Best bang for the buck in motorcycles...whatch think?

[mentalfloss]

My wife says I am a slut.....I am faithful in my marriage of 28 years she has never questioned that. She calls me a slut because I am always looking for my next motorcycle....lusti ng openly for something only two wheels and a motor can take care of....
SO... I have been buying motorcycles that are underpriced compared to what is in that class.

What do you think the best deals are on specific models of bikes?

MOTO GUZZI
Quota- I am kicking myself for missing on a nice quota this summer less than 120 miles away for about $2,500 with bags!!!! Dang! A lot of bike for the money. I want another one and will buy one.

2009 Stelvio- I know of a 2009 stelvio with a stucchi  aux tank and other goodies for sale for $6,000.....man that is a well sorted bike with lots of farkels for what a R1100gs brings!
When they get above $7,000 or so they lose some of the BANG.

Various Californias- you can get a real nice cali for under $3,000

BUELL
The ulysses is a steal right now- a 2006 can be had for as low as$2,250 on e bay in a buy it now last week. The 2006 has some things that need to be addressed but I see 2006 Ulysses going in the $3,000 TO $3,500
2007- 2009 For a little bit more....anyway you can get a smokin bike for under $5,000 with the Uly.
All buells seem to be a real value right now. Get that dream bike ...the Buell BLAST NOW while you can.

KAWASAKI
I bought a 1999 concours last spring for under $2,000 and it is sweet. A lot of bike for the money. Coast to coast like butter and toast. I do not really like a sport tourer as my first choice but I have put over 10k miles on this mile muncher this year.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BEST DEALS ON SPECIFIC MODELS?

[mach1mustang351]

I gotta believe my "left over" 2014 Stelvio is the best bang for the buck bike.  Love it!!! All the ones you mentioned fit into that.  Unfortunately there arent a lot of deals up here in Alaska.  I guess I gotta start shipping bikes but here 

[oldbike54]

 It might be kinda odd looking , but the Yamaha FZ07 at $7k seems to be a whole lotta MC for the money . But , the Tonti frame Californias and the derivatives are a real bargain and make tremendous riders .

  Dusty

[flip]

Next month will be 27 years of marriage with my wife. She recently laughed at me because will were driving somewhere and apparently I didn't seem to notice several young ladies but my head was swiveling every time we met a motorcycle.

There are 2 older bikes that I really want that seem to be screaming deals lately: a Quota and a hydro engined Guzzi. I'm not a cruiser guy so it's just the engine on tje hydro that really appeals to me. Actually, if I could get a hydro engine in a Quota...

On new bikes, I've seen great deals on Aprilia Manas and Shivers. Used Shivers and Manas can be found at great deals too. That's why I now have an '08 Shiver.

I've noticed that the older style Ninja 250s are going for under $2000 these days. I've also been watching Suzuki SVs. I've been seeing some 1000s lately for around $4000. They are sometimes less than the comparable SV650s. That's a lot of bike for the money!

[kirkemon]

Let me get this right, you can stay with one woman but not one motorcycle?
Gee, I have a couple motors I bought 30 years ago. I've had them longer than my wife. Where's your loyalty? 

[WitchCityGuzzi]

I got my left over 2009 Stelvio that was set up like a current NTX (crash bars, bags, lights, etc)for 12,500. I considered it then, and still do now, to be an awesome bang for the buck deal. Considering what other ADV bikes are going for with nothing on them, and not having that lovely motor.....

[Triple Jim]

I've noticed that the older style Ninja 250s are going for under $2000 these days.

They sure are.  As I recently posted, I bought a 2005 Ninja 250 for $1,100 a few weeks ago, so my daughter would have something she could get some riding experience on.  I quickly found out that I love it.  It does everything I've asked it to do, and done it well.  At the last gas station fill-up, I calculated 71 mpg, giving it a 300 mile range before reserve.  I thought it would be underpowered and buzzy, but it is neither.  I can't even hear the engine over the wind noise at 60 mph.  And I was surprised to find that the seating position is quite upright and comfortable, unlike many bigger sport bikes.

[jas67]

My wife says I am a slut.....I am faithful in my marriage of 28 years she has never questioned that. She calls me a slut because I am always looking for my next motorcycle....lusti ng openly for something only two wheels and a motor can take care of....

I don't see a problem 

[Guzzistajohn]

Plenty of Tiger's on the market '03 to '07 models from $2200.00 to 4K.

[mentalfloss]

Plenty of Tiger's on the market '03 to '07 models from $2200.00 to 4K.

