Bike suggestions

[mudpie]

Oh no, not another "which bike should I buy" thread...

Don't worry, I'll try and make this one different.

I'm in the market for a new ride, of the sport-touring variety, with a lean more toward sport than touring.  For the moment I'm not limiting myself to a price range, though I'm looking at used, not new.  I'm not concerned so much with the usual stuff like which is faster, or the absurd "which is better" kind of questions.  I think those questions are kind of dumb.  I can sit in traffic just as easily with 167 hp as I can with 125 hp, know what I mean?  The stuff that immediately comes to mind (ZX14, 'busa, ZZR1200, Blackbird, various Beemers, etc) will all go sufficiently fast.

My concerns are in two areas.  First, I prefer to do all my own maintenance.  Something fairly easy to work on would be nice, especially if it can be done with the decent assortment of tools I already have rather than new special tools.  

Second, I'm 6'3", so ergonomics for a taller rider are important, especially (obviously) for long trips.  No GSX-R in my future.  Given that it's hard to find a bunch of the bikes I'm considering in the same place at the same time, I'm interested in comparisons about riding comfort if you've owned various machines that might fit my needs.

So, any bike suggestions, or maintenance advice would be cool.

Thanks

[Papa Lazarou]

You sound as if the Moto Guzzi would suit you. Maintenance is easy and some of them are fairly sporty. No, none of them will produce silly brake horse power-but all produce a shed load of torque.

[Hotbrakes]

KTM Super Duke or their other models like the SM or SMT are comfortable, not cramped, sporty and adjustable premium suspension, and have ample power on tap in any gear at any rpm.  Hard luggage is the only real limiting factor but even that can be overcome for less $$$ with some searching and fabrication work.

[county]

The FJR is what the big boys ride...

[coucours grad]

C-10 Kawi Concours are rock solid reliable, dirt cheap and not hard to work on (although I'd find a bike with good carbs and take goos care of them as they are a stone cold bitch to get out and back in). Gas/tires and oil and 6k not so bad valve adjustments. (I have it down to 2 hours before mine deceased.)


   CBR1100XX  good reliable bikes, easy ergo's....Been finding them scattered thoughout the East coast under 6 grand. Check out the Stator wiring before a major road trip then gas/tires/ oil changes....(Its a Honda)...Many older rides prefer the fuel injected bikes....(Many do not too!)


    ST1100 and ST1300 Honda. A leanable tractor.....V-4 tourque, Honda reliability and since Honda hasnt updated the bike since 2003 they are also getting cheap and easier to find. On the 1100 watch for swing arm rot in the Road Salt belt and timing belt replacement....On the 1300's there have been a few recalls. If you have a choice on either between a ABS and non-ABS spend your wallet, Honda got the ABS and linked braking right on this bike.

   Aprilla Futura   Last year I believe was 2004 production....2 for sale in dealers here in Georgia for under 6k.....V-Twin tourqe in a light bike with Superb ergo's, one of the few sport tourers on the market that wont be needing a new seat.....Another rock solid performer and the only problem I see is a lack of North American Dealers and parts. Not that you'll be needing it much.

Suzuki Bandit 6 or 12 hundred....This is probably the least apreciated bike capable of Sport touring duty....600's are getting hard to find, the 1200 Bandits are selling for around 4-7k here in Atlanta.....Tires/oil/gas and clean the chain occasionally.....This bike for the cash has a VERY high Grin factor too.


Anyway, drive anyyhing anyone will give you the key for and enjoy the hunt!

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

I'm 6'2" and a bit uhh....beefy....but the Sprint ST suits me fine, although I would like a larger bodied motorcycle now that I am getting older.

Maintenance is pretty straightforward; I've been doing my own for about 4 years or so.  The only stuff I can't do is the stuff thar requires the computer.

[02Tac]

Bandit 1200 or 1250 is a good platform to make into an ST mount and MX is pretty simple.

[HipGnosis]

V-Strom (DL) 1000 with tires and farkles to suit your riding.

[Orson]

4 out of 5 Guzzi owners date Brazilian supermodels.

A Brazilian supermodel that did your bike maintenance is almost too much to ask.

[Kneescrubber]

R80GS/R100GS.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

R80GS/R100GS.

You mean like this one?  

[Kneescrubber]

You mean like this one?  

Eggzakry.  

Very easy to work on. Fits a 6'+ frame and very sporty if you understand the dynamics of the bike.

[mudpie]

4 out of 5 Guzzi owners date Brazilian supermodels.

Well, end of conversation I guess.  And here I was concerned about ergonomics...

[Kneescrubber]

Well, end of conversation I guess.  And here I was concerned about ergonomics...

WARNING! You must be bendy to enjoy guzzis. You just have to be observant to enjoy airheads.  

