Next bike recommendations?

[Tuchango]

Stuff I’m thinking about. What are ya’lls thoughts?

-NT700 is the only bike I’ve owned, and I’d sell it to buy the next bike
-I commute 300 days a year on it.
-I don’t mind the interstate, and I’m ok doing long day trips to wherever.
-Harley Mx network is most available in my area, and I’m tired my dealing with plastic and looking for “metric” mechanics (Kansas).
-I like leaning into corners and going fast
-I’m 5’5’’, short dude.
-show room best fits, or what felt best: triumph tiger 800 with lowering kit, road king, lower rider s, heritage classic, and Triumph Trophy, Yamaha tracer 9 fit ok.
-prefer mid foot controls.

Thanks in advance, let the melee begin.

 

[RedBird]

Personally, I'd go with a Triumph. I had a 900cc or so Triumph Scrambler a while back and it was good bike. A lighter weight (relatively) bike in the Harley lineup would also work, since the seat height likely would be more accommodating for us inseam challenged riders. If you are buying used the condition of the machine also comes into the decision.

What is the availability of the Royal Enfield dealers in Topeka? KCMO has a dealership but I don't know about Topeka. If there is one you could check them out too.

 

[Woodaddict]

if you want to stick with the NT badge, NT1100 is coming in May sometime. This is my first choice since my NT700 accident March7th. Has decent front fairing, a little splash guard down below, side cases- not integral. Yes a chain, DCT, not sure if you can get manual foot shifter and skip DCT. Its the same engine as the African Twin

 

[NewTo700V]

Indian Scout of whatever variety Bobber etc..
Mid controls conversion available directly from Indian and 3rd party brands.

 

[mikesim]

The following is not what I suggest YOU buy, it is what I would buy if I had your requirements:

Triumph Tiger low (good choice)
Harley-Davidson (leaning into turns and going fast and HD =oxymoron, better dealer network, you will likely need them)
Yamaha Tracer 9 (good choice, but when I sat on one, it was a bit high for me, the tail end was hard to kick my leg over)
Suzuki V-Strom (I'm pleased with my 650 Wee and can be lowered)
Honda NT1100 (haven't seen one but Honda is hard to beat)

I have to admire Japanese reliability and attention to detail. The new Triumph's are nearly if not equal to the Japanese bikes but the dealer network is not as strong. The HD's even though they are much better than they used to be are not on my list of bikes to buy. Too many downsides. I haven't mentioned BMW's, and I admire them greatly but they are pricey to buy and pricey to fix and the dealer network isn't as strong. If I was younger, I'd buy one to scratch an itch but not at this point.

Good luck with whatever you buy. There really are some good choices out there now that we didn't have just a few years ago.

Mike

 

[NewTo700V]

I have to admire Japanese reliability and attention to detail.

I've never factored in distance to the closest Honda dealer in consideration of buying one. I'm not a trained motorcycle mechanic, but I can handle pretty much anything with consumer hand tools, a service manual, and YouTube. Barring a catastrophic engine failure under a warranty on a newer bike, I don't know what needing to be near a dealer would do for me.

I buy used Hondas anticipating just oil changes and feeding it tires.

 

[Frosty]

I like my Tiger 900GT LHR (low suspension). I had the seat modified to lower my seating as well. LHR model does not come with a center stand. I ordered one and installed it myself. It does take some effort to get it on the center stand.

 

[basketcase]

You didn't say how long your commute is each day, but I'll go head and suggest the Kaw Versys x300, or the new (i.e., 2025) Royal Enfield 450 Himalayan.

The adventure style bikes offer loads of versatility for making it your own, including larger luggage options, multiple windshield options, and other nice tweaks. And both of those mentioned are rock solid reliable.

Just a thought.

 

[Reniram]

Very happy with my little Honda cb500X lightweight (kinda) and troublefree, but I have an itch for the new Triumph 660 Tiger and keep telling myself to get over it but damn with decent weather protection and saddlebags it sure is tempting...sad to say but health and father time have caught up to me so I will keep on dreaming...

 

[Tuchango]

I like my Tiger 900GT LHR (low suspension). I had the seat modified to lower my seating as well. LHR model does not come with a center stand. I ordered one and installed it myself. It does take some effort to get it on the center stand.

