small/mid displacement street singles

[dlmarquez]

this class of motorcycle has been dead for years. however Suzuki and Honda both introduced a little life with the CBR-250R and TU-250
Rumor has it that KTM is entering the game next year with a Duke 390
There is also a rumor floating around that Triumph will be bringing in a 250-350 single
any other rumors?
This is the class of bike that really interests me

[NJ-Brett]

Me also.

[Mk5mike]

Me to.

[Cat0020]

At $8-9k a pop, money better spent else where.

[dlmarquez]

Originally Posted by Cat0020

At $8-9k a pop, money better spent else where.

Your opinion is a valid one....for you, but not for me.

[Cat0020]

Originally Posted by dlmarquez

Your opinion is a valid one....for you, but not for me.

Really? you can't think of another bike more entertaining at $8-9K than a sub 60hp single KTM?

[gore-tx]

Originally Posted by dlmarquez

Rumor has it that KTM is entering the game next year with a Duke 390

It's not just a rumor:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...highlight=duke

[Gryphon12]

The money / value proposition is what has kept small singles and even 250-400cc multi's out of the US market for decades. If it has high-spec components, it is as expensive as a 600cc sportbike. If it has low-spec components, few Americans are interested except as a "learner" bike. The Ninja 250 (not a single) has always been the exception for sales, for both beginners and small bike devotees. Now we have more exceptions (CBR, TU), although none have what I consider to be high-spec components.

The KTM Duke 390 will be manufactured in India, for better or worse, and is NOT expected to cost $9k US. With a WP suspension and 45+ hp in a KTM chassis, with Brembo brakes, it comes close to my desires. KTM's involvement in MOTO3 is expected have some interesting trickle-down effects here.

Despite the testosterone-fueled "crowd mentality", a nimble, high-spec 400cc street bike will be VERY entertaining, and will do a lot of things better than a 600cc bike, including the capability of being ridden at 90% without breaking the law and with a much lower chance of killing the rider. Take the time to really read the threads on this site about smaller displacement bikes. Even those coming from bigger bikes think that they are great fun. Almost everyone in the US under estimates the number of deaths and permanent injuries every year on motorcycles. Yes, it is the rider, not the bike, but the bike contributes to the mind-set of the rider. (My brother is a physician and works in a Level 1 Trauma Unit.) Smaller CAN BE better, IF it is done right.

So as a value proposition, I really want a high-spec 400cc motorcycle. The best I can do right now is a Honda CB-1 (nice, but not a single, it's old and behind the tech curve). I've been riding over 40 years, and most of my riding is not long-distance. I'll pay what it costs, and it will be better for me (and many, many others) than anything that you can now buy for $9-10k US. A Duke 390 is at the top of my list IF they actually follow-through on the promise to bring it to the USA.

[wmax351]

I'd love to see something like the TU-250 with a bit more oomph. 500 cc? I'm thinking a bit more power than an Enfield. 30-40 hp is plenty.

[Cat0020]

I rode a CB-1 for over 10k miles. Solid bike, but lacks torque, anythinig above 65 mph required 9-10k rpm, even though entertaining for reving the engine all the way up to 13k rpm, but not whole lot of fun when you have to sustain it to keep up with traffic.

My Ninja 250 was purchased under $1k, seems to me every bit as capable as my CB-1, with less carbs/valves to maintain. If you really want high spec, swap out the rear shock, get some fork springs and changed the fork oil with some decent tires.. Ninja 250 can still be well under $3k and plenty capable, with a proper rider.

Spending $8-9k on a uber-spec 250-350cc thumper.. what can I say, I'm cheap.. IMO, carb-ed SV650 under $3k is about as much fun anyone can/need to have on a motorcycle... legally. Spend the difference on track tires/time, not only will you be entertained, you'll be a better rider.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Originally Posted by wmax351

I'd love to see something like the TU-250 with a bit more oomph. 500 cc? I'm thinking a bit more power than an Enfield. 30-40 hp is plenty.

This is exactly what I'm waiting for. I have a GS500, and really wouldn't mind something just like the TU, but with a GS style parallel twin, and FI. GS has around 45 with the current carb setup, they should be able to work with that.

[Kommando]

Originally Posted by wmax351

I'd love to see something like the TU-250 with a bit more oomph. 500 cc? I'm thinking a bit more power than an Enfield. 30-40 hp is plenty.

Buell Blast?

I'd actually prefer modernized CB/CL/GS/KZ 250 and 450 twin standards in the lineup. Low and wide seats, around 300lb, torquey/roomy enough to haul some stuff, good MPG, decent brakes (w/ABS option), and classic looks. Imagine Triumph Scrambler/Bonneville 250 and 450 (ABS) bikes that weigh 300-350lb. My GF would go nuts. She likes the lighter weight of dualsports, but hates the typical looks, height, and thump.

I still miss the old CL450 and KZ440 in the garage, but some updated technology would be nice. A 500lb+ Scrambler 900 twin is just too freakin' ponderous for the average Joe/Josephine.

[Gryphon12]

Blast? Right concept, wrong implementation. Sorry, just junk.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Originally Posted by Kommando

Buell Blast?

How would the blast be like the TU?

[Kommando]

Originally Posted by GI_JO_NATHAN

How would the blast be like the TU?

It's a single.

It's a standard.

It's naked.

It has a low seat.

It has a honkin'-big round headlight.

It doesn't weigh 400lb+.

It has a style that isn't like every other bike around today.

It'll haul 2 moderately-sized people while still having a noob-friendly power delivery.

It handles decently.

It didn't cost $10K, a kidney, a left nut/ovary, and your firstborn to buy new and maintain.

It's fairly simple and reliable.

It has damn near a cult-like following.

I wouldn't want to ride one on technical trails at speed.




It's also a 500cc thumper, like the poster that I was responding to had commented about.