[GlennF]

The number of cylinders is relevant.

For example:
-  my  mid 1980's Kawasaki GT550 (4 cylinder shaft drive) was a nice bike but really buzzy compared to my similar but much larger XJ900
- my early 1980's Suzuki GS450 was a really nice bike (much under-rated at the time) and not buzzy at all
- the Enfield singles as we know have a serious thump

Much as I love my Bullet, I think the optimal engine is a single up to about 350cc, twin of any type up to maybe 650cc and 4 cylinders (or V twin) over that.

[AzCal Retred]

These are interesting to me. The SSR Buccaneer uses a XV250 Yamaha clone in a "standard" chassis. The CSC SG250 is a Honda CG235 "unicam" clone counterbalanced single also in a standard chassis, an affordable Janus for the everyman. Both available for $3500 - $4000 new. 20+ HP, about 250 pounds, disc brakes. I see "Affordable Production Road Racing" here, as well as a nice, civil multiuse machine.

The twin I keep looking at besides the RE Interceptor is the Honda CB500X. They put the Rebel engine to good use. 6 speeds, about 50 HP, enough suspension to run over a piece of 4x4 in the road & maybe walk away. The Benelli 500 Leoncino is another nice and similar effort.

And as NT says, if you can keep the all up weight to around 300-350 pounds, so much the better.

[Karl Childers]

The twin I keep looking at besides the RE Interceptor is the Honda CB500X. They put the Rebel engine to good use. 6 speeds, about 50 HP, enough suspension to run over a piece of 4x4 in the road & maybe walk away.

What makes them even more tempting to me is the upgrade kits from Rally Raid. Occasionally I will see CBX 500's come up for sale used, low miles with the upgrade already installed. The seller takes the hit $$ wise, I find those those the ones to buy when I'm fantasy bike shopping. The Yamaha Tenere 700 is also a player but now we're upping the displacement.

https://www.cycleworld.com/honda-cb500x-adventure-kit-by-rally-raid-products/




 

[AzCal Retred]

You can certainly buy a LOT of motorcycle for $2500 - $6000 when they're used. The Yamaha Tenere and Honda Africa Twin are definitely nice pieces, most I see are $5K - $9K even when used (pre-owned?). Popular!