YES i ment to post that.... Tigers both Steamers and Girlies are a real deal. I would totally do one! I mean own one....

[canuguzzi]

Honda ST1100. A competent motorcycle is there ever was one. A 100+ mph sofa. You even think about not making it to your destination trouble free.

Triumph Trophy 1200 96-2003. Uber fast, super strong motor and runs forever. The bike reeks personality. Sounds like a diesel tractor at idle but when it runs...

Yamaha Fazer 700. The ultimate middle weight hooligan.

Aprilia Future, a here to there in style bike.

All of them reasonably priced, reliable, top class performance and for the money it takes to get them, very little that comes close to being as good.

[LowRyter]

good used Suzuki Bandit

[oldbike54]

good used Suzuki Bandit

  :1: And the older pre-Vtec VFRers .

  Dusty

[canuguzzi]

good used Suzuki Bandit

 :1:

Now you're talking.

[jagwillie]

I would recommend a good used 05 blue Bandit with 18K miles on it and as luck would have it, I have one in stock.
Bill Bassett

[Steph]

If you liked the Quota type, what about a Yamaha TDM? You

[fotoguzzi]

your quite right about the Buells.. their value has tanked below a Guzzi.. and wow what a machine it is!

[flip]

If you liked the Quota type, what about a Yamaha TDM? You

The TDM hasn't made it to the USA in a long time. It looks like it would be a nice all around bike.

[rdbandkab]

aprilia Caponord 1200.

ABS, ADD aprilia's semi-active suspension, ATC traction control, 3 mode settings for road conditions, (and probably lots of 3 letter acronyms!)
Under $11k in some places.

We've done over 8000 miles on ours since July.   

*saw a few Guzzi's on our way down to Big Stone Gap last weekend.   Looked like a Griso was one of them.  Just can't remember where!!!  119 out of Charlestown, WV to 23 in KY to Big Stone Gap, VA.

[wymple]

Brand new left over Yamaha Warriors would be my bet. 1900cc's & not a damn thing wrong with them. They just aren't selling well.

[jas67]

  :1: And the older pre-Vtec VFRers .

  Dusty

I had two of them, as 750, and an 800 (1998-2001, fuel injected, no v-tec).    Both were great bikes.    The only think I didn't like was the chain, hence my current BMW F800GT (belt).

[Chuck in Indiana]

the Buell BLAST

Uhhh, no. 

[jim_W]

I have to agree with  Norge Pilot, old ST1100 Honda's have got to be among the most reliable bikes on the road. I have a 2001 with well over 200,000 miles and it works just as it did when new.  I know several people who have owned them and no problems ever.  Even low mile examples are cheep now.

[mentalfloss]

The first caponard (2002?) is a bang for your buck candidate...I see them for the $3,000 range and that seems like a LOT of bike for the money.

[dxhall]

Buell Blast?  I thought I read somewhere that those were the worst motorcycle in the history of mechanized travel.

[canuck750]

Best Bang for the Buck - Sport Touring mile muncher - Kawasaki Concourse 1000, I had a 1996 for 8 years, fantastic zero problem bike, I traded it in for a 1 year old 2004 BMW R1150RT, the Kawasaki in my opinion was a much better bike then the BMW. I still own the Beemer just because I have never thought I could get my money back selling it. It had a few issues some of them very costly like a new ABS pump.

Second best all around bike, Kawasaki KLR 650, have bought four of them, replaced my worn out 2005 with a new one this summer and found a 2008 and a 2012 for my sons. A true Swiss army knife of motorcycles, if I could only own one bike it would be the KLR, IMHO its the best all around, do it all and CHEAP trouble free bike out there.

Most smiles for the miles, my 1972 Eldorado.

Most enjoyable to look at, 1973 V7 Sport.

[Travman]

Ambassador. Classic full fender good looks. Exotic Italian that is as easy to work on as a Chevy small-block. Parts availablity.  A classic that can be used as an everyday bike. Still undervalued.

[mentalfloss]

Buell Blast?  I thought I read somewhere that those were the worst motorcycle in the history of mechanized travel.

I was just kidding about the blast.....the blast is not a bang for your buck it is not a blast to ride  either! I rode one one time and was not impressed but I do see them for 500 bucks!

[oldbike54]

Buell Blast?  I thought I read somewhere that those were the worst motorcycle in the history of mechanized travel.

 Nope , that would have been either the BSA Beagle , or the Lilac/Marusho variants 

  Dusty

[dxhall]

BSA Beagle?  I remember my dad's advice when I left home those many years ago:  "Son, never buy a bike named after a dog that slobbers."  I've always followed his advice ...