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Friend in Germany - who bought a specific older Mercedes estate to allow him to carry a canoe on top - kept pushing me to view enduro/touring types, to try get the most versatility and stop me getting the speed bug.
Of course, the 125 has piece by piece gone from a mini cruiser to a mini cafe, and if I can strip it down by summer will go all the way to discomfort in pursuit of marginal gains errand racer.
I loved the look of that yellow Daytona they have, almost as much as the Moto Guzzi cafe racer... but these bikes are going to be a compromise in the wrong direction. Found it felt very stretched out and zero accommodation for anything but speed.
Seems tough to find something low and planted with good handling for traffic, but capable of motorway speeds and lightweight luggage handling... without going megabuck.
Dare I say it, if it’s gonna cost a few grand anyway, I’m swaying toward the Royal Enfield Continental GT twin - new price is less than a lot of those name-brand used bikes. Low, planted, pillion/light luggage potential, and light and small enough for traffic.
pdlouche-
Seems tough to find something low and planted with good handling for traffic, but capable of motorway speeds and lightweight luggage handling... without going megabuck.
Modern or with a slight OG look?
SV650. Monster 695, Street triple, ER6, Z650. All these are great for what you're looking for. Street Triple was a riot to own, but attracts a lot of itchy fingers and tends to give you a heavy wrist for shits and giggles.
@skinny I was utterly smitten by the 990 adeventure. It was like an even wilder Street Triple. Seat was just too damned high, and the GF didn't like that V-twin shunt.
Chak
If it wasn't for the GF wanting to ride as well, I'd be rolling on a Daytona right this here moment without a care in the world.
Alas, situation dictates a bike good for two, which doesn't limit options for fun bikes, but the bloody prices do when you start having to consider all other equipment.