Help me buy a bike and plan a trip! Update, bike has been puchased!

[swademaster]

Here are a few Bandits.

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/1248864618.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/1248578299.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/1243278168.html

If you need me to take a look at anything here in the Denver area, let me know.

I hope that I can get a dirt bike by the time you get here, but it doesn't look like it will happen. At least I know where there is a CR500 that I could borrow to do some trail riding with you and Craig.

If you need a place to stay while you're in the area, you are welcome here.

[OldTLSDoug]

Let's See, where to start. Well, Texas is the center of the known Universe.

I think San Marcos is a bit far even for me.

I like the idea of a Bandit, as they are stone reliable, wheelie well and everything on them is heavy, so the ride should be nice.

[BikePilot]

Its just that last bit about the bandit that gives me pause doug But really, the Bandit seems the most sensible, economical option. The $3k Z1000 also seems quite a logical choice (sporty and has FI). Any clue how well the carb'd bandit will tollerate the rockies (altitude will top out just over 14k feet). I'm assuming the carb'd bikes will keep running, just won't run terriably well at such altitudes (which is fine).

Schiben, despite my best efforts, I can't seem to stop thinking about the MTS... I've read that the '05+ models (which this is) have an improved seat, though I don't know how "improved" they really are. I've done 1k mile days on a stock 919 though so I'm sure I'll survive. I'm also not above poping the seat cover off and sanding down the foam to acheive a better profile as required. The old wing would probably work, but I'm a bit hesitant to go with something older as I would like to be able to toss something around in the twisty bits fairly hard and also don't want to have to do any real maintence or cleaning up so as long as newer bikes are available on the cheap, I think I'll go that route.

Also, looks like Pilette may be able to fly out and join me in CO for a few days so something that's moderately tollerable 2-up would be good (luckily she's not to picky - she did fine on the back of the TLS and 919). I think most everthing I've been looking at so far would be ok in this respect, but I'm guessing the MTS and Bandit would lead the pack and the Z would probably bring up the rear (pun?)

Thanks Swade

[Duken4evr]

A Bandit would be OK, but you need a first Gen FZ1. Lighter than the Bandit, more comfy than my bike and still sporty, makes a lot more power than the 919 you rode last summer. Gixxerjasen will no doubt concur

Clean stocker in Boulder

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/1242595971.html

This one has a Holeshot exhaust

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/1220558100.html

Another stocker in nearby Broomfield

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/1219580687.html

FZ1s (and Bandits for that matter) tend to be owned by guys of, ahem, a certain age. They tend to be well cared for

[BikePilot]

Yeah, I think the FZ is at the top of the I4 list. Its only knock is they are more $$ than the others (Z1000 in CO for $3300, bandits under $3k pretty often), but if I can be fairly sure it won't depreciate much in a month and ~$6k miles it doesn't really matter. I'm still having a hard time shaking an idea of a duc twin or tuono though. That c"lean stocker" looks just right for my purposes, I'd rather the bike be quite and I'd guess a stocker will be the easiest to re-sell. New rubber and some sort of luggage sweeten the deal. Still not sure that I wouldn't rather a MTS for the extra $300 though

I'm also surprised how little a price gap there is between a gen1 and gen2 FZ, for example there's this
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/1202302328.html gen2 for under $5k.

An older triumph sprint might not be a bad way to go either
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/1247612584.html

[Duken4evr]

I'm also surprised how little a price gap there is between a gen1 and gen2 FZ, for example there's this.

The Gen II's are fairly unloved. The ergos are too sporty for the Geezers, not sporty enough for the GSXR crowd, but just right for me The Gen II motor is choked up bad in stock form too, with 2 cats and an EXUP valve shoved up it's ass, and slow motion party pooper secondary butterflies in it's throttle bodies choking it on the intake side. My first ride home on my new FZ1 was pretty underwhelming. A lot of trust was placed when I bought that bike in what others had done on the FZ1 board. As you know, they do respond very well to mods

I have not seen another bike respond to simple jetting and uncorking mods since the original '86 GSXR1100. I think they made like 90 hp in stock form. They did considerably better after intake and exhaust mods

The Gen I FZ's respond to mods too, but they are not corked up as bad and don't need the mods as much IMO. The big attraction for the Gen II over the Gen 1 to me is the frame, inverted forks and styling. Call me shallow We have a lot of fun over at the FZ board between Gen I and Gen II owners arguing whose bike is better. Truthfully though, in stock form, without a doubt, the Gen I is better. Throw equal mods at them though, and the Gen II rules

[BikePilot]

Cool! my impression is that even a stock Gen II would easily out handle a GenI - pretty big weight difference I think. Also, I'm not too keen on street bikes with carbs, but of course I can live with them for a month if I find a deal on a Gen I.

[BikePilot]

It just occured to me that The EAA Airventure will be going down in Oshkosh at the end of this month and first couple of days of the next. I may try to work that in. Also on that note, I started poking around the CL's of MI and WI - found a Uly and MTS that both look promising (well, if the sellers could have a bit of flexibility in price - and in this economy they just might).

Buell
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/mcy/1241187470.html

MTS
http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/mcy/1222969507.html

Only bummer is the MTS is silver and the red ones are oh so much more sexy

Pluses are both bikes have factory hard bags included which might reduce my Jed Clampit-style bungy cord packing

[pmmonster]

If you are looking at riding from Colorado to Wisconsin do yourself a favor and stay off the fwy. Boring hot and windy.

[BikePilot]

I expected it to be hot and windy, though I'm not sure getting off the fwy will help with that My plan was to book it from Oshkosh to Denver in a day (or perhaps night) or if I have time I might take an extra day and play around in the blackhills again

Pete, what do you think of this? Not as nice as the Scura in ID, but $2500 cheaper.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb...250646590.html