My "What to Buy Now" Thread

[FiremanBob]

It's time to begin looking for a replacement for my beloved V65 Sabre and I need your help to think it through. Recommendations, comments on the features, relative compromises of one model or another,  etc. much appreciated.

 Here are my criteria:

S-T with full fairing and hard luggage (OEM preferred, Givi aftermarket ok). Need removable top case as well as side bags.
Used, price under $6K ($3-4 even better)
Reliable - I ride as my primary transportation including for work and need to trust it.
Comfortable on rides of up to 1500 miles.
Good 2-up comfort
Good handling, not too heavy (Connie and FJR are out)
Seat height appropriate for 5'10" rider.

Here's my list so far:

Ducati ST4 (so far this intrigues me most)
Honda VFR
Aprilia Futura
Triumph Trophy
Honda Blackbird w/Givi bag set

Thanks.

[Sport-Touring]

[R Doug]

Don't leave out the Duc ST3.

You have a fine list.  There's not a bad one in the bunch.  Of course everyone has an opinion, mine may differ from yours.  But, I like the bikes you listed in the following order:

Duc ST4 or ST3 (I have owned one)
Triumph Trophy (I have ridden one)
Honda VFR pre Vtec (I have ridden one)
Aprilia Futura (I have ridden one)
Honda VFR w/ Vtec (I have owned one)

[RideWV]

Do you have Ducati, Triumph, and Aprilia dealers near you?

If you rely on dealer to do service or get parts, then that might help narrow it down.

I like all of those bikes.  I think of the Trophy as more along the lines of the Connie in size though, but still cool.

Your going to have the easiest time getting parts, service, and aftermarket upgrades for the VFR's.  You can find really good ones with bar risers, aftermarket seat, full luggage, staintunes, for less than $5k.  I almost bought one locally last week.  I came within inches, but decided on a V-Strom.

James

[Frankienuckles]

I borrowed a friends ducati st2 for a long weekend trip and it was pretty nice. Seat kinda sucked though, but that's an easy fix. Also how about bandit 1200 and 1250 or fz1 with lowers and bags. These are pretty common and inexpensive.

[FiremanBob]

Thanks for the good ideas so far. I should add that I do all my own mechanical work, so dealer service is not required.

[jfusaro]

Triumph Sprint ST? own one now and love it.  2 up not so comfy but ok.  Owned a Duc ST3 very high maintanece, great ride overall

[Kraz]

Duc maintenance... what a drag.  VFR with "VTEC," not easy maintenance either.

I haven't had any bikes on your list... I have owned a ZZR1200 though... if it appeals to you, I would recommend it.  For the buck, you can't beat it.

ST4 appeals to me a lot... if the maintenance doesn't scare you off, I'd get that.  Blackbird would be #2 on the list.

Typically what I do is I shop for the best deal I can find, not a specific bike.

[CDN]

This just popped up in classifieds:  1999 Blackbird

Only 16,xxx on 'er   and at a price that will allow you to deck it out with a full set of Givi's and other touring goodies  

[county]

This just popped up in classifieds:  1999 Blackbird

Only 16,xxx on 'er   and at a price that will allow you to deck it out with a full set of Givi's and other touring goodies  

\\

The 99 was the first year for fuel injection....bike was pretty much unchanged except for the dash going digital after that.  

Cannot recommend  the XX highly enough...super fast and super easy to handle.  And you don't meet yourself coming around every corner.

[xbud]

And you don't meet yourself coming around every corner

 It's every other corner, or at least every bike meet.  

[nater]

Triumph Sprint RS maybe?

[SuperHans]

If you are interested in the Blackbird you might also want to take a look at the ZZR1200. Below is a good article comparing the two.

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/honda-cbr1100xx-vs-kawasaki-zzr1200-15400.html

[rgbeard]

What a contrast - Trophy vs. BlackBird.  WOW.

 

[Dan K]

I've been on my Sprint for about 400 miles now and it fits your criteria quite well. The other bike I was close to buying was the Futura. Good support at Aprilia forum. K1200S is choice #1 but not enough coin. Good luck. Can't go wrong with any bike on that list.

[volleykinginnc]

If it is your only mode of transport staaaaay away from the Duc St.  Maintenance will kill you and isn't that reliable....at least that has been my experience over the last year.

[fotomoto]

Being a VFR fan, I'd like to recommend it but I don't think you'd be happy with the torque output of the 800 series compared to you old V65 although the handling would knock your socks off coming from an 80's Sabre.

Anyway, I'll too recommend a Bandit or older FZ1.  Great riding position for commuting, bags available, and if you are patient really great deals can be found.  Either will have great torque.  The first gen bandit with its air/oil cooled motor is damn near a joy to work on it's so simple.

I bought this on FIVE years ago for $2300!  A year later needing money, I sold the goodies off it for $600 and the bike for $3600.  

[rajflyboy]

You are forgetting the 2 best bikes ever made:

1.  EX 250 Ninja
2.  EX 500 Ninja

[falconati]

strong troll, son

[rajflyboy]

The EX 250 and EX 500 are often forgot about great bikes!  

[FiremanBob]

Am not biting.

That Sprint ST looks like a winner. It seems to be hard finding VFRs with OEM bags but I know Givi makes a nice kit. The Duc looks great on paper and might be fun to ride but I need reliability as I will use the bike for business trips and can't afford to arrive late. The Bandit is a great idea although it's more like the Sabre than the modern bikes (top-heavy and heavy).

Thanks for the good guidance so far. I'm a couple of months away from having the budget but as you all know, buying a second-hand bike is not an immediate gratification process and I know it will take some legwork to find the right one.