06-02-2020, 01:57 AM
VFR800: Unless it's the previous-generation 1998-2001 model, stay away. The 2002 model saw the introduction of, well, the ruination of perhaps the greatest all-around motorcycle of all time. What Honda committed with its destruction of the VFR is on par with what Suzuki did with the SV650 when they changed it to the Gladius. At least Suzuki had the good sense to admit their error and correct it. Honda never did.
By the way, any version of the VFR is a lot faster than your CB. The VFR is a 150-mph motorcycle. Its top end will annihilate the CB.
FJ-09 Tracer: There is a good reason that bike so often turns up with very low miles in the used-bike classifieds. As mickey stated, it seems great on paper. An FZ-09 set up for touring, at that price? Sign me up!
Yeah, sure...until you take it on your first freeway slog, and never want to ride it again. A touring bike that sucks at basic mile-gobbling is not a good thing. Way too much noisy, headache-inducing wind buffeting, and the throttle response is nowhere near as good as its XSR900 sibling's. Also, it's very tall and unwieldy.
You would be much better off with its direct rival from Kawasaki, the Versys 1000, or even the Versys 650.
Tiger 800XC: For your purposes, skip the dirt-oriented XC model. Get the standard, street-oriented version. As long as it isn't too tall for you, its only potential issue is, again, noisy wind buffeting, but it's nowhere near as bad as the Tracer's. Also, even though it has sufficient power, that's all it is: sufficient. Lastly, the hard bags are expensive and flimsy. They're fine for commuting use, but the mounts break right off with any sustained dirt use.
V-Strom 1000: Bingo. That's your best option, as long as you can get past its gawdawful aesthetics. Then again, who cares? Commuters and long-distance types tend to be Function First riders, not style queens. The only other downside to the V-Strom 1000 is its height. Again, if it's not too tall for you, you're golden. Like the Versys, you might also consider the 1000's far more popular baby brother, the "Wee Strom," aka the V-Strom 650.
By the way, any version of the VFR is a lot faster than your CB. The VFR is a 150-mph motorcycle. Its top end will annihilate the CB.
FJ-09 Tracer: There is a good reason that bike so often turns up with very low miles in the used-bike classifieds. As mickey stated, it seems great on paper. An FZ-09 set up for touring, at that price? Sign me up!
Yeah, sure...until you take it on your first freeway slog, and never want to ride it again. A touring bike that sucks at basic mile-gobbling is not a good thing. Way too much noisy, headache-inducing wind buffeting, and the throttle response is nowhere near as good as its XSR900 sibling's. Also, it's very tall and unwieldy.
You would be much better off with its direct rival from Kawasaki, the Versys 1000, or even the Versys 650.
Tiger 800XC: For your purposes, skip the dirt-oriented XC model. Get the standard, street-oriented version. As long as it isn't too tall for you, its only potential issue is, again, noisy wind buffeting, but it's nowhere near as bad as the Tracer's. Also, even though it has sufficient power, that's all it is: sufficient. Lastly, the hard bags are expensive and flimsy. They're fine for commuting use, but the mounts break right off with any sustained dirt use.
V-Strom 1000: Bingo. That's your best option, as long as you can get past its gawdawful aesthetics. Then again, who cares? Commuters and long-distance types tend to be Function First riders, not style queens. The only other downside to the V-Strom 1000 is its height. Again, if it's not too tall for you, you're golden. Like the Versys, you might also consider the 1000's far more popular baby brother, the "Wee Strom," aka the V-Strom 650.