For *that* much of a difference, go with the leftover stock. The new suspension is nice as is some of the ECU tweaking, but not $1400 nicer. You can get a mid-grade Ohlin's setup for that much, or a race quality Ohlin's rear and still have change for a fork revavle. And I will also agree that the stock suspension -- while soft -- is fine for everday stuff. Depending on your abilities you might push it during harder riding or if you load heavy for touring. But, heck, I know you can slap an FZ1 fork or shock (or both; I forget which) right in without modifications. And they're pretty inexpensive used. Oh, and +1 on State Farm with the Ninja. I switched over to them when Progressive wanted $2300/yr from me for the Ninja but only $600 for the FZ1 or Bandit. Now I'm paying less for EVERYTHING with State Farm. I'll also echo nbsdave and bogey78 to have you at least take a look at the Bandit. If you're more on the sport side of the sport touring aspect, it probably won't fit your needs, but by far it's one of the better touring oriented modern sport standards. Most reviews chastise it with being heavy, underpowered, and generally a bad value when compared to the FZ1 or Ninja new. But these are reviewers who often emphasize sport over touring. It still puts out plenty of power and does so rather nicely. Leftover new stock and a very large aftermarket segment kinda bump it back into contention. Also best in terms of comfort and gas mileage out of the gate. At minimum you'll need a new seat on the FZ's or the Ninja if you plan on doing any longish rides. Tire life is something to consider in TCO (which I did -- I made this spreadsheet comparing maintenance, fuel prices, insurance, tires, inflation, and incidentals into TCO), but displacement of the engine only really comes into play if you're wringing the bike out. They're probably also running really soft sport or hypersport tires. Not to mention the huge amount of variables that opmike mentioned: rider weight, load, curve:straight distribution, road condition, tire design, tire compound, etc. The stock Battleaxe BT06 (OEM version) on the Ninja saw me around 5500 miles -- 2/3 of those straight interstate/street -- before I got tired of the low profile and switched to an Angel ST. They still had 1-2000 miles left at that rate before I hit the tread wear indicators. But at the same time I wasn't packing 100lbs of cargo, running underinflated for extra grip, or reguarly seeing how quick I could hit triple digits. Assuming the current wear rate on my Angel ST remains constant, I imagine getting 8-10,000 miles at least out of the rear and will probably replace the front due to age before it wears out.
Late to the thread, but I just picked up an '11 FZ8 the other day with ~500 miles on it for $6500. Keeping the Versys for various reasons as well. Looked at the Z1000, FZ1, Ninja1000, GSX1250FA. Ultimately decided that that Suzuki was too heavy, although very comfortable. Decided against the others mainly because I didn't want a 140HP+ bike. Yes, I know I can moderate that with my right wrist, but I just have no use for that kind of performance. I've run 3 tanks of gas through the FZ8 over the weekend and to compare it to the Versys: -less wind protection, but although very obvious on the first ride, this has become less noticeable -less motor at the bottom, mid is similar, top is greater by a good amount. Things start happening a lot more quickly above about 6500rpm. -Slightly more cramped. I'm 5'11" with a 30" inseam. Often have to stand on a peg to get on the Versys, not on the FZ8 -more planted at speed -I have not noticed the problems with the shock that some have described elsewhere, but probably because I don't ride at the level where I'd notice that I bought this to have a second bike that I could ride with my son. Didn't want something with a hugely different purpose, but not an almost identical bike. So far, this is fitting the bill quite nicely. I suppose more compare/contrast items will become apparent after getting back on the Versys for a while. And from where I sit, the FZ8 is probably one of the nicest looking bikes in production.
