Mid Sized Sport-Touring

[Mr_Gone]

And since you're so close, check out VFR's.  Well sorted ones are pretty easy to find.

+1 on the VFR. I went from your same bike to a VFR. Perfect bike. I also took a couple 3,000+ miles trips and it was great. Also a fantastic bike for tossing into corners on curvy roads, nice in town for commuting, plus it's a Honda so it's bulletproof. Your insurance shouldn't go up very much— I think mine only went up $3.00/month. Obviously I'm biased, I loved my VFR, but it's a bike worth considering.

[Hambonee]

 Rue loves her 650r.

Also check out a Versys or WeeStrom.

I love my Guzzi but man I also miss my 650r.

Great commuter bike and the thing was a damn decent touring bike. GREAT gas milage and plenty of power.

[Mr. E]

I did some reading and it seems like a yamaha fz6 with raised bars is nice. I do like the gsx650f tho.

Not sure how tall you are but IMO the FZ6 is more roomy and slighly more upright than 650R, as is the GSX650F. But I felt the Suzuki was especially top heavy.

[VernDiesel]

I can't get a VFR new in Canada   and I need to keep it under 749cc as insurance rates are much higher for a larger displacement in BC.

I guess its down to a question of maintenance on a fz6r and gsx650. The less time I spend doing maintenance = more time riding.

The ABS on the gsx650f is really appealing.

[allwedrrider]

since you are considering the new bike touring and want to get the requisite farkles, i recommend that you thoroughly research the costs of the accessories.  the costs can vary quite a bit between the bikes - and even more so the number of accessories that are available.
when i has an Aprilia Shiver, i realized that there was barely any after market support for it and whatever was available was severely over-priced.

so add the cost of the accessories to the total cost.  both the DL and Versys have good after market support for touring accessories. i am also going to suggest the bmw f800st as a good mid-size touring option

[VernDiesel]

I have read a few posts on various forums that the beemer (f800) cost of ownership is higher than average after the warranty runs out. I don't know if I believe everything on the internet but one forum was a beemer specific forum. No one wants to pay more for something.. but if a bike requires more servicing that equals less days available for riding which would suck.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I've got a F800ST. Bought it used with 34k on it. Rode home. Blown fork seal. They fixed it for free. Two weeks later stator burns out which is a seemingly common issue with the bike around the 34 to 40k mark. Two weeks after that had a short in the batter which I'm pretty sure is related to the burnt stator that i replaced.

They're also known for rear bearing failures.  But I think this was caused by a too tight spec by BMW on the belt. I run mine adjusted to what the F800 board members recommend and I don't think I'm going to have issues earlier than you normally get out of wheel bearings.

It's a good bike as far as comfort power ect. The Rotax is a hell of a Powerplant with a table top flat torque curve and good manners.

It handles well but for the cost i think they should have put something besides damping rod forks on the dang thing.

I've got a 1500 mile trip the weekend of the 6th if it gives me more issues on that trip I'm done with it and will find something else like another R1150R like I used to have.  If it'll run that whole weekend I'll hold on to it.


Sent from my iPhone

[Mortech]

When I first started looking the FZ6 was number one on my list followed by the Ninja 650 ...

[Grainbelt]

A thread for me!

My first bike was a '93 Suzuki GS500E. I replaced it with a 2006 Ninja 650R while living in Saskatchewan (had a great trip to the kootenays, btw) and purchased a 2006 FZ6 when I moved back to Minnesota. I've put 25k miles on each bike in sport-touring and commuting situations. pics at grainbelt.smugmug.com.

The newer FZ6R is the Euro-market XJ6 Diversion F, and is a bit heavier with a retuned (much more midrange) motor than the FZ6 I own.

General comments:

The Kawasaki motor was a lot more fun on the street than my FZ6. I recently test rode a 2012 650R to see if it is true that 'you can never go home' but I found I really enjoyed that bike. The new FZ6R has a powerband a lot like the 650R, so I'd expect similar giggles. My earlier FZ6 makes nearly 100hp, but is a dog under 6k. Hard to have fun at legal speeds.

The Yamaha build quality and maintenance interval is several notches above Kawasaki. Fairing hardware, welds, paint finish, all more solid. At 25k miles my 650R was starting to look and feel tired - I have 38k miles on the FZ6 and it is in like-new condition. The valve adjustments on both Yamahas are 26,600 miles (40k kilometers). Ninja 650R was about half that, I believe. All other maintenance is a wash - tires/chains/brakes etc.

