I realize that my Ascot will never be up to the challenge of touring because it's too small and I'm too big. This summer I'd like to replace it with a sport tourer that is 1) nimble enough for daily city riding 2)comfortable enough for occasional long distance riding for somone 6'1" and 3) no more than $3,000. I travel light so I don't need the option of having 3 hard cases attached. I was thinking a 98 or 99 VFR800 but I doubt I could find one for $3,000 or less. I'm sure there are a ton of models I don't know about so how about some suggestions?
You might be able to find a used V-strom 650 between $3K-$4K? I think it would a good fit for your needs and physical size. Or, I'm sure there are plenty of Connies available for $3K if you want a true sport-tourer.
Ninja 250 brand new or Ninja 500 maybe 1 or 2 years old. They are good solid rides, also try KLR 650 there must be someone willing to give it up, another thumper is DR650, KLR250 or a Sherpa Of course some of the other options all ready presented are fine (SV650) Damasovi
Some good suggestions already. I'll throw in an early model ST1100. I owned a '91 and had zero problems with it. They're almost bulletproof. If you're patient, and don't mind some faded paint, you can probably find a early 90s ST1100 for $3000. I paid $3800 for mine on eBay. It had 27,000 miles on it. Jamie
Clean first generation('97 - '00) 1200 Bandits are available for that sort of money. Reliable as a claw hammer. Oops. 205'd by the Yooper.
I'd say standard SV650, but it really depends on what you want. I've been on ST's and other big sport tourers and they are a lot more tourer than sport imho. Just took all the fun out of riding for me.The viffer800 isn't bad to ride, but is very bland and very, very heavy (and gets lousy fuel mileage). A sport bike of any flavor will be much lighter and with the addition of helibars just as comfortable imho. The SV650 is reasonably comfortable, light and a whole lot of fun. Its really going to come down to what you personally like in a bike. If you were to double your budget you could get a brand new kawasaki verseys which would probably be a very good fit.
I had a SV650 for about a year. Great bike, but at 6'3", 230 lbs it was too small for me, seat was a bit uncomfortable. I bought a '93 Yamaha TDM850 last April and I am very happy with it. Before I bought that, I was saving for a Vstrom. The new Versys looks very nice, probably a good fit for tall rider, over your budget. If you can work on it yourself, look at the TDM.
I'm a big guy and I really enjoyed my Suzuki Katana 750. You have a upright riding position, smoken gas mileage. and most importantly you'll look cool
$3000 is exactly what I paid for my Magna, and it works fine for me in the applications you cite. But I've been told that I got an unusually good deal.
If you're patient you may be able to find a late 90's early 2000's speed triple for $2800-3800. I got mine for less than that but it had 50K miles on it. Ok for touring if you get a corbin seat, but it really is at home carving backroads and negotiating city traffic. I am 6'2" and it is comfortable - just get rid of the stock seat.
I'm partial to this one for the kind of duty you're describing.... It's a 1996 Honda CB750 Nighthawk with 20K on it that I picked up locally in Vegas for $1,300. It needed a few things, but even after everything was finished, I was only in it for about $1,700 - plenty of money left over for whatever accessories (soft luggage, etc) you might want or need. It's not great at any one single thing, but it does everything pretty well across the board. For a budget bike, I couldn't be happier.
I just bought a 1994 BMW K75. It haf 38K on it and it's supposed to be good for 200K. It feels great on the road. It's quiet and smooth as silk.
depends how big you want to go. The GS500/EX500 are great bikes, cheap, and dependable. The newer GS500F is also a fully faired decent tourer, with ample aftermarket. I still miss my GS sometimes - I did a lot of commuting, and a little touring on it.
The ultra cool and versatile ZRX 1100/1200 Kawasakis can be had for $3-4000. Might be a bit on the high side of what you are wanting to spend but they are excellent all around bikes and I feel they will really hold their values at this point. Like the big Suzuki Katanas they do a lot of things real well and are rock solid bikes. I'd give the nod to the Kawi's because of the collectability quotient they bring to the table...... Found about 10 of them on cycle trader in the 3-4K range Try and scrape just a bit more $$ together as it seems like breaking the $3000 mark starts getting you into some really cool old bikes that will ALLWAYS basically be worth what you paid for them...... something to look at for your overall cost of ownership from purchase to sell ........... plus being easier to sell down the road as well. I have a Ducati and they are neat bikes to have.......... yes you can pick up some nice older ones for in the $3500-4500 range Below 3K you are dealing with the bikes that will continue to depreciate and or need a lot of work.
Kawasaki Concours have been around a long time. There should be some out there in that price range. 750 Nighthawk was a good suggestion as well.
I know where there is a 96 or 97 Bandit 600 for $1400, has about 14k on the clock, looked in good shape, however I dont know any more about it, other than where it is located