Help out a noob!

[TOSetter]

So; other than owning a GSXR 600 for three months that I took in partial trade for a jeep about 8 years ago, I've had very limited riding experience.  I'm thinking of getting a bike partially to save on some gas money, but mostly for fun.  I've recently taken a job that will require me to make a 200 mile round trip commute each week in addition to my normal 30 mile per day drive to work.  I'm hoping to get a bike to use as my summer commuter.  First off, am I nuts?  

Any suggestions on a bike that would fit my needs?  I guess my preference would be the sport touring types as I'm not really into the Harley's or their look alikes.  Not that there aren't some nice ones, but my personal preference is for the sportier types.  I've looked at some BMW's, some Triumph's, and some Honda's.  What are the differences between these makes?  Do any last longer than others?  What are gas milage's like?  What can a person reasonably expect for total miles out of a bike in it's life?

Thanks for any and all replies!

[davop]

What driving conditions you would face would factor a lot in what might be a good bike for you. Yamaha,Kawasaki,Honda,Triumph, and Bmw all make excellent sport-tourers. Aprillia,Ducati, and Moto Guzzi have wonderful machines as well, though they maybe a bit to exotic for your purpose.

[Grainbelt]

If you haven't ridden in 8 years, I wouldn't jump right on a 100hp 500lb bike and head into rush hour. Not sure where you live, but commuting isn't the most gentle way to learn. Sport tourers are great at sport touring, but they are large, heavy, powerful machines.

Any middleweight streetbike can be a great commuter. For a starting point, look at the Honda 599, Yamaha YZF600R, Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Suzuki SV650 and DL650, Ducati Multistrada 620, or BMW F800. There would all be fun backroad scratchers as well.

All of these are modern enough that they shouldn't be maintenance pigs, and I think you can get good sport-touring tires for them all. I know the Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati, and BMW have available factory or aftermarket (GIVI) hard luggage.

Always feel free to ask questions. Welcome!

[Mac]

The Kawasaki KLR 650 makes an outstanding commuting bike. Its narrow, fuel efficient, powerfull enough to get around traffic and keep up at freeway speeds, but not powerful enough to get you in trouble quickly. Plus with the 08 model coming out the 07 and older ones will be had dirt cheap.

[JTM]

There is nothing wrong with a GSXR 600 other than it will take some getting used to for longer trips.

[TOSetter]

Thanks for the replies.  To further clarify, I live in a fairly rural area of WI.  There will be little to no traffic for my daily 30 mile commute, and virutally none on a nice scenic 200 mile r/t commute I'll have to make once a week.  I'm interested in something comfortable to ride, and with still some edge to it.  I don't need something crazy, as I'm getting a little older, and don't feel like I need to satisfy any mid-life crissis........  I mostly want something with a little spunk, but it's got to be comfortable as well.  I'm thinking more of the 200 mile trip when looking for the right bike.  This trip is across S/W wisconsin and into S/E MN.  This is bluff country with some pretty cool scenery, and nice curvy roads.  There is very seldom much for traffic, and I don't have to go through any big towns.

[Grainbelt]

Thanks for the replies.  To further clarify, I live in a fairly rural area of WI.... This trip is across S/W wisconsin and into S/E MN.  This is bluff country with some pretty cool scenery, and nice curvy roads.  There is very seldom much for traffic, and I don\'t have to go through any big towns.

Look forward to lots of DEER 

I'm originally from Rochester, MN. Depending on what exactly you're talking about, thats a beautiful area to live and ride in.  I'm jealous.  I'm also serious about the deer.

Not being in a big city helps. I think the list I posted above still applies - no need to jump onto a huge bike. Poke around the site a bit, go to a bunch of dealers to sit on bikes, get your license, take a training class as a refresher, and enjoy!!!

[llew_x]

Take a look at maybe a Honda VFR. I bought mine, a '96 with 6k miles for $3600. Not sure if there are many for sale in WI but around here in the Boston area I've seen a few of the older mid 90's models for around the same price I paid for mine. It's my first motorcycle and I drive it about 45 miles a day getting to work and back and I work pretty close to Boston where the traffic can get sketchy, but i manage just fine.

