Hi all,
Wanted to ask everyone's opinion on what I should get as my 2nd bike. I currently ride an 03 EX500 w/ Woodcraft clip-ons. I passed the MSF course last year on a Nighthawk 250. I'm considering trading up once I have about 20K miles on the bike, Fall 2005 or Spring/Summer 2006. I'm 33, 5 foot 8 inches tall, male, 153 lbs... I enjoy riding a lot, but don't have any interest in stunt riding.
I ride mostly back-roads, but some freeway also...I-270 and I-495 in the MD/VA area. I usually cruise at about 55-75mph. My typical ride distance varies from 50 to 150 miles. The wife will be riding pillion probably once a week. :clap Price range is between $6000 and $8500. Max preferred dry weight is about 415 lbs. I have about 40K miles experience racing and riding bicycles and MTBs w/ no crashes. :nanana Amazing considering I grew up riding through downtown D.C. :laughing
Super-sports like the R6, GSX-R600, etc seem like more than I'll really need since I won't have the opportunity to do many, if any, trackdays.
Yes, I know tracktime would be the best upgrade to make.
Good low and mid-range torque, and precise yet stable handling seem more important for the riding I do than outright top-speed. Thanks for any comments, opinions or suggestions. I'm currently leaning toward the Suzuki SV650S, YZF600, and Duc SS800. Naked bikes, sport-bikes and sport-tourers I'm considering are:
-Ducati Monster w/ clip-ons and maybe rearsets: 620, 800, S2R.
-Ducati 620 Sport (if I can find one)
-Ducati Supersport 800
-Honda CBRF4i
-Suzuki SV650S w/ suspension upgrades
-Suzuki SV1000S
-Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat
A good friend who works at a local dealer can sell me any of the above.
Other bikes I'm considering are:
-Kawasaki ZZR600 2005
-Triumph Speed 4
-Triumph Daytona 600 or 650
Thanks again,
Tarrant
Wanted to ask everyone's opinion on what I should get as my 2nd bike. I currently ride an 03 EX500 w/ Woodcraft clip-ons. I passed the MSF course last year on a Nighthawk 250. I'm considering trading up once I have about 20K miles on the bike, Fall 2005 or Spring/Summer 2006. I'm 33, 5 foot 8 inches tall, male, 153 lbs... I enjoy riding a lot, but don't have any interest in stunt riding.
I ride mostly back-roads, but some freeway also...I-270 and I-495 in the MD/VA area. I usually cruise at about 55-75mph. My typical ride distance varies from 50 to 150 miles. The wife will be riding pillion probably once a week. :clap Price range is between $6000 and $8500. Max preferred dry weight is about 415 lbs. I have about 40K miles experience racing and riding bicycles and MTBs w/ no crashes. :nanana Amazing considering I grew up riding through downtown D.C. :laughing

Super-sports like the R6, GSX-R600, etc seem like more than I'll really need since I won't have the opportunity to do many, if any, trackdays.
Good low and mid-range torque, and precise yet stable handling seem more important for the riding I do than outright top-speed. Thanks for any comments, opinions or suggestions. I'm currently leaning toward the Suzuki SV650S, YZF600, and Duc SS800. Naked bikes, sport-bikes and sport-tourers I'm considering are:
-Ducati Monster w/ clip-ons and maybe rearsets: 620, 800, S2R.
-Ducati 620 Sport (if I can find one)
-Ducati Supersport 800
-Honda CBRF4i
-Suzuki SV650S w/ suspension upgrades
-Suzuki SV1000S
-Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat
A good friend who works at a local dealer can sell me any of the above.
Other bikes I'm considering are:
-Kawasaki ZZR600 2005
-Triumph Speed 4
-Triumph Daytona 600 or 650
Thanks again,
Tarrant