hey guys I am looking to get a new daily driver by new I mean used lol & thought I would get y'alls opinion. I have been riding a DRZ the past 4 years and have gotten bored with it. I am looking for something reliable, easy/ economical to maintain & have plenty of dealerships for parts, repairs or maintenance. I have a 30 mile round trip commute I can take the freeway or coastal highway. I also want to go on longer touring trips so I want something that can handle that comfortably and reliably. I am not sure which way to style of bike to go Hypermotard, Naked, Supermoto or .....? I really like the look of the Hypermotard but I am open to your ideas, what bikes do you guys suggest? Here are the bikes that have popped into my head so far: Ducati Hypermotard Ducati Monster BMW R1150R/ R1200R, Triumph Triple R
I recommend for both of us a new Honda CB500. Pick your flavor: R, F, or X. We'll get us 70 or 80 mpg, and we'll be able to do quite a bit of freeway riding as well. Myself, I'm partial to the X for no particular reason.
OP > "I am looking for something reliable, easy/ economical to maintain & have plenty of dealerships for parts, repairs or maintenance". A stock Sportster meets your requirements. Built like an anvil, no valve adjustments, excellent fuel economy ( if you control your wrist ), plenty of dealerships, adequate power, plenty of aftermarket support.
Out of the bikes on your list: Ducati Monster. I commute everyday on a Monster, I really love it. It's light, agile, nimble, quick, comfortable (after I changed the stock bar and stock seat)... in short, it's really fun to ride. It really makes going to work a fun experience ... Espescially in heavy and terrible traffic jam I have to ride through everyday
How are you with forward lean, and how important is hard luggage? I'm partial to the R1200R myself for low lean and hard luggage (even if I don't use it day to day). Runners up were speed triple and CB1100. What is your budget like?
The Versys is the best public road, practical, fun bike I've had (Out of many, many bikes of all types and sizes.). It ain't cool, high-tech, high perfomance, or even high quality, but it's an awesome do-it-all, economical, easy, fun bike on a budget.
Plain Jane bone stock 883 Sportster. Just buy better shocks, there's no law saying you have to turn it into a billet barge. Other than the rear shocks, great bikes stock.
Thanks guys for all the info it is much appreciated I prefer less forward lean & I dont t need hard luggage on a daily basis. I would only need hard luggage if I am going on touring trips & I am also open to using soft luggage as well. My budget is $9k
From that list, the Street Triple. For low cost but fun, used, Versys. New, the Honda 500 seems like a decent choice, with $3,000 to spare from your budget. Any of your options will seem a world away from the DRZ. Happy shopping ps. /grumpy/ please don't refer to a motorcycle as a 'driver' /grumpy off/
Aprilia Shiver 750. You might be able to find a recent-year (but new) model and stay within your budget...
"Plenty of dealerships" = Harley or one of the Japanese brands. You will be hard pressed to find a BMW/Triumph/Ducati dealer in some places if you go touring. Around here (Nashville) there is only one BMW dealer, only one Ducati dealer, and only one Triumph dealer. I can think of at least 6 Harley dealers with a couple hours drive. Probably 4 or 5 Honda dealers, and a few of the Yamaha/Suzuki/Kawasaki variety. Of the bikes on your list, I would say BMW R1200R 1st, Triumph Street Triple R 2nd. I think you should do yourself a favor and check out the Suzuki DL650 and Kawasaki Versys.