Poll: Which bike $6k-$8k

[07M50zAllDaWay]

I am narrowing down some choices, and would like some input.
06 Suzuki Katana 750: I can grab a new 06 for around $6800 OTD. The bike is faired and the smaller displacement is better for me being an inexperienced rider. I think outfitted with side cases and a travel trunk, I could hang on to this a very long time.

07-08 Suzuki Bandit ABS: I like the Bandit, especially with ABS. The stock seat height is actually lower than the 750 Katana, which is great for me. I would want to put fairings on it, which would significantly increase the price, plus these are real white whales in my area. I cant find one used anywhere, and all new ones are selling for list price.

06 Triumph Sprint ST: I can pick one up with 14k on it for around $6000. I saw the nike, liked it, but I'm certainly not in love with it. It seems a bit top-heavy, especially with my lower center of gravity, but I like that it has ABS.

I also like the VFR800, but I don't think I'll be able to find one "lightly used" in my price range. If I go much higher than what I'm looking to spend, I'd have to let my M50 go, and I'm not sure I want to do that right now. I would rather wait a year, then buy a 1-3 year old FJR or Concours 14 and have it lowered.

If there is a bike I should look into besides these, PLMK what you'd suggest. I rode an older (93) FJ1200, and couldn't stand the high footpeg placement. I can live with my feet being under me, but the FJ drives your knees up too high.

I'm 5'7", 28" inseam, and have been riding street bikes for about 3 months, so monster displacement bikes and 31+ seat height bikes are out. Like I said, I'd rather wait to get one of those till I have the experience and can afford to buy one then have it lowered.

[Motorcycle Forum]

[ORBrit]

New Bandit is such a bargain - night and day compared to your M50 though. I test rode one, and the power delivery was very smooth but you really have to watch that throttle control! (compared to just going WOT on a cruiser all the time!)
Riding position is comfortable. I can get both feet down - not quite flat foot.
I was also looking at a VFR and decided the riding position is more sport than I wanted.

I'm actually leaning more towards a VStrom 650 - more power and better handling than my S50, but a very upright riding position and the option to ride some gravel logging roads. I'm 5'6 with a 29" inseam and can barely balance on my toes with both feet down. Leaning to the left I can get my foot down without being overbalanced.

[womper]

if it were me, i'd grab the bandit...
a bit more expensive, but i think in the long run would be an all around better bike...

take it to the track, or go touring

[07M50zAllDaWay]

if it were me, i'd grab the bandit...
a bit more expensive, but i think in the long run would be an all around better bike...

take it to the track, or go touring

I love the Bandit, but the problem is finding one.

Would you leave it naked, or put fairings on it for long interstate hauls?

[womper]

i've never even sat on a bandit yet... but i like it that much
i like the naked looks... but if i were to get one, i'd go faired for touring...

i do like the bandit all decked out with the touring setup... looks really nice

the way i figure it, when you can't find a model you like used, there's a reason... people don't want to let go of it i'd just go buy new even though it hits the wallet a lot harder...

[07M50zAllDaWay]

i've never even sat on a bandit yet... but i like it that much
i like the naked looks... but if i were to get one, i'd go faired for touring...

i do like the bandit all decked out with the touring setup... looks really nice

the way i figure it, when you can't find a model you like used, there's a reason... people don't want to let go of it i'd just go buy new even though it hits the wallet a lot harder...

The problem is, I have to travel about 100 miles one way to even fins an 08. The local shop doesn't even sell them, opting for B-Kings instead.

[aeagles]

What about the Katana replacement, the new GSX-650F? great reviews, fuel injected, friendly seat height (.7 taller than the bandit)

Cycle World - Frugal Fuelers: Suzuki GSX650F

[MikeHump]

What about the Katana replacement, the new GSX-650F? great reviews, fuel injected, friendly seat height (.7 taller than the bandit)

Cycle World - Frugal Fuelers: Suzuki GSX650F

Or even the SV650. You can get it faired or naked. My buddy has an R1 for his street bike, his track bike is an SV650....just goes to show how awesome they are in the corners. They only have about 70 hp so the throttle should be nice and easy to control also.

Out of those choices, though, I'd go with the Kat.

[womper]

The problem is, I have to travel about 100 miles one way to even fins an 08. The local shop doesn't even sell them, opting for B-Kings instead.

if you like the b-king... go for it

i like it, but i've never seen one all set up with luggage... if i saw one with all that and it would look good and be very useful, i'd think about swapping for that

[Uncle B]

Higher price range Honda's ST1300.

[07M50zAllDaWay]

Or even the SV650. You can get it faired or naked. My buddy has an R1 for his street bike, his track bike is an SV650....just goes to show how awesome they are in the corners. They only have about 70 hp so the throttle should be nice and easy to control also.

Out of those choices, though, I'd go with the Kat.

I haven't heard great things about the comfort of the SV650. Of the 3 the Kat wins in my mind, lighter, faster, and more HP than the GSX650F. The only minus I can see on it is it's not fuel injected.

I'm still trying to find a Bandit I can go look at. I don't like the B-King much at all.

[aeagles]

I haven't heard great things about the comfort of the SV650. Of the 3 the Kat wins in my mind, lighter, faster, and more HP than the GSX650F. The only minus I can see on it is it's not fuel injected.

I'm still trying to find a Bandit I can go look at. I don't like the B-King much at all.

If you can't go fast with 70hp (or 50, even), 90's not gonna help.

[07M50zAllDaWay]

If you can't go fast with 70hp (or 50, even), 90's not gonna help.

Hell, I can get a speeding ticket with a Rebel 250, that wasn't my point

[aeagles]

The Kaw ZZR 600 gets great reviews for long-range comfort.

2008 Kawasaki ZZR600 - Top Speed

[bigE]

I vote for either: SV650; V-Strom or DRZ400SM (EDIT: nevermind the DRZ; its probably too tall for you)

With only 3 months riding expirience it would probably not be wise to get a heavy, powerful bike. All of these bikes are fun as all getout and a lot more forgiving than the ones you listed.

What type of riding do you like to do? That will also affect which bike you should get....