Comfortable Sportsbike ??

[69beasley]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, but I have a question to ask. What's available in the sportsbike market taht is comfortable?

I've been riding for about 12+ years. Started on a Yamaha XT600 doing trail riding, moved to a Suzuki 750 for the road...but it wasn't quite sporting enough. Ended up with pipes, jet kit, chaging sprokets, etc on the Katana and after a few years eventaully gave up and moved to a GSXR750. Loved the bike, but it hurt my back and wrists on longer rides. Keep it for a little while and then was "talked into" a cruiser. Had a Suzuki Intruder 800. Had it for over 2 years...put about 800 mile son it. Just didn't enjoy riding it. Now I am on a Ducati 750 Monster...comfortable bike but miss the revs on a 4-cylinder sportsbike. Also the Duc has great low end and mid-range...but the brakes aren't quite up to the capability of the bike...and there has been occasion where the handling of the bike pulled me out of a few 'went in a little to hot" situations because the binders were not up to the task.

I'm looking to get back into a sportbike. Although the 1 liter class looks fun, I'm leaning towards a 600cc machine. However I don't want to end up with a repeat of the GSXR situation where it is uncomfortable to ride. I love the look of the CBR600RR with the tucked in exhaust...but it has the seating posistion of a track bike and doesn't look good for the 300 mile weekend trips.

Any advice on a comfortable sportsbike?

[speediva]

Well, since you have experience on larger displacement bikes, I STRONGLY recommend the Honda VFR800 Interceptor. It's a GREAT sporty tourer, but you'd never know about the touring part by looks. (It just saves ya a bit of insurance ) It's a little aggressive in seating, but all together comfortable in the end. That, or if you are hard-bent on the 600 class, consider the F4i. They are VERY comfortable for track days AND 300 mile treks (so I've been told by my buds)

[69beasley]

Thanks for the advice, I'll look at the Interceptor. I am no way locked into the 600cc class. I'm just looking for something more nimble. When it comes to riding I'd rather be doing 50 mph in the twisting backroads than 140+ mph on the freeway or pulling wheelies to look cool so I'm thinking smaller might be better. However I am about 5' 9" and 180 lbs..so a 250cc won't cut it.

[speediva]

You should have no trouble with the Interceptor. Plus, Vtec is fun at 7k+ in the 2002+ model years I'm 5'10" and it's a good fit. I've taken it for some twisty runs and while it is a bit on the heavy side, it likes the twisties so long as you look well through the turns.

[69beasley]

Somewhat unrelated question...My Ducati is actually very comfortable, just doesn't have the brakes and acceleration I really enjoy. Top end is fine since it a street driven bike.

Instead of looking for a sportsbike, should I be looking at modifications to my Duc to put better brakes and some aftermarket performance upgrades...or will it never get to where I want to go. I quick bike to toss around the twisties.

[EGcivicSi]

Yeah interceptor is an under-rated bike. That bike is fukin sweet and so different. If you have the doe for one go for it.

[EGcivicSi]

69Beasily yeah you can do a lot to improve all of that stuff but look at putting down some money. The aftermarket for brakes is very small and theres hardly any companies that make aftermarket big POT kits or anything like that. But if you got the doe which im sure not many people do for brakes but get the brembos. Brembos are the shit in a car or bike. Stopping power on the aprilia rsv 1000 is amazing and of course comes with the bike for an additional cost. But the power of a vtwin will just never have to power of a I4. Also not sure if your confused but ducatis have really nice pull in the low end, its the top end where they cant keep up. So you either like them or you dont.

[Kennedy200]

As far as riding positions, the CBR's seem to have a more upright riding position. The down side is that the stock seats as a soft as a pine board. The other plus with a Honda is the reliability. It is a Honda afterall.

[Lionsbane]

I just bought a 2001 ninja zx-6e. the seat is more upright than the zx-6r (which my friend has) I went on a 4 hour ride on sun and i was fine. it is a comfy bike and has good speed.