Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire I've got motorcycle fever

Thinking about getting a cruiser in the 750-950cc range to putt around town. I'm pretty much done with big bikes. If I want to ride something bigger, I've got plenty of friends who have one they're not riding sitting in the garage.

If you want something to putt around on get a suzuki burgman. Killer milage and you don't even have to change gears. I'll sale you one.

I never thought about a scooter. My BIL rode a Silverwing for years. Now he's got one of the new Honda automatic motorcycles.

I've been bitten, too, but I'd like either a dual purpose type or a small sport bike like the Honda CB500X. Jim in Idaho posted some pics and commentary here after buying his and had good things to say about it.

You may well find that the smaller bike is addicting, and not just for "around town."

Took my 650 on a nearly 3,000 mile tour of 7 western states in 10 days. It's not a cruiser, but a Suzuki V-Strom.

5+ gallons of fuel, and not all that hard to get 55+ mpg. That's a lot of range... Comfortable, and plenty powerful for one-up, even with a tent, stove, sleeping bag and some clothes for a week.



Handles dirt roads just fine...


Around town? It's a hoot. Not bad up in the hills either... But it's not a cruiser. I really, truly dislike that cruiser sitting position. Much prefer the good old "standard" sitting position.

Take a hard look at your choices. There are some great mid-sized bikes avail.

Regards, Guy

Man, I could really like something like that. My biggest worry about a bike with suspension like that is my 30" inseam and gravity at stops.

Yeah, I'm 6' tall, and it's pretty much perfect for me. But my 5-07 wife has to work to get up on the danged thing. I think a lowering kit is avail.

I've actually been looking hard at something other than a cruiser. But that's all I've ever owned. I may go do some test riding tomorrow. I'm 42 now and have pretty much changed my whole lifestyle the last few months. Job, diet, exercise. Hell, why not change the kind of motorcycles I ride. I've always mostly rode by myself anyway.

Dude me either! But I can put 5 large pizzas and a 2 liter under the seat, or a pair of waiders some tackle and a travel rod! I can go fish trout in north carolina on 5 dollars worth of gas lol. I also have a honda xr650r for when I want to do 4th gear power wheelies, which is often. grin. I'm gonna sale it cause, 1 people will try their best to kill you every chance they get and, 2 I want a bigger boat but don't want any debt.

I have had sport, dirt, dual sport and scooters if it has 2 wheels I love it. I would stomp a puppy for a new triumph street triple. You should check'em out its in the size range your looking at. Its very comfy. Its a 675 and is a naked version of their daytona sport bike but it sits totally different and is remapped for good tork thoughout the rpm range. I love them.

I'm 59, and riding "sporty" is still fun.

When my two-cylinder V-Strom 650 seemed a tad sedate, my oldest son loaned me his Yamaha FZ8, 800 cc four-cylinder. It wasn't sedate...



A little "compact" for me I thought, and I wouldn't want it on a long ride. But dang it was FUN!

Not a top-tier sportsbike, but lots of good mid-range power and handled well enough to be really fun. That grin of mine is not at all forced. It was a hoot to ride.

Guy

Nice

This is a bulletproof little bike.
Can be had with low mileage with a little searching.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2011/09/07/honda-919-best-used-bikes/


The Nine T is pretty cool!!

http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/10/17/2014-bmw-r-ninet-first-look-review-photos/

I know this is double the cc`s your looking for, but it`s a big bike that thinks it`s a mid size or sport bike.
My favorite bike of all time.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2010/08/20/yamaha-road-star-warrior-best-used-bikes/

Once you own a shaft drive bike you will never go back to a chain. Here is a neat little Moto Guzzi V7 that would fill the bill nicely.

My vintage 1979 dual sport XL185 is a hoot!



...and my 1979 XR185 close ratio 6-speed NHRA race bike.



..my '97 Dyna Low Rider cruiser:



...and lastly, 1982 CT110 for deer camp or quick trips to Walgreens:




DMc

OrangeOkie, my brother has been trying to get me to buy a Moto Guzzi for years.

The funny thing is that everytime I walk into a Honda dealership, I have to go mess with one of those Groms. Those little bikes are cool.

I've owned three of them and would buy another.

The V Strom has a awesome track record, if I were to buy a bike today it would be the 650 V Strom (wee strom). I really like them.

What's really cool to me, is that there is this very (dare I say it?) diverse group of mid-size motorcycles available.

Sport bikes, dual sports, cruisers...

There's an awful wide choice, and some great bikes, in that 500 - 1000 cc category.

Yep. Years ago, I got caught up in the big cruiser thing. First a Victory, then a Fat Boy. But now, I just want to ride. I figure I'll get much more use out of a mid sized bike than I ever did out of a big one. I'm going to be looking hard at dual sport bikes tomorrow. I may have to try out one of those Honda CB500X. I'm liking the price and the reviews.

I ride a Goldwing, but those dual sports are attractive. I would like one of each.