A good second bike?

[fritobandito]

I switched from my Bandit to a 1995 Kawasaki GPZ1100. Excellent bike also along the line of sport touring. Comfy position and it just simply screams! Extremely reliable, super smooth and corners like on rails. You can get one in the '95 or '96 model years for anywhere from $2500 to $4000 if you can find one. If you'd like a picture, just do a search under GPZ and you'll find one. Make sure it's either a '95 or '96. Pretty much identical except the '96 has antilock brakes. It also responds quite well to mods of which there are many things you can do to it. I loved my '01 Bandit, but the GPZ is just so much smoother. Good luck.

[curiousmike]

I looked into the DR's. They go cheep out here. But would 650cc be enough to ride the freeway?

It's plenty to ride on the freeway; i used my 2000 DR650 to commute to work ( 20 miles one way ) for about a year.  70-75 is fine, 80 is ok, 85-100 is wringing it a bit.

I found the seat a bit uncomfortable for longer rides.

There's a ton of info on the bike around, loads of people love them... but the seat is often an upgrade.

[IcyChaos]

I would make the B12 an all out cruiser/touring bike, risers, bags, seat w/ backrest, the whole deal.

then buy an all out sportbike.

As for the cruiser you were looking at, I had a Honda shadow ACE 750. Costed me 2K used. It was a good reliable bike, but my Bandits more comfortable than the cruiser. I even had a mustang seat on the shadow too.

[solman]

If I was to get a 2nd bike it would be a 83 honda ss CB 1100 f.

I have a 82 CB900F for my second bike.

[suziblue]

What about a royal enfield? Rode one here in Aussie and over the Himalayas.Old bike that can still be purchased new.Also cheap.

[Desolation Angel]

What about a royal enfield? Rode one here in Aussie and over the Himalayas.Old bike that can still be purchased new.Also cheap.

Royal Enfield.  The bike that time forgot.



There's something about it I like, but I just can't put my finger on it...

[suziblue]

I like that MODEL, probably a 83.

[Red01]

Desolation Angel:

To borrow from the lead-in to all the MotoGP programming...

Are you ready, boots?  

[Vidrazor]

>>I looked into the DR's. They go cheep out here. But would 650cc be enough to ride the freeway?<<

Are you kidding? I have '400 Bandit and I can easily break 100 on a heartbeat.

As far as scooters are concerned, I think a Burgman 650 would make a great second bike. It's designed to be comfy-cozy and with a 650 twin(!) can easily do any distance.

[curiousmike]

>>I looked into the DR's. They go cheep out here. But would 650cc be enough to ride the freeway?<<

Are you kidding? I have '400 Bandit and I can easily break 100 on a heartbeat.

As far as scooters are concerned, I think a Burgman 650 would make a great second bike. It's designed to be comfy-cozy and with a 650 twin(!) can easily do any distance.

Please don't obfuscate the fact that you're comparing an in-line, liquid cooled four stroke to an air-cooled, single cylinder thumper.

[Vidrazor]

>>Please don't obfuscate the fact that you're comparing an in-line, liquid cooled four stroke to an air-cooled, single cylinder thumper.<<

I highly doubt the DR 650 will have ANY problems on the highway, and this certainly won't:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/AN650K6/Specs/Default.aspx

[Buzter]

lucas:
Hi all,

I am thinking of buying a second bike in addition to my 2005 gsf1200s Bandit. Although, I purchased my Bandit brand new and love it I think it would be a great to have a backup.

Can I get any suggestions from you folks as too what would be a good USED bike to purchase? I want something reliable and easy to maintain.

A friend of mine wants to sell me his 86 Harley FLH something, but I have heard that Harleys are tempremental and expensive to take care of.

How about the Honda 750 Nighthawks? I see a lot of those on the market going for 2 to 3 thousand dollars. Are those good bikes?

Your opinions would be apreciated. I live in Southern Calif USA and there is a thriving after market for bikes.

Thanks

My second bike is a 2000 yamaha yzf600r.  I love it.  It's a proven bike and it's comfortable and fast.  No complaints.

[B6mick]

The answer is simple, if ya love the B12, and you want a another, get a B6 or B6.5 best of both worlds then.

[banditII]

Lucas, from what I hear, a Suzi DR650 has plenty of power to go down the freeway.  Some people use them for adventure touring.  They have a fairly good aftermarket assortment of windscreens and such too.  A DR makes about 35 to 38 RW-HP.  Very torquey too.  It splits the difference between the more street oriented KLR kaw 650 and the more dirt oriented Honda 650 dual sport.  If I bought a dual sport, it would either be a DR650 or a DRZ400 ( better for dirt riding ).

But you never mentioned what type riding you want to do?  That would make a big difference.  You've got skinny seats on the DR's and DRZ's of the world.  Something to think about.  Also, you can pick up a good clean used BMW F650GS with ABS brakes and heated grips for around $5-6K.  I hear they can get up to 70mpg and nearly always over 50mpg.

[LowRyter]

hayabusa, GSX-R, Beener GS, K bike, DR, KLR. KTM, SV, Guzzi, Duc, FJR, FZ-1,

the list is endless.....