scunny, I'm a big fan of buying a bike as a present for myself, it almost always involves a rebuild though , and generally isn't any less cost than a purchase of a running machine.
I find it difficult to choose machines other than vintage Hondas, but I went to a bike show a couple of years back and for some reason was interested in the Triumphs. Very nice machines I thought , but again , it 's a vintage design. Then I saw a recent Yamaha factory built Cafe racer , 650 maybe,....realized there seems to be a vintage theme that has my interest.
The new bikes scare me, they look uncomfortable and expensive ...not keen on computers in machines, can't fix ,only replace.
I bought a 2001 honda 750, told the owner I that I didn't want his bike, had no use for it, too new for me. Would have never looked for a machine like that and I would have missed out on a light weight ,comfortable ride. Cruises nicely, not big HP but has no problems getting over the speed limit . Looks cruiser enough that Harley riders don't break my stones about it being Japanese. Factory seat isn't any good, ass buster , delivers lower back pain in less than 35 miles. Aftermarket seat makes that machine a different bike.
Had an idea that the wing might be interesting . 750 lbs machine vs 165lbs rider . I think the math is off for a light weight rider.... There's no pushing one of those home either. The one in the barn just wares me out moving it around the shop, have been threatening to rebuild it but can't think of a compelling reason to do it. Everyone says that they are fantastic for long rides, I changed the bars, lost the boxes and the ever so stylish Vetter wind-sceen to make it comfortable for my size, didn't want to climb all over the boxes to get on the seat and then have them be in the way all the time. It looks allot better now, but I can't verify that it is fantastic for any ride.
You're thinking street triple, is that a 2 stroke kind of triple or a 4 stroke kind? I never looked into triples before. I can see where a 2 stroke would be lighter weight with twice as much fire in the chamber than the 4 stroke model , but I can see where a 4 stroke model would be more like riding the cb650...not that there is anything wrong with the 650, one of my favorite rides, have upgraded 500/550s with 650 suspensions a few times . But the smell of a 2 stroke reminds me of younger days for sure, the ting ting tingy sound when you let off the throttle , that would be a crazy sound times 3. Powerband hmmm , what would that be like? Either the front end is coming up or the wheel is spinning or at least able to . I can see why you might be thinking of something like that.
