[dhgeyer]

Well, Danny, it sounds like you're as much concerned with appearance and image as anything else. I don't mean that as a criticism. If that's what throws your switch..... And you're on a budget, you are quite clear about that also.

I'm beginning to think Easy might be right - the VLX might be just what you want. It was originally styled after a particular model of Harley, I don't know which one. But it has a bigger looking engine than it really is, and it is a V twin, has the relatively skinny front tire and fat rear tire, generally styled to look like a cool cruiser, which it does. It will go as fast as you need to go, given your description of your riding. Also, I've found, if you get a good deal on a used one and outgrow it in a year or so, it's not the end of the world. Keep it up and keep it clean, and you'll get a good percentage of your money back. Add some more money and you can get something bigger. No, that's not the most economically efficient way to do it, but it might be the most fun way, and it might be the right way for you.

My biggest dislikes about the VLX were the tall first gear, and the fact that routine maintenance is harder than on some other bikes. If you're not going to do your own wrenching, then you don't care about the second point. If you don't have a driving need to come off the line real fast, and don't mind slipping the clutch, then the tall first gear won't bother you. If all you've ridden is a GZ250, it won't seem bad at all.

I actually rode a 2004 VLX from here in New Hampshire to Virginia and back in 2005. I did about a 1500 mile circuit around NY State on the same bike. It's not the most comfortable ride, but if you take your time you can do it. I never had an issue with it not having enough power or speed. The short range was annoying at times, but I got used to it.

If you have any inclination to mount hard bags, look into LeatherLyke. They make, or at least made, a set of removable, lockable hardbags for the VLX. Mounting is a beast of a job. You have to relocate the turn signals, including rewiring them. They give you the whole kit, everything your need, but it's still not a simple job. There's a lot to be said for some secure storage on a motorcycle. Another good thing about the LeatherLyke system is that the bags mount to a pair of nice shiny studs. When you dismount the bags (easy), there isn't anything left that looks bad or out of place on the bike.

In closing, I'd like to offer a different point of view with respect to some of your comments. I have two much larger bikes than the GZ, but when I pull into my motorcycle club meeting, or up to the gas pump next to a bigger bike, or whatever, I'm proud to be on the GZ250. It's a practical, useful, fun, environmentally responsible vehicle. I believe that if more people rode smaller bikes and drove smaller cars, America would be a more secure nation. At this point in my life, I'd rather have that to prove than my ability to conspicuously consume.