sports bikes on which one seats upright

[hector]

Hello experienced riders,

I am looking for a used sports bike on which I can seat upright. From your experiences, which bikes would you suggest?

Apart from taking MSF course, I never drove in US.
I drove a 2 stroke 135cc bike outside US for about 7 years regularly and I still ride it when I go back to visit my home country.
I am 6 feet, 165lbs.

[z9nine]

You would want to look at sport touring bikes, they usually sit more upright than sprort bikes, but still not quite like a cruiser.


No one can tell you what bike is right for you, they can give a suggestion ut you need to try out a few bikes and see what feels nice to you.
https://www.google.com/search?q=spor...JYOK8QSp8LGjDQ

[murphyshuman]

Look at standards or "naked" bikes. A sport bike by definition has a lay down or lean forward riding position. A sport tour would fit the bill as well but they tend to be big and pricey. (see the bike in my avatar, it's a sport tour) Maybe an FZ6 or a Triumph Street Triple. There is a Street Triple in the photos on my profile.

[joelh]

I ride an BMW R1100R. A very neutral upright riding position. It is very comfortable. I have done a couple of 300 mile days with no issues at all

[stantony1]

Ninja 650R Naked

Upright. Love it.

[R1200R]

yep, sounds to me like you want a naked bike.... BMW R1100/1150/1200, Duc Monster, Triumph Street Triple, etc.. there are a lot of them out there and they're PLENTY fast.. I test rode them all and it's just a matter of personal preference from there.

[joelh]

Originally Posted by R1200R

yep, sounds to me like you want a naked bike.... BMW R1100/1150/1200, Duc Monster, Triumph Street Triple, etc.. there are a lot of them out there and they're PLENTY fast.. I test rode them all and it's just a matter of personal preference from there.

My local BMW Dealer is doing a bunch of test rides this weekend. I'm afraid that if I rider the R1200R, that I am going to want an upgrade.

[zmago]

I sit upright on my XR1200, although some people would say it isn't a sports bike.

[primalmu]

Bandit 600. Upright seating position, rock solid engine, and they are super cheap compared to other bikes of the same year and size. Great value bike and a good stepping stone to bigger and better things if you wish.

[R1200R]

Originally Posted by joelh

My local BMW Dealer is doing a bunch of test rides this weekend. I'm afraid that if I rider the R1200R, that I am going to want an upgrade.

My advise if you go test drive a R, is keep your checkbook at home.. I intended to test drive as many bikes as I could before I bought mine... I didn't get past Harley and Triumph ....

[Ramsfan87]

I've got the street triple. Perfect bike for me. It is a much more upright seating position than most sporty bikes. And while it does have alot of power, it is also one of the few "advanced" bikes (for lack of a better term) that I would feel comfortable recommending to a newbie. The power comes on in a very managable and linear fashion. I actually feel I would have had an easier time learning on it than I did on my Vstar 650, but I'm glad I waited until I was a decent rider before upgrading.

Beware of test rides though...you may find yourself unable to leave the dealership without a new bike in your possession! Lol.

[R1200R]

Originally Posted by Ramsfan87

I've got the street triple. Perfect bike for me. It is a much more upright seating position than most sporty bikes. And while it does have alot of power, it is also one of the few "advanced" bikes (for lack of a better term) that I would feel comfortable recommending to a newbie. The power comes on in a very managable and linear fashion. I actually feel I would have had an easier time learning on it than I did on my Vstar 650, but I'm glad I waited until I was a decent rider before upgrading.

Beware of test rides though...you may find yourself unable to leave the dealership without a new bike in your possession! Lol.

I rode both the street triple and speed triple and agree, the street version is very manageable and linear... handles great too. I couldn't keep the speed triple on two wheels... dang thing wants to just get up on the back tire!

[Ramsfan87]

Originally Posted by R1200R

I rode both the street triple and speed triple and agree, the street version is very manageable and linear... handles great too. I couldn't keep the speed triple on two wheels... dang thing wants to just get up on the back tire!

Yeah, I hear it's a real torque monster!

[RobMoore]

Ninja 650r or ER6N

[murphyshuman]

the Speed Triple is an awesome machine. My wife rides a Street and loves it, in fact I wanted to buy her a new tiger 800 and she flat out refused to get rid of her Street. I would have a Speed Triple if it weren't that I like to take long trips and there just aren't many options for luggage for a Speed but IF I could afford every bike I want it would definitely be in the top two choices.

[R1200R]

Originally Posted by murphyshuman

the Speed Triple is an awesome machine. My wife rides a Street and loves it, in fact I wanted to buy her a new tiger 800 and she flat out refused to get rid of her Street. I would have a Speed Triple if it weren't that I like to take long trips and there just aren't many options for luggage for a Speed but IF I could afford every bike I want it would definitely be in the top two choices.

in a perfect world, I'd have one of every bike... Jay Leno style.. that would be NICE!

