thinking about a new bike - opinions please!

[captlombardi]

so i bought my 250r in june '09 brand new and in feb '10 i bought an '01 cbr600f4i. so since then i've had both, ridden both quite a bit. put 10k on the ninja and 6k on the f4i.

for some reason the white 2013 ninja 650 has really caught my eye and i've been considering selling both the 250 and the f4i to get one, but i'm not sure if i want to or not.

the 650 is smack dab in the middle of both bikes power wise and is more comfortable than even the 250. while i do ride to work as often as possible it is only 5 miles each way so comfort is not an issue - when i ride other times it is usually longer rides, anywhere from 20 to 150 miles so the increased comfort would help a lot. i would like to throw some bags on it if i want as well and do an even longer ride if the mood ever strikes me. also currently my wife will only 2-up with me on the 250 because the cbr scares her (lol..) and as you can imagine, the 250 is lugging the two of us sometimes.

maybe i am just being sentimental about things - i felt the same way when i sold the car i got in high school. i still like both of my bikes pretty well but they are just bikes, right? any thoughts on whether i should consolidate my 2 bikes into 1 or not?

[folky15]

Sounds like the 650 would be a good choice for you. Plus, you'd only have to do maintenance and insure one bike instead of two.

[captlombardi]

that would definitely be a perk - insurance isn't bad but the maintenance is a pain in the butt. i figure also if i really don't like it i could sell it and get back into having two bikes e.g. a vstar 250 or something super comfortable and a 636 or something like that.

i made the mistake of cleaning them up and then i started to think i wanted to keep em lol...unfortunately 3 bikes in the garage would probably be a no-go

[Coolbpf]

Sounds like a good plan to me. The 650 would lower your overall cost (not to mention it gets like 60 mpg) while allowing you to have a touring bike that was built for speed.

But people say, if it aint broke dont fix it. So while the bike is appealing, don't let your other bikes go just because of the hype of getting a new bike. Wait it out, give your self at least a week or two (probably seems like forever) and if you're still gungho about the 650, sell em and do it!

[wvninjamom]

Just went to Star Motorcycle Demo ride. I rode the 2013 FZ6R and REALLY liked it. We rode about 10 miles through some twisties and on the interstate at 75 MPH or so. Bike handled really well and I never went above 4th gear. It is also a 6-speed and has a riding position very similar to the Ninja 250 as opposed to some of the bigger sport bikes. I'm not looking for anything new right now - my husband wanted to try out the R1 and I thought this bike looked like fun.

[Whiskey]

Is there a new design 2013 Fazer 6? The older ones (I've been on the rectangular lights one, the foxeye fazer & current FZ-8) were all far more upright than the 250.

Probably great bikes for city riding but I prefer a sportier stance. The CBR6 F4i is up there for comfort on a sports bike, along with gixxers

[xSean13]

Heck, if work is only 5 miles, get a scooter & get a bigger/nicer bike for longer trips. BMW S1000?

[JustRidin]

The 650 really would be your best bet. While the new 250s certainly catch your eye, you're not going to get that comfort out of the new 250 most likely. The 650 is a bigger, roomier bike that will fit that need. Ultimately though, you gotta like whatever you choose.

[SteveL]

The Ninja 650 R is a comfortable bike my son has one and often rides 300 to 500 miles in a day

Steve

[clobianco]

Have you looked at the CBR 600RR or 1000? Ive been looking at those and they feel like a small bike sitting on them and are super comfortable. If your looking to go new that might be something to look at.

[CC Cowboy]

There was another thread with a guy that loved Honda Goldwing Trikes. That seems to be the way to go!

[captlombardi]

thanks for the opinions everyone. i put my bikes up on CL yesterday but no bites so far. listed them a little high so i could come down in price and make somebody feel like a winner.

i thought the RR was even more aggressive than the f4i, so i don't think that would work. the same dealer i bought the 250 from 3 years ago said they would give me $8000 out the door (taxes, setup, paperwork, everything) on a 2013 650 so that's exciting, just have to sell what i have first.

[Broc]

How much are you asking for your bikes? I have a few friends looking for bikes at the moment. I didn't see your ad on craiglist? I checked Topeka & Kansas City?

On a second note......the 650R is junk in my opinion. I'm sure it is a fine motorcycle but for $8,000 OTD? Are you kidding me......I got my CB1000R for $10,000 OTD. You can really get a nice bike for $8,000. Look into the triumphs, fz8's, fz1's, z1000's, etc.....You are getting a whole lot more bike for the money. A dealer in Wichita wanted $8,000 OTD for a brand new FZ8 & $9500 OTD for a Z1000, much better bikes. In my opinion the 650 is way overpriced and you really aren't getting much. I am not a fan of them at all. Just my 2 cents, much better bikes to be had. Especially with the winter coming up. You can find some great deals.

[Broc]

and just to make your decision harder........462 miles & located just outside of Wichita.

http://www.bobzbikz.com/2011-Sportbi...-67068/3962352

[captlombardi]

ninja 250r was listed at $3100, now $2900. Had several offers for $2500 straight up but trying to work with them. http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/3193604580.html

cbr600f4i was listed at $4600 (high I know..wanted wiggle room) but now moved to $4200. http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/3193615296.html

I will look at the other bikes you talked about (fz8, triumphs, etc.) but the reason I wanted a 650 is mainly because of the price - i don't want to be down $3000+ on a personal loan from my own savings (wife is being nice on this one - I can cover the difference between what i get out of the 2 bikes and what the new one costs from our savings and pay it back later) also I really kind of want to stick with a twin of some sort, I just like the sound.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Broc

How much are you asking for your bikes? I have a few friends looking for bikes at the moment. I didn't see your ad on craiglist? I checked Topeka & Kansas City?

On a second note......the 650R is junk in my opinion. I'm sure it is a fine motorcycle but for $8,000 OTD? Are you kidding me......I got my CB1000R for $10,000 OTD. You can really get a nice bike for $8,000. Look into the triumphs, fz8's, fz1's, z1000's, etc.....You are getting a whole lot more bike for the money. A dealer in Wichita wanted $8,000 OTD for a brand new FZ8 & $9500 OTD for a Z1000, much better bikes. In my opinion the 650 is way overpriced and you really aren't getting much. I am not a fan of them at all. Just my 2 cents, much better bikes to be had. Especially with the winter coming up. You can find some great deals.

Wait, are you telling me you can get a used 1000 for only $2,000 more than a brand new 650!?!? If you're pulling my leg please don't break it again!

Oh and the 650 is an awesome bike, maybe you just haven't seen the new 2012 or 2013 ones

[Broc]

All those prices are for new models. Some where left overs from years prior except the FZ8. The FZ1 from 2009 brand new was somewhere near $7,000 OTD. It was ridiculously cheap but that bike was a pig. Bike sales are down bad! Don't even pay close to MSRP.

I researched and looked at bikes for a long time before I settled. Out of everything I looked at the Honda bikes always had the best fit & finish followed up by Suzuki. Kawasaki's new models look absolutely horrible in person. Plastic everywhere, large gaps, cheap materials, etc.

BTW, to the OP your F4i is gorgeous. I would keep that. One of my favorite all time bikes.

[Jiggles]

This guy is crazy

[Broc]

I don't know what you're laughing about mister. The Ninja 1000 is one of the worst contenders! Your handle bars look like sport bike ape hangers!

[Jiggles]

Do they now? They look 100% badass to me, look, even enough room for a badass cup holder



Weird that you think the motorcycle of the year is the worst

[Broc]

My bikes on the same page....just sayin'

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/fe...0/viewall.html