I was in your exact same situation until a month or so ago. I bought a brand new 08 Versys when they first came out. Loved the bike. Was mostly a commuter but I did set it for touring as well with taller Givi windscreen and Givi/Coocase luggage, heated grips, GPS, etc. 52 mpg, could run on regular and light enough to be maneuverable around town but could carry its own on the highway. It was my first road bike since the 80s and I bought it because it was inexpensive, light and was marketed somewhat as a dual sport - which it really isn't - but helped me sell it to my wife. Sold it last fall. Knew I wanted something with a little more oomph but no clue as to what I would get next. Gave myself the winter to decide and find. Instead of a process of selection it was more of a process of elimination. Ruled out ADV bikes (but really liked the Tiger XC, what a sexy on/off road machine). Decided I'd rather have a fully purposed road bike than partially purposed combo bike. I have off road bikes already and I can ride a street bike on gravel if I have to. Narrowed it down to a sport tourer. Looked at the 1200 RT and ST, FJR, Honda ST and any other bike that fit in this category. Decided against them due to their weight and partially because of the expense. Which left a group of sport bikes that could be easily and cheaply modded into a sport tourer. I knew I wanted more CCs than the 650 Versys (although, to be honest, the 57 horsies in the V were more than adequate most of the time). I put my focus on liter size bikes. Not to bore you with the details I looked at EVERYTHING I could in this market to the point where it became a blur. FOR ME, my priorities were low cost of entry, low depreciation loss, high reliability, low maintenance, ease of access to parts and support, low weight and inexpensive to operate. This ruled out most of the Euro bikes. To me, the E bikes have a soul and most are super sexy but just didn't have some of the priorities I was looking for. So...my search centered on Jap bikes and eventually the FZ1. The FZ1 is a "dime a dozen" bike but I felt you get more for your money with it (way more in some cases) than a lot of the other bikes out there. It has more power than you will likely ever use. It will break the speed limit in 1st gear and you can run it at low speed in high gear. I looked for months all over the western US hoping to find a newer Gen 2 that was farkled for more of a sport touring set up. I didn't care so much about engine mods (it has 150 hp to start with after all!) but was interested in a taller screen, luggage, fender elim, after market blinkers, etc., a 2008 or 09 model, under 10K miles and in the $6,000-6,500 price range. I found an 09 set up similarly to this but it was in the middle of winter and I didn't want to transport it then and couldn't get the guy down to the price range. About two months ago I spotted a 2010 model, 1800 miles, original owner, bone stock and within driving distance. I was able to get it for $6,500. I'm slowly making it mine. Added a Zero Gravity wind screen, found a set of used Give side cases on CL, will add the SW Motech racks, changing the bar/riser setup to something a little taller with less sweep (maybe even the FZ8 setup). Will add grip heaters and wire it for a GPS. The bike got 37 mpg my first tank but has been steadily rising every fill up by almost 1 mpg (I'm at 42 now). One of the forums mentioned this was common during break in and that I should arrive in the 43-45 mpg. Not anywhere near the V's 53 but it is a liter bike after all. The bike has been great to ride so far. I commute on it almost every day and am setting it up for a couple distance tours this summer. There are other bikes in this category that would no doubt work for you...the problem for me was that there were almost TOO many (I like them all) which made the selection process almost overwhelming. But, I got through it, and am stoked about the FZ1. Good luck!
Too bad our neigbours to the south don't have Fazer 8's in their showrooms. It really is an awesome machine and I am currently looking carefully into it. http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/products.php?model=4216&class=79&group=M|&LANG=en Can be had for a decent price and some leftovers are available from previous years. It checks a lot of boxes for me (including some pretty good wind protection).
I did but only briefly. Like I mentioned before, my process was more about a "process of elimination" vs one of "selection." I "de-selected" the Suzuki because it outweighed the FZ1 and was 30 or so ponies less and because they were more expensive (the FZ1's common-ness drives the price down...supply vs demand). Other than those factors (which are relatively minor and not important to some) I like the Suzuki. It is the style I was looking for - the lower fairing is especially cool IMO. Here's a decent comparative article: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/232/11121/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Suzuki-GSX1250FA-Comparison.aspx
They are very nice indeed. ABS? My next bike has to have it. That would sure work for me......I'm in Ontario. Lyle
What a shame.. I sat on one a couple weeks back, beautiful riding position for me. I currently ride a CBF1000, which is another non US bike, but I can see owning the big versys in a few years.
It's on my short list. If and when I ever get off my wallet. LOL! Is the colour as ugly in person as in the propaganda? It's between the Versys 1000 and the new V Strom 1000 when it comes out. If I can touch the ground on it. Funny.....we get some nice bikes the Yanks don't get? Lyle
Unfortunately not. Nice brakes though otherwise. Seems like there are few bikes we Canadians get our neighbours don't. That's a switch from most things Wish we had what Europe can get their hands on (bikes and cars).
I loved my several rides on a versys. Want one bad but for $. If I owned one and was looking for more motor, I'd go Ninja 1000 regardless of brand loyalty. Rode a z1000 and can say that motor has similar response to that fun 650 on the V but more of everything. Both motors are a blast for me - the 1043 even more.
There is a versys 1000 here at the local store. Come buy it, ride one of the best places in north America and have a great vacation with a new toy. Sent from my A210 using Tapatalk 2