of October.  Slimey Crud Run might be in the cards this year

[D-Mac]

As it happens, I was at an "all clubs" event today. There was a CBR250R parked next to a bunch of Ducati (including an older Monster). There were lots of dual sports there as well.

I barely looked at the CBR. After listening to Ducs and talking to the local owners group, I KNOW I have to have one. As pretty as the Monster is, I was blown away by the Streetfighter. On the web it looks too "busy" but in person it's absolutely gorgeous. It's much too far beyond my budget though, so I'll be saving for a Monster.

It's time for a bike with "soul" - even though I'm sure it'll be a love-hate relationship. From what I can tell, the Ducati gods can extract a heavy emotional and financial toll for ownership.

[Ack535]

Dean:

As we talked, be prepared to dig deep into your wallet for the upkeep of the Duc. Cool bikes though...

Pete

[jfusaro]

Italian monster guaranteed not to disappoint. One of the most funnest bikes to ride period

[nater]

How about a DRZ400SM?  That is, if you have mostly pavement and not much dirt where you live.

[Dan K]

How about a DRZ400SM?  That is, if you have mostly pavement and not much dirt where you live.

I've been thinking about one of these myself...

-Dan

[wibornz]

how about a super duke. from KTM. It is more unique.

[bungie4]

Well I answered your question on the 2-fitty forum.

I'm still enamoured with my little CBR. Just huge fun. Cheap to buy and insure, runs for ever on a tank (my best tank was 85mpg US). But it's your typical soul-less Honda. That being said, I find that I'm hanging my ass off the seat far to often with it. That lil bitch just *RAILS* in corners.

It's not all good news though. The seat sucks, it doesn't suffer from the same amount of suckage as the seat on my 250 Ninja (94). That thing is a torture device. It's hard to put gas in. It has, what is either an anti-siphon gaurd, or, is a cover for a vent line directly under the filler neck. You can't give the nozzle a good squeeze without wearing the gas that was supposed to be in your tank. I find the rear suspension stiff. Hell, on the softest preload, its near a race sag. The buttons for Mode/Reset on the instrument panel are a serious pain in the ass.

But as a ride it and forget it commuter, not much is is the same class with the fun factor this thing carries.

It'll be interesting to see what you end up choosing.

[Dan K]

Can the CBR 250 be safely ridden on highways with stops and goes immediately in the middle of 85mph average traffic speeds?  Can it ride 90mph comfortably?  My commute is on highways where the flow of traffic is on average 20-25mph over the limit... (90/94 and 294 north...)

- Dan

[bungie4]

Can the CBR 250 be safely ridden on highways with stops and goes immediately in the middle of 85mph average traffic speeds?  Can it ride 90mph comfortably?  My commute is on highways where the flow of traffic is on average 20-25mph over the limit... (90/94 and 294 north...)

Nope. It'll run 65-70 comfortably (6000-7000 rpm), but the fat lady starts singing around 75, and she's all done at about 95. Your situation just calls for a bigger bike, plain and simple.

[Papa Lazarou]

Fun would be either:
a Velosolex, which would leave you enough to choose between:
A KTM 690 or a Street Triple