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Re: er-6n
Phoenix,
Think about what you want to do with your next bike:
1) Handle the canyons and twisties faster (Sport Bike)
2) Still want to cruise, but want to be able to go uphill and 75 comfortably (more powerful cruiser - check out Suzuki M50)
3) Want to tour (something with a fairing, bags and a trunk - gold wing)
Other things to look at:
1) Cruising distance (tank size x mpg.)
2) Insurance
3) Ignition type (FI or carb)
4) Drive type (chain, belt, drive)
5) Maintenance costs (4 cylinders? spoked wheels? carb? chain? plugs? One guy I know said the bigger the bike the less maintenance - it's not exactly true, but partially.)
6) Air cooled or not.
7) V twin or not.
8) Available service and accessories.
9) Dashboard stuff (tach, clock, gas gauge, auto blinker, fuel light, etc.)
10) If it's big, does it have a reverse?
11) Two up riding, or not.
12) Fuel economy (or lack therof)
You will get a lot of warnings on weight and power but, take it from a fellow newb: yes, a heavier bike is more of a challenge, but, unless you are weak and out of shape, you will adapt to it quickly. I LOVE the feel of my Strat (800+ pounds) on the highway and feel much safer than riding WTFO on the GZ. On the other hand, the GZ is fun to drive to work and back. I was going to get the Suzi M50 until I saw the '07 "New" Strats for less $$.
Just about anything you get is going to have more power than the GZ. You can eliminate a lot of bikes if you have a particular usage or spec in mind. Two things I wish I had paid more attention to is "How far can you go on one tank?" and "How much more will I have to pay in insurance?"
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