I love my 250 but I want a tiny bit more and Guzzi is in the running....

[agdrache]

Interesting. The guy at the dealer where I test rode the Racer and sat on the Special and Stone told me that it was throttle by wire, so I just took that as fact, it made sense to me since I can't see how traction control would work without it. If it's mechanical, that makes it more appealing.

[agdrache]

It occurred to me as I watched you paint yourself into a smaller and smaller corner that you're a perfect customer for a big scooter! No worries about an exposed exhaust system to maintain in your awful winters, fuel injection, fine ABS brakes and perhaps a tach even though there's really no use for one because the thing just finds the right gear for you. Super popular with year 'round riders in Europe, lots of storage space under the seat, and you won't be parking some iconic Italian thoroughbred outside all year. A nice 400 Yamaha would be sweet...and it'd do everything you'd like...and you could get both feet on the ground, I'll bet. Ideal for a practical young man like your worthy self, sir.

Nope, not interested in scooters as an only bike at all. Aesthetics matter a lot to me and a scooter doesn't fit, especially with bigger displacements.

[Blaufeld66]

The V7 has throttle by cable. You can even order the spare part.

[JohninVT]

The answer is yes.  A V7 would be an excellent commuter. 

[drw916]

I have a SR400 for sale, but I'm clear across the country in Spokane, Wa.  It is a great little bike that I have used for commuting over the last year.  15 miles back road and 10 miles Freeway each way.  Don't worry about the kick start.  It is very, very easy.  I actually enjoy it more than electric.
Makes me feel like I'm actually involved in the process.  Unbeatable in town, and marginally acceptable on the freeway.  Top speed is the only issue.  It is working over 70mph.

[Tom]

Check out this review on the SR400.     In particular, there is a compression release for the kick start but then again the Suzuki 600 singles could be the way to go.

https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcycles/2018/2018-yamaha-sr400-review

[agdrache]

It may be worth illustrating this....I work about 5-1/2 miles from home. I frequently take very long routes to get home when the weather is nice, like 50-70 miles, sometimes more. I try to take routes that have as many roads that look like this as possible:

[Tom]

Tar snakes.  Those are fun. 

[agdrache]

Tar snakes.  Those are fun. 

Not so much those as the narrow winding road through the woods....but yeah, a lot of them are in rough shape 

[moto]

You won't improve on a 250 for roads like that. I was on some this morning on mine.

Moto