Touring Gsx
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US $14.95
Popular Street Bikes
Shopping for your first street bike can be quite difficult if you have no idea of where to start. You may be familiar with a few different types of bikes, but you could shortchange yourself if you're not considering models that you aren't familiar with but that might be the most appropriate. Even if you have owned a street bike in the past, it may be difficult to keep track of all the makes and models currently on the market and to compare them in order to determine which specific motorcycle is right for you.
Whether you're just considering buying a street bike or whether you're ready to pull the trigger, you'll need to do your homework to ensure you get the most for your money and maximize your consumer satisfaction. One of the best ways to start out is to research the most popular street bike makes and models on the market. The guide below will familiarize you with some well-known and not-so-well-known brands of motorcycles that offer street bike options to consumers like you.
After reading the brief descriptions offered below, narrow down your options to a few that interest you further. After you've come up with a list of viable options for yourself, research the motorcycle manufacturers further by visiting their Web sites, reading consumer reviews, comparing pricing and so on. Finally, decide whether you will purchase a used street bike or a new one and begin to shop around for a reasonable deal on the bike you want.
American Ironhorse
American Ironhorse is mostly known for producing choppers and customs. The Fort-Worth, Texas manufacturer has a reputation for being "high-end," which is also reflected in the price range. American Ironhorse motorcycles cost anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000, though current financial turmoil could soon present the opportunity for negotiation and get you a better deal.
Aprilia
Aprilia has a much wider collection of models under various categories, including off-road and racing bikes. The Italian manufacturer is traditionally known for producing scooters, but has recently earned acclaim by winning sport bike races. Aprilia's street bike collection is about as large as American Ironhorse's, but the price is much lower.
Big Dog
Big Dog is known for it's cruiser-style street bikes and wide range of customizing options. The Wichita, Kansas manufacturer produces five models. Big Dog's street bikes run in the $25,000 range.
BMC
BMC is a smaller motorcycle manufacturer located in Bend, Oregon. The company has earned big attention through its focus on factory customs. Check them out for a DOT-approved street bike that looks totally unique.
BMW Motorrad
BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle division of the German automotive manufacturer BMW. BMW has been producing motorcycles since 1923. Though the company is traditionally known for their original engine configuration, the flat-twin boxer, today's BMW motorcycles include a variety of engine and riding formats.
Bourget's Bike Works
Bourget motorcycles, based in Phoenix, Arizona started out by producing one-of-a-kind bikes in Roger Bourget's garage. The manufacturer is known for its signature oil-in frame/drop seat style chassis, which was actually patented in 1999. The bike maker is known for innovation in motorcycle design and also holds a patent for its jackshaft design.
Buell
Buell Motorcycles was founded by former Harley Davidson engineer Erik Buell. Most Buell bikes contain four-stroke air-cooled V-twin engines, originally built from XR1000 Sportster engines. Many upgrades and performance engineering initiatives have been implemented since then.
Ducati
The Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati is best known for high performance street bikes with large capacity four-stroke L-twin engines featuring a desmodromic valve design. Ducati also uses multiple dry clutches in many of their street bikes, which prevents power loss from oil viscosity drag on the engine.
Honda
The Japanese auto manufacturer Honda has been exporting motorcycles to the United States since the 1960's. Today, Honda's line of street motorcycles and scooters include touring bikes, sport-tourers, cruisers, standard street bikes, sport bikes, dual sports bikes, and scooters.
Indian
The Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company was once known as the largest producer of motorcycles in the world. This is perhaps the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in the United States, having been around since 1901. Today's Indian Chief motorcycles are produced in limited quantities so the company can focus on quality, performance and exclusivity. The company, under new management, has growth plans through 2011.
Kawasaki
Kawasaki has been producing motorcycles since 1953. Today, the Japanese manufacturer produces a wide collection of street bikes in the following categories: sport, supersport, touring, supersport touring, cruisers, and dual purpose. Kawasaki is also known for off-road and motocross models. Kawasaki is not really in the custom market but produces a fine factory bike.
KTM
The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM is most commonly known for its off-road and sport bikes. In recent years, however, it has expanded into production of street motorcycles as well.
Moto Guzzi
The Italian motorcycle manufacturer, also known simply as "Guzzi," is known as the oldest European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production. Notably, the Italian police and military and various US police departments (e.g. LAPD) have used Moto Guzzi bikes in their fleets. Guzzi currently offers about 9 different models including street bikes and sport bikes.
Suzuki
Suzuki, which is also the 12th largest automobile manufacturer in the world, started manufacturing bikes in 1952. Suzuki's factory models include the legendary Hayabusa, the GSX-R1000, the GSX-R750, the GSX-R600 and the GSX-R650F (which is their newer sport touring model).
Swift
Swift Motorcycle Company is a newer manufacturer, also based in Phoenix, Arizona. The producer of street bikes focuses on custom entry level, mid range, and high-end choppers, bobbers and pro street models.
