I'm thinking of getting back into motorcycling...

[Warped9]

Many years ago I had a motorcycle, accident very nice 1982 Suzuki GS750E in metallic red. Now I'm thinking of getting back into motorcycling again.

This time around, with the perspective of age, my intent is more modest. I'm looking at getting something to have fun in the local area on mostly town streets and surrounding country roads and only occasional short stints on the highway. I'm looking at bikes primarily in the 300-500cc range. There are a couple of 600-650cc bikes I also like, but I don't really need that power or that extra expense.

My candidates list:

CFMoto 450NK
449cc Parallel Twin, 6-spd manual, 50 HP, 28 lb-ft Torque, 374 lbs. (7.5 lb/hp)
Length: 78in. Width: 31.6in. Seat Height: 31.3in.

Honda CB300R
286cc Single, 6-spd manual, 31 HP, 21 lb-ft Torque, 313 lbs. (10 lb/hp)
Length: 79.4in. Width: 31.6in. Seat Height: 31.5in.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350
349cc Single, 5-spd manual, 20 HP, 20 lb-ft Torque, 390 lbs. (19 lb/hp)
Length: 80.9in. Width: 31.5in. Seat Height: 31.1in.

Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 (note: this bike isn't currently available in Canada, but hopefully will be soon or next year)
452cc Single, 6-spd manual, 40 HP, 40 lb-ft Torque, 408 lbs. (10.2 lb/hp)
Length: 82.3in. Width: 32.8in. Seat Height: 30.7in.

Triumph Speed 400
398cc Single, 6-spd manual, 39 HP, 27 lb-ft Torque, 375 lbs. (9.5 lb/hp)
Length: 80.9in. Width: 31.3in. Seat Height: 31.1in.

Yamaha MT-03
321cc Parallel Twin, 6-spd manual, 42 HP, 26 lb-ft Torque, 361 lbs. (8.5 lb/hp)
Length: 82.3in. Width: 29.7in. Seat Height: 30.7in.


Kawasaki Z650RS
649cc Parallel Twin, 6-spd manual, 67 HP, 48 lb-ft Torque, 412 lbs. (6.2 lb/hp)
Length: 81.3in. Width: 31.5in. Seat Height: 31.5in.

Triumph Trident 660
660cc Parallel Triple, 6-spd manual, 81 HP, 47 lb-ft Torque, 419 lbs. (5.2 lb/hp)
Length: 79.5in. Width: 31.3in. Seat Height: 31.7in.


Perhaps a bit surprisingly the bike I'm drawn to most (so far) is also the one with the least power, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. Since its introduction it's gotten lotts of positive coverage and reviews including long term. I also really like the Honda CB300R, but I'm turned off by the fact that Honda Canada offers it only in black and I like a bike with colour to it. I find all black boring and depressing. I also quite like the Triumph Speed 400.

I will say I'm more partial to the somewhat more classic looking design than the current "naked" designs that are really the decendents of what were once considered standard motorcycles. Today those old standard designs are now executed today as somewhat retro classics. Weird.

 

[jkernitzki]

Enfield. Easy call. I think the Goan 350 is cute as hell. I'd prefer it in a 450, but as a weekend toodle around town scoot, it's all good.

 

[Warped9]

If RE they slapped the 450 into the Hunter’s chassis that would be it!

The Honda CB300R is the bike that initially piqued my interest in this class, but as I said I don’t like it in black. In the U.S. you can get it in yellow, but buying s U.S. bike to bring it back to Canada could be more trouble than it’s worth. Furthermore the present political situation in the U.S. precludes me from any interest in going there.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I currently have a 2005 1700 Yamaha Road Star Silverado. For the most part I quit driving it because of how stupid and inattentive people have become. That was my main motivation for buying the full size 2 door. Now that I have the 2 door, while it’s great driving around with the top off, it doesn’t satisfy the same itch.

