MT07 wouldn’t be on the list, as it’s not going to offer any more wind protection or comfort than my current bikes. Interestingly, took a long hike through LA last night and MT07s with large insulated boxes on the back are very popular for food delivery.
I have a list of considerations for each of these bikes, and a list of contenders I’m planning to look at. And, I appreciate all of the input here!
Cruised by the multi-brand dealer near the office on my way out yesterday to see what they had.
Sat on a new leftover V-Strom 650 that was on clearance, but with the added fees would be more than I'd want to spend.
Wow, a very purposeful bike. Nothing really there for aesthetics. I'm currently listening to a podcast about the lunar landing, and the description of the lunar lander being it was as stripped down as possible, with only the essentials tacked on to it. The V-Strom reminded me of that. Not pretty, nothing there that it didn't need, just purposeful.
And not updated in the least. I've been chasing a potential 2018 model, and the 2024 is no different. It was sitting next to a new V-Strom 800, which I'm still considering, though I'm not wanting to pay dealer prices.
No Versys 650 on the showroom floor. They did, however, have a Ninja 7 Hybrid, marked down from $12.5k to $5k. Apparently it didn't sell very well...
10-16-2025, 01:25 PM (This post was last modified: 10-16-2025, 01:28 PM by peterbaron.)
(10-16-2025, 12:13 PM)Gone in 60 Wrote: ................. They did, however, have a Ninja 7 Hybrid, marked down from $12.5k to $5k. Apparently it didn't sell very well...
Wait till X-mas and the price will drop again..., but then you'll will be stuck with this Hybrid forever
"Drop a gear and disappear"® '24 Kawi Z650RS - Hooligan® '14 CB1100 DLX, s/n 170, 38K kms - FOX®
'14 CB1100/ABS, 134K kms - sold
'13 CB1100/c-ABS - 56K kms - sold
*Grand Chancellor*
10-16-2025, 01:40 PM (This post was last modified: 10-16-2025, 02:06 PM by Gone in 60.)
The dealer also has a Kawasaki Ninja E1 Electric, also at a steep discount. Not sure I knew they actually made that. In any case, I'd never seen either the hybrid or the electric, and looks like neither went over very well.
10-18-2025, 10:29 PM (This post was last modified: 10-18-2025, 10:30 PM by Gone in 60.)
Rode the Enfield to work at the museum this morning. My phone was buzzing away in my pocket during my tour. Afterwards I took a look.
Text from the multi-brand dealership in my area reminding me that today was Suzuki Demo Day.
Ooh.. just enough time to make it if I made a sprint for it. Got there in time to take a V-Strom 800 for a jaunt. The ride was guided, and included street riding, a fast section of freeway and a winding canyon back. A little of everything.
To say I enjoyed it is an understatement. Comfortable and smooth. Not the most attractive machine…
Gone, how was the wind protection? Could you feel the heat from the engine? Not that I'll be riding one anytime soon, but curious. Thanks.
There's a difference in riding a naked bike and riding a bike naked.
Won't make that mistake again.
2013 Honda CB1100 Standard. Gone, but not forgotten.