"Early" Fuel Injected non-supersports?

[Grainbelt]

The issue with the FZ6 isn't so much the top end as the clutch. Takes some getting used to, but he'd probably be fine. Available from '04.

The faired version of the ER-6, the Ninja 650, came to America in '06, one year before the Versys and two years before the ER-6N. All would be fine choices.

I had to go look, but I had forgotten that we didn't get an EFI Bandit 650 or ZR-7S (Z750) until much later. I was never a huge fan anyway. Heavy.

The Wee would be ok, but they are top heavy and the wind management is horrible. I'd think a 2nd gen SV650 would be far much preferred, unless he's going to go on a weeklong trip or ride a lot of gravel.

sort of a wildcard, but the CBR250 came out in 2011 and used ones are popping up with asking prices of $3500 and maybe 1000 miles. If the idea is just to get into riding on something reliable and inexpensive, a one-year old 250 vs. a 10 year old SV650 is an interesting decision...

[ZappBranigan]

I'm not sure what you mean by "early" but all Triumph Bonnie series twins have been EFI from 2009 - up.

However I'll echo those who ask why your friend would want an older EFI bike?

I generally find that a late version of old-tech is more reliable than an early version of new-tech (because they're still working out the bugs in the new tech and the old tech is well established.)

When I got my Scrambler in 2009 I deliberately sought out a 2008 model because it was the last year they had carbs. I know EFI is the wave of the future but I like the simplicity of carbs. No fuel pump, no pressurized fuel system, no ECU, no low fuel light, just a simple "On/Reserve/Off" petcock.

I've never owned an EFI bike but I figure that my next one will probably have to be EFI, just because carbs are becoming as rare as hens teeth.

[PhilB]

Originally Posted by elementalg20

Just to add some info on the rider. He's got a couple thousand miles under his belt. Primarily on a little exciter 250 and has started riding an old GL650 silverwing. He's not yet totally comfortable with the size and weight of the wing' but seems perfectly capable of riding it. I don't even think it's so much that he can't handle a little more bike(he's around 6' 1" maybe 220lbs) and 37yrs old. If it wasn't for what I believe to be an anxiety issue(perhaps disorder) I think he could probably ride anything. Just the same, 650cc bikes and under will do whatever he needs to do and he'll feel more comfortable at the end of the day and I suppose that is what is most important.

Thanks for all the input so far I do appreciate it. I do think that perhaps the 750cc bmw K75 maybe one of the best idea's. I hadn't thought of in the list. To some degree more of the "old school" he feels comfortable with and likes, while still offering a very sold package. I need to read into those more and check on what changed over the model runs. Did spot a k75rs for 3250 that looked really good, but I know I've seen clean k75's go for less.

The potential buyer claims "I'm going to buy something good this year" lol. Last year he bought about 5 old bikes none of which were particularly road worthy and would like to buy something to ride more than tinker with this year.

A Ducati Monster 620 might also be a good option for him. Light, easily handled, durable, and versatile, and not very expensive to buy. Maintenance is a bit more than Japanese bikes, but not by very much.

PhilB

[elementalg20]

The desire for an "early" EFI bike is simply a matter of cost. He'll pay cash for something, and if he can't he won't buy it. Part of the reason I put quotes around early, easily lost in translation of course. Again thanks for the help.

[PeteN95]

Just get an '03 or later SV650, you'll never regret it!

[mngl1500]

Originally Posted by SloMo228

The GL1200 had EFI for two years in the 80s, 85 and 86 if I remember correctly. They went back to carbs after that until the GL1800 came out, but from the people I've talked to who've had the EFI version, they worked just fine.

Kind of a big bike for a brand new rider, but not at all hard to handle after a little experience on a bike.

The Goldwing 1985 LTD and the Goldwing 1986 SEI where the two fuel injected models until the 1800's came out.

And a 1985 Goldwing 1200 Interstate was my first street bike. And I hear you about the number of carbs, the Goldwing 1000, 1100 and 1200 had 4 carbs one for each cylinder.

