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How about a Bandit?
[url=http://www.cycletrader.com/search-results?type=Motorcycle|356953&make=Suzuki|2320128&model=Bandit&radius=250&zip=20175&modelkeyword=1&sort=geo_distance%3Aasc&]http://www.cycletrader.com/search-result...nce%3Aasc&
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Yeah, viable option. I'm sort of superstitious on Suzukis. First bike I tried to buy was a GXR750 project, ended up having to go to VA State Police and get my money back from a guy who had a bike with no title, long story. Second try I had a Vstrom 1000 for a bit, then got fired/laid off. I know they're good bikes, I just haven't had good luck dealing with them hahaha, as silly as it may sound.
I've debated a Concours or FJR.
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(10-30-2015, 12:00 AM)MrGood_imp Wrote: I understand and you have a valid point, I'm just looking for insight and suggestions based on folks' experience. I think the Kawi ZRX11/1200s are a good platform but they're carb'd, and I'd rather not go there. Those bikes themselves are a throwback replica to the Eddie Lawson bike of the 70s.
I owned, and now miss, a ZRX1200R. Handling was wonky, the CB has it beat there. But that motor. If that's your benchmark, you'll miss the power and delivery of it with the CB. CB is better built and finished.
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Yeah, my 99' 1100 Zrex would scream, and not even breach 5k rpm@120. It was un-necessary really, one reason I sold it. Just out for a different purpose now and have some physical issues going on that made me think of the comfort and riding position that was good too. The CB is still what I want if I can manage to pull it off.
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(10-30-2015, 12:10 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Capo, first off I agree with you, but I was comparing things that can be measured, not the immeasurable, which cannot be compared.
How do you measure soul? I've never had a bike that I consider had "soul". I've had Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, Kawasakis, Triumph, BSA, Harley Davidsons and an Aermachhi. 31 street bikes all together I think. And what I didn't own I sold/ rode in my 17 years in the industry..including Moto Guzzi's, Nortons and Ducatis, and I have ridden quite a few BMWs and a KTM or two as well.
Same goes with character. i've never had a bike I considered had "character". They have either been great bikes, good bikes, not so good bikes, and crummy bikes. Generally speaking the ones I owned that most people considered having soul and character ( Harleys, BSA, Aermacchi etc) were " for me", the crummy bikes. A bike that has electrical problems or has a persistant oil leak, or vibrates parts until they break says " character" to some, but to me says " crummy". My son's Ducati for example. A lot of people would say the Ducati has soul or character compared to my Honda. Since his bike has been in the shop for all of those problems plus a locked up transmission all in under 8,000 miles, whereas in 24,000 miles my CBs have required nothing but oil changes and tires. I would consider his Ducati crummy, and my CBs great. I do not consider working on bikes between rides to keep them running character. Or one that leaves puddles of oil on my garage floor as having soul. Some guys like to fiddle, I like to ride. BTW I once had a guy tell me that a bike had character if you took it out for a ride and you weren't sure it would bring you back home.
Hard to say how someone will connect with a motorcycle on a " feelings", appearance, or comfort level so when someone asks for a comparison I can't say that this motorcycle is good looking, or comfortable, or that motorcycle has soul or character, I can only give measurable responses. HP, torque, weight, gas capacity, gears in transmission, drive system, price new or used.. The spec sheets as you would call them.
I too would absolutely recommend trying the bikes out if they can before buying.
Soul is not measurable and character often means flaws. But Marvin Gaye had something that Rick Astley did not. Rick Astley did sell a lot of records, though. Sophia Loren has a crooked nose. And from what I've heard (second hand, of course) Sophia Vergara is occasionally temperamental. Measurements aside, to some, they are probably worth the flaws!
All kidding aside, my strong sense is that bikes do move something inside the owner / rider that is not captured in numbers or Consumer Reports ratings. And if you are moved more, in an intangible but real way, by a certain bike over another, that's the one you want. As long as it's not a Harley. ( I kid, I kid!)
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[url=http://www.cycletrader.com/dealers/Manassas-Honda-Kawasaki-Suzuki-782410/listing/2013-Honda-CB1100-116024070]HERE is your bike.
You're welcome.
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Hahahhaa yup, I was just plotting tomorrow morning! I've actually been overlooking a Yamaha Bolt too, roadtrip!
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Capo, well put 
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As a present owner of both Bonneville and CB1100, I've got to wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Ferret here. Yes, I love the Bonnie, but it pales in comparison with the CB. And I mean that in relation to power, finish, detail, ride quality...the list goes on and on. Some motorcycle qualities are definitely subjective, but as someone with 3 years seat time in a new Bonnie, and going on 2 years on a new CB, I think I can make a reasonably acceptable overall judgement here in many aspects of both bikes, and that would be overwhelmingly in the CB's favor. Yes, the Bonnie also has a very passionate owner group - and, in my opinion, for good reason; it's a fun bike to ride and work on, and it hits all the right warm, fuzzy "nostalgia" buttons - but the CB is just a better quality and better all-around bike.
To drive that point home, that's why my Bonneville is up for sale as we speak, and the CB1100 is not...
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(10-30-2015, 12:10 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Capo, first off I agree with you, but I was comparing things that can be measured, not the immeasurable, which cannot be compared.
How do you measure soul? I've never had a bike that I consider had "soul". I've had Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, Kawasakis, Triumph, BSA, Harley Davidsons and an Aermachhi. 31 street bikes all together I think. And what I didn't own I sold/ rode in my 17 years in the industry..including Moto Guzzi's, Nortons and Ducatis, and I have ridden quite a few BMWs and a KTM or two as well.
Same goes with character. i've never had a bike I considered had "character". They have either been great bikes, good bikes, not so good bikes, and crummy bikes. Generally speaking the ones I owned that most people considered having soul and character ( Harleys, BSA, Aermacchi etc) were " for me", the crummy bikes. A bike that has electrical problems or has a persistant oil leak, or vibrates parts until they break says " character" to some, but to me says " crummy". My son's Ducati for example. A lot of people would say the Ducati has soul or character compared to my Honda. Since his bike has been in the shop for all of those problems plus a locked up transmission all in under 8,000 miles, whereas in 24,000 miles my CBs have required nothing but oil changes and tires. I would consider his Ducati crummy, and my CBs great. I do not consider working on bikes between rides to keep them running character. Or one that leaves puddles of oil on my garage floor as having soul. Some guys like to fiddle, I like to ride. BTW I once had a guy tell me that a bike had character if you took it out for a ride and you weren't sure it would bring you back home.
Hard to say how someone will connect with a motorcycle on a " feelings", appearance, or comfort level so when someone asks for a comparison I can't say that this motorcycle is good looking, or comfortable, or that motorcycle has soul or character, I can only give measurable responses. HP, torque, weight, gas capacity, gears in transmission, drive system, price new or used.. The spec sheets as you would call them.
I too would absolutely recommend trying the bikes out if they can before buying.
Character: Latin for bad engineering.
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