Option Needed on Which Bike to Get

[Speeddog]

http://www.laro.com.au/motorcycles/v-retro

cool.

Yamaha BW250 license?

[d3vi@nt]

If you're looking at the BMW, I see plenty of low-mileage loaded Dakar's in your price range. They would have all the features you're looking for, plus would be great for ADV riding. Around 65+ mpg.

[justinrhenry]

Oh, and this is impressive:

BMW R 1200 GS short rider

what does he do at a red light?

[somegirl]

what does he do at a red light?

I read that he can get a toe down on one side as needed.  He probably does like I do and shuffles his butt off to one side to reach.

[brad black]

Yamaha BW250 license?

more suzuki van van i think.  and given it's chinese more of the fuk yew kind of licence agreement no doubt.

i'm really hot for one.  under 3k ride away apparantly.  and varying from not bad to complete crap reading the reviews.

i remember doing a bolt check on a sachs mad ass (we sold a couple for a little while) and stripping the shock bolt due to the "half a thread" on each sort of thing.

but i'd never ride it anyway.  never get to ride minnie.

[take risks]

SuperMoto!!!!
and boobies of course.

[philsu]

I commute about 40 miles per day and 36 miles of that is on the HOV on I-405 to Bellevue, WA.  I tried to commute in rain

Do you usually get off of exit 2 to connect to 167 in the afternoon? I think I've seen you a few times. I tend to go the opposite way.

[Goat_Herder]

Do you usually get off of exit 2 to connect to 167 in the afternoon? I think I've seen you a few times. I tend to go the opposite way.

That would be me.  The exits on and off 167 are the highlights of my commute. 

[Goat_Herder]

I am surprised the voting has gone to another CBR (well, besides the obvious boobies).  it really is a great little fun bike.  I can't say I am not disappointed that there aren't more BMW fanboys singing the praises of the GS.  Maybe the G-series doesn't measure up?

I am planning on going to see a NC700X in person.  There is only one dealer near me (kinda near) that has one.  With the added storage and optional heated grip, it would be a great commuter.  but it might be an on-road only...  It's the CUV of the car world.

If you're looking at the BMW, I see plenty of low-mileage loaded Dakar's in your price range. They would have all the features you're looking for, plus would be great for ADV riding. Around 65+ mpg.

I've been keeping an eye for a used BMW around.  there are good used ones to be had.  the G-series would be a good-arounder.  But does it do any one thing well?

[Raux]

I've ridden a 650 and 800 bimmer.. don't like either motors.

[brad black]

the f650gs (which they dropped for the g650 series that no one wanted, then had to reintroduce as the g650gs because they'd been typically mind knumbling bmw and nonsensically launched another f650gs that was actually an 800) used to blur my vision.  the gs motor is a bmw variation of the funduro rotax motor, which was always much nicer, but not quite as powerful in aprilia pegaso 5 valve mode.  the yamaha 660 motor they used in the later pegaso was quite nice.  i tend to not like singles, but am quite happy to ride a guzzi.  go figure.

honda is the sensible option.  the japanese variations of the g650gs theme might be a better bet.  i worked on bmw far too long to want to own (another) one.  altho in isolation the f800 series is nice, but i never got to ride any of the japanese opposition.

we got the cagiva raptor which was an overpriced italian sv650.  loved the motor, seat was crap.  it's become something of a cliche, but the sv650 is hard to go past.

see what's on sale, might find something a bit odd ball that tickles your fancy.

[1KDS]

I went  and looked at the NC700X at my local dealer, they just got two silver manual trans models.  I have to say it is a very interesting bike, I'm going to take one of them for a spin once they are fully assembled and on the floor.  The bike looks great in person, ADV bike ergos but definitely not an ADV bike.  The built in storage is so clever, would be great for commuting.  The motor gets pretty good reviews some a lot of the people that actually ride one, the torque curve is almost completely flat and people say it feels like a diesel.

[philsu]

That would be me.  The exits on and off 167 are the highlights of my commute. 

Cool!  If you see a red 796 with Termi slip ons and bar end mirrors waving frantically at you like a raging lunatic, that would be me.  With that said, have you considered a VFR?  I don't know if they are fuel efficient enough for your intended use, but I test rode one in the past and they are amazing.

[Kev M]

My SIL just picked up a manual transmission NC700X a month or so ago.

SHE IS VERY happy with it.

I'm pretty impressed with the versatility and ease of maintenence. The motor is tilted something like 60 degrees to the front to give easy access to the valves (SOHC, I believe) for maintenance.

The storage space is awesome.

And I'm hearing reports of 70-80 mpg from the thing.

There's a couple over on Wildguzzi that has about 30 bikes, among their collection is both versions of the NC - and the husband tours on the manual trans model all the time - is seeing 250 miles out of a tankful (and it's only a hair over 3 gallons).

There's a lot to like about this bike for utilitarian use.

SIL:

[118811]

I see a relocate of the license & signals, along with a shorty exhaust...that would be / is a good looking bike !!