So I've looked at lots of bikes. I like the seating position of standard bikes, and I like the looks of the more naked bikes. I'd like to stay in the middleweight size so 500-650ish. But I'm having a hard time finding a lot in that category around my price range of under $3500. I'm looking for other models that might fit my criteria that I just don't know about.
So far I really like these and have found both in my price range:
Honda 599
Kawasaki ER6N
Any other suggestions?
Early Suzuki Bandit?
SV-650 is a popular option.
Ducati Monster?
Edit: Scarey how similar the SV and the Duc look.
Suzuki Gladius 650:
No SV650? You could also go Bandit 600 but he SV is a superior bike in my opinion.
Find someone with a 690 duke to let you test ride? You'll either hate it or you'll be head over heels and pay the extra $1500 to get a used one. 
Buell M2: more cc's, about 440 lbs. Comfy ergos and hypnotic torque. Right on the money.
Those were that heavy?!?
Yeah I haven't seen any Monsters in my price. And yes I forgot the SV650, but I really don't like them as much.
What's the reliability rep on the Buells? And are they carb'd or fuel injected?
octavious wrote: What's the reliability rep on the Buells? And are they carb'd or fuel injected?
The M2 is carbed. The similar X1 has FI. All of the later XBs are FI. I have had two Buells (2000 M2, and 2007 XB12STT) and both were quite reliable for me.
yamaha wrote: Those were that heavy?!?
Yep. Still very fun to ride...
A later model XB9SX (City-X / City-cross) would tickle that price point as well, and give the later XB style. Also a tad lighter than the tube frame bikes.
In reply to FSP_ZX2:
Ahh, nvm......for some reason I'm confused on which was the lightweight buell.....the cyclone will be near 500 lbs at curb weight(since 435 was dry weight)
yamaha wrote: In reply to FSP_ZX2: Ahh, nvm......for some reason I'm confused on which was the lightweight buell.....the cyclone will be near 500 lbs at curb weight(since 435 was dry weight)
The curb/wet weight of the XBs were in the 450-460 neighborhood. The earlier "tubers" were just slightly more. Fuel and oil are the only fluids--keep in mind that they are air cooled. They all feature razor-sharp handling and amazing brakes...and employ Buell's "mass centralization" philosophy (i.e. mufflers under the bike etc.); the XBs had the fuel in the frame and the oil in the swingarm...
IMG_8133.jpeg
Does it have to be mid-size? There are other nakeds out there if you go back a couple more years. This is my 99 ZRX. To me it handles every bit as good a the GSX-R600 it replaced and with 1100 cc's, it has gobs of torque. I rarely turn it over 5k and scoots.
It's going to be my first bike. I'd like to stick to middleweights because of that.
I hadn't really looked at the Buells. I do like the underside exhaust on the ER-6N.
I've owned 3 Buell's. All tube frame models.
I love Buell's. The torque is great. They were reliable for me as well but I'm not a headbanger on the road or track. My more risk taking friends had some issues with their's but they tend to run much faster and harder than I do/did.
They are a powerful bike and while the mass is centralized they are heavier than a 600cc metric bike and therefore could be more intimidating for a rider just starting out. If you worry about your ability to pick a bike up after dropping it on the pavement or touching down to hold it up at a light, that might not be a good bike for you to start on. The upside being you won't easily out grow the Buell as you progress as a rider.
I think the ER-6N, the SV650, the V-strom 650, and others in that size and range are great choices.
Which Buells only have a single headlight? I think the dual headlights look a little googilly eyed.
I like the v-storm too I haven't seen many in my range.
If you like 599's and can find a nice one for under $3500 that would be a way to go. For some reason those things are like gold out here.
Otherwise on the lower end you will find Suzuki GS500e's and as already mentioned the naked 600 Bandit.
Personally (other than the 599), I would be looking at SV650's and avoiding any Buell under $3500 like the plague (IMHO, YMMV, etc.). Lots of people, myself included, have complained about the stock suspension on the SV650, but it isn't any worse than other bikes in its class and a new rider probably wouldn't notice anyhow.
octavious wrote: Which Buells only have a single headlight? I think the dual headlights look a little googilly eyed.
The M2 and X1 (tubers) have single lights. The upright XB's (XB9SX, XB9S, XB12S, XB12STT etc) have twin lights--but they can be changed.
Yeah my buddy has a 919 and I've been over and around and on that thing. I like the Honda but I don't want the 919, even though they are easier to find than the 590. The 599 is almost identical height and seat so I have been looking at those. I found a 03 with less than 5k miles, just out of the shop to have he carbs and everything checked, and an asking price of $3500.
On the flip I found two ER-6N with low miles for the same price. The ER is fuel injected instead of carb'd but I'm not sure if it is really that big of a deal.
The SV650s I've seen are all higher mileage and a little rougher than either the 599 and ER-6N.
In reply to octavious:
FWIW, the er-6n is basically a "standard" of the 70-75hp 650 ninja.
It should also be 430 lbs wet ready to ride as iirc they are about identical weight with more fuel capacity to my 10r.
Yamaha- I know it is the naked version of the Ninja, is your wink a good or bad thing? I thought the hp rating I saw was around 64-65 ish.
The reviews seem to say the ER-6n was easy enough for a newb to learn on at low revs, but could be wound up as experience/confidence builds. Is that a pretty good way to put it?
My opinion is heavily biased because in my world V-twin >>>>> parallel twin and my last 3 bikes have been v-twins.
But if that doesn't matter to you then the ER6N is pretty much the equivalent of the 2nd gen (fuel injected) SV650. So if you don't like SV's than the ER6N is probably a good way to go.
This test compares the ER6N to the Gladius (the naked SV sadly having been superceded by the Gladius by then)
In reply to octavious:
Thats how about any bike works....and that was meant as a good thing. 65ish is most likely WHP not crank. Just remember, if you get this Kawa.....buy a full Akrapovic exhaust. It'll make more power, lose a little weight(the akra is titanium), and sound great. 
I'll throw a Triumph Speed Four into the mix. Was my first bike. A little on the heavy side but very neutral handling and good power delivery for a four banger. They are also right in your price range.
Akra exhaust is awesome. It is also awesomely expensive. I keep getting close to pulling the trigger on some for the Tuono.
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