seeking advice on a replacement bike ...

[ferenc]

Ferenc !

My VX has only 94,000 on it and I too have been looking at a replacement.

One bike that I have been looking at is the Suzuki GSX650F. It is as heavy as the VX, mostly upright seating, center stand available and reasonable HP.


Charlie (and Julie) in NC !

PS Julie has been looking at the FZ6 as a replacement for her Hawk GT650.

well, what a hoot running into you two off the vx-forums!
i tracked down an f800r earlier this afternoon.  sat on it, looked it over - dealer had no brochure, no knowledge about any of it, and did not even bother to dust off the cobwebs (lotsa cobwebs on it).  after a half hour of waiting (they were not busy) for more info and basically reading stuff on line using my cell, i left.

it'd be interesting to find a great price on the bike, but they start out pretty high, and then you start adding things up!

don't know much about the suzuki you're considering, but the fz6 is a nice bike - i hear the tranny is a bit finicky - it's a 4 cyllinder and likes the higher rpms.

enjoy,
ferenc
ps  freskos was supposed to come by and borrow some parts for the mojave magic mile he and alan are planning this coming week, but we were both too busy.  when are you two coming to sunny california?

[SummerLove]

Sorry for the slow reply; been busy with a wedding and such. If it hadn't been for timing issues and not being able to find a way to strap 30lbs of camera gear to my monster I would have ridden. Sooo many lovely twisty roads around here anyway.

Yes, I was referring to the 2nd gen Tuono; 05-Present. The 2012 model is a new V4 version while the first and second gens are Rotax V-twins. They are a little on the aggressive side for a standard but definitely not as aggressive as a race replica. I found the one I got to sit on and ride about as comfortable as my monster.
 

[rollnhot]

FZ1 check mine out you'll see what I mean.  

[ferenc]

Sorry for the slow reply; been busy with a wedding and such. If it hadn't been for timing issues and not being able to find a way to strap 30lbs of camera gear to my monster I would have ridden. Sooo many lovely twisty roads around here anyway.

Yes, I was referring to the 2nd gen Tuono; 05-Present. The 2012 model is a new V4 version while the first and second gens are Rotax V-twins. They are a little on the aggressive side for a standard but definitely not as aggressive as a race replica. I found the one I got to sit on and ride about as comfortable as my monster.
 

thanks for the reply.  i called the college avenue/w.c. vespa folks and they said they're sold out (not that they ever had anything, anyway!) - i will google again - and see if i can sit on one.

i sat on a cob-webbed f800r saturday afternoon, and it was a bit more agressive (lean forward) than i'd like - plus the reviews seemed mixed but likely biased.

[VAbikeguy]

If you waive 2, 3 and 6, you have got this gem:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,63172.0.html

 

[ferenc]

If you waive 2, 3 and 6, you have got this gem:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,63172.0.html

 

yeah, your stable list gave it away ;-)
a friend also suggested one - lotta fun to ride - i believe his favorite bike...  reminds me of my f650 thumper - not a bike i'd like to sit on for too long, and the dual sport suspension on my 650 is not suited for my riding - find myself bouncing all over the place - i'd like the suspension to smoothly set and stay set!
enjoy,
ferenc

[ferenc]

and the winner is ...











from the fine folks at ozzie's in chico:










'11 f800r - i love it,
ferenc

[cbsnbiker]

Congrats!

(Are there supposed to be photos? I don't see them.)

[Mastros2]

Yep, we need pics!

[1TallTXn]

I was going to make a suggestion of the VFR800 Little high on HP, but otherwise meets the requirements. but it looks like I'm late to the party. Congrats on the new bike!

[JonS]

and the winner is ...











from the fine folks at ozzie's in chico:










'11 f800r - i love it,
ferenc

It's been a while since I checked out new bikes, but the one you chose looks very appealing in every aspect.

[ferenc]

Congrats!

(Are there supposed to be photos? I don't see them.)

sorry, been out riding (and working ...)
still happy with the bike and getting to know it.
i will need to add some stuff (center stand going on this week)
looking for topcase and some other mods.

turns out i only have one photo - of the bike's 'maiden voyage' on the way back from chico on the back of my pickup, sorry!  the photo is with lily and jessee, and i did not ask for their permission to post it.

another photo will have to be taken, sorry guys!

it's definitely the bike i was after,
ferenc

[black hills]

here are my top 10 qualities for a replacement bike (this is where the forum expertise chimes in, hopefully):
1.  upright seating position, knees tucked in (i'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam, 34/5 sleeves, weighing in at 180)-yes
2.  centerstand-yes
3.  efi-yes
4.  decent suspension (rear damping adjustment, for example)-yes
5.  under 1 liter, flat curve but under ~80foot pounds of torque, under ~80HP -75 ft. lbs. 110hp (you'll like it)
6.  6 speeds.-yes
7.  reasonably narrow for lane sharing-yes
8.  200 mile range-yes
9.  top case-available
10.  available in usa-yes

not to mention the fun you will have exploring back roads (or hopping curbs to avoid traffic

[ferenc]

here are my top 10 qualities for a replacement bike (this is where the forum expertise chimes in, hopefully):
1.  upright seating position, knees tucked in (i'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam, 34/5 sleeves, weighing in at 180)-yes
2.  centerstand-yes
3.  efi-yes
4.  decent suspension (rear damping adjustment, for example)-yes
5.  under 1 liter, flat curve but under ~80foot pounds of torque, under ~80HP -75 ft. lbs. 110hp (you'll like it)
6.  6 speeds.-yes
7.  reasonably narrow for lane sharing-yes
8.  200 mile range-yes
9.  top case-available
10.  available in usa-yes

not to mention the fun you will have exploring back roads (or hopping curbs to avoid traffic

yup, that one was at the top of my list - trouble was i was unable to find one to buy!!!
thanks, how do you like yours?
ferenc

[ferenc]

Congrats!

(Are there supposed to be photos? I don't see them.)

here are some grainy snapshots from 'the wall' on the way home from work last night:

and

today's goal:  factory centerstand install, to start lubing the chain, etc. ...
next goal:  come up with some affordable working top rack.
wohooo,
ferenc

[Kneescrubber]

here are some grainy snapshots from 'the wall' on the way home from work last night:

and

today's goal:  factory centerstand install, to start lubing the chain, etc. ...
next goal:  come up with some affordable working top rack.
wohooo,
ferenc

Ya know, if that was my rideto work, there would be no ride homefrom work.  


Oh yeah, nice bike.  

[black hills]

yup, that one was at the top of my list - trouble was i was unable to find one to buy!!!
thanks, how do you like yours?
ferenc

I love it! and the more I ride it the better it gets.

[cbsnbiker]

I love it! and the more I ride it the better it gets.

 


Enjoy!

[Rockin SV]

If anybody is interested the article of the naked bikes from Sport Rider is now up! http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_1110_2011_naked_bike_comparison/index.html

[ferenc]

Ya know, if that was my rideto work, there would be no ride homefrom work.  


Oh yeah, nice bike.  

  to the input from y'all.
patience and research is paying off with a happy rider.   bike's happy too, on its centerstand  

it's great to be alive, and i look forward to it every day - going _to_ work is more fun as there is significantly less traffic - also hardly a crossroad for the main stretch.  one major intersection that is nice to have closed is:
http://www.ebparks.org/news/111708b
going home finds a lot of sunset watchers (not my shot):

and usually a group of bikers parked at the wall, waving or tapping heir helmets, as the situation calls,
ferenc