Ninja 250R, Ninja 650R, Versys, or SV650SF

[Ducman69]

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!

[FriendlyFocus]

You need to look at the Suzuki GSX650f. It's a faired Bandit 650. Great power and features and Ultra-comfortable riding position. I'm 6'4" 200lbs. and three sport bikes you listed above were very uncomfortable to me, I've never test-sat the Versys.

[svtfocusguy]

FWIW, I went with the 250 because the overall investment was lower than with any of the other bikes I was thinking of [similar to what you are]. The $2000 difference will buy a lot of gas or can be invested elsewhere, especially for me with my low income, and I have not had any issues with my highway driving. Definatly not a straight line powerhouse, but on the suspension side I haven't noticed any of the quarks the earlier 250's were noted.
Thats where I was coming from when I made my decision so take that for whatever you wish

[Ducman69]

Thanks Lurch, will definitely check it out... though I'm a wee-man by comparison at just 5'11". Didn't even realize they just redid that one too. Got any good review articles?

*added above*

Originally Posted by svtfocusguy

FWIW, I went with the 250 because the overall investment was lower than with any of the other bikes I was thinking of [similar to what you are].

Yeah, especially factoring in insurance and tires and the like. It just seems its getting more and more difficult to wheel-and-deal on em though, as they are selling like hotcakes! So I'm leaving my options open for a couple other bigger but still relatively budget bikes.

[GrabberGreen]

yamaha's yzf600r can be had for a song (especially used) since everyone wants the r6 and it's a fantastic bike. Comfortable and plenty quick. Loved mine.

[chewbacca]

i'm likin that versys man!! nice

[rpvitiello]

if you are looking at the Versys and sv650 how about also looking at the wee-strom (V-strom 650)

[mievil]

Any reason you would absolutely need to go new? Used you can get something with low mileage that compares to most of what you are listing for $2k less.

I'd stay away from the Ninja 250 just because most of your usage will be highway. It'd be better to have something that could get up and out of it's own way at those speeds.

I've heard mostly negatives about the Ninja 650 in comparison with other bikes of the nature.

If it were up to me I'd go with the Versys. But we won't be getting those here in Cali. So maybe that's the reason I want it. But the more upright seating of the Versys or the V-Strom would move me that direction as a commuter.

[Whitewolf]

I'm lookin at picking up a 2006 SV5650 this week. I have a deposit down on the 08 250R, but I came to the decision that I want the power to move if I have to. Makes me feel a little safer knowing that I wont get run over by an excursion going 90.

[Reedicus26]

I would get a used bike. If you are trying to save money on gas, why not save a few thousand up front?

[Ducman69]

Originally Posted by Reedicus26

I would get a used bike. If you are trying to save money on gas, why not save a few thousand up front?

Because I've run into so many people that simply don't do maintenance on their motorcycles whatsoever.

Or they wheelie it all the time and come down hard once or twice.

Or they drop it and tweak the subframe a bit but replace the plastics and bar ends and whistle like nothing happened.

On a car, its just not as big a deal IMO, but on a bike... I dunno, I think its worthwhile if I keep it for a long time. I have been watching craigslist though.

[whiteboyslo]

if it's mainly for highway commuting, i'd say Versys or Wee-Strom.

250 can do freeway, but everyone i talk to says it's not overly happy about it and the MPG starts to show it. oh, and a fuel-injected bike is SO much nicer.

SVs aren't the most comfortable rides, especially over any appreciable distance. it's the only reason i got rid of mine.

Ninja 650..... i've heard what mievil has heard. then again, it does seem to have a more upright position, which is nice.

GSX650F......eh. cosmetically, i can't get over the half-gixxer/half-GS500 look. doesn't seem to offer any advantages between the SV and the V-Strom, except it does (sorta) bridge the gap between the two.

now, between the Versys and the Wee-Strom, i would go with the Wee-Strom, mainly because my experience with the SV left me with a good impression of that little v-twin.

and i would echo mievil's comment to go used, ESPECIALLY if you're looking at one of the two bikes i recommended. they tend to be ridden less aggressively and often by more experienced riders. they are in demand, though, and thus hold their value well. still, i'm sure a deal is to be found.

Mike

[jinstall]

Man all the warm weather and talk of motorcycles has sparked my interest again. 1200 Sportster for me though.

[polarisman14]

...If you don't like the 55mpg from the new bike, why not go with an 07 or earlier? You can get those for next to nothing now because of the popularity of the 08, and they still ride well and are comfortable. The OTD price on a low mileage 07 would be somewhere from 2k to 3k and those get closer to 70mpg. Availability of parts is great because almost all parts from 88 to 07 are interchangeable.

Additionally, if you don't mind losing a bit of the acceleration from the 08, you can just get a different sprocket for the front or rear to gear down the cruising rpms a bit, and you'd pick up a few mpg that way. Or just draft behind semis .

[Ducman69]

Cuz I'm vain, and the new 250R bodywork is sextacular.

Yep, nothing but warm and AHH IT BURNS US weather here Jin.

And yeah, I am actually coming from a 1200; 150hp and 600lbs... I'm ready for something new though. To give you an idea of the age, if she were your sister, the only thing I couldn't legally do to her is serve her alcohol.

