Why a motorcycle, if it's for city commute, and you don't do a lot of weekend riding consider a scooter.

There are several options, some are quite fast, have some storage if it's just for work. Honda, BMW, etc have options and they are more affordable. BMW even has an electric option, so you can impress the hot crazy progressive liberal girls on campus...

Although, with a msrp around $15K for the e-bike over the $9K price of gas, you spend $6K over to be green, and at $4 a gallon for gas, that would buy 1500 gallons of fuel, so in order to make up the $6K difference, 40 mpg average that's 60,000 miles as the BE point between E and ICE.

But at what price for being green....

https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com...ilter-urban-mobility

https://powersports.honda.com/street/scooter

There are several electric motorcycle options several out there. this would eliminate the cost of gasoline. Plus it allows you to fit in with the University crowd as being "ecologically sound"...

Livewire was a part of HD, sold off, I've ridden this bike, its light, fast, nimble, our member Mike Kueffler has one.. Very well made, American, and cool looking.

https://www.livewire.com/

CA based Zero Motorcycles

https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/


Think of all the college hotties that will flock to your urban electric POV green commuter!



All kidding aside, if it's a city only bike then get what fits that style.

No offense but the Versys is the king of the lame dad bikes and the most milquetoast thing I've ever ridden. You may as well get a beige Toyota Corolla.

And a scooter?
You're the kind of dude that sent his kid off to school in corduroy pants and suspenders to get his ass kicked aren't you?
I suppose if you're wearing a pretty skirt to work then a scooter can have some practical use.

Any of the 650 class of bikes you listed in the op would get decent mileage, look rad as hell, and be a lot of fun. Pick the one that looks the best to you and have a blast!

I currently have a Z650. It handles really well on the twisties and is still comfortable enough to take a 2-3 hour ride without getting too sore. The power is acceptable but I'll probably be upgrading to a 900 or an MT-09 next year or so.

While I liked the KLR650, 17,000+ miles, I did not use it for the adventure riding I originally intended. I did take it on a few 600+ mile round trips and they were not comfortable rides. It was fun to ride but not the best on Texas Hill Country twisty back roads.

The new motorcycle will not be used just for commuting.

My former 2017 Vulcan S with my father-in-law's 01 Indian Scout

My brother bought a Honda Nighthawk 250 to keep on his trawler, and I bought it for transportation at college for my son. I have it now and although it gets about 65 MPG, I doubt it has much less operating cost than a used Honda Civic. Mainly due to how quickly tires wear out and what they cost. If you are mainly talking about getting a bike for cost savings, consider buying a used econobox, unless that market is crazy now.

quote:

And a scooter?
You're the kind of dude that sent his kid off to school in corduroy pants and suspenders to get his ass kicked aren't you?
I suppose if you're wearing a pretty skirt to work then a scooter can have some practical use.

Mysogonist!, not gender friendly!, for shame!

You shouldn't presume gender of a scooter rider that's not PeeCee! Seriously though, there's not much more testosterone in being on a 500cc motorbike than a scooter

Since it's going from work campus to campus and not used to go off to Sturgis on a 1000 mile jaunt, hundred mile weekend rides or track day either works a smaller cc bike or scooter agree though, best to be seen on a proper motorcycle, but, that doesn't mean it's the best solution. Either works, low entry cost, low operating cost, cheap on fuel.

I'd probably opt for one of the Zero E Bikes with luggage... or the Livewire, even though they are stupid expensive..

There are so many good to great middleweights out there both new and used, as long as you stick with a Honda, Yamaha, Kawi or Suzuki, you should be happy. Just pick one that fits your riding style and size, some of the repli-racers might be a little cramped for you.

A couple of things you might want are a small fairing and especially hand guards. It's amazing how much wind they block and makes colder weather riding much more comfortable.

Scooter? No! Grom.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Scooter? No! Grom.

Grom? No! Monkey.

The undisputed winner in this class of motorcycle is the SV650. and literally has been since 1999. There are alternatives nowadays but they are all lacking in some way part of the balance and all around nature of the suzuki.

