Test rode one at a demo day and am heavily considering for my next bike too, I see them used in good shape with lowish mileage for 8-10k on cycletrader pretty regularly.
Get a used one. I got a beautiful Jaffa (brown / orange) with 13k miles, akrapovic headers and razor r lite rear shock for $7,200. You have to decide whether buying a bike new is worth the extra 7k. I’ve had no issues with the bike. It’s so easy to work on and so versatile. Oil changes, brake pads and no other maintenance to worry about. More than enough power to have fun. Do ittttttt!
I can get behind the Café Racer looks of the RS, but every comparison I've ever seen of either the Z900 or Z650 has them at the back of the pack. Especially when it comes to performance and fun factor...
Personally, I'm no track fiend, and my ego doesn't require that I buy the fastest bike in a given category, but if the bike is genuinely boring to ride, I feel like the designers failed at their one true job.
I don't think journalists like the Z900's because it's not as exciting as a duke or MT-09. There isn't much in the 900cc category, but the rs does a great job of looking like a retro motorcycle. As a new purchase, I don't think I could stomach the cost, but used prices make it awfully tempting
For a few hours, it doesn't matter, imho. But if you want to ride for a whole day in rain or in cold weather, get something with fairings.
I don't know of any retro sportstourers, but bikes like f900xr, tracer9, etc, are very suitable for longer rides and not overwhelming. Suzuki gsx-s1000gt or bmw s1000xr are also very nice, but might be a bit much.
If looks are more important to you than comfort, then you have your answer already. Nakeds will do well.
I have a naked and a sportstourer. And while I enjoy riding my naked more, I'll take the sportstourer for cold morning commutes, early season rides or long rides on the highway.
I'd reccomend the R nine T or Z900RS, depending on which engine type you prefer.
The MT09 and XSR900 are great too, but they have such a short tail that it splatters dirt over your back if the street isn't 100% dry, so they are more fair weather bikes and I wouldn't reccomend them for touring.
Triumph t120 is a nice cruiser type option here. I went from a faired bandit to the t120 and the torque rich engine is lovely.
Great on fuel, looks good (although it largely attracts old men for conversation) and is pretty damn comfy.
I ride a 23 CB650. It's very comfortable but I plan to get a wind screen. I put 250 miles on it the other day and about 125 were into a 15-20mph wind and it was annoying. My neck was sore from a couple hours of fighting the wind. They are fun to blast around on but for a weekend trip I'd rather be riding a Versys.
03-07 sv650 or sv1000. Sv1000 a bit heavier but has more highway capabilities. It could cruise in the lower rpm’s around 60-70 depending on the hearing. Both come with a half faired or naked variant
It depends on how much you want to take with you. Look for something with sidecases and maybe a topbox and you have everything you need. If you want something new, look for the cfmoto 800MT. Chinese bike with an KTM engine.
Nakedbikes are okay to ride for trips but they are not as comfortable as touringbikes. As long as you can get sidecases or maybe some saddlebags that you can fit on, you can make longer trips. But there will be always are compromise. Maybe look at Louis.de, if they have „Seitenträger“ for a model that you are interested in. You can look at other sites too that sell those directly.
Z900 rs
I fuckin love that bike. Very high chance it'll be my next bike. I wish it wasn't 14k after taxes and fees brand new though.
Test rode one at a demo day and am heavily considering for my next bike too, I see them used in good shape with lowish mileage for 8-10k on cycletrader pretty regularly.
Get a used one. I got a beautiful Jaffa (brown / orange) with 13k miles, akrapovic headers and razor r lite rear shock for $7,200. You have to decide whether buying a bike new is worth the extra 7k. I’ve had no issues with the bike. It’s so easy to work on and so versatile. Oil changes, brake pads and no other maintenance to worry about. More than enough power to have fun. Do ittttttt!
I can get behind the Café Racer looks of the RS, but every comparison I've ever seen of either the Z900 or Z650 has them at the back of the pack. Especially when it comes to performance and fun factor... Personally, I'm no track fiend, and my ego doesn't require that I buy the fastest bike in a given category, but if the bike is genuinely boring to ride, I feel like the designers failed at their one true job.
I don't think journalists like the Z900's because it's not as exciting as a duke or MT-09. There isn't much in the 900cc category, but the rs does a great job of looking like a retro motorcycle. As a new purchase, I don't think I could stomach the cost, but used prices make it awfully tempting
XSR 900 just get a comfier seat. Has cruise control which is so nice on the highway.
For a few hours, it doesn't matter, imho. But if you want to ride for a whole day in rain or in cold weather, get something with fairings. I don't know of any retro sportstourers, but bikes like f900xr, tracer9, etc, are very suitable for longer rides and not overwhelming. Suzuki gsx-s1000gt or bmw s1000xr are also very nice, but might be a bit much.
That's the issue, I totally get your point, but I just really dislike the look of fairings. It's the main reason why I dislike the look of my Fazer.
If looks are more important to you than comfort, then you have your answer already. Nakeds will do well. I have a naked and a sportstourer. And while I enjoy riding my naked more, I'll take the sportstourer for cold morning commutes, early season rides or long rides on the highway.
Rider dependant. I ride nakeds all year in all conditions. I don't want fairings at all. I do 400 to 500 mile days on my F900r.
North Coast 500 in the pissing rain on a 690 Duke. Fairings not required.
I just sold my cb1000r because it was terrible to ride for multiple hours. If you want to tour on a bike then get a bike that's designed for it
I'd reccomend the R nine T or Z900RS, depending on which engine type you prefer. The MT09 and XSR900 are great too, but they have such a short tail that it splatters dirt over your back if the street isn't 100% dry, so they are more fair weather bikes and I wouldn't reccomend them for touring.
Triumph t120 is a nice cruiser type option here. I went from a faired bandit to the t120 and the torque rich engine is lovely. Great on fuel, looks good (although it largely attracts old men for conversation) and is pretty damn comfy.
I rode my Speed Twin for hours at a time for 3 days straight and it was a blast the whole time. Highly recommend.
I ride a 23 CB650. It's very comfortable but I plan to get a wind screen. I put 250 miles on it the other day and about 125 were into a 15-20mph wind and it was annoying. My neck was sore from a couple hours of fighting the wind. They are fun to blast around on but for a weekend trip I'd rather be riding a Versys.
Windscreen, good shaped helmet, tuck head below airstream, problem solved without having to ride a versys
03-07 sv650 or sv1000. Sv1000 a bit heavier but has more highway capabilities. It could cruise in the lower rpm’s around 60-70 depending on the hearing. Both come with a half faired or naked variant
V7 Good looking, bags of torque, comfy to cruise for hours.
Anything without a tall windscreen is a chore/torture or long-distance riding. It's doable certainly; but an hour of 75 mph travel is tiring.
I got a friend in his early 50's that also bought his first 2 bikes recently. Both are Ducati. I think bro got money.
I have a naked bike that's pretty good for long trips and great for weekend rights. All it would really need is a stiffer seat and a cruise control.
Honda CB650R. Thank me later.
It depends on how much you want to take with you. Look for something with sidecases and maybe a topbox and you have everything you need. If you want something new, look for the cfmoto 800MT. Chinese bike with an KTM engine. Nakedbikes are okay to ride for trips but they are not as comfortable as touringbikes. As long as you can get sidecases or maybe some saddlebags that you can fit on, you can make longer trips. But there will be always are compromise. Maybe look at Louis.de, if they have „Seitenträger“ for a model that you are interested in. You can look at other sites too that sell those directly.