Howdy guys,
I know, I know, "it has already been asked a thousand times." "Use the search function", right?
500 offroad, 690 street. End of story.
Hopefully, this is a little different scenario.
Well, I'm lookin' to get specific. See, I will probably go offroad about as much as I'll hit the highway. Which should be next to never. I need this bike to do around 50 miles a week, on 50MPH speed limited streets (I reach 80-90 max, at times.), with pot holes and train tracks galore and just a few twists. And, it must kill all other traffic!
When I sold my DRZ400S, I knew one thing. My next bike had to be more street friendly. Better tires and suspension, lower, and MORE power. I bought a Guzzi V7, and once I got the suspension sorted, it has been a great bike. What I didn't account for, though, was the weight to power ratio. It is about the same as a DRZ...
Now, I figure I can probably get a low hours 500/501 for about half of the new 690 SMC R. But, the 690 is much more refined. Yeah, I know the maintenance schedule isn't great on the 500/501's, either. But, I figure for half the price, I can deal with the intervals and inevitable rebuilds.
So, I'm after the best weapon for suburban attack riding. Better to go in with all the modern bells and whistles of the new 690, or raw-dog it with a 500? (FWIW, I've never had a bike with traction control or ABS, and I am 6'1", 250lbs geared up.)
Thanks for your help, buds!
edit:
Oh, and I might consider waiting for an updated 701, as that is my favorite looking sumo, right now.
I know, I know, "it has already been asked a thousand times." "Use the search function", right?
500 offroad, 690 street. End of story.
Hopefully, this is a little different scenario.
Well, I'm lookin' to get specific. See, I will probably go offroad about as much as I'll hit the highway. Which should be next to never. I need this bike to do around 50 miles a week, on 50MPH speed limited streets (I reach 80-90 max, at times.), with pot holes and train tracks galore and just a few twists. And, it must kill all other traffic!
When I sold my DRZ400S, I knew one thing. My next bike had to be more street friendly. Better tires and suspension, lower, and MORE power. I bought a Guzzi V7, and once I got the suspension sorted, it has been a great bike. What I didn't account for, though, was the weight to power ratio. It is about the same as a DRZ...
Now, I figure I can probably get a low hours 500/501 for about half of the new 690 SMC R. But, the 690 is much more refined. Yeah, I know the maintenance schedule isn't great on the 500/501's, either. But, I figure for half the price, I can deal with the intervals and inevitable rebuilds.
So, I'm after the best weapon for suburban attack riding. Better to go in with all the modern bells and whistles of the new 690, or raw-dog it with a 500? (FWIW, I've never had a bike with traction control or ABS, and I am 6'1", 250lbs geared up.)
Thanks for your help, buds!
edit:
Oh, and I might consider waiting for an updated 701, as that is my favorite looking sumo, right now.