So... Motard or Sportbike?

You missed out. Should've bought my DRZ400SM. Had the 440 big bore kit, RMZ450 carb, Yoshi exhaust, high compression piston, lots of head and cylinder work, titanium valves, all the good shit.

Sold it for $4k and I'd waste 600RR's through the curves all day. But to be fair, they'd kill me on the straights and off the start in a drag race.

Screw the CBR. Get the Triumph Speed Triple.

I had a 400SM, fun around town but that got old quick. Horrible on the highway, it would be better if it had a 6th gear. Get a sportbike. I got rid of the SM for an FZ1. Great decision.

Motards suck on the highway. As soon as it gets twisty though there's nothing better to be on. Especially if you have moto flowing though your viens.

For what you want check out the Ducati Hypermotard. It's definitely heavier than your average moto-style motard, but it's incredibly narrow and has a very familiar riding position. If I had the dough it's what I would ride on the street.

There's also the KTM 690 supermoto. Down on power compared to the Duc, but still has plenty of ooomph for the highway.

I put plates on my CRF a few years ago. Nothing else compares to riding a full blown race supermoto on the street. It would have wound up costing me my license at some point though so I keep on the track these days. Plus the maintenance schedule is off the hook when you start putting serious mileage on them.

Sport bikes are boring at anything slower than about 120mph. That's why I sold mine.

08 ZX10R....... try to get a ride on one and you will see why.

The fun is in the turns. Got my 600 over 140 briefly and it didn't feel any different than doing 100. I just love the 80-90 mph turns though. And I ride like crap, and it's still fun.

thanks for dropping in dent.

Having a few sportbikes and a supermoto bike here's my take: If you are riding
in tight twisties, urban environment , speeds below 70mph then the DR400SM
is great. Any highway riding as mentioned and the fun factor drops fast...
Also look for used DRZ SM's,,, I see plenty of low mileage ones for under 4K.
As far as mileage, the single cylinder is good for around 45-50 mpg usually.
You might look for a good used KTM Duke II, they will run 90+ all day on the highway
and do everything the Suzuki will do, but with more vibes.

600 range sportbikes are more insurance, MUCH faster, better 2 up ( passenger seating sucks though ) and will hang with most bigger bikes anywhere but wide open
highways.

Depending on what you consider a "long ride' would probably make your decision easier..

I too am making the jump to street commuting. My duramax does pretty good on fuel but I spend about $350 to $400 on fuel a month just driving to work and back. I'm hoping to drop that to around $100 or so and save a lot of wear and tear on the truck.

I looked all around. I've long admired the 600 naked sport bikes. I looked at the Monster 620, the KTM Duke 640, the Honda 599, 919, Kawi's new 650r and now their Versys. That's a cool machine. In the end, I figured the only way to really save money was to buy used under $4k. Otherwise the cost of the bike pretty much negates any fuel savings.

I found an '06 Suzuki SV 650 for $3500. I plan to pick it up tomorrow. Insurance is cheaper than the crotch rockets, it should have plenty of power, riding position is more comfortable, and I won't look like an old man on a cruiser. I think I've found a steal but I see '01 to '04 SVs go in the $3k to $4k range all the time on ebay.

The Duke II is basically an LC4 with different ( smaller ) wheels , ( some with BBS mags, some with wire wheels ) exhaust and bodywork. I think it probably weighs 20-lbs more than the DRZ, but carries it well.

Suspension is WP , good stuff , no handling complaints! Plenty of steering lock, this bike will blow away most big sportbikes in the tight twisties. Mileage is around 50, the only drawback is the fuel tank which goes on reserve around 90-95 miles, with about 120 max for miles. The engine will run right up to 100+ with little effort. Makes a great trackday bike. A modded one ( FCR carb, exhaust, ) will make a solid 50 rear wheel HP

with a ton of torque and stock reliability. ( stock is mid 40's )

They haven't imported the Duke II since 02' I think, and a good used one is anywhere

from 3-4K. The ONLY thing I mentioned that comes with a single is vibration, these engines are not counterbalanced or rubber mounted and they will send some vibes through the bars ar higher RPM's... cool bike though!

under 60 mph, dual sport, over 60, sportbike.