New 20 ounce tumblers available now! Forum donation credit with purchase. https://www.wildguzzi.com/Products/products.htm#Tumbler
I’m kind of surprised that there are not more recommendations for the small block Guzzies as there are several members here who own them and really like them?
He's already had one. I think many of us assume he already knows.
I looked for a super light, still powerful, not uncomfortable, fun bike to ride ... ended up with a 2018 KTM 690 Duke.73 HP (at the crank)327 lbs (dry) And for some reason, pretty decent seat-to-peg distance (knees not bent up much). The 2016-2018 models have the dual counter balancer motor which is surprising smooth.Feels like another species of motorcycle.
I approve this message.
Hi Kev. First thing you gotta ask yourself is, how fast you need to go. If you can be satisfied at 60 , 65 mph, you can get an XT250, and get a super almost unstoppable trail bike you can tow to the hills and still have a ball. Or get a RE Meteor 350, and get great mpg and comfort, even two up.. Either can be had brand new for about 5500 bucks. Too early to tell about the Enfield, but the XT has super resale value if you decide to get a bigger sled later. Watch YouTube channel Ok Man Robin for insight about the RE.
some where on this forum, there is a guy named Shorty who owns a Suzuki DR 650. I think that answers the OP question quite well. Set the rear shock lower bolt in the lower hole. Slide the forks up in the triple clamp 1.5". Bolt on the shorter side stand.Works great for my 30" inseam.As Bad Chad and MMRanch have pointed out, the Suzuki Savage/Boulevard S40 is an extremely underrated motorcycle. Often available amazingly cheaply used with low miles. I'm assuming because a lot of riders have never tried one out.
Yes I have a DR650. The bike is still too tall set at the lowest factory settings with my 30 inch inseam. I have a set of Soupy's lowering links for it.I will still need to shorten the short factory kickstand to make it all work . Might also need a custom shock built as well. Kev mentioned a 30 inch leg so I didn't mention the DR. Great bike, however.
From an old, busted up Construction Worker with many decades in the trades I've found the bike I all to often go to is my.
When I reached 80 (years, not pounds) in 2016, I sold both my Stone Touring models as I knew I was beyond my ability to manage them safely, given I was 134#. My DR-650 had the lowering modifications and a Sargent's low seat and was manageable, but I did not like the feel of the engine. Not at all like my British big singles of 50 years prior. I replaced the DR with a new 2017 Honda CB-500 which had a 31" seat height and a wet weight of 414#. It is very well made, very thrifty on fuel (never below 70 mpg) but was horribly uncomfortable and still a bit tall for my 31" inseam. I decided to do what was necessary to make it a really adequate bike for what I (crossing my fingers) refer to as "the long haul". I had Wilbers in Germany make a shock set up to my meagre weight. A pair of "Vector" lowering links dropped the seat to just under 30" and when I perch on the Russell seat (best in the business; worth every penny) the seat drops another 1/2". 2" taller bars, a 2T larger countershaft sprocket and I have a "keeper". I have absolute comfort and confidence on the Honda.I did succumb to a new '21 Royal Enfield "Interceptor 650" with 20mm shorter shocks and it's still a bit taller than I like. I dropped 30# from its OEM wet weight of about 472 so it's just over 440# wet, now. It also has a Russell seat. What it and the Honda did not have and will never have is the Guzzi charisma and provenance and, yes, Luap's wonderful WGC forum.I got adventurous Last Spring and bought the ex-John Hemenway 2004 Breva 750 and I admit I'm a bit wary of it for its greater weight than the Enfield, lower and more narrow bars. But, so far, I have not had a "happening" with it. I'm fine as long as I'm moving over 5 mph on it, but at traffic stops I admit to being a bit anxious, afraid I'll drop it. But, I'm still a Guzzisti and figure I have another year or two of ability to ride the Breva 750. Maybe another year beyond that on the Enfield.The Honda CB-500 as modified likely will be my last ride, but if I'm still physically fit (or around at all) I can see going to a small scooter.You may have to change the playing field a bit, but if you're still on two wheels, live with it and enjoy it.
How about a Kawasaki Vulcan 650, you won't find much smaller than that.Suzuki Savage, Boulevard, S40 or whatever they call it nowadays a 650 thumper that's been around since 1984I think its currently called the Suzuki Boulevard S40
I've always wanted to take a Savage and add a Ryca kit.
I've owned a couple of the MG V7. Light bike and handles well, but the seat is a bit high for me. Normally not an issue.One that I've been looking at is a Versys 300 - or maybe a KLX300. Both are a bit tall, but easily lowered.The Versys is a bit more pavement worthy, and rider friendly, plus has a decent seat.