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Anything over either 500 or 7500 cc is going to jump up the insurance, but not terrible.
I opted for Buell Blast over the Ninja 250. Not much more HP, but way more torque. Still, a very small bike. On top of the SV 650, a great option, the GS500 is another good low cost, and more comfortable bike. If you can find it, a new Seca II 750 could be alright
Yeah the GS500 is a great bike also. It was my first bike and I rode it for 2 years before upgrading. Plus, if you get one used for around $2k, you can pretty much sell it for what you paid for it.
SV650. Perfect blend of power and performance (touring/acceleration). Anything bigger than that will be too big of a jump.
I hear people say this all the time, but I don't always agree. My first bike was a 2001 GSX-R 750 (new). I never went crazy, and never felt it was too much. Just used common sense when twisting my right hand. Physically, the bike was just the right size for me. I think it really depends on the individual.
Price wise however, smaller bikes tend to be cheaper. Get into the 750+ zone, and things get pricey to purchase and insure.
As you can see the 500cc to 750cc range is the sweet spot for everyday use without being a land yacht bike.
Fwiw, you can get bigger engine bikes that are just as agile as mid-engine bikes, but once you get over 1000cc, you start to get into pure cruiser territory.
Fwiw, you can get bigger engine bikes that are just as agile as mid-engine bikes, but once you get over 1000cc, you start to get into pure cruiser territory.
I said that you start to get into cruiser territory, not that its exclusively cruiser territory. Sorry you didn't understand - I'm sure we both agree that there are very agile big-engine bikes out there.
I said that you start to get into cruiser territory, not that its exclusively cruiser territory. Sorry you didn't understand - I'm sure we both agree that there are very agile big-engine bikes out there.
All very true. However, let's not forget insurance penalty/fuel MPG penalty that anything over 750cc imposes. That is what I meant by "sweet spot" and still
carry two people at a safe speed on the highway. Anything larger just isn't a practical everyday "utility" bike at legal speeds.
I rode a 750cc BMW for 15 years everyday the weather permitted until I had to quit because of arthritis in my legs. Miss that bike I do.
Yes, insurance is definitely higher on the big-engine bikes. Fwiw, my 920cc "commuter" motorcycle gets 45 mpg in spirited riding, so its not close to a 250's higher mpg, but the trade off is power and for me, versatility - I'd never try to take a 250 onto the highway. This is why I ride naked, or standard, motorcycles though - you get a good balance of sport, comfort, mpg, and lower insurance rates.
Net net, any mid-size bike (500-750) is perfectly fine for all riding imo. I originally just wanted to point out that just because its a liter bike doesn't mean its a barge.
i'd second the idea of a Nighthawk provided it's your style. it's not hellaciously more balsy than what you are used to, but it has good power, great ergos, and a great track record for reliability. you can probably find one in decent shape for your price range.
the SV is another great idea, but any that you can find for $2K are likely pretty beat. even the first gen models in decent shape USUALLY run at least $500 more than that. of course, your experience may vary.
Mike
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