So.... I'm ashamed to say, because of a number of layers of mis-informedness, I bought my first bike, a Kawasaki Vulcan 650s, thinking it had ABS because I saw the speed sensor ring on the bike and thought it was the ABS module. The seller didn't really know what they were talking about and "Confirmed" that it was ABS. In a turn of events that will be shocking to no one but me five hours ago, the bike doesn't have ABS, so I'm going to sell it for something that has ABS. I've been riding it since october, and probably only have 1500 miles under my belt.
While I really enjoyed how peppy it was for a cruiser, and it was maneuverable enough for what it was, I'm open to the idea of other makes and models of motorcycle that would be good for me.
I really enjoyed putting highway miles on it, and will likely have a 35 minute commute to work and back when I use a motorcycle to commute. I REALLY like the idea of a Honda Goldwing, but I think this is a bit early in my career to be riding a Goldwing around. But I would love to be wrong. I do know that many people say wings are very manueverable for such big bikes. So I'm curious to know what people think about one as a semi-first bike.
I'm also leaning heavily toward the V-strom 650 or Versys 650. And curious if the Vstrom 1000 would be way too much to handle for a moderate rider.
Likewise, I absolutely love the aesthetics of the XSR700, and z650RS, but doubt they have the ability to eat up highway miles, and would probably be best for weekend rides around town and such.
I swear I'm not normally this stupid, but buying my first bike was a head swirling experience, and I overlooked a few very key details.