[Rattlehead]

.......
My concerns are in two areas.  First, I prefer to do all my own maintenance.  Something fairly easy to work on would be nice, especially if it can be done with the decent assortment of tools I already have rather than new special tools.  

Ability to do maintenance depends a lot on your comfort level and experience. Some guys won't touch anything that doesn't have a carburetor and self-adjusting hydraulic valvetrain, others will dive into a computer controlled, fuel injected, shim adjusted valvetrain-ed bike and not blink an eye. Simple bikes, like a Guzzi, are obviously.....simpler   , but a competent backyard mechanic is more than capable of taking care of a more modern bike so don't shy away from them if if you find one that lights your fire.

You mentioned a Hayabusa so I can comment on that one in particular.
I currently own a 1st gen Hayabusa (99-07) and everything on it has been very straight forward, including the dreaded valve clearance adjustment (which were all well within spec at 29k miles). I haven't needed any special tools outside what an average garage monkey should already have on hand (metric tools are a must). It's also been stone-dead reliable and an all around great bike. I just returned from a 1700mi, 4 day, trip on it and my only discomfort (I'm 6'0 btw) was from the heat (100+deg temps) more than the bike itself. My list of comfort mods consists of a set of Buell pegs which gave me more leg room and that's all that's been changed ergonomic-wise

On my "need to improve" list is a few things that showed themselves on the trip:
-the stock seat cover is vinyl and it creates a lot of sweat in unpleasant areas. A leather (or breathable fabric) cover is on my "to buy" list.
-The stock bars are acceptable for someone my size but some risers would be nice.
-The bike creates a LOT of heat in traffic. I may try to come up with a way to lessen the heat that seems to soak through the tank and blow on my legs with some heat shields or other means. It was between 95-105deg for my whole trip though so that may be a big part of the problem.  
Other than that it was quite the nice rig to explore the Appalachians area with. It proved itself to be quite the versatile ride and an excellent SPORT-touring rig (emphasis on sport).  
I'll try to get a "ride report" typed up here in the next couple of days.

[Kneescrubber]

... self-adjusting hydraulic valvetrain...

Enlighten me. What bikes normally quoted and/or ridden here have this?

[2RR2NV]

The FJR is what the big boys ride...

good one!  

[2RR2NV]

Ability to do maintenance depends a lot on your comfort level and experience. Some guys won't touch anything that doesn't have a carburetor and self-adjusting hydraulic valvetrain, others will dive into a computer controlled, fuel injected, shim adjusted valvetrain-ed bike and not blink an eye. Simple bikes, like a Guzzi, are obviously.....simpler   , but a competent backyard mechanic is more than capable of taking care of a more modern bike so don't shy away from them if if you find one that lights your fire.

You mentioned a Hayabusa so I can comment on that one in particular.
I currently own a 1st gen Hayabusa (99-07) and everything on it has been very straight forward, including the dreaded valve clearance adjustment (which were all well within spec at 29k miles). I haven't needed any special tools outside what an average garage monkey should already have on hand (metric tools are a must). It's also been stone-dead reliable and an all around great bike. I just returned from a 1700mi, 4 day, trip on it and my only discomfort (I'm 6'0 btw) was from the heat (100+deg temps) more than the bike itself. My list of comfort mods consists of a set of Buell pegs which gave me more leg room and that's all that's been changed ergonomic-wise

On my "need to improve" list is a few things that showed themselves on the trip:
-the stock seat cover is vinyl and it creates a lot of sweat in unpleasant areas. A leather (or breathable fabric) cover is on my "to buy" list.
-The stock bars are acceptable for someone my size but some risers would be nice.
-The bike creates a LOT of heat in traffic. I may try to come up with a way to lessen the heat that seems to soak through the tank and blow on my legs with some heat shields or other means. It was between 95-105deg for my whole trip though so that may be a big part of the problem.  
Other than that it was quite the nice rig to explore the Appalachians area with. It proved itself to be quite the versatile ride and an excellent SPORT-touring rig (emphasis on sport).  
I'll try to get a "ride report" typed up here in the next couple of days.

+1, 000

getting another one is on my short list for when the wife and I start touring again.

[Rattlehead]

Enlighten me. What bikes normally quoted and/or ridden here have this?

Lots of bikes out there have hydraulic valvetrains (Harley's in particular but many others as well).
Wasn't referring to any specific bike mentioned though nor was I trying to take a jab at any person who's replied to this thread (implying that they couldn't work on anything modern). I was simply stating opposite extremes to make a point.

[Orson]

I'm not concerned so much with the usual stuff like which is faster, or the absurd "which is better" kind of questions.  

Well, it sounds like yer ready for a Guzzi.

They're distinctive, engaging, entrancing and, some people who don't realize that they are looking at a tractor, think they're exotic.

The sounds they emit can be intoxicating, but don't let that put you off.