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Rclark, I have a low-miles (< 11,000) 1998 VFR800 for you in NJ if you are interested.-Mike
Love the exhaust note of the vfr especially aftermarket, it doesn't get much better than that sound for sportbikes. And i love the saddlebags and less racey seating, yet it is still a sport machine. I have to research more on reliability.I also think a 919 would be pretty hot, or even a 599.my dream machines are the new VFR1200, like a hovership from space, so high tech, and the Triumph Thunderbird sport cruiser, big power and gsxr derived handling in a cruiser package. im thinking equal parts comfort, performance, practicality with this bike. ducati scares me with maintenance and reliability, especially older ones.But if i found a nice s2r1000 I would jump on it.
I love the Thruxton's, the Sport 1000's, the Moto Guzzi, etc. The problem with those bikes... is they look racy and when you sit on them, it's a racy feel, but any Japanese 600 would eviscerate them for the same money, a used cbr600 would make a Thruxton look like it's dragging a boulder, which defeats the purpose of the racy look and seat. They're a fashion statement. If I were going to buy a retro bike, it would probably be the Triumph Bonneville, because it is just a beautiful, practical old style standard, it doesn't try to mean mug with its 60 horsepower, it knows its place. Hell I should just get a Bonneville. I love those things. Any Triumph would have to be used otherwise there is like an unavoidable HUGE markup from retail just for the shipping and setup cost, way more than other brands. Triumph lures you in with low retail prices on the website but if you're in America and go to the dealer, at least here on the west coast, prepare for hidden sticker shock. We're talking a few grand over retail. Note: the VFR1200 is supposedly completely composed when underway and has great handling. With all those computers at work, the ABS, traction control, on the fly suspension settings, and the ability to sport ride with two up and luggage, comfortably, long distance. It's the way I'd prefer to cross the country one day.
hell, i have been having a total blast on my recently 'tarded suzuki dr650 thumper, and i am sure it takes almost 5 seconds for it to hit 60mph! but, i would still choose a ducati gt 1000 over the triumph - 100lbs less, 20hp more, and that 90 deg v-twin feel and sound are pretty hard to beat, imo...doug s.
Ooohhh the Sport 1000's are nice, I'd forgotten. Time to troll Cycletrader. Got a lot of time to mull it over. I'm actually going to take the MSF since it's been a good 6-7 years since I've ridden. Something about the Bonneville though, so right.The cool thing about bikes is there are SO MANY options.And I understand the track vs street thing. My ***hole days are over, I don't see myself pushing performance envelopes like I used to. Getting back into it, well, my style should be a lot like yours! We seem to like the same bikes And you're right 2.9 secs, 4.5 secs, it's all stupid fast. I hear ya.
All good points and I agree with them, especially the comments on the v-twin sound. I got bored with the sound of my BMW R90S boxer twin, except with the air filters off, but that was totally impractical and I figured K&Ns would be too ugly. My brother used to sell Suzukis and I got to ride most models from 1985 to 2000. One of my favorites for general use would be, without any lingering second thought, the DR 650. What a great bike. I can only imagine how much fun that would be 'tarded', as you say. Roland used to run a racing team for his shop and one year they entered a modified DR650 in the races out at the Westwood track near Vancouver BC. The rider was very skilled and a little heavy, but they still did much better than a 650 single had any right to on the track against muti-cylinder bikes. Light weight and good handling paid off here.
