Totalled car, replace with Streetbike or Dual Sport KTM?

[MX500]

I hit a 7 foot long steel pipe on the freeway this morning on my way to an unsuccessful job interview. In short, my car is totalled (It's only worth ~$1500). I didn't like this MR2 very much anyways, it's slower at 6,000 RPMs than my 240SX was at 2500. It only gets 25 MPG (same as my 240SX), and doesn't even pass smog. I hate it and I'm getting rid of it and getting a motorcycle. I sold my 1990 240SX to buy a car that gets better mileage, but this MR2 doesnt get better mileage, is less reliable, and is slower than a diesel F250.

http://carpron.com/multisite/v/Upload/MX500/


Ideally I wanted to build an AF and then plate it, but with the fuel economy and my current lack of funds I wouldn't be able to do that at the moment. I just got a job at UPS so hopefully I'll be able to start saving for a CR500. At the moment I need some transportation because I don't want to pay the insurance cost for a car that is slow as molasses and still only gets 25 MPG for mostly freeway driving. I've decided that a motorcycle is the only viable option given my current financial situation.


I was thinking of buying an R6/ CBR600/ type sport bike. I've read that after riding a CR500 the 600cc bike felt slow. I want a bike thats reliable, gets decent mileage and quick enough to have fun on. I will not consider any street bike under 600CC's.

I was also thinking about buying a dual sport bike (Plated XR650R, KTM 530EXC, etc...), but I'm not sure if they would have enough power to comfortably commute on the freeway every day.



What would you do in my situation?

[dannygraves]

I would go with a liter bike all the way...r1, gsxr1000, cbr1000rr, etc.
I borrowed my friends r1 for a couple weeks and WHAT A BLAST!
I had a FZR600 with a YFZ600 motor in it and it was fun, but just didn't have the grunt, like at about 9000rpm it got to be fun
Of coarse I'm the "go big or go home" type...
I know if I got another 600 I'd kick myself in the ass for not getting a 1000.

[MX500]

Thats about what I was thinking... After Riding the CR500 I don't think I would be satisfied with a 600. I too like to go big or go home, I bought my CR500 and it was the first time in my life I have been satisfied with the performance of a stock vehicle.

[ISBB]

im throttle happy and would probably kill myself on a liter + bike Gimme a DRZ400SM and ill be happy

[arleybeer40]

I had an 03 cbr600f4i and that thing booked. It wasnt stock though, it was ported, air box mods, geared, and power commander. I bought the bike from a friend who set the land speed record at bonnie in the stock(appearing)class

[Ported&Polished]

As far as the xr650r being powerfull enough for the freeway, it is. I cruise mine on the hwy at 65 and can grab lots of throttle, but I wouldn't recommend it for a daily freeway ride. And I wouldn't get a sport bike either. I suggest a nice 750 or bigger cruiser. A Honda ST1300 or simular would be the dream machine imo.

[aloha450x]

well im partial to r1's. i have had several. i have alos have had ducati's, triumph speed triples, kawai zx7rr, shit the list goes on and on. but if i were to get a new streetbike it would be a 02-03 r1. i love the side pipes and the flat tail. or check out the ktm duke. right up you alley i think.

[MX500]

I checked out an 86 KDX 200 today, $450, it has a recently re-sleeved cylinder and it has CA PLATES I left a deposit and I'm picking it up on monday morning.

This might just be the first CR500 conversion that goes into a downgraded frame... I was thinking an 84 CR500 engine might work since the bike is air cooled.

It's not that fast, but it ought to go the speed limit and it starts on the first kick. I'll put up pictures after I get it home.


BTW, if anyone is in desperate need of a CR500 clutch cable (it was for a 1997) PM me and let me know.

[100hp honda]

if you want a streetbike, the choice is clear