Other models I hear that are pretty good all around bikes are the Kawasaki Ninja 650.. Yamaha YZF600 and Suzuki makes a model called the Vstrom which was actually what I was really interested in for months before i bought my Honda but there weren't too many for sale around my area at the time i was looking and when I seen the VFR I was  

 

[cbsnbiker]

TOSetter, my advice is to start off by signing up for an MSF course:

http://www.msf-usa.org

It'll be a great way for you to freshen your skills and learn some new stuff.

After you've taken the course, you'll have a better handle on what you want and don't want, and what size bike you feel ready to handle. If you do really well in the course and feel confident, you might feel that you're in a position to handle something a bit larger and more powerful than if you struggle in the class or don't feel confident.

[cworley5150]

Take an MSF course.  Get a 1991 or newer Honda 750 Nighthawk.  Get soft bags or a large tank bag.  Commute all summer and get in a few good weekend fun rides too.  

The Nighthawk is a great commuter bike with friendly but adequate power.  They can be had fairly cheap and require almost no maintenance.  Reliable as a hammer too if they haven't been totally neglected or ragged out.  

[servicerifle]

So do you still own the 600?  If so, no reason to replace it, but you should be careful for a long time.  If not, the SV650 or 650R are good choices.  Go to MSF school.

[county]

Take an MSF course.  Get a 1991 or newer Honda 750 Nighthawk.  Get soft bags or a large tank bag.  Commute all summer and get in a few good weekend fun rides too.  

The Nighthawk is a great commuter bike with friendly but adequate power.  They can be had fairly cheap and require almost no maintenance.  Reliable as a hammer too if they haven't been totally neglected or ragged out.  

Concur.

Or maybe one of those ZR7S Kawasaki's.  Cause it comes with a windscreen for the 200 mile commute.  Bottom line get one of the 750 standards as they will do what you want, low dollars, dependable, and will allow you to decide what you want.

The thing about bikes is that you won't really know what you want until you have ridden for a year.

When I got back into riding a few years ago one of the things that amazed me was the huge selection available.

[katrider]

So do you still own the 600?  If so, no reason to replace it, but you should be careful for a long time.  If not, the SV650 or 650R are good choices.  Go to MSF school.

+1...especially on the MSF safe rider course. I hadn't riden for 10 years after having riden for the previous 12 and I really needed to take the course!

The SV650S or ZZR600 are both nice sport bikes that can travel and are easy to learn/relearn on. If you are on a budget, the 750 Katana is a nice bike too.

A more upright bike that is also sporty is the FZ6 by Yamaha, and the Bandit 1200 is also comfy/sporty but a little beefy.

Good luck and have fun!

[GilaMonster]

So; other than owning a GSXR 600 for three months that I took in partial trade for a jeep about 8 years ago, I've had very limited riding experience.  I'm thinking of getting a bike partially to save on some gas money, but mostly for fun.  I've recently taken a job that will require me to make a 200 mile round trip commute each week in addition to my normal 30 mile per day drive to work.  I'm hoping to get a bike to use as my summer commuter.  First off, am I nuts?  

Any suggestions on a bike that would fit my needs?  I guess my preference would be the sport touring types as I'm not really into the Harley's or their look alikes.  Not that there aren't some nice ones, but my personal preference is for the sportier types.  I've looked at some BMW's, some Triumph's, and some Honda's.  What are the differences between these makes?  Do any last longer than others?  What are gas milage's like?  What can a person reasonably expect for total miles out of a bike in it's life?

Thanks for any and all replies!

If you are looking for fun, riding could be a great summer commuter.  However, don't make economics (better gas mileage) be your reason.  While motorcycles do get double the mileage of even reasonably efficient cars, tire mileage costs more than eat up any advantage.  30K tire mileage on a car is a reasonable norm.  5K is more like the norm on sport touring bikes.  Mile for mile, my dually is far cheaper than either of my two bikes...

As far as bike choices, IMHO there isn't any bad choices out there.  All are reliable, fun, and it really depends on which puts the biggest smile on your face.  Japanese bikes probably require the least amount of maintenance and the Italians are probably the most.  For what you are describing, I'd suggest that you look at a Kawasaki Concours.  There are lots of them around with 10-20K miles for less than $3,500 or so, and there are lots more around with over 100K on them.  The Connie comes with a full fairing, bags, and lots of motor.  The only downside is that they are heavy for around town riding.