Yamaha
Though Yamaha produces mainly factory motorcycles, it is possible to get customs through this Japanese bike maker as well. Yamaha's current lineup includes over 26 models priced anywhere between $6000 and $19,000.
Now that you have learned a little bit about the different manufacturers of street bikes, you can drill into the ones you're interested in a bit further to help narrow down your search.
About the Author
For the best deals on pre-owned motorcycles including
used street bikes
, sport bikes, off-road models and customs visit CycleLeeg, the internet's free
motorcycle classifieds
.
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#170 GSX Master Link $1.97 #170 GSX Master Link |
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#170 GSX Offset Link $1.97 #170 GSX Offset link |
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#170 GSX Chain $5.45 Roller chain Dun Pai, chain #170 GSX |
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Suzuki GSX-R FlexFit Hat $22.99 Factory Effex Suzuki GSX-R FlexFit Hat |
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Touring $79.99 T. B. Tucker Touring - Framed Art Print |
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Touring The World: Touring Australia - $12.99 Touring The World: Touring Australia - |
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Touring The World: Touring China - $12.99 Touring The World: Touring China - |
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Touring The World: Touring England - $12.99 Touring The World: Touring England - |
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Suzuki GSX-R T-Shirt $17.99 Factory Effex Suzuki GSX-R T-Shirt Official Suzuki Licensed Apparel Screened black t-shirt with standard fit |
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Accelerant GSX-R Jacket $430 Icon Accelerant GSX-R Jacket Metal alloys, textile fibers, thermoplastic rubber and premium leather - these are the raw building block materials for speed. Accelerant is the precise fusion of all of the above and one of Icon's most technically advanced riding jackets. Suzuki and GSX-R badging executed in Icon "hero" style push this street jacket to the front of the pack. The Accelerant FSX-R jacket is fully committed and all business, just like your gixxer. Features: Icon sport fit 1.2-1/4mm premium Brazilian leather chassis Removable Icon CE Field Armor impact protector elbow and shoulder External Thermoplastic back and shoulder protection with alloy inserts Removable Icon dual density back pad Strategically placed stretch ballistic nylon for comfort and flexibility Strategically placed perforated leather for ventilation Zippered intake and exhaust vents for cooling Removable insulated wind resistant liner **Closeouts are limited to stock on hand** |
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Transition Networks / 1000BSX NIC MM SC / N-GSX-SC-02 $207.1 Transition Networks - 1000BSX NIC MM SC - N-GSX-SC-02 |
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Citizen Network Adapter RS-232 for GSX 190i Int AK668720M $43.38 Citizen Network Adapter RS-232 for GSX 190i Int AK668720M |
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170 GSX Custom Chain Kit $21.81 Custom Chain kit using metric 170 GSX chain (see chain info). Up to 60 inches length. Kit includes 1 master link and 1 offset link for extending the chain by 1 link. |
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Overlord Textile GSX-R Jacket $185 Icon Overlord Textile GSX-R Jacket The Overlord textile GSX-R jacket features all the proven riding features found on the Overlord jacket with the inclusion of bold GSX-R branding. The additional Suzuki graphics, carefully executed in applique and embroidery, are laid over a printed nylon chassis for a legitimate street pedigree. Fighter mesh vent panels, spandex paneled pre-curved arms and mechanical flex zones ensure a quality no-bind fit. Finally, a full package of internal CE elbow and shoulder impact protectors to provide a padded piece of mind. ICON attack fit Durable nylon textile chassis Removable ICON CE field armor impact protector elbow and shoulder Removable ICON dual-density foam back pad Gathered elastic flex panels on elbows and shoulders Strategically placed fighter mesh panels Removable insulated wind resistant vest Upgradable to Stryker CE back protector |
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Buick GSX Hobbies Stadium Blanket by CafePress $60 Our GSX products feature a 1970 Buick GSX on an American flag background with the GSX emblem, and the American Muscle logo. Hobbies Stadium Blanket Snuggle up to a good book while you snuggle under this super-soft Throw Blanket. Perfect for the couch, the car or an evening ball game, this cozy stadium blanket keeps you toasty. A generous 50 x 60, depending on who's asking, it might even be big enou |
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Buick GSX Hobbies Large Wall Clock by CafePress $40 Our GSX products feature a 1970 Buick GSX on an American flag background with the GSX emblem, and the American Muscle logo. Hobbies Large Wall Clock Measuring an impressive 17 in diameter, this Large Wall Clock is easy to read from across the room. Ideal for the game room, garage, or wherever people gather, it features a rugged plastic body and face. The eye-catching clock has quality Quartz movement |
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Buick GSX Hobbies Hoodie dark by CafePress $45 Our GSX products feature a 1970 Buick GSX on an American flag background with the GSX emblem, and the American Muscle logo. Hobbies Hoodie dark Stay warm on the inside. Look oh-so-cool on the outside. Don this comfortable fleece sweatshirt for that dress-down BBQ -- or your next dress-to-impress trip to the mall.10 oz. fleece blend 90% cotton/10% polyester. Fleece-lined hoo |
