I've decided to get a motorcycle, but I need help selecting a good value one. I don't really want a scooter. Yes I understand the dangers. I plan on getting training, using ATGATT, and practicing a lot at slower speed before trying faster. I'm not sure this is a real mustachian answer to my problem, it's a want and I can afford this luxury.
I've found a few topics on the subject already:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/top-10-motorcycles-for-smart-people/http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/ditch-my-car-to-get-a-motorcycle/My Requirements:
Inexpensive
I plan to drive it to work daily, 7 miles each way. I'll use it for other trips too, so 5k-10k miles/year.
It needs to be able to drive easily on the interstate 75 mph.
I want it to last a long time. According to the above links, *some* motorcycles are only good for 30k miles, and that doesn't seem like much to me...
Good gas mileage.
Good beginner bike. I have hardly any experience on them, but I'm pretty athletic, so I don't feel like it's going to be an issue. I'm also pretty boring, so I won't be doing anything remotely crazy with the bike.
Low maintenance costs - preferably easy to maintain, I don't mind learning how, but that includes relatively inexpensive tires
Reliable, you know, as long as I maintain it.
ABS
I'm tall (6'4), so I need to be able to fit.
My wants:
Passenger seat and able to get to 75 with a passenger
Able to take on trips, I drive 400 miles each way to visit relatives once or twice a year, so comfortable enough for that (with stops) and would need saddlebags as an option I guess.
Things I don't care about:
0-60
max speed - as long as it's over 75...
Color
So in the other link, the 4 that were mentioned the most were: Kawasaki Ninja 250, Suzuki V-Strom 650, Honda NC700, Honda CTX700. Do these all meet my requirements? Are there any others I should consider?
Background:
A bicycle won't work to get to work, the only access to my job is on 50+mph roads, no I can't move to a closer location. I live in Huntsville, where it seems people try to hit cyclists.
I've always wanted a motorcycle. I have a classic car that's been in the family for 40 years, so I don't want to sell it. On the other hand, it gets about 10 mpg, so I don't want to drive it a lot. So I'm going to use the motorcycle for most of my driving.
I understand the risks, and I would prefer if this didn't turn into a safety thread.