Modern Vespa

I could also add that anything that comes with a center stand as standard can't be all bad.

Comparing Kawasaki vs. Triumph is often on the agenda when we get out with my buddy as 'The Evil Twins'. Referring to the engines, of course.

We both agree a Honda would be the wise man's choise, but....well, we are not

I'll guess an RE would fit right in based on the looks department.

At the end of the day, you just have to go with the one that suits you and what you want to do with it. I will say the the only downside of the Honda is that they are a bit "vanilla." And to be completely honest, if I wanted another bike in the 650cc range, it would be a Suzuki SV650, hands down. Best all-arounder I have ever owned and always comes out in the top three in best bike surveys. It will out accelerate, out handle, and brake better than any of the bikes mentioned: 75 HP. 64 NM, 198 KG curb, 785 seat height.

no I have not rode one, a main reason I would seriously look at on is honda honda honda, lots of dealers. but also reliability of the brand.

also look at the NX500 honda

Don't know what people are on about Royal Enfield reliability? If a Dutch girl (Itchy Boots) can get on a Royal Enfield in India with zero experience and ride back on her own to the Netherlands then what is a testament to reliability? Go for that Interceptor or Continental GT.

50 000kms on my 2018 Himalayan and lots of offroad. Easy to maintain and zero issues. New Zealand's Southern Alps is no place where you would want to be with an unreliable ride and I have no qualms to take it anywhere.
https://advrider.com/f/threads/himalayan-rides-down-under-nz-himalayan-rider.1549905/

https://advrider.com/f/threads/royal-enfield-himalayan-owners-thread.1253460/page-2063#post-54205915

I'd suggest that the Suzuki SV650 is a little small for Stickyfrog's frame.

Lets be honest, a Honda wouldn't look the same in that picture.

However a Triumph would look better.

When I bought my truck in August 2021, I parked my BV350, with the intention of selling it eventually.

I've now decided to start commuting on it again, so I'm glad I hung on to it.

Ya never know, you may end up riding the MP3 more frequently than you think.

Itchy had already been riding for a while, as she actually did a fair amount in Australia when she was working there as a Geologist before India. Also, no one mentioned anything about RE reliability, you must have read that remark somewhere else. If I lived anywhere else but the USA, I would strongly consider a RE bike. But the dealerships are a bit sparce here, unlike the rest of the world. I also stand by my earlier statement - that for any given RE model, there is a better bike. However, if you buy new, then yes, you will be paying more.

If I was riding in that territory, it would be on a DR650.

That bike was first introduced in 1990 and I believe its powertrain is pretty much identical today.

This has always been my problem with Suzuki.

They rarely manufacture anything that's new.

If you can hold your horses, Honda are probably going to launch a classic looking 500 later on this year, possibly with the CL 500 engine in it.

Because the GB350S was a roaring success rumours of a 500cc single version emerged but a large, air cooled strokers are hard to get through the emissions* so I'm going to assume the well proven liquid cooled lump will be used.

*It took Rotax 2 years to get their 650 single through the Euro 5 + emissions tests until BSA could put it in their bikes.

I rode 50 miles south with a friend to lunch in the little town of Hastings.

My friend was riding a Triumph Scrambler 900 that his son had recently bought.

He bought it used, so it was several years old but looked like new.

When we left the restaurant, Norma D's, he asked me if I would like to ride it, so I swapped the Big Ugly with him for the ride out of town.

That brief ride showed me that it was a formidable machine.

Plenty of power with smooth shifting.

And great style.

If I wasn't a scooter person I would be tempted.

But not the Scrambler model with that hot exhaust next to your right leg.

Bill

It would be the new Triumph 660cc Roadster for me. - https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/motorcycles/roadsters/trident/trident-660

Suzuki last updated the DR650 in 1996. Since then, just small changes - but a rock solid dependable machine. Itchy Boots is now on a 1987 Yamaha Tenere 600 rolling thru China. Another solid machine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_DR650

Yep, It's a dinosaur, for sure.

But it says production started in 1990.

I just found an interceptor with low miles and mostly tricked out for touring down in Cape Girardeau. All it needs is highway pegs. It is only 4 hours away and has both original spokes and new alloys. Hmmm.

Pictures ?

I am seeing Interceptor prices for not many more dollars that the 350 models - Hunter, Meteor, and Classic.

We never got and probably never will get the GB350 here. I'm guessing there is no market for it in the US. It's a pity, I would have liked to test drive one.

The name Honda GB500S has been registered in the USA and Europe.

That's good to know. So, I guess that means we will get that model, which will be a variation of the current CB500.

Not crazy about the tank colors but:

2022 Royal Enfield interceptor
$4,750
Listed 5 days ago in Cape Girardeau, MO
About this vehicle
Driven 6,500 miles

comes with additional seat, a set of spoke wheels and tires.

Yeah, buy that.

This W800 has a "king's shaft" (literally translated from the Dutch "koningsas") to drive the cam shafts. That is quite uncommon.

Seriously considering and formulating my pitch to the boss.

I was just watching a video on YouTube about this possible new Honda, a lot of conjecture, but interesting.

However, it was said that it would likely have to be a liquid-cooled twin to meet emission regs and not a single, which if so, would be a bit of a disappointment, at least to me.

I seriously doubt Honda will use anything but the 2 cylinder engine they already have. It's a good engine and the valve clearances can be adjusted without removing the cams, which was a plus for me. No cam chain and cam timing to mess with.

Very decent price with the cast wheels and all the other accessories.. The wheels are about $600, add in another $300 - $400 for the rack, top case, paniers, installation of the wheels - easily a smooth G in extras. Get over there soon for a test ride. And bring a trailer.

I have no idea of the fair prices over there, but it looks like the owner have had some serious consideration of practical traveling with the bike: luggage, windshield, even the front fender extender ('mud flap') is still in place....mayby tubeless tyres with the alloy wheels?

So if it is an Interceptor you want, definitely an interesting sample.

Get it or regret it.

How can you miss something that you've never had ?

By using our imaginations and wondering how things would have been.

And this is how I have no idea what it's like to be married to Carrie Anne Moss.

I can't imagine it.

Some things are beyond our Imagination, no matter how hard we try. Even so, then it's just false hopes and dreams 😪.

Cast wheels with tubeless tire are a big plus IMO. Spoke wheels are good for dual purpose/dirt bikes. And for traditional looking modern bikes so the owners can spend a silly amount of time cleaning them instead of riding.

Agreed, unless the bike is being used for some serious off roading then spoked wheels are a classic example of form over substance.