I recently started riding the bike again and while its awesome to just ride around locally, I no longer have a real need for a 1000 pound touring/crusing bike especially given the fact my wife refuses to ride because of the poor quality of the roads and drivers these days. I’ve started looking at something smaller as well. I do struggle though with the prices given that this serves no purpose that my 1700 can’t other than perhaps easier to back out of the garage.

I’ve had my eye on the Yamaha TW200 or the Honda XR650L. Even the Honda Monkee 125 has caught my eye mainly because it looks like the Honda mini-trail 50 I had in the 60’s. I rode dirt bikes for many years and those seems like they would suffice.

 

[idk]

I had a Royal Enfield Bullet, one of the newer ones, and loved it. It is a bike that you could park in a crowd of HD's or other so called cool bikes, and it would get the most attention. If you don't mind talking to people every time you stop somewhere, get the RE. Same thing with a Triumph, but to a slightly lesser degree.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I’d think you might be happier and safer with a 500-650ish bike if you really do plan on taking it on a highway. Not that a 300-400 single won’t do highway speeds but the weight and extra speed will give you a bit more security if on a highway. Even on our local roads 70mph/112kmh is now the norm. The Royal Enfield 650 is a good looking bike that seems reasonably priced.

 

[Warped9]

I’m hoping RE brings the Guerilrilla 450 to Canada.

 

[Warped9]

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Great video! I think he was spot on. I’ve own a lot of bikes over the years. From rocket fast small cc 2 cycles to low and slow large cc V twins. That all had their good and bad points. I miss the sound of my Nighthawk S with its 4 into 2 silky smooth inline 4 but it was easy to get into trouble. It really didn’t take off until 7k. My current 1700cc v twin was basically bought to use as a bike to put miles on with my wife on the back. Too slow to get into trouble but not such a good bike for just zipping around particulary when going slow in town. I had a 650 parallel twin in the late 70’s that was my main go to for getting around. It had good low end torque but wasn’t so fast that you could get in trouble without trying.

That RE650 reminds me a lot of that bike. Sounds great, not too much HP but plenty of torque to get out of trouble if needed. His comment about thinking where you plan to ride and how it fits is spot on.

I hope you find something that puts a smile on your face everytime you climb aboard. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

 

[Bill G]

Great video! I think he was spot on. I’ve own a lot of bikes over the years. From rocket fast small cc 2 cycles to low and slow large cc V twins. That all had their good and bad points. I miss the sound of my Nighthawk S with its 4 into 2 silky smooth inline 4 but it was easy to get into trouble. It really didn’t take off until 7k. My current 1700cc v twin was basically bought to use as a bike to put miles on with my wife on the back. Too slow to get into trouble but not such a good bike for just zipping around particulary when going slow in town. I had a 650 parallel twin in the late 70’s that was my main go to for getting around. It had good low end torque but wasn’t so fast that you could get in trouble without trying.

That RE650 reminds me a lot of that bike. Sounds great, not too much HP but plenty of torque to get out of trouble if needed. His comment about thinking where you plan to ride and how it fits is spot on.

I hope you find something that puts a smile on your face everytime you climb aboard. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

Everything he says applies to ALL motor vehicles — not how much “performance” is there, but how does it make you feel.

 

[Warped9]

I’ve never been fond of cruiser style designs, but I gotta admit this one caught my eye. CFMoto 450CLC.

 

[TheX]

I had to give it up after 40 years and 800,000 street miles. Many, many track days.

https://randymcelroy.com/wp/motorcycles/

 

[rorlow]

I had to give it up after 40 years and 800,000 street miles. Many, many track days.

https://randymcelroy.com/wp/motorcycles/

Some sweet bikes in your blog! My last sportbike (02 R1) is now living room art, after several get offs I don't heal anywhere near as quick but have great memories!

 

[Warped9]

The ones I rather like best.

 

[Bill G]

JMO, I’m “old school”, if the wife would let me it’d be the Enfield or the Triumph — cost would be a big factor as at my age, in my area, it wouldn’t get ridden all that much.

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