View attachment 22679

View attachment 22680

Really good looking bike.

You didn't say how long your commute is each day, but I'll go head and suggest the Kaw Versys x300, or the new (i.e., 2025) Royal Enfield 450 Himalayan.

The adventure style bikes offer loads of versatility for making it your own, including larger luggage options, multiple windshield options, and other nice tweaks. And both of those mentioned are rock solid reliable.

Just a thought.

I like the x300, my concern is that at the moment, I won’t find the power satisfying. Maybe I can give one a test ride

I've never factored in distance to the closest Honda dealer in consideration of buying one. I'm not a trained motorcycle mechanic, but I can handle pretty much anything with consumer hand tools, a service manual, and YouTube. Barring a catastrophic engine failure under a warranty on a newer bike, I don't know what needing to be near a dealer would do for me.

I buy used Hondas anticipating just oil changes and feeding it tires.

I don't mind wrenching, but I have limited time due to family obligations, so I'll wrench to a point, then take it to the shop.

Very happy with my little Honda cb500X lightweight (kinda) and troublefree, but I have an itch for the new Triumph 660 Tiger and keep telling myself to get over it but damn with decent weather protection and saddlebags it sure is tempting...sad to say but health and father time have caught up to me so I will keep on dreaming...

I like that one! Haven't seen it before!

Indian Scout of whatever variety Bobber etc..
Mid controls conversion available directly from Indian and 3rd party brands.

I do fit well on these.

 

[NewTo700V]

I do fit well on these.

Then I'd say that's a serious contender. Overall comfort is my first bike shopping requirement these days. With 40 more ponies on tap, a Scout should feel like a rocket ship compared to the NT. Stick with the main Scout line (not the Sixty) you're looking at 100hp+. Newer year 1250cc engine makes 111hp, while 2016-ish era 1133cc makes 100hp. Models near the 10 year old mark can be had for under $7K.

A Scout is one of the nicest looking bikes on the road. Sounds sick with a good set of pipes. So much more aftermarket support than the NT ever had, you can deck out a Scout to make it your own from looks to endless ergonomic tweaks. Luggage options galore, tons of fairings and windshields from the likes of Memphis Shades etc.

I'm a big fan of cruisers that move. I don't have the NT anymore, I'm commuting on a VTX1800. At 5'9" it's incredibly comfortable. Is quite the hefty machine though, but I'm able to handle the 800 lbs and they can be had cheap. Other cruisers I've been eyeballing have been things like Triumph Thunderbird Storms, 2014 Valkyrie, and Moto Guzzi California 1400's. If I were to look at 'Murican stuff it would be Indian first. Used Scouts are the price range I like and the liquid cooled performance is what I'd want. If funds weren't a concern, the Challenger Dark Horse with 120ft-lbs and equal hp...

 

[seagrass]

Another vote for a Vstrom 650, you will need the lowering kit for your height.

This is a good all round bike with comfortable riding position, good mileage, plenty of power and six speed gearbox. It is also lighter than the NT700 and feels lighter too.

Seagrass

 

[Chucksklrst]

V-Strom 650 or the V-Strom 800. Also the Versys 650 would be a good fit. Of course these are all chain drive. Going to be hard to find a Shaft drive anymore unless one goes with the BMW RT series. I will be looking strongly at the new NT1100 for down sizing from my 11 year old FJR and maybe my Versys 1000 SE. Going to keep the V-Strom 650 that I have. Decisions Decisions.

 

[Tuchango]

The Stroms had my attention too. The nearest Suzuki dealership is over an hour away I think, but I can make the trip.

I really like the FJR!. They look like land missiles, or speed sleds, and who doesn’t appreciate a rocket ship they could probably get me to Denver on I 70 comfortably at Mach. Sweet.

 

[Chucksklrst]

The Stroms had my attention too. The nearest Suzuki dealership is over an hour away I think, but I can make the trip.

I really like the FJR!. They look like land missiles, or speed sleds, and who doesn’t appreciate a rocket ship they could probably get me to Denver on I 70 comfortably at Mach. Sweet.

Yes I have made that run thru Kansas and Eastern Colorado many time to Hutchinson KS to Roy's BBQ on the FJR. Only thing was that Damn Kansas wind. The FJR is a bit heavy compared to the NT