[FootDoc]

I currently own a FZ6 and a Triumph Speed Four.
The FZ6 is really able to do whatever you want. 24k valve checks, great MPG, and a nice top end rush when you feel the need. The seat sucks, I put on a Corbin and its been great.

The Speed Four (on paper) is slower, has a surge @3000 rpm and looks funky. Other than that its great. Fully adjustable suspension, more midrange, and great brakes. Has alot more front end feel than the FZ6, But If im on the highway for more than 2 hours the lack of a windshield gets tiring.
The Speed Four was the last of Triumphs I4s, and they were able to iron out most of the problems with the original TT600 motor.

The CBR F4i came out in 2001, Ive never heard a bad thing about them. Lastly, as already mentioned the 2003+ SV650s are great.

[Stravoxylo]

Kawasaki Z750s.

quote from something I posted a while back in a different thread:

http://zee750s.com/zeeforum/index.ph...b&action=forum

more information than you'll ever need for the Z750s, and a great bunch of people there. They have pretty much solved any issues you may run into.

I had a blue 2005 Z750s that I put about 20K on, including a 9 day 5000 mile NYC to Colorado round trip in 2008. I planned on keeping it for a long time, until it met a guard rail, and was stolen (yup, in that order, go figure).

Its a great value, but needs a few items worked out to be really great. Suspension should be your top priority (racetech SV650s cartridge emulators fit, and a ZX6R rear shock is a direct bolt in). Steel brake lines & better pads make a huge improvement in braking. Mirrors suck, so everybody puts on long stem Buell Firebolt pieces (bolt on).

I had a SW Motech & Givi set up that worked great, along with a Motofizz tail bag, and tourmaster tank bag. Heated grips, throttlemeister, 12v outlet, PIAA 1100x's, Power Commander, Hindle mid pipe & titanium SS can, Galfer lines, Puig screen & hugger, RAM mounts, custom frame sliders, etc.

You will not be chasing down ZX-10s (or ZX-6s for that matter), but you will have lots of reliable fun miles. That bike had seen its share of gravel & dirt too. Very versatile. I wish I still had mine."

The above is a cut & paste from one of my own replies, some time ago.

The PC III on mine made an improvement to a lean spot in the 3500-3700rpm range. Worked quite well with the Hindle & a BMC filter.

Congratulations & good luck with it.

[beat]

tdm 900
xt660 with the 4 valve head

[elementalg20]

Beat, very good on those. Too bad neither came stateside.

[fragile_this_side_up]

Originally Posted by PeteN95

Just get an '03 or later SV650, you'll never regret it!

quoted for truth. i've put 10k on my 03 in less than 10 months and not a single issue.

[elementalg20]

Certainly a long way off of making a decision, used bikes are often a matter of timing and not getting something super specific, especially when budget is a concern. That said, the SV's are far from rare, my friend whom I'm trying to gather info from seems like the sv650n from a looks stand point and it's fairly friendly size wise to handle with out making him nervous. I'd have to think an 03'-05' would likely be a "best bet" for him right now.

[fragile_this_side_up]

my 03 was/is my first/only bike. i learned on it.. they can bite, but mine has been tame enough.

[AbqDave]

Those old Kbikes are cheap any more. I had a k100rs. It will be intimidating to a new rider cuz it's top heavy. People never lube the final drive,which is a potential failure point. The efi is nothing to scream about. Beats having to tune and synch four carbs, but I would rather have a carbed twin, at least I can tune it how I like. The Kbikes have way too much complexity for what they accomplish performance wise.

Best idea so far IMO was the sv650. Shop smart and you would be amazed at what you get for the $. Anything you say about the monster, you can say about the sv, except for the part about chicks digging ducatis. The SV has no sex appeal at all. None.

[elementalg20]

The sv may have very little sex appeal but it has to have more than his 250 exciter or silverwing gl650i lol.