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Buick GSX Hobbies Dark T-Shirt by CafePress $26 Our GSX products feature a 1970 Buick GSX on an American flag background with the GSX emblem, and the American Muscle logo. Hobbies Dark T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Don't waste time deciding on which shirt to put on each morning. This dark shirt t-shirt will never go out of style and hides stains better too. This high-quality t-shirt is pre-shrunk and 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and durable. |
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Touring Philadelphia $19.99 Touring Philadelphia - Premium Poster |
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Touring the World $24.99 Touring the World - Photographic Print |
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Touring Czechs $24.99 Touring Czechs - Photographic Print |
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Touring in the Alps $39.99 Touring in the Alps - Giclee Print |
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Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana Silver 1/12 Diecast Model by Autoart $79.99 Brand new 112 scalediecastmodel of Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana Silver by Autoart. Item... |
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I-MGBIC-GSX - SFP (mini-GBIC) transceiver module $367.99 Enterasys I-MGBIC-GSX - SFP (mini-GBIC) transceiver module - 1000Base-SX - plug-in module |
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Alliance Threshold GSX-R Helmet $210 Icon Alliance Threshold GSX-R Helmet The latest addition to the Icon line of Suzuki? licensed products is the Alliance Threshold GSX-R helmet. Based on the refined fit of the Alliance helmet with bold GSX-R badging, the Threshold GSX-R represents your choice in bikes with style. Evolved & refined. Icon has never been satisfied with the status quo - which is why we created the new Icon AllianceTM helmet. Based on the proven Alliance SSR, this nextgen helmet is fitted with a multitude of key refinements. The first revision is the new EPS liner. We've listened to the customers' requests and reshaped the EPS liner into a more oval geometry. This new headform increases rider comfort by slightly elongating the entire inner circumference. Combine this geometry with our removable Hydra-Dry? wicking comfort liner and the result is a nearly perfect rider-focused enclosure. To further increase rider comfort, they've revised the entire venting system. Much like a finely tuned motor, we've reshaped and enlarged the intake and exhaust ports for increased airflow. Additional ventilation ports have also been added to the lateral aspect of the helmet to further increase ventilation. The shield itself has been upgraded to Icon's distortion-free Pro-Shield?. The Pro-Shield? features the ProLock? shield locking system, graphic enabled sideplates, fog-free coating, and a no-tools shield change interface. Continuing with our commitment to excellence, the Alliance is constructed with premier manufacturing processes and stringent quality assurance procedures. This, combined with rigorous testing, assures that the Alliance meets or exceeds the high safety standards set by DOT,ECE,SG and SAI. Features:? All World Standard meets or exceeds the following: DOT FMVSS 218 (US), ECE 22-05 (Europe), SAI AS 1698 (Australia) &SG (Japan) Safety and testing standards Injection molded polycarbonate for strength Long oval head form Wind tunnel tested and refined Molded twin channel super vent for increased cooling Rear exhaust ports prevent heat buildup Removable molded breath deflector reduces shield fogging Chin venting system reduces shield fogging Fully removable/washable pro-shield with side plates Pro-lock shield locking system |
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Buick Skylark GSX Art Wall Clock by CafePress $15 1970,1971,1972,350,455,art,buick,car,cartoon,drag,Gran Sport,gsx,illustration,muscle,race,saturn,skylark,stage,sunburst,yellow,V8,animation,design Art Wall Clock Decorate any room in your home or office with our 10 inch wall clock. Black plastic case. Requires 1 AA battery included. |
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Royal Touring $9.99 Gregory Gorham Royal Touring - Art Print |
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Transition Networks / Transition Networks Fiber Optic Gigabit Ethernet Card / N-GSX-LC-02 $268.34 Transition Networks - Transition Networks Fiber Optic Gigabit Ethernet Card - N-GSX-LC-02 |
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Enterasys I-MGBIC-GSX Industrial Mini-GBIC - SFP (mini-GBIC) IMGBICGSX $360.3 Enterasys I-MGBIC-GSX Industrial Mini-GBIC - SFP (mini-GBIC) IMGBICGSX |
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Metallica - Touring Europe '08 $11.99 Metallica - Touring Europe '08 |
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Touring The World (6pc) - $49.99 Touring The World (6pc) - |
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Buick Skylark GSX Art Mug by CafePress $15 1970,1971,1972,350,455,art,buick,car,cartoon,drag,Gran Sport,gsx,illustration,muscle,race,saturn,skylark,stage,sunburst,yellow,V8,animation,design Art Mug The perfect size for your favorite morning beverage or late night brew. Large, easy-grip handle. Treat yourself or give as a gift to someone special. Measures 3.75 tall, 3 diameter. Dishwasher and microwave safe. |
