[StephenCB]

Is it just me, or does the Kawasaki Versys look a lot like the Buell Blast?

Kawasaki Versys

Buell Blast

[jest2dogs]

I briefly considered the Versys in the fall of 2008, but two things turned me off, the huge tank and the denial of a test ride (Can you imagine? Not even for used bikes!)

Instead I drove to Seattle and walked into Moto International where I was told I could test ride any bike on the floor.

I drove away that day with a NOS 2007 750 Breva (The Classic hadn't hit our shores yet but I was really impressed with the ride, the motor and the sound, thus I went for it!) I am still holding my breath for a black V7 Classic and (as the picture below will attest) I also test rode the Guzzi V7 Cafe last October.

Folks, don't write Guzzi off. I hear a lot about the Triumph and our beloved Enfield but for a trim traditional ride, check out the V7.

BTW, I love my Bullet and my Breva. The Breva's ergos are very comfortable, not like the "sports" ergos. And tho' she's "modern", I don't have to look at her when I ride. I just ride. :O)

[PaulF]

I just went to a kick-ass classic bike show three miles from my house last weekend, (saw my very first real live in-the-flesh Vincent BTW. '48 Rapide). Anyway, all the maufacturers were there with their new "retro" offerings. Guzzi was there with the V7 Clasic and the V7 Cafe. Nice. Would not mind owning the Classic. The only thing is 45HP. Thats really not in the tradition of a real V7. The plastic tank had its advantages. Dent-resistent, won't rust, etc., but it wasn't quite for me. I also read that they still have quality issues, but since my LeMans was a 1980, I'm sure they are much improved by now.

Next was Harley and the XR1200 , (or was it XL) standard thingy. Also nice, but chunky - and expensive.

Once again, the winners, at least in my book, were the Triumph Bonneville T100 and SE. Mega sweet. Look British. Sound British. Priced right for a brand new motorcycle. Small enough to be un-intimidating with 66HP. There was adealer there, had a brand new Bonnville black with dented and scratched tank for something like $4,999. Good thing I didn't have my check book.

And you know, the damndest thing. There wasn't one freakin Bullet in that whole show and I had to park mine three blocks away. Next year - if I still have it.

[jest2dogs]

Paul F,

The 750 cc Moto Guzzi engine is rated at 48 HP and has more than enough oomph to push it over a ton. Cruising at 70 -80 mph is no problem. The engine loves to rev. That's what my wife and I found last fall on a 1,200 mile trip. Why is everybody horsepower crazy?

[birdmove]

  The Suzuki Gladius is a 650cc V-Twin, and not a V-Four. Suzuki doesn't make a 500cc four cylinder-I wonder if the original poster may have meant the GS500F?

    Yes, the Sportster is a bit of a pig. They gained something like 80 pounds in 2004 when they went from the solid mount engine, to the new rubber mount one. The redesigned the frame that year. I  Have a 2006 XL883 and keep thinking about getting an older solid mount. They are much lighter and have the trap door trans (which, by the way the Kawasaki Versys/650Ninja/ER6N also have a version of).Meaning if your trans developes a problem, you don't have to split the cases for access-just remove an engine cover and pull the gear cluster etc out.

    I also admire the new Suzuki TU250 as a fairly simple, honest street thumper.

    I put like 15,000 miles on a 2005 Kawasaki KLR650, and they are just a dam good do it all motorcycle. Think the KLR650 is high? Try a Honda XR650L (37" seat heigth). I like my Yamaha XT225 dual sport. 75-95 mpg and not too high.
 
    The Moto Guzzi 750 Breva looks like another great, honest motorcycle. I also like the new Bonnevilles and test rode one right after they came out.

    I would also not mind a Suzuki S40. Looks like a nice platform to build a cafe bike from.
   jon

[PaulF]

  The Suzuki Gladius is a 650cc V-Twin, and not a V-Four. Suzuki doesn't make a 500cc four cylinder-I wonder if the original poster may have meant the GS500F?

    
 

I dunno what that 500 was as it was cloaked in plastic bodywork. I can't keep up with the new stuff. I felt like an alien from another planet in the Suzuki showroom.

[Ice]

. Why is everybody horsepower crazy?

 jest2dogs I will have to venture the guess that most others are caught up in a keep up with the jones's type horsepower war.

 I think they are missing out on a lot in the process of one upping.

[PaulF]

jest2dogs I will have to venture the guess that most others are caught up in a keep up with the jones's type horsepower war.

 I think they are missing out on a lot in the process of one upping.

