I'm nearing the end of my second riding season for my CB650F. She's been a wonderful bike, and I still love riding it. I've put more than a few miles on it in my year and a half of riding. I've been down to the Padre' Islands on the Gulf coast, up to the top of Pike's Peak, down to the Florida Keys, up to the Great Lakes, over to the Black Hills, into the desert around Albuquerque, over to the Shenandoah Valley, down the infamous Tail of the Dragon (overrated), and across the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. It has really been one heck of a ride! Except for one very unfortunate deer encounter in Ohio, I have had nothing but good times. I honestly still recommend Honda's 650 class bikes to practically anybody. They are great!
Sadly, I find myself wanting a big more umph from time to time. I've been hitting the rev limiter more often than I'd like lately because I want just a little more out of each gear before shifting. She is still doing great around the twisties and canyons. I just find myself looking for a bit more umph when the road straightens up, or when that interstate onramp is clear and I pretend like my speedo is reading kmh instead of mph. Being a long distance rider, I'd also a bigger fuel tank to not need to refuel every 150ish miles. I do plenty of 500+ mile days. I sure as heck didn't expect that when I got this bike, but here I am doing it.
I hate to say it, but I think I'm just ready to upgrade bikes for next season. I know plenty of you folks have multiple bikes and practically all of you have more experience than me, so I turn to you for suggestions. I'd like something in the 100 to 120ish hp range with a decently flat hp curve. I'd also like something with an easy upright position for those long days. I tested out a couple of 600 class bikes and they aren't my style. I like the top end rush, but hate the anemic bottom end. I'm 235 pounds so I like a bit of low end grunt to push my fat butt around town. They also aren't exactly touring friendly in the rider ergo department. For some reason, I like the idea of a triple cylinder engine, but I haven't had the chance to ride one. Triumph's Street Triple has really caught my eye. I'd like to find one to try out and see how it rides.
I want something comfortable, powerful, good for long rides and the weekend twisty canyon road, and looks good doing it. I guess you could say I'm looking for a Dad bike that doesn't look like a Dad bike. Any suggestions?
Sadly, I find myself wanting a big more umph from time to time. I've been hitting the rev limiter more often than I'd like lately because I want just a little more out of each gear before shifting. She is still doing great around the twisties and canyons. I just find myself looking for a bit more umph when the road straightens up, or when that interstate onramp is clear and I pretend like my speedo is reading kmh instead of mph. Being a long distance rider, I'd also a bigger fuel tank to not need to refuel every 150ish miles. I do plenty of 500+ mile days. I sure as heck didn't expect that when I got this bike, but here I am doing it.
I hate to say it, but I think I'm just ready to upgrade bikes for next season. I know plenty of you folks have multiple bikes and practically all of you have more experience than me, so I turn to you for suggestions. I'd like something in the 100 to 120ish hp range with a decently flat hp curve. I'd also like something with an easy upright position for those long days. I tested out a couple of 600 class bikes and they aren't my style. I like the top end rush, but hate the anemic bottom end. I'm 235 pounds so I like a bit of low end grunt to push my fat butt around town. They also aren't exactly touring friendly in the rider ergo department. For some reason, I like the idea of a triple cylinder engine, but I haven't had the chance to ride one. Triumph's Street Triple has really caught my eye. I'd like to find one to try out and see how it rides.
I want something comfortable, powerful, good for long rides and the weekend twisty canyon road, and looks good doing it. I guess you could say I'm looking for a Dad bike that doesn't look like a Dad bike. Any suggestions?