the commute in heavy traffic is just too hard on the harley so looking to pick up a 2nd hand jappy to split lanes with.  haven;t been on one for over 15 years and really have got no idea where to start.   anyone have an opinion on a decent ride , that won;t break the bank ( or kill my back ) and reliable.

I have an '04 CBR1100 Blackbird for commuting. Great bikes and fun too. Perfect for lane splitting. Just gotta watch the speed and those arseholes on the Beemers. (the one's with the blue and red lights mounted on them.)
Depending on how much you wanna spend, FLSTC, you can pick these up for round the $9k mark.

Friend of mine rides a Yamaha FZ6, 600 motor but puts out 90 hp, seating position is better for you back than the average sports bike. He commutes daily on it rain or shine. Around the 11k mark new.

A sportster is too small for me, plus, I like the different feel of the blackbird. makes jumping back on the Harley all that more pleasurable

I had the same dilema a few years ago so I bought a Honda dirt bike (XR400).
It was great for work and back and also took it out a few times in the bush for a bit of fun.
Only problem was it was thirsty and had no electric start. Good thing was I sold it for nearly what I paid after 4 years.

Johno

I got a Kawasaki GPZ75o turbo that sleeps in the shed......not a lot of em around anymore......but i still like it....but i love me Harley...

Second vote for a road/trail bike here, Good fun even on the wet days

I have an old XT500 Yamaha traily and that is good in the traffic too

Always wanted an 100 katana, does that count?

I used to so love the katana..with the moveable headlight and al..loved that bike

suzuki

I've been dreaming about a second bike for work etc, and have thought about a 250 sport bike, just for something totally different. I like the look of the new Kawasaki 250 Ninja. But if I had heaps of dosh I would get a Triumph Tiger, can go down those rough dirt roads when I feel like it.

Mine is Italian not Jap, I have a MV Agusta Brutale 910R, great bike, love it.

I've got a couple of GSXR suzuki's in my shed.

I don't like the race rep riding position so these are both streetfighters running motocross style handlebars and no fairings.

Harleys are great and I love mine, but it will never be able to do this (K1 1000)....  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9muX9BHBZno

Or this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK3636t4RfA

Or this from my '92 intercooled turbo GSXR1216 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD51tKzezqY&feature=related

Guys wats this talk about jappers on a harley forum , Just do what i do and split lanes on ya HARLEY

ok .. answered my first question ... That i wouldn;t burn in hell for raising this on the forum ... my daily commute is about 50 mins so i don;t want to be hunched over on something like a GSXR. I'll probably do around 10-12k per year on whatever I get. I know the beemers have a nice riding position but I just couldn;t see myself buying one ever ! my budget is around $5000 give or take. I just missed out on a yamaha TRX 850 on ebay - but I gotta admit I was only bidding because I liked the colour and it was a v-twin. couldn;t go a duke - whilst i just love the shape it scares the hell out of me the cost of reapirs and lack of reliability.

Hey Dazza, why bring me into this? Let em wash their mouths out with battery acid or sumthin... Oh and the only jap bikes that would ever be in my shed would be kindling and firestarters... Cheers from the ever so warm bonfire - Sumpoil... P.S. apologies to whoever needs em but it is HD Forum... he he...

Triumph Bonneville T100 that is no where near enough speed for Dazza and the Demons but it is quick in the Carpark and avoiding my Volvo driving wife as I enter the drive way!!!!

It is also a protector of Beeza's from the ever threatening ROO's of the SW

I think there is KX450 in there somewhere as well for when I want to be a complete dickhead and have a painfull Monday at work.

BMX for the local jumpin paddock with my boys......

and they are all quicker than my old Harley but she has been a part of the family for so long she doesn't care about my affairs with others.  She knows she cant be replaced..........................

If you want  twin , look for a Honda VTR1000, that will be a good comuter

 

Another good one would be the Honda VFR

If you don't mind twirling some spanners, you can save a lot by buying a wreck and buying bits from ebay (apparently, all the kids are using it these days).
A ZRX1200 or a GSX1400 would be a dream for the commute to work, tons of grunt and comfort to last all day.

If you want to buy a going bike, with your budget, I'd go for a 1200 Bandit, the motor dates back to the oil cooled GSXR's and is unstoppable, plenty of torque and easily one of the best wheelie bikes I've owned (if that's your thing), also capable of touring and a few laps down the strip.

Also it makes a lot of sense to put commuting miles on something not worth much and not costly to service, keeping your harley clean and shiny and low k's for the good times on the weekends.

I have a Triumph speed triple and a 510 road / traily and the speed triple is like a big powerful toy. Great fun, well balanced and reliable. Good lane splitter and head turner.

The road trail is fun and easy in traffic too but the knobbly tires are only good on the dirty stuff for fun.

My Wideglide is a bit wide for the lane splitting but the Trumpy is awesome.

I am 6 foot 2 as well and the Trumpy is good position for the back, legs and wrists.

My theory is get one of each and then the hardest thing is figuring out which one to jump on today!