Which bike would you choose?

[SIR REAL ED]

I'd go with a lowered DR650.  Lighter than the Versys 300.  Beg, borrow, or steal a DR650 for a test ride and it may be a no-brainer.  The Versys 300 should soon be replaced with the Versys 400.  At that point, used 300's should be cheap as dirt.

[Huzo]

Take the Himmy.
Just like searching for a “mate..”
A bike doesn’t have to be the “best”, you just have to “want” it. The Himalayan has the charm of an old rescue dog and the green one is the tarted up show pooch.

[Huzo]

RE - because first and foremost a bike needs to make me turn around and look at it when I walk away. If it doesn't I'm probably not interested in it in the slightest.

Perfect grasshopper...!
You have indeed learned well....(followed by a crashing gong and a knowing nod...)

[JJ]

"When you can snatch the pebble from my hand...it will be time for you to choose your next little tiddler..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9selPW2lL-M

 

[kballowe]

When did s 386lbs 300cc become a lightweight?

It's lighter than my V7 and lighter than the RE.  It beats the crap out of my Eldorado 1400. 

[Scout63]

Of the two, the RE JJ.  I love my SR500 for around town. Of the newer bikes, I like the Van Van but a KTM 350 EXCF would be the ultimate.

[wymple]

Maybe I'm just stuck in the past, but I worry about service availability & reliability a lot. I would have a hard time believing that any RE is going to be as good as a Jap bike. Of these 2, and I'm not crazy about either one, I'd take the Kaw & never look back.

[huub]

of the two , the RE ,
just because it is not japanese is enough reason for me , and my RE bullet was amazingly reliable.
i cant imagine looking forward to do a trip on the beautiful versys....
but if you can stretch the budget, a 400 cc ducati scrambler would be my perfect around town bike.

[Bisbonian]

I owned a Versys-X for a while and have test ridden the Himalayan.

I picked up the Versys used for a pretty good price but it didn't stay around that long. Sure it will cruise at 80 all day, and have a bit more to give, but spinning an engine up that high all the time gave me the willies.

I sold the Versys and never looked back, however I'm still part of at least one Himalayan group because I can't get it out of my head. I'm not sure what my riding will look like since I've moved, but at the time I required a good bit of highway competence and neither one was great for that.

Action pic of the Versys in Baja a few years ago.

[ToddK]

Bisbonian, that pic looks like you were contemplating what it was going to take to clear that jump! Clearly you made it! 😜

[Rich A]

Off topic, but you might consider an e-bike. Lots of fun, cheaper, and you get some exercise, too.

Rich A

[Dave Swanson]

I was at the local Royal Enfield dealer this morning.  I forgot how reasonably price the Himalayan is.  Seems like a lot of bike for 5K

[redhawk47]

Check out the Royal Enfield Scram 411.  It's the Himalaya engine and frame in more of a streel version.  I think it has a lower seat.

[Guzikid]

 I went with the Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen.   What a great bike !  354 lbs and is a beautiful bike to look at (for me) Has 40 hp and 25.8 lb ft torque (Cycle World Dyno).  Handles very well and is a blast to ride....slowly or quickly.  It's just plan fun to ride at $5399.00.  My dealer can't keep them in stock !  The Kid

[lucky phil]

Quick clarification....I am keeping my '98 Centauro GT...

The second bike would be just be to run around locally.    The new Honda CT125 is another cool little bike, but may be under powered...

Just a little local run around? Why not "E" bike? I mean they are silent ( apart from the chain whirring) they don't vibrate, you can look cool carrying around an extension cord and maybe run your power tools off it, nobody will stop and annoyingly chat to you when parked and tell you what a cool bike you're riding, esp old guys, bearded metrosexuals will stop and discuss man scaping with you and call you "dude". Vegans might even seek you out and engage you in conversation. I mean the choice seem obvious.     

Ciao

[Dimitri_Harkov]

I'd pick the RE.

But only because it warms my heart a lot more.
Spec-wise, it would have to be the Kawa.

Cheers,
D.

[JJ]

Just a little local run around? Why not "E" bike? I mean they are silent ( apart from the chain whirring) they don't vibrate, you can look cool carrying around an extension cord and maybe run your power tools off it, nobody will stop and annoyingly chat to you when parked and tell you what a cool bike you're riding, esp old guys, bearded metrosexuals will stop and discuss man scaping with you and call you "dude". Vegans might even seek you out and engage you in conversation. I mean the choice seem obvious.     

Ciao

Good thought...However, the average quality E-bicycle these days costs $3500-$4500 and up...almost as much as a motorcycle!!

[Scout63]

I went with the Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen.   What a great bike !  354 lbs and is a beautiful bike to look at (for me) Has 40 hp and 25.8 lb ft torque (Cycle World Dyno).  Handles very well and is a blast to ride....slowly or quickly.  It's just plan fun to ride at $5399.00.  My dealer can't keep them in stock !  The Kid

I really like the looks of the Svartpilen. Seems like a great choice.

[JJ]

I really like the looks of the Svartpilen. Seems like a great choice.

C'mon now..."The Black Arrow!!"

[blackcat]

I went with the Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen.   What a great bike !  354 lbs and is a beautiful bike to look at (for me) Has 40 hp and 25.8 lb ft torque (Cycle World Dyno).  Handles very well and is a blast to ride....slowly or quickly.  It's just plan fun to ride at $5399.00.  My dealer can't keep them in stock !  The Kid

I know someone who just bought a very low mileage 701 and he says it's a hoot to ride. Lots of power and low weight, but he did get stopped by a cop on his first outing, fortunately the cop let him go.