Unrealistic Expectations?

[CABilly]

So, I'm trying to plan for a bike, my first one. I know there are probably about seventy thousand of these threads, but after searching I could not find one meeting the criteria I'm including. Basically, I want a bike that will be good to learn on and fit my needs. In a rough order of priority:

A commuter - work, school, errands

A long-hauler/tourer - long trips, so something that I can put bags on (preferably hard bags) and comfortably ride for hours.

A sunday rider - nothing crazy, I imagine whatever I wind up with will be fun.

Dual-sport - I don't plan on going nuts with the off-roading, but I don't want gravel or a mild trail to be off-limits to me. It will mostly be a commuter.


It must, however,be mild enough for a beginner yet fun enough to keep my interest as my skills and confidence develop and improve. Like I said in my intro thread, the bike I feel will fit these needs would be a BMW F650 GS. That, however, is not a bike I'd feel comfortable starting with, so, playing the numbers game, I feel I should limit myself to 500cc and below. Used, a bit beat up, all the better. I don't expect I'll be perfect right out the gate (taking MSF in about 4 weeks, trying to get my ducks in a row).

Does this sound like a certain bike? I know people will say you can do anything with any bike, but I don't want to go through the rigamorale of buying them all in order to find the one I just described.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[Ratters]

Vstrom 650. Sounds like just what you want.

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/suzuki/2008-suzuki-v-strom-650-ar42933.html

The powerband will be plenty newbie friendly.

 

[MTechR1]

an R1 is what you need bradah

 

[Razorback]

Vstrom 650. Sounds like just what you want.

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/suzuki/2008-suzuki-v-strom-650-ar42933.html

The powerband will be plenty newbie friendly.

From everything I've read about the 650 Vstrom, it sounds like it fits your criteria.

 

[InKoHoLiC]

an R1 is what you need bradah

Naw he needs the Hayabusa jk man i would go for the dual sport..maybe a xr650r? it might be a lil too raw if you never rode trials before...

I was gonna get another sport bike but I am starting to get a little more TARDED street and off road..best of both roads

 

[flying_hun]

OP, why is it that you're concerned about the F650 as your first bike? It would help to understand that better before making recommendations. Why do you think the bike has be less than 500cc? The desire for hard bags suggests that the F650 of the 650 V-Strom would be good choices. Can't say that I agree with the suggestion of an XR650R. Maybe an XR650L. Very different beast, though neither would be exactly ideal for your idea of touring.

Often new riders post up wanting justification for getting an R1 or Hayabusa or ZX-12R, etc. Those are terrible ideas, which is why you're getting teased about it. An F650 actually sounds like a reasonable suggestion. What are your concerns?

 

[CABilly]

Well, I have enough money for great gear and a good bike. Even though safety is my top concern, even now before I've got my license, I'd rather start with a "beater" that would prepare me for the F650. I'd just hate to get in over my head when starting off.

That was my reference to "playing the numbers game." I know it's all in how you ride it, but I have to assume there's a reason for the tongue-in-cheek R1/TurboBusa/Tomahawk suggestions. It's my understanding that n00bs should start small, right?

 

[flying_hun]

Nothing wrong with starting small. For instance, you could get a DRZ400 or a DR650, but hard luggage would be problematic. What's your commute like? Lots of freeway? Surface streets? Long? Short?

 

[CABilly]

Oops, yeah. I commute to work 25 miles each way, just about evenly split 85N-280N. I work nights, so traffic isn't too bad in those directions. I've been scoping out the flow in the carpool lane and it looks to be pretty light, but as a current non-rider, I have to admit that the freeway is a bit intimidating and I'll probably be caging to work a while after I get my M1.

 

[flying_hun]

Seriously, I think you'll have a hard time finding a bike that matches all the criteria you listed, including that commute and the ability to accommodate hard luggage than the F650 you brought up, or the DL650 brought up by other posters. Both can be found with ABS. You can find crash protection for either of them (check Twisted Throttle) that will save bodywork when you drop it in some silly situation. They both have pretty mild power, decent handling, and get good gas mileage. They are both easier to ride if you're kind of tall. If you want something smaller to just start out with, look for a used DRZ400, DR350 or 650, etc.

Good luck,

 

[Pushrod]

Lotsa good bikes out there and a lot of advice, acerbic and otherwise. What I want to suggest to you is to find a long term rider who would be willing to give you some guidance. Squiddly friends or tattoo covered posers are going to tell you things that tend to support their prejudices, their notions of cool.

Perhaps you know an old geezer, or your father might know someone, who has decades of riding experience. Not to say you should hang out with him, or go on rides, but to use riding history as a sounding board, a way to avoid the pitfalls of your early miles on a bike. (I wish someone had told me not to put armor all on the seat or dressing on the tires!)

A mentor and a shop manual will make any bike you buy a positive experience.

 

[Sidewalk]

A commuter - work, school, errands

Almost any bike can do that.

A long-hauler/tourer - long trips, so something that I can put bags on (preferably hard bags) and comfortably ride for hours.

Most bikes can do that, taking exception to the hard bags rule.

