[Davidian]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the site.

anyway i got my licence and my first bike in may'05 (Suzuki GS 500F) and think I'm ready for something bigger. From what I've read sport bikes are brutal on the body for longer rides, i wont be doing those rides very often but when i do i want to be comfortable and be able to put bags on. So i was leaning to a sport/tour bike....maybe a Suzuki Katana 700....any suggestions would be appreciated..

 

[PressurePoint]

You should be asking what litre bike do i want?

 

[Squint]

VFR. Like mine. I haven't posted it yet, but it'll be for sale soon.

 

[tackle_me_2]

How about a VFR? I've heard tons of good things about it.

 

[Johnny_B]

Honda cbr600f4i is pretty good for long trips I found...I rode it for 9 hours in a day this past summer up to a friends cabin and I wasnt sore except for a bit because of the seat but you could always put a corbin on it if you felt necesarry..im sure you could fit bags onto it if you wanted to

 

[Good old Pete]

VFR are good touring bikes a best bang for your buck.

BTW welcome to the site and enjoy sifting through the bullshit replys, especailly the ones in the off season.
:thumbup

 

[gsxr_45]

zx 9 ,good all arounder ,soft bags, can be had at really good prices ,the gsx is a good one to ,or the vfr if you like v motors , or you can buy a busa and not have to upgrade again .

 

[riceman]

The F4i is surprisingly comfortable and cheaper. Vfr if you want to do alot of long rides. There's also alot of half-fairing bikes to look at.

 

[JamieJames]

SV650 is good and coincidentally I'm selling one

 

[Guest]

Hey I'm in the same boat you're in except that I'm planning some longer trips. I'm thinking of the V-Strom, have to go and sit on one to see if it fits. Hmm VFR...

 

[geek]

Katana's are nice enough, but I think you'll find more after market touring gear or a VFR. I had a Katana before and when I replaced it I did check out the VFR, but ultimately decided on a V-Strom. So far, I've been loving riding the bike. Did several long trips this summer and fall. The most recent was a month worth of touring in the US through: WA, OR, CA, NV, UT, AZ and back. Bike was comfy for long distances, was able to load it up with all the gear I needed, and was still having waaaayyyy too much fun in the corners.

 

[janesee]

Hey I'm in the same boat you're in except that I'm planning some longer trips. I'm thinking of the V-Strom, have to go and sit on one to see if it fits. Hmm VFR...

i've sat on both a v-strom and a vfr in the shop, looking for a sportier bike for my dad (he's finally thinking of upgrading from his virago he's had for 10 years YAY!). haven't had the pleasure of test riding either, but just from sitting on them in the shop they are both very comfortable sport touring bikes. the v-stroms are suitable for taller people and the vfr is good if you are shorter. i found that being only 5ft4 i could tippy toe on the vfr but the vstrom there was no chance in hell i'd be able to ride as my toes barely even touch the ground and in riding boots, since there is no flex in the ankle i wouldn't be able to ride it without lowering as the seat height was quite a bit heigher. lots of storage options for either bike.

 

[PressurePoint]

SV650 is good and coincidentally I'm selling one

The SV650s is a kick ass bike!

 

[elevation]

I still have my first bike (Honda CB1 400cc) and I have an F4i now. I did some loooooooooooong trips on the F4i and I was ok at the end of the day. Either the F4i or the VFR is a great choice. The only major difference would be the F4i would be cheaper. Good luck on your decision.

 

[adam112]

no one has mentioned the yzf600r yet? ..ok i will.

 

[Davidian]

thanks very much for all the info.....let the research begin..the bike show in abby should help a lot too

 

[Davidian]

F4i

so ive heard that 06 is the last year for the F4I, anyone hear anything different????

 

[TeeTee]

Nope, but the one peice seat sure is a lot more comfy than the old ultra hard postage stamp two piece they had on the earlier version.

 

[masonjarz]

no one has mentioned the yzf600r yet? ..ok i will.

I second that. Often overlooked but a very nice machine that is much more comfortable and versitile than the R6.

 

[klutch]

If you get a nice enough tank cover, can't you just high-chair it for the longer rides?