OK, enough bull****. Time to put up, or shut up.
I'm looking for a
reliable commuter motorcycle with good fuel economy and friendly ergonomics, going to be used mostly for highway cruising at about 70mph in big flat Texas. I have ten years riding experience.
Initially fell in love w/ the Concours 14, but the OTD price + insurance + tires + fuel + yada yada made my butt pucker up so tight I was stuck to my seat cushion.
So with gas prices hitting
$4 a gallon, I looked at another extreme, the 250R, but kept holding out for a ~$3800 OTD price. Unfortunately, I'm not the only one w/ that idea, and Kawasaki City seems to have the cheapest at $3900 OTD, but just sold out again... sigh... so here are final options OTD.
I'd appreciate any input*!
*note: Input such as "get the small 250R cuz it'll make your little pecker seem bigger by comparison" is not welcome.
Ninja 250R:
$3900 OTD - 55MPG Average (not as high as the old ones for some reason)
Notes: Carbed = lumpy startups, doesn't like sittin around. Liability only is like $50, the price is right, and its sechseh!
Ninja 650R:
$6,100 OTD -
55MPG Average (surprisingly high for a 650)
Notes: FI, light and narrow for a 650, supposedly comfy suspension for commuting.
Versys:
$6,800 OTD -
55MPG Average (same engine as Ninja650)
Notes: A Ninja w/ adjustable windscreen, wider bars, available hardluggage, and longer suspension travel.
SV650SF:
$7000 OTD -
50MPG Average
Notes: Well known as a good sporty budget bike. Full fairing is new for 2008. Available ABS.
---------- added to list -----------------
Added to list for now:
Suzuki GSX650F -
$6900 OTD? -
45MPG???
Notes: Dunno much about it yet. Kinda heavy though on paper. Hmmm...
Edit: ---------- THREAD CONCLUSION -----------------
I went with the V-Strom 650
50MPG average, cost me $7100 OTD (higher than they were recently due to short supply, prime riding season, high-gas prices getting people to ride more, and the low-value of the dollar):
I was in love with
flat-black, but decided on
eye-poppin' yellow as it really is a lot safer w/ matching yellow helmet and jacket and yellow-reflective wheel stripes. I have lots of farkles planned already!!!
THANKS YOU GUYYYYS!