Here is the deal. I don't know if its the big 3-0 creeping up on me or what, but I want a new bike. Ideally, I want one that I can go on the highway for 4 hours without getting tired, and one with some luggage so I can take things with me (and handy for running around too). It'll be a daily rider and replace my Jeep for most of the summer/nice days.
Here is what I have in the running:
Yamaha V-Max: Link
OK. This goes against almost every want that I specified. But I want one. I've always wanted one. I know they are more or lest unchanged since 85 but damn. Tough, fast in a line and just look plain cool. I know it is totally, 100% impractical, but I don't care. On the highway I'd have to stop every 100 miles or so to fill up and probably stretch to get comfy (let alone the wife if she is captive to the back). What is going for it? Well, they are reliable from what I understand and pretty cheap. I can buy one for less than $12K CDN. I even got the go-ahead from Mrs. Bernse for the past two years... the only reason I didn't is that my conscence got the better of me.
Victory V92TC: Link
Cool looking cruiser. BIG. Pretty practical. Comfortable (has a seat like a sofa), built for the highway and city. Its American but isn't a Harley (thats a good thing, IMHO). Downsides. Its expensive. I'll be looking between $20-22K CDN... but it'll probably hold its value pretty well, better than most Jap bikes. The Mrs even said, "Well, at least its practical." I took that as a good sign. The luggage is believe it or not a little on the small side.. they wont fit a full face helmet. More pluses- Its also not a belly-button (you very, very rarely see other ones on the road). Kind of a unique factor.
Yamaha FJR1300: Link
I found this last night after doing some surfing. Its coming to NA for the first time. I'm not one thats into the "superbike" type of bike, but damn its nice. Its fast, damn fast. 10+sec 1/4 mile according to a review I saw last night. Waaay faster than I would ever need a bike to be. Did I mention its fast? Luggage is usable (will easily swallow a full helmet) and the rest of the bike is pretty pretty much cutting edge. A nice cockpit, EFI, usable windshield, etc. Its supposed to be pretty comfortable on the long highway trips, too. I am just unsure of the "superbike" look... the more I look at it the more I like it though. Price is right too. $17500 CDN. A good $3-4K less than the Victory.
I am a fairly experienced rider (been riding for 15 years now) and I am used to large bikes. I also like BMWs but they are pretty rich and rare to find up here... as well as Triumphs.
I am a longtime Honda man, but I feel like I want a change. The only Honda that I think I might like is the new ST1300, but from what I understand they are going to be pretty $$$.. so depending what the list at, I'd probably take the FJR over one of those.
Ideas? Thoughts? Any other bikes that might fit the bill you can think of?
Here is what I have in the running:
Yamaha V-Max: Link
OK. This goes against almost every want that I specified. But I want one. I've always wanted one. I know they are more or lest unchanged since 85 but damn. Tough, fast in a line and just look plain cool. I know it is totally, 100% impractical, but I don't care. On the highway I'd have to stop every 100 miles or so to fill up and probably stretch to get comfy (let alone the wife if she is captive to the back). What is going for it? Well, they are reliable from what I understand and pretty cheap. I can buy one for less than $12K CDN. I even got the go-ahead from Mrs. Bernse for the past two years... the only reason I didn't is that my conscence got the better of me.
Victory V92TC: Link
Cool looking cruiser. BIG. Pretty practical. Comfortable (has a seat like a sofa), built for the highway and city. Its American but isn't a Harley (thats a good thing, IMHO). Downsides. Its expensive. I'll be looking between $20-22K CDN... but it'll probably hold its value pretty well, better than most Jap bikes. The Mrs even said, "Well, at least its practical." I took that as a good sign. The luggage is believe it or not a little on the small side.. they wont fit a full face helmet. More pluses- Its also not a belly-button (you very, very rarely see other ones on the road). Kind of a unique factor.
Yamaha FJR1300: Link
I found this last night after doing some surfing. Its coming to NA for the first time. I'm not one thats into the "superbike" type of bike, but damn its nice. Its fast, damn fast. 10+sec 1/4 mile according to a review I saw last night. Waaay faster than I would ever need a bike to be. Did I mention its fast? Luggage is usable (will easily swallow a full helmet) and the rest of the bike is pretty pretty much cutting edge. A nice cockpit, EFI, usable windshield, etc. Its supposed to be pretty comfortable on the long highway trips, too. I am just unsure of the "superbike" look... the more I look at it the more I like it though. Price is right too. $17500 CDN. A good $3-4K less than the Victory.
I am a fairly experienced rider (been riding for 15 years now) and I am used to large bikes. I also like BMWs but they are pretty rich and rare to find up here... as well as Triumphs.
I am a longtime Honda man, but I feel like I want a change. The only Honda that I think I might like is the new ST1300, but from what I understand they are going to be pretty $$$.. so depending what the list at, I'd probably take the FJR over one of those.
Ideas? Thoughts? Any other bikes that might fit the bill you can think of?
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