Hard luggage is nice, but I have never had it on any of my bikes. That is a want, not a need. My wife had it on her Shadow, and it was cool to be able to lock stuff and walk away, but 99% of the times it wasn't needed. My soft saddlebags and tail bag do the job well, they have for about 6 years now.

A sunday rider - nothing crazy, I imagine whatever I wind up with will be fun.

ALL bikes will do that.

Dual-sport - I don't plan on going nuts with the off-roading, but I don't want gravel or a mild trail to be off-limits to me. It will mostly be a commuter.

Like you said, any bike can be made to do just about anything. But your idea of the F650 sounds like a good bet. If I remember correctly it is a bit more trail rated then the V-Strom. Granted, I have taken my 1000RR on rougher trails then most people will ever take thier GS's (seriously though, pretty rough roads that bottomed out my suspension)

It must, however,be mild enough for a beginner yet fun enough to keep my interest as my skills and confidence develop and improve. Like I said in my intro thread, the bike I feel will fit these needs would be a BMW F650 GS. That, however, is not a bike I'd feel comfortable starting with, so, playing the numbers game, I feel I should limit myself to 500cc and below. Used, a bit beat up, all the better. I don't expect I'll be perfect right out the gate (taking MSF in about 4 weeks, trying to get my ducks in a row).

Does this sound like a certain bike? I know people will say you can do anything with any bike, but I don't want to go through the rigamorale of buying them all in order to find the one I just described.

Thanks in advance for your input!

I think you already picked out the right bike.

But as an alternate idea, what about an EX/GS 500 for now? Ride that until you think you are comfortable with the F650 you like and then sell it for what you paid. I don't imagine you will be doing the parts on your list for the first few months anyway, and the 500's can do the commuting, Sunday rides, and touring with soft luggage just fine.

My 1000RR was the perfect bike for me based on your description. But I don't recommend it for you

 

[Blacknblue]

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is a good choice. Upright riding position, proven engine, easily available spare parts, a reasonable new bike price, and loads of aftermarket options. Check out www.amotostuff.com for cool dual/sport type gear. I think it would make an excellent choice if you really want to do some off pavement. Consider the standard SV if your forays will be few and far between. There are also some excellent options for hard bags. Take your time shopping, it's part of the fun. Check out "Road Runner" magazine too, lots of good info. Good luck!

 

[jalan]

The DL650 (vstrom) is a very practical, do-it-all bike, and I love mine, but I wouldn't recommend it as a first bike. It's a perfect second bike, however. But if you've got a generous inseam, it's doable.

And despite the off-road marketing/image stuff, it really is more of a commuter/small touring bike. Big plastic fairing + dirt == expensive repairs.

 

[vman]

Your first bike is not your last. Why not learn on something that can be a commuter and a fun sunday bike. Then go to something that can be used for touring. You know that many people on this board own more than 1 motorcycle

 

[Ssophia19]

Start with the F650... I love mine. It's my first bike and I can't fault it one bit. I commute from SF to Berkeley and back everyday and have done a couple of weekend trips with her (I do have a custom seat though !!).

For the record, I'm female and struggle to reach 5'2" on a good day... PM me or come to an SF meet if you've got questions!

 

[CABilly]

Start with the F650... I love mine. It's my first bike and I can't fault it one bit. I commute from SF to Berkeley and back everyday and have done a couple of weekend trips with her (I do have a custom seat though !!).

For the record, I'm female and struggle to reach 5'2" on a good day... PM me or come to an SF meet if you've got questions!

Sweet, that was my next question. I'm ~5'10/11". I've heard those bikes are better suited to taller riders. I guess my inseam is about 31", but that doesn't sound like a problem any more?

 

[Ssophia19]

Sweet, that was my next question. I'm ~5'10/11". I've heard those bikes are better suited to taller riders. I guess my inseam is about 31", but that doesn't sound like a problem any more?

My inseam is 30", I have a custom low profile seat courtesy of Mr Ed's Moto and the standard height frame... I wouldn't even look at the GSL as they're a bitch to put on the center stand and what is the point of having a dual with bugger all clearance!?

Good luck with the hunt!

 

[paladinnorcal]

Kawasaki KLR 650.

 

[Burning1]

Almost any bike can do that.

Sidewalk makes a great point. Short of going off road, there are many, MANY bikes that will fit the first 3 items in your criteria. There are several after market luggage manufacturers who would be happy to sell you hard bags for pretty much any "standard" class motorcycle.

What I would recommend is to buy a reasonably priced novice bike (Ninja 500/ GS500 or the like) and get an inexpensive dual sport if you are really serious about off-roading. This route is easily as economical than buying a good adventure bike, and might be far better value once you consider the expense of crashing in the dirt. The other advantage is that you will have a 2nd street legal motorcycle for those times when your primary street bike is in the shop (which can happen relatively frequently and for moderate lengths of time.)

I've taken a DR-400 onto some dusty roads, and I can't say that it's a newbie friendly activity. I can't imagine what it would be like for you on a V-Storm. In my opinion, you really are best off with a little 250 dirtbike / dual sport. It'll just shrug off a good crash.