Thinking about graduating from my MT-03
TL;DR: Looking for a modern retro bike for city commuting and the occasional short tour. Something comfortable. Must have ABS. Is a Guzzi V7 reliable enough to take road trips with? Is a 2014 Honda CB1100 too much bike for me?
Now for the long version. Apologies for long-windedness. Some background:
Me: 30 year old woman, 5'11", 160lbs. I live in Queens, NY. I commute in the city, and like to take trips upstate to visit family, go camping/hiking, or hit the twisties. I ride two up a lot.
I've been riding for a year. I've been diligent with my parking lot drills and slow speed practice. I've developed more skill and comfort riding than I honestly expected to have at this point. I am not really a hooligan or a speed demon, I just like to get from point a to point b reliably on two wheels.
My MT-03 is very much at home in New York City. It's light, nimble, and reliable. It was right in my price range when I bought it. NYC is dense even compared to a lot of other cities. I couldn't really imagine having anything with much more power unless I was really trying to get into trouble.
However, it's kinda cramped for me. I didn't have enough experience to notice when I first started, but now it's pretty obvious. If I ride for more than an hour, I get pretty uncomfortable.
In addition, I ride two up with my partner a lot, and the bike can do it, but isn't really designed for it. I get a lot of fork dive, and I'm constantly sliding forward into the gas tank. The MT-03's seat design is kinda notorious for this anyway, and the two-up use case really highlights this issue. I've outfitted the seats with aftermarket pads that attatch on top. It helps, but it doesn't get rid of the problem.
I've also been taking lots of trips out of town this summer, and it's very striking how small and unplanted the MT-03 feels when I'm on a proper interstate as opposed to going 45-55 on the BQE. Riding on the hutch feels like the aisle of man. The MT-03 goes from being perfect for its environment to a puny speck of dust in an avalanche.
Needless to say, I'm starting to think about upgrading. Something that still does well in the city, but can take me (and a passenger) out of the concrete jungle comfortably. Looking to buy used.
I do really like the sci-fi hypernaked style, but I have increasingly felt that a retro-modern bike is more my speed. Call me vain, but I think it's easier to throw a decent outfit together with moto gear that pairs with a more classic looking bike. Also, I'm kinda over the vibe of 180° parallel twin. I'm not as interested in a cafe-style bike as I am a standard roadster. Something about the Triumph and Royal Enfield just doesn't do it for me.
Aesthetically, I adore the Moto Guzzi V7. I love the style, the transverse V-twin, and as a paisana myself, I love the italian swag. But when I imagine getting stuck up in Vermont or someplace with some weird electrical issue and no MG parts or dealers in a 300 mile radius, it sends a chill down my spine. I worry about the cost and availability of parts that might need replacing.
I'm interested in some of the middleweight retro modern japanese bikes, but the XSR700 and CB650r are kinda out of my price range. I'm unsure how comfortable those bikes (plus the z650rs which is more affordable) really would be after a few hours on the saddle.
I'm very into the discontinued and underrated Honda CB1100, but I worry that it may be too much bike for someone with my level of experience. It would be a challenge to find an opportunity to try riding one. But I'm very attracted to its UJM styling plus its reputation for being easygoing and comfortable. And on the used market, the prices in my area are perfect. If Honda had released a CB800 or something alongside the 1100 and it had a similar fit and finish, there'd be no question about it being the winner. Is the CB1100 too much bike for me with only a year of experience? Would it be too cumbersome in a city environment?
I'm offroad curious, and would love to go moto camping, but I'm not terribly inspired by the whole vibe of ADV bikes. I think a Versys 650 would be a practical choice, but again, swagless. I don't hate the NC750, but I don't want a DCT bike and the manual versions don't come with ABS.
Maybe I have too many conflicting requirements, and something's gotta give. Do I renounce my vanity, and accept my fate to ride a middleweight sport tourer? Do I sacrifice urban nimbleness for touring comfort and highway stability? Do I find a way to raise my price range? Do I dive headfirst into a heavyweight like the CB1100 fresh off of a year of experience riding a 300? Do I place my faith in a Moto Guzzi to get me home after a long trip?