Recommend a commute motorcycle brand/model.

[maroonandwhite]

Within the next month or two I am likely going to start looking for a used motorcycle for commute/leisure. Budget will likely be around $2500-$3000 tops. Would prefer around $2000.

From previous experience with my Suzuki Boulevard, I know I want a 6 speed for highway comfort. My commute is about 30 -35 minutes mostly highway. Apart from that, I am looking for some advice. I think I would prefer a windshield. Smaller 600 or 750 is fine.

What would you other riders lean towards?

[Darrell]

Do you need to carry stuff with you?  Will you need to secure your helmet and jacket on the bike?  

I have a few bikes, each with a little different target, but if I wanted to have just one for commuting I'd probably stick with my BMW F-700GS.  At 800 cc it's got plenty of oomph for freeway riding, and as a two-cylinder FI bike it gets great fuel economy, better than 50mpg the way I ride. (I wring its neck most of the time.) Mine has saddlebags that will handle a helmet and riding gear.  One benefit to my mind is that the bike will handle dirt and gravel roads really well.

I think you'll be hard-pressed to find one under $3K unless it has a lot of miles on it, though. 

 A Kawasaki KLR-650 might be easier to find in that price range, but it's a single-cylinder bike. I've owned three and was happy with them, even at highway speeds, though I wouldn't take a cross-country freeway trip on one unless I had to.

I just went on Facebook Marketplace, looked at motorcycles for sale, and set a max price of $3K.  There are quite a few bikes listed there, some of which look like a pretty good deal. Bear in mind that for that money you'll find older bikes, or bikes with a lot of miles on them.

Good luck!

Edited March 15 by Darrell

[peejman]

That price range will limit your choices. Like everything else, the cost of bikes has jumped tremendously. 

Personally, I would avoid anything that looks cruiser-ish, which includes your Boulevard. They're too low to see or be seen in traffic and they have so little ground clearance you can't lean them much. 

I'd suggest something that looks like the old fashioned standard bike.  Darrell's F700 or F650, Kawasaki Versys, Honda NC700 or ST Triumph Tiger or Scrambler, V-strom, Yamaha S10.... there's lots to choose from. 

Make sure you've got space in the budget for some good gear. Good stuff isn't cheap, but neither are skin grafts. 

Edited March 15 by peejman

[maroonandwhite]

40 minutes ago, peejman said:

That price range will limit your choices. Like everything else, the cost of bikes has jumped tremendously. 

Personally, I would avoid anything that looks cruiser-ish, which includes your Boulevard. They're too low to see or be seen in traffic and they have so little ground clearance you can't lean them much. 

I'd suggest something that looks like the old fashioned standard bike.  Darrell's F700 or F650, Kawasaki Versys, Honda NC700 or ST Triumph Tiger or Scrambler, V-strom, Yamaha S10.... there's lots to choose from. 

Make sure you've got space in the budget for some good gear. Good stuff isn't cheap, but neither are skin grafts. 

Luckily I still have all of my good jackets and helmets. I honestly hadn’t thought of the more upright bikes. I know I don’t want a sport bike. I will want some sort of bags or compartment at minimum and I’d like something the wife could ride along on for short trips around the house. I could push the budget up a bit for the perfect bike but would still be choosy. 

[gregintenn]

If it's boring reliability you're after, I'd recommend something with Honda written on it.

If you want cool, Harley Davidson is the ticket.

Edited March 15 by gregintenn

[BigK]

2 hours ago, peejman said:

That price range will limit your choices. Like everything else, the cost of bikes has jumped tremendously. 

Personally, I would avoid anything that looks cruiser-ish, which includes your Boulevard. They're too low to see or be seen in traffic and they have so little ground clearance you can't lean them much. 

I'd suggest something that looks like the old fashioned standard bike.  Darrell's F700 or F650, Kawasaki Versys, Honda NC700 or ST Triumph Tiger or Scrambler, V-strom, Yamaha S10.... there's lots to choose from. 

Make sure you've got space in the budget for some good gear. Good stuff isn't cheap, but neither are skin grafts. 

I used to have an NC700x and for my taste, it's one of the best commuter bikes out there and I almost never got under 65 mpg no matter how aggressively I rode it. If there's a Yamaha Super Tenere in that price range, it would be my first choice though. I've never ridden a more comfy bike. Mine is a 2012 and runs better than the day it rolled off the line.

[Faxmachine]

I loved my SV650 so much. Tank bag and paniers. Comfortable and upright position allows you to dodge all the minivans that will be pulling out infront of you. A modern 650 is plenty fast, much faster than the older 1000's i've had. The used bikes (and new) are priced well, they are reliable, common, parts everywhere, and last forever.

[Tom B]

I love my Suzuki DR650. With stock gearing I dont even shift into 5th until 55-60mph. With a tall windshield it would do just what you want it to. And it goes anywhere. I have mine set up with full knobbies for exploring the forest roads. Probably could find an older one in your budget.

[1gewehr]

I have a Suzuki VStrom 650.  It's a 2011 with ABS and 78,000 miles.  The Suzuki 650 v-twin engine is incredibly reliable, pulls strong, and is suitable for the interstate.  It's never given me any problems, and I haven't had to do anything except routine maintenance. 

I used mine for commuting until I retired.  It's quick and agile for in-town riding, and can carry plenty of gear for off-roading or a trip if you're interested in that.  I had a lot of fun with trips into the mountains, riding fire roads and jeep trails.  

You should be able to pick up a used 650 VStrom in your price range.

FYI, A good resource to test-ride used bikes is:

https://www.riders-share.com/listings/memphis-tn/dr03-16-2025,03-16-2025/z9/p1/

Rent a bike for a day or two and see if it suits you.  If you get over east of Nashville any time soon, you can test ride my VStrom.