Has nothing to do with being horsepower crazy. If that were true, why are we riding REs, the most under-powered full-size motorcycles in the universe, (aside from from some two-stroke, Eastern block things). If that were true, why do I have the hots for a 66 HP Bonneville, when I could buy some JapCo 600 that has 100 HP?

Horsepower is like a gun. You may never need it, but it's nice to have some now and then. Especially in places like Rt78, NJ Turnpike or the Parkway. Anyone who lives in central Jersey knows exactly what I mean.

[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

I grew up with Bonnevilles and BSA's and always thought they were the ideal size.
I just checked some specs:
my '72 Bonneville-382 Lbs
2009 Guzzi V7- 401 lbs
2010 Bonneville-495 lbs.

650 Bonneville 47 HP
V7-46? HP
New Bonneville- 66HP

A lot of the other specs show the V7 to be closest to the classic Bonneville.

[Ice]

Has nothing to do with being horsepower crazy. If that were true, why are we riding REs, the most under-powered full-size motorcycles in the universe, (aside from from some two-stroke, Eastern block things). If that were true, why do I have the hots for a 66 HP Bonneville, when I could buy some JapCo 600 that has 100 HP?

Horsepower is like a gun. You may never need it, but it's nice to have some now and then. Especially in places like Rt78, NJ Turnpike or the Parkway. Anyone who lives in central Jersey knows exactly what I mean.

 I didn't mean us R.E. owners. I was referring to the personality types who judge each others merits (or perceived lack thereof ) on material possession.

 Somewhere right now there are probably two or more people sipping lattes and comparing their dyno charts.

[rideOn]

Next was a 1200 Bandit. Still put too much weight on my arms and the pegs are almost crotch-cannon rearward, even though it is supposed to be a "standard". And even though the wheels are a helluva lot smaller than the Bullet's 19-inchers, it felt like a truck.

...but those bandits are wicked...throughout the entire power band. taller handlebars and a higher shield is recommended for the bandit (and the yami counterpart FZ1)

[rideOn]

For some reason, I've been having this conversation a lot recently.

The Versys is about the only modern Japanese bike that I actually like the looks of (in person; photographs are way different). I'm tall, with very long arms, so I prefer a taller bike like that.

i like tall bikes too. i was hung up on shorter bikes in the past, but they're just not as comfortable on a trip. my favorite metric is the 2010 yami FZ1 in red (looks good in pix and in person!). i'm thinking i may buy one next winter during year-end closeouts.

[PaulF]

Well, my RE is officially for sale now. And I still don't know what I want to replace it. I won't pay new bike prices for something I only ride about 1,000 miles / year. So, I'm going back to Jap. Cheap used. Rock-solid reliable. Ample parts supply. Plenty of choices.

Maybe:
-1100 Virago
-V45 or V65 Magna, (I really do love Honda - and I drive one).
-CX650, (if I can find one mint).
-ST1100 (if I can find one priced right)
-Kawasaki Concourse

Or something else that looks interesting. Maybe water-cooled, maybe not. I'm lookin' 

[Jinx]

 Y'all remember the Kaw w650??  Now that was a good looking bike to be Jap. Why did it die here in the US? Because we are taught excess is good. Striped down and lean in alot of minds mean cheap or lacking.  Damn shame.
 The Triumph cafe is a hot lil number but it needs to go on a diet too.
 Don't even get me going on that over weight turd they're calling a "Sportster" over at the HD cathedral. Gawd damn. Compare it to a "real" sportster from the 60s-70s.
 Have you noticed "retro" is red hot today. New"old" Mustang,new"old"Challenger,VV "bug" etc. Motorcycle mfg need to wake up and offer a little more old school bikes. I'm holding out for a 1946 HD Knucklehead or 741 Indian scout.   I retire in 3 yrs and I'm giving myself a retirement gift!  

[rideOn]

So, I'm going back to Jap. Cheap used. Rock-solid reliable. Ample parts supply. Plenty of choices.

I love my '82 zuki gs. An associate just bought the yami version '82 for $600. Looks and runs great. You can find deals like these, then find a good forum. Carb re-builds and valve adjustments are sometimes necessary for these older bikes but are simple with a feeler gauge and a $10 shim tool. When you adjust the valves on these inline fours, they stay adjusted until the next 4k checkup.

The Viragos were terrific. Yami widened and lengthened the stroke and now they're v-stars. Wifey decided on a v-star 650 over the RE c5 because of my 'undependable' classic. She found an '08 in Sumter with 900 miles this spring for around $4k. Well below blue book, so we snagged it. You couldn't go wrong with either yami. I like inline 4's the most, but they run best at high revs.