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Advice, advice, advice :)
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Hey folks,
There's a short, middle-aged someone who's never ridden a bike above
175 cc and in a country where bikers on the road aren't much respected.
In fact, the police here dissuade biking, so much so that licensing is
incredibly tough. He still got his license on the first attempt without
a hitch, so it's safe to assume that he has what it takes to control a
100 cc bike (on which the tests were).
What could be the best possible step-up bike, considering the
circumstances? Use: within city limits only. The maximum long-haul that
might ever be done is a 200-mile round trip but that's about it. The
UAE is a very small country :)
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I try not to make suggestions, instead I relate my experience and let
you decide.
As stated, we have no idea what is available. However, I was in a
similar situation, returning to motorbiking after a 16 year hiatus.
The bike I had ridden for a dozen years was a 175 -- "freeway legal"
if you were silly enough, but with a 65 mph top speed not really
freeway capable. I also had a GS450E for a while, and had rented BMW
twins in Izmir. The 450 I took on a 2500 mile trip.
On my return to riding I was looking for a city bike that could do
short highway runs, as you are. I dislike the styling of the modern
"standard" bikes, so I was looking at the cruisers. I would have
prefered a 350-450 cc motorcycle, but was looking at the 250's as they
are prefectly capable of handling a 100 miles on the freeways while
remaining small and agile for city use. The 250cc cruisers can do 80
mph, while the sport/standards will push 100.
However, while looking at the 250's I saw the Suzuki LS650 Savage.
Which is what I ended up with. What we need, what is practical, is
not always what we want or can get away with.
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How do you expect us to know what sorts of bikes are available in the United
Arab Emirates?
Without knowing what your possible choices are, it's pretty near impossible
for us to tell you what we think.
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One could safely assume, since the original post didn't mention otherwise,
that he has most typical bikes available in that market.
Either answer productively or pass over the post. No need to be a DICK.
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Loads of imported sports bikes of all sizes and makes from Japan come
in here, by the droves. Rare to find tourer type bikes, however, and
almost no used BMW.
Just to give you an example, I can find a used Kawasaki 400 cc sports
bike in pretty good condition for about USD 800.
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KZ400/LTD440 is a PERFECT little bike. Very forgiving, and enough power
to haul a (formerly) 275lb fat ass like myself 300+ miles a day
including 90-95mph on the highway.
I wish I could find one for $800......
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As long as it's Japanese, I'm sure I'll find a willing importer and
hordes of willing exporters in Japan to scout for a particular model.
The bottom line is that it should be a Jap bike :)
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To start out with, read Rob Kleinschmidt's post in this thread. Then it
might help to make yourself a list of the things you want in a bike, and
rate them for priority. A bike -any bike- is just a fancy tool, and you'll
probably be happiest with the tool that's best suited for the particular
jobs you have in mind.
Me, I like to carve corners and sport-tour at high speeds, so I own a Honda
VFR, which does those things very well indeed. But it would probably be the
wrong bike for somebody who wanted to carry serious loads or just pot around
town at low speeds.
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Cheers and thanks in advance,
Ramapriya
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Frankly, the Japanese and Chinese make a plethora of 3rd world bikes.
I would look to one pf those.
Less expensive, easier to fix, easier to get service locally etc.
Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250 is pretty good.
There are several 400cc or there about bikes around too.
A dual sport would be where I would look unless the roads are good.
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