[ralphlong]

Get naked baby!

[LWRider]

Originally Posted by murphyshuman

the Speed Triple is an awesome machine. My wife rides a Street and loves it, in fact I wanted to buy her a new tiger 800 and she flat out refused to get rid of her Street. I would have a Speed Triple if it weren't that I like to take long trips and there just aren't many options for luggage for a Speed but IF I could afford every bike I want it would definitely be in the top two choices.

I looked at a new Tiger XC yesterday at Haps. I need an adventure bike in the stable...

[R1200R]

Originally Posted by LWRider

I looked at a new Tiger XC yesterday at Haps. I need an adventure bike in the stable...

check out the R1200GSA.... for me that's the all around dream bike if I were only 6'2... sigh..

[LWRider]

Originally Posted by R1200R

check out the R1200GSA.... for me that's the all around dream bike if I were only 6'2... sigh..

Another great contender, but I am afraid I could not afford all that top-shelf, neon-colored clothing, and not sure I could pass other bikers in their own lane.


Just Kidding (although a BMW rider did pass me on a blind curve in my own lane once on US 129 in NC wihtout so much as a "How de do". I caught up with him later and he was nice enough to talk with except he thought my CB350 was not a proper bike for up there!) hahahahhaha

Cheers,

Mike, equal opportunity bike lover.

[R1200R]

Originally Posted by LWRider

Another great contender, but I am afraid I could not afford all that top-shelf, neon-colored clothing, and not sure I could pass other bikers in their own lane.

guilty as charged!

Just Kidding (although a BMW rider did pass me on a blind curve in my own lane once on US 129 in NC wihtout so much as a "How de do". I caught up with him later and he was nice enough to talk with except he thought my CB350 was not a proper bike for up there!) hahahahhaha

Cheers,

Mike, equal opportunity bike lover.

I've been good at waving to everyone, even scooters... I've had a few harley guys not reciprocate... read somewhere online (forget where) they're most likely to snub you (no matter what you're riding).. maybe they're overwhelmed by all the noise

[goalie]

HD guys reserve their waves for the non-pretentious. Just a joke!

Seriously, though, I see HD guys waving to everyone. In my personal experience, I've only not been waved to by a couple of guys on sportbikes and a couple on sport-tourers. Even so, that's only a few out of hundreds.

Maybe since there are a gazillion HD's on the road, you only notice that you don't get the return wave from HD's. Also, there are lots of guys whose "waves" are little more than the fingers rising from the grip momentarily.

Then again, it is possible that you have mistaken the attempt of non-HD riders to shield their eyes from the garish neon yellow approaching them for a "wave."
That's why I chose neon orange -- people don't think the sun's in their eyes.

[R1200R]

I'm sure you've all probably seen this....

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature and satellite navigation system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.

Top 10 Reasons Sport bikers Don't Wave:
10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket.
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-Kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. It's too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.

Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Don't Wave Back
10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgment.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod, XM, or talking on the cell phone.
5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!.
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
2. You haven't been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture.

sorry for the hi-jack... back to your regularly scheduled thread..

[murphyshuman]

Originally Posted by LWRider

I looked at a new Tiger XC yesterday at Haps. I need an adventure bike in the stable...

The XC is a great bike Mike! I had the opportunity to do an extended "test" ride on one but now that I've also ridden the Explorer, well let's just say I'm like a man with two girlfriends and can't decide between the two!

[LWRider]

Originally Posted by murphyshuman

The XC is a great bike Mike! I had the opportunity to do an extended "test" ride on one but now that I've also ridden the Explorer, well let's just say I'm like a man with two girlfriends and can't decide between the two!

I hear ya. Haps better be prepared if I ever make enough to rub two coins together; I'll wipe out their inventory! On the other hand maybe it is just as well I don't have the coin, as if I brought the toys back from Hap's I would have to spend any money left on a divorce lawyer. Already been told, "Three bikes is enough!" (Actually my 8 year old daughter told me that.) haha

[hector]

thanks for your responses. I guess next step is to go to dealership and try few of these and make sure I dont get out of dealership with brand new bikes.

By looking at pictures, monster and speed triple look sexy. I will need to decide to go for brands like suzuki, yamaha, honda and kawasaki or go for brands like ducati and triumph.

I friend of mine suggested that after summer is a good time to buy used bike as probability of getting better deal is better after summer ends. Does anyone of you experienced this?

[ken45]

Originally Posted by z9nine

You would want to look at sport touring bikes, they usually sit more upright than sprort bikes, but still not quite like a cruiser.

Some people complain about the weight on the wrists with the FJR1300 (sport touring bike). A S/T is more upright than a true sport bike but still not totally upright.

The OP might look at the Yamaha FZ6r, a pretty nice bike for the test ride I had.

Ken