The 650R can't be fitted with a centerstand, and the FZ6R has a half-gallon larger tank (4.6 vs. 4.2).

The US-market 2012-2013 650R does not have the passenger grab rails that Givi and others use as the mounting points for hard luggage. Check into that on the Canadian models.


If I had to do it over again, with currently available models, I'd probably lean toward the FZ6R for the fuel range, hard luggage availability, maintenance intervals, and build quality.

[ConPilot1]

If coinage is no problemo, check out the F800ST. Slick little machine.  

[Kneescrubber]

Are y'all not reading Vern's posts? 750cc is the limit.

SV650. Lots of them around. Lots of add ons available. Bulletproof engine.

[Kneescrubber]

This just in. http://www.cfmoto-us.com/onroad/details.aspx?productId=32

Go ahead. I dare you.

[Hambonee]

This just in. http://www.cfmoto-us.com/onroad/details.aspx?productId=32

Go ahead. I dare you.

Heard decent things about them..LOOKS like a nice bike.

[Nodaclu]

Heard decent things about them..LOOKS like a nice bike.

Agreed, love the look and the idea. Concerned about the execution.

[Mr.G21]

+1 on the Ninja650R    I love mine, it is a joy to ride, is comfortable and has torque in the right places.

SV650's are sure nice too.  Both bikes can be had at great prices used if you are willing to ride to get one.  I had to drive 8 hrs one way to get mine, but it was a steal/deal, 2400 miles and it was pristine.  Makes me smile every time I see it.

Good luck in the hunt.

[Chuck 500]

I, too, started on a Suzi GS500F.  Great little bike to learn on.  Once I got to 500 mile days though...

I have the NT700V in silver.  Great touring bike if you want relatively mild reliable performance.  With 30,000 miles in 20 months I can say it truly works for me.  I regularly ride over 300 mile days and get in a 1,000 mile weekend about once a month.  The one pictured has the optional Honda top case.  There are many less expensive options as the bike has a healthy aftermarket.  Check it out at www.nt-owners.org

Chuck  

[Bill-Z]

Oh man...I keep forgetting about this one. Someday...  

Sled alert!!! Don't buy the Honda NT700V if you have any desire to go anywhere fast.  It's slow, sluggish, lazy, and runs hot because it can't breath well.  Oh, yah, it's slow.  No disrespect intended to those who ride them.  I am sure that someone loves it, but my wife bought that bike and we sold it with less that 1,000 miles on it.  Bad purchased that we paid for, dearly.  Been there, done that, and that mistake cost more than a little...

[Bill-Z]

Are y'all not reading Vern's posts? 750cc is the limit.

SV650. Lots of them around. Lots of add ons available. Bulletproof engine.

Excellent advice!

[Chuck 500]

Sled alert!!! Don't buy the Honda NT700V if you have any desire to go anywhere fast.  It's slow, sluggish, lazy, and runs hot because it can't breath well.  Oh, yah, it's slow.  No disrespect intended to those who ride them.  I am sure that someone loves it, but my wife bought that bike and we sold it with less that 1,000 miles on it.  Bad purchased that we paid for, dearly.  Been there, done that, and that mistake cost more than a little...

To each his own.  I have the NT with almost 32,000 miles in less than two years.  Does 1,000 mile weekends easily.  Runs down the road at 70 - 80+ all day getting 50+ MPG.  Of course, these traits fit my riding style and goals.

the OP did say less than 750cc and that this would be bike 2 coming from a very light (400 lbs) bike.  He'll increase weight by 50% and double the horse power.  A logical step, yes?

BTW, keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

[fsr402]

To each his own.  I have the NT with almost 32,000 miles in less than two years.  Does 1,000 mile weekends easily.  Runs down the road at 70 - 80+ all day getting 50+ MPG.  Of course, these traits fit my riding style and goals.

the OP did say less than 750cc and that this would be bike 2 coming from a very light (400 lbs) bike.  He'll increase weight by 50% and double the horse power.  A logical step, yes?

BTW, keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

I'm hoping to upgrade my wife from her Hyosung 250 to the NT700V. One of my older friends has one and he admits he misses the power the ST1300 had but in reality the NT has more then he needs.