 

[Frog4aday]

I'll second the Suzuki DL-650 recommendation (i.e., the V-Strom, often referred to as the Wee-Strom to differentiate it from its 1000cc 'sibling').

These have plenty of get up & go, get 50mpg or more, have a great passenger seat, along w/a flat spot on the back for mounting a Givi top-box. Best of all, you might actually find one in your price range.

This is considered a dual-sport but it is really a "standard" style motorcycle. V-twin engine, chain drive, EFI, tubeless tires...all the good stuff you want on a modern bike. Some models even have ABS, which is a major plus as a safety feature.

[maroonandwhite]

I see a 2008 dl650 relatively close by that I may go look at. 

[Frog4aday]

Crash bars and luggage already on it is nice! Plus I think I see reflective tape on the rims which really helps w/making you more visible in dim/dark conditions. Plus the yellow/black is my favorite paint scheme on these DL-650s. Hopefully it is mechanically sound and you have found your 'new-to-you' motorcycle. 

[gregintenn]

I can say that if you find one already set up pretty close to what you want, you'll be money ahead. Motorcycle parts and accessories are not cheap!

[Frog4aday]

Yes, that's true @gregintenn!

I think that's an aftermarket touring windscreen on that DL-650, too, and those run $75 to $175, depending on who made it. More "bonuses" on the blk/ylw bike, ha!

[maroonandwhite]

The earlier DL-650 sold but I am going in tomorrow to sell one of our cars so I will have a bit more budget to work with. Looking at some of the newer models in the $4000-$50000 range. 

How are these things in the rain? I’m hoping to make it into a daily commuter. 

[Darrell]

1 hour ago, maroonandwhite said:

How are these things in the rain?

Modern tires are amazingly good in the rain, regardless of which bike they're on. So long as you stay away from track-day oriented tires, and you wouldn't be putting those on a DL anyway, you'll be fine. Just keep in mind that your stopping distances will be higher, and your lean angles will be a limited to a bit less than dry-weather riding.

One thing to note about riding in the rain: even though your bike will handle it just fine, people on four wheels are going to have a MUCH tougher time seeing you. I've been stuck riding in some real gully-washers, and while the bike handled everything easily, I was in constant fear of being hit. Cars and trucks throw up a lot of spray from a wet road, and visibility goes way down.  Just as bad is if it's raining lightly when the sun is shining brightly. The glare from the road will make you really hard to see.

BTW, I'm selling my Ducati 749. Now, it's not exactly a commuter bike, but it'll make the trip a lot faster and a lot more fun than that DL. 

Edited April 18 by Darrell

[Tom B]

On 3/14/2025 at 7:56 PM, Darrell said:

I have a few bikes, each with a little different target, but if I wanted to have just one for commuting I'd probably stick with my BMW F-700GS.  At 800 cc it's got plenty of oomph for freeway riding, and as a two-cylinder FI bike it gets great fuel economy, better than 50mpg the way I ride. (I wring its neck most of the time.) Mine has saddlebags that will handle a helmet and riding gear.  One benefit to my mind is that the bike will handle dirt and gravel roads really well.

Funny I just read this reply, I am in the market for that exact bike. I had the 800GS but I dont want something that tall.  Unfortunately I dont see any in the OP's price range.

[maroonandwhite]

Wellllllll, I ended up just buying a new Kawasaki KLR650 today. Had it marked down since it is a 2023. Travel package with ABS. 

[maroonandwhite]

So having been a cruiser with windshield kind of guy I am used to wearing half helmets. Using that helmet on this bike leaves me feeling vulnerable to face strikes and excessive dust and crap in my face. 
 

Can you give me some helmet advice? I’m leaning towards a 3/4 with a screen. I have a full face but it’s not the best fitting and is a little on the cheaper side. I don’t really like the feeling of being in a bubble. I’m hoping 3/4 will preserve at least some of the connection to the outside. 
 

I guess maybe I could just buy a taller windscreen. 

Edited Friday at 05:16 PM by maroonandwhite

[maroonandwhite]

I just ordered a taller windshield. I bet that will help tremendously based on what YouTube shows. Apart from that, I’m gonna go hit the local wildlife preserve area. 

[gary_boom]

Just don’t hit the local Wildlife 

[peejman]

I don't know how people ride in anything but a full face helmet.  Debris in your eyes is definitely an issue, particularly since I wear contacts. 

Shoei and Arai are top shelf and priced that way. I have an HJC that does the job and is comfortable. Best option is to find a bike shop or cycle gear and try on a bunch to see what fits best.  Every brand is a little different.  

And do your future self a favor and wear ear plugs. 

[Darrell]

I ride with an Arai full-face helmet. If you have a round punkin like mine, Arai is the best fit. For people with an oval head the Shoei's seem to be better.  When I was racing I always wore AGV helmets, which I really like, too.

Two things you should never go cheap on: your helmet and your tires.

I've had a few KLR's over the years, and they're fantastic bikes! Since you're planning to use it to commute you might consider a pair of hard panniers for it. I see you already have a top-box!

Congratulations on the new bike! Be sure to test that ABS so you know how it feels. Start with the rear brake and then work up to getting the front to activate. It'll definitely startle you when it activates unexpectedly, so it's wise to practice with it regularly.

Edited Friday at 11:40 PM by Darrell

[gregintenn]

I’m sort of partial to my head, so I wear a full face helmet. The ones we have weren’t prohibitively expensive, yet have multiple vents you can open and close, and even a separate tinted shield between the face shield and your face.

[BigK]

8 hours ago, maroonandwhite said:

Wellllllll, I ended up just buying a new Kawasaki KLR650 today. Had it marked down since it is a 2023. Travel package with ABS. 

That is one gorgeous looking bike!!!! I love that color.