I think the Versys looks funky-fresh, but I've had no less than five peeps tell me they think it looks like cancerous BUTT, and alas, I fear that may include perky breasted butterflies. Strom, visually, is basically a more busy looking Versys in that respect too, heh.

I think you guys are probably right that I do cruise too fast for the 250R, but it sure is a flickable looker and oh so frugal.

Gunna bow to the consensus that the Zuki would be prancing around singing "Anything you can do, I can do BETTER!" to the 650R, and so... *drum roll*

Should be swingin' by to pickup the SV650SF ABS in that dark gray w/ an M4 carbon slipon, fender eliminator, and additional lighting (since I drive 60% at night).

Thank you everyone!!! I got a lot of ideas to research I hadn't thought of.

[hotrodkris]

I'd get a V-Strom. That's a bike I'd take all over the US. I see them 'bagged up w/ extra lights heading up Hwy1 to Big Sur all the time. We saw a few in Sedona when we were there too.

[whiteboyslo]

Originally Posted by Ducman69

Should be swingin' by to pickup the SV650SF ABS in that dark gray w/ an M4 carbon slipon, fender eliminator, and additional lighting (since I drive 60% at night).

Thank you everyone!!! I got a lot of ideas to research I hadn't thought of.

so, used? or is the dealer throwing on the extra goodies?

congrats on the ride! always wanted to throw the lowers on my copper 03 650S, but didn't get around to it. toss in a rear seat eliminator, a fender eliminator, possibly a tire hugger, and you have one nice-looking ride. be aware the bike's biggest drawbacks are it's soft front suspension and less-than-confidence-inspiring brakes. nothing aftermarket can't fix though.

if ergonomics become a concern, my 650 had the stock clip-ons from a Honda Hawk, and it made all the difference in the world. just being able to get the weight off my wrists was a huge advantage. i don't imagine you'll need the pegs lowered, but a lot of people swap in some stock Buell pegs to get some more room as well.

and, of course, get some good gear: www.newenough.com.

i HIGHLY recommend this jacket:

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/b...le_jacket.html

awesome deal on a jacket that's perfect for about any weather condition

Mike

[Ducman69]

Sweet. Yeah, definitely going mesh for our typically hot weather.

I have a preforated leather two-piece zip together and several helmets, but I'll get some new color-coordinated stuff soon.

I'm scanning craigslist, because you can buy the lower fairing which I like seperate, but I'm planning on just going new. Just getting those mods to as if I'm going to get them eventually, I might as well get them from the start.

[polizei]

Check out www.joerocket.com too for gear.

-Cody

[whiteboyslo]

Originally Posted by Ducman69

Sweet. Yeah, definitely going mesh for our typically hot weather.

I have a preforated leather two-piece zip together and several helmets, but I'll get some new color-coordinated stuff soon.

i just bought that jacket and love it. it has 2 removable layers. one is a thermal layer, the other is a waterproof layer which you can use as a seperate windbreaker if you felt so inclined. and, unlike other meshes that i've seen, this one has the hard plastic armor and leather patches on all the likely impact and slide areas. you really do get the best of both worlds.

Originally Posted by Ducman69

I'm scanning craigslist, because you can buy the lower fairing which I like seperate, but I'm planning on just going new. Just getting those mods to as if I'm going to get them eventually, I might as well get them from the start.

if you go new (and you'll have to do your own research to confirm this), you may have to deal with the new tier of emissions equipment now required. IIRC, all 08 model year bikes have to meet European tier 3 emissions standards, which means O2 sensors and cats. may want to go a year earlier if you can find a new one somewhere, or a good used one.

Originally Posted by polizei

Check out www.joerocket.com too for gear.

-Cody

also good stuff. i have a set of their full gauntlet gloves that i use year-round.

Mike

PS - while you're at it, pull off the grab handle and get the mod that lets you use the brake lights as turn signals. that'll smooth out the whole ass end nicely.

[Ducman69]

Originally Posted by whiteboyslo

if you go new (and you'll have to do your own research to confirm this), you may have to deal with the new tier of emissions equipment now required. IIRC, all 08 model year bikes have to meet European tier 3 emissions standards, which means O2 sensors and cats. may want to go a year earlier if you can find a new one somewhere, or a good used one.

FOr inspections you mean? I figured thats just for the new bike, but the inspections down the road are still the regular 'kick the tires and test the blinkers' routine, no?

while you're at it, pull off the grab handle and get the mod that lets you use the brake lights as turn signals. that'll smooth out the whole ass end nicely..

I yam!

I wanna copy this cripple: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6188w5knWW4

[whiteboyslo]

Originally Posted by Ducman69

FOr inspections you mean? I figured thats just for the new bike, but the inspections down the road are still the regular 'kick the tires and test the blinkers' routine, no?

no state i know of is calling for emissions inspections on bikes..........yet.

i'm just warning you because it's a decent amount of weight, heat, and new technology (on bikes) that i would hesitate to own if i didn't have to. then again, my bike's been Tier 3 compliant since its 2002 redesign and i've had no major issues, so maybe i'm just talking out my stinkyhole, lol.

Mike