That Monkey is so cool!! The MPGs on the new funky Monkey are nothing short of spectacular. Yeah it’s not going to win many any drag races but it absolutely sips gas and can go places you wouldn’t dream of taking an SV650. If economical transportation is you primary concern this little thing is damn hard to beat.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
The undisputed winner in this class of motorcycle is the SV650. and literally has been since 1999. There are alternatives nowadays but they are all lacking in some way part of the balance and all around nature of the suzuki.

I'd opine that the MT07 takes that honor with their cross plane parallel twin. The Suzuki, while a fine motorcycle and probably the best beginner bike in the class, is a little dated in the brake and suspension department and feels very weighty compared to the Yamaha or Kawi.
I owned an 03 SV650 and test rode the latest standard and "X" models a couple years ago and found them to be fun bikes but not quite there when compared to the current competition.

I did not ask for car advice.

No scooter, Grom, or Monkey. No way I am riding those in North Dallas traffic AND, it will not be just for commuting. There will be longer rides for fun.

Yes, I said traveling from campus to campus as I am part of the IT Security team of a college with 9 campuses in Collin County. Lockable storage is a possibility but not a requirement.

If I asked for recommendations for a rifle to use for the range and home protection, would you recommend a Harrington & Richardson single shot break-action rifle? It would work but there are much better rifles for the purpose.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
I'd opine that the MT07 takes that honor with their cross plane parallel twin. The Suzuki, while a fine motorcycle and probably the best beginner bike in the class, is a little dated in the brake and suspension department and feels very weighty compared to the Yamaha or Kawi.
I owned an 03 SV650 and test rode the latest standard and "X" models a couple years ago and found them to be fun bikes but not quite there when compared to the current competition.

Another vote for the MT-07.
We have one with a full stunt cage. It's nimble and fast and a stone cold gas.

quote:

Originally posted by SW_Sig:
I did not ask for car advice.

No scooter, Grom, or Monkey. No way I am riding those in North Dallas traffic AND, it will not be just for commuting. There will be longer rides for fun.

Yes, I said traveling from campus to campus as I am part of the IT Security team of a college with 9 campuses in Collin County. Lockable storage is a possibility but not a requirement.

If I asked for recommendations for a rifle to use for the range and home protection, would you recommend a Harrington & Richardson single shot break-action rifle? It would work but there are much better rifles for the purpose.

Lighten up there Francois.
You have 2 pages of good advice. You're welcome.

quote:

Lighten up there Francois.
You have 2 pages of good advice. You're welcome

Yes, there is some good advice as well as scooter, mini bike, econo box car, and go green advice (at twice the cost and who knows what the battery cost will be when they die). Oh, and someone trying to sell his Harley Davidson.

The new triumph motorcycle are excellent bikes. By all accounts the 660 trident is top notch. The new 660 ADV,based on the same motor and tech would be on my short list. I have a 2018 triumph that has be trouble free, very enjoyable to ride, has a performance envelope that rivals modern supercars, and averages about 55 MPG.

No experience, but I drool over the Street & Speed Twins at my local Triumph dealer.
Probably more commuter & longer trip friendly than the sportier Trident.

quote:

Originally posted by SW_Sig:
Yes, there is some good advice as well as scooter, mini bike, econo box car, and go green advice (at twice the cost and who knows what the battery cost will be when they die). Oh, and someone trying to sell his Harley Davidson.

I liked you come back my friend. I have a hard time imagining myself riding more that 1/4 mile on one of those scooter/mini/pos's. I ride a Honda VTR 1000R FYI. Nice for around town and plenty fast on the freeway. If you're and experienced rider I'd stay in the 1 liter range. You'll be more comfy and like the power.

My commuter motorcycle is a BMW K1600GT. It does everything I ask, and carries everything I need. It only gets 37 mpg. But, it has 165 hp. What makes it an ideal commuter for me is the power. I can be in a dead zone with no cars around me in an instant. I can carry my laptop, my lunch, and my emergency items in the luggage. It has central locking for the luggage. It has a burglar alarm. It has Sirius XM radio. It has wind protection. It has comfort. It is my ideal commuter. 15 miles each way.

I used to commute on a Honda Interceptor. Before that on a SV650S. The BMW is far better, for me. The previous bikes are awesome but the BMW is better for me.