Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: lucas on July 01, 2006, 09:13:19 PM
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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
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I can't imagine a Harley would be in that price range... and if it is, it's probaly NOT something you'd want as a dependable back-up.
Nothing wrong with the 750 Nighthawks if you just want a dependable commuter. They've earned a low-maintenance reputation. A bit boring though. If you can find a good clean one, a Nighthawk 700S from the 80's would be more fun, just as reliable (same basic motor with a shorter stroke due to the Harley Tariff on imports >700cc in the 80's), plus the 700S has shaft drive instead of the newer 750 version's chain. (The 700S was a 750S everywhere else in the world except the USA.)
OTOH, for the $2-3K price range, you should be able to pick up an older B6 or B12 and they're reliable and since you already have a newer B12, be very familiar.
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how about a dual pupose bike like a dr650 for some commuting and light trail work ?
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I am a little biased, but how about a DRZ 400s. Great bike, low maintenance, Slap some knobbies on and go Dirt bikeing, Put some 17s on and do some supermotoing/Streetmotarding. Or just stick with the Deathwings and it does pretty well on the street and hardpack dirt.
Between my 2 bike its like haveing 4.. The Bandit has the heart of a Sportbike and its pretty fun, and it also Sport-Tours well.
The DRZ works pretty well as a Dirtbike(alittle heavy)but has plenty of power to be a trail bike. As a Motard it corners like its on rails and it a blast around town. Not a very good Sport-Tour bike,but can be used as a commuter.
My $.02 :banana:
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well since second bikes are not used as much as main bike. and you looking for something reliable. you cant go wrong with a cruiser. seriously.
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Since you've already got the B12 filling the sport and touring roles, I think a nice dual sport or adventure bike would be cool. There are tons of KLRs and DRs out there.
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Thanks to all for contributing ideas. I was unable to post for a couple of weeks.
What are the KLR's. Is that a kawasaki?
I have a 50 miles per day round trip to work in the HOV lane each day and I need something that handles freeway speeds easly.
Thanks
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(http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/colorVariations/500/DRZ400SMK7_Black_000000.jpg)
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If I was to get a 2nd bike it would be a 83 honda ss CB 1100 f.
NICE!
PIN
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a friend of mine has a bone stock dr650...thats why I brought it up .92mph WFO .there are plenty of pipes and jet kits out there for it as well. as a second bike it would be hard to find something to fill such a wide variety of rolls same for the klr,xlr? hondas version
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I have to agree with suggestions here: Get something >different<than> what you have.
My choice would be a dual sport, but maybe you never have intentions of riding fireroads.
Perhaps a uber-light-weight 600cc sportbike (depending on your coin.)
Or, take that money you want to spend on a second bike, and put it into the best suspension you can buy for your bandit and save the rest of the money for tires and trackdays. Or a turbo.
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Flame potential response:
I would get one of the larger scooters, like the 250s or something. Low maintenance, easy to cruise to the store one, great on gas. Cheap insurance, etc.
That's just me. My bandit does everything great except get good gas mileage and make those quick trips.
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what kinda gas mileage do you get? It cant be that bad
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Yea, I'll get a scooter. Actually, here in California, those things are popular. I have even seen them on the freeway going about 50 with a long line of traffic behind them.
I swear I would rather crawl to my destenation than ride one of those things.
On the other side are the Harleys. And I rode my friends (the one that's for sale). Possible second bike? NOT!. I spent about an hour on it. Dam strong motor. But when I got back on my Bandit it was like riding a bicycle compared to that Harley. That Harley is more like riding a mule than a motorcycle.
I looked into the DR's. They go cheep out here. But would 650cc be enough to ride the freeway?
Thanks to all,
Lucas
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compared to 80mpg on a scooter, my bandit at 38 isn't that great. Where I live, the image thing isn't that important, I wouldn't be worried about what I would be seen on. I also don't take any highways on my 30 mile drive to work either. Anyway, some of the bigger ones can cruise at 70 with no problem.
As far as real bikes go though, I think I would go the way of a V-Strom.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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What about a royal enfield? Rode one here in Aussie and over the Himalayas.Old bike that can still be purchased new.Also cheap.
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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.
(http://www.motorcyclenews.com/jpeg/204/3525335.jpeg)
There's something about it I like, but I just can't put my finger on it... (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/DesolationAngels/Emoticons/Hmmm.gif)
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I like that MODEL, probably a 83. :scaredmouse:
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Desolation Angel:
(http://www.motorcyclenews.com/jpeg/204/3525335.jpeg)
To borrow from the lead-in to all the MotoGP programming...
Are you ready, boots? :motorsmile:
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>>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.
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>>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.
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>>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
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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.
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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. :roll:
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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.
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hayabusa, GSX-R, Beener GS, K bike, DR, KLR. KTM, SV, Guzzi, Duc, FJR, FZ-1,
the list is endless.....
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LowRyter:
hayabusa, GSX-R, Beener GS, K bike, DR, KLR. KTM, SV, Guzzi, Duc, FJR, FZ-1,
the list is endless.....
Is that a typo? :stickpoke:
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I think he meant beemer, as in BMW.
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That's why I asked if it was a typo - or maybe that's just his pet name for Bayerische Motoren Werke...
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="LowRyter"] (((*****HAYABUSA*****)))
GSX-R, Beener GS, K bike, DR, KLR. KTM, SV, Guzzi, Duc, FJR, FZ-1,
the list is endless.....
CLOSE!
Not really if your 200 + lbs!!!! I.M.H.O.
Keep the Bandit for commuting.
Even though the Busa gets better MPG! :monkeymoon: :monkeymoon:
:motorsmile: :motorsmile:
:bigok: :bigok: :stickpoke: :stickpoke:
Still miss my Bandit! :duh: :duh: :crybaby: :crybaby:(http://shutter06.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/04/008/18/BB/38/49/4Sduhsn09hvY0oVWFxsbN1M4S0alfdHL0300.jpg)
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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?
I have a 50 mile round trip in the HOV lane to work and back each day on one of the most congested freeway systems in the world (at least that's what I read in the Los Angeles Times). I need something that can split lanes but also hauls ass easly at freeway speeds (75 to 80). Right now my second vehicle is a Ford Bronco that gets 12mpg on the freeway. I love my Bronco but it's a terrible commuter vehicle.
If I had a second bike I could more easly upgrade my Bandit and do routine maintence on it and still have something that I can rely on if the Bandit is not ready to go on Monday morning.
:beers:
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I don't think the reporters have seen Paris traffic. LA is a walk in the park compared to Paris.
For the kind of duty you describe, a superscooter like the Suzuki Burgman 650 would be great. Easy to split lanes with, pretty snappy, capable of 100 mph and lots of storage so you can take stuff to work, lock your helmet & gear inside the scooter out of sight...