# Which bike re:California **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [June 10, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/which-bike-re-california/272478 "2015-06-10T18:37:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/which-bike-re-california/272478/1 "2015-06-10T18:37:58Z")
So I recently bought a 2006 drz400sm for $3300: ![https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rmMZrkId55L_tMKIp9LegzFfLuBm1x5Prhkff0HcseU=w177-h208-no](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rmMZrkId55L_tMKIp9LegzFfLuBm1x5Prhkff0HcseU=w177-h208-no) It’s ok, cruises at 75 decently, but lacks the power of the 520exc I had last year. I just did the 3x3 mod w/ jet kit and that helped a little. It’s staying stock otherwise besides hand guards and a rear rack. Depending on when I leave it will have between 3400 and 4000 miles on it, which is about a quarter of the miles on bikes I’ve seen on the San Diego Craigslist. example: 08 with 15000 miles for $3800 [http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/5068463331.html](http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/5068463331.html) I’ll probably end up having a 30-45 mile commute. I’m wondering if I should get another bike but I’m not sure. Should I: A) sell it before I leave to a friend who already wants it. B) ship it for ~$500, register it, then sell it. (should at least break even given its relative low miles). Then buy what? I don’t want to spend more than $3-4K on something. Not really interested in sport bikes. I’ve had a few and I’m not looking for the trouble they bring. C) ship and keep for a “while”. While is in quotes because I rarely keep vehicles for more than a year. I had my e46 for 3 years and my accord for 2. I think those are the record holders. (I’ll be able to register it in cali since I already own it and registered it in NY even though its not CA emissions compliant. Not sure how selling it there will go though.) I want to keep it because then I’ll have something ready to go when I get there that I know isn’t a total POS and I wouldn’t have to go to the DMV right away. I am not bringing any other vehicles out there but I will end up with some sort of BMW shortly after getting to cali. I really have my eye on an e65: [http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/5038466886.html](http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/5038466886.html). I’ve had 3 and 5 series, so might as well step up. I’m also shipping my ~1500lb tool box bolted to a pallet, so I might get a deal or something through Uship as a package(?). Haven’t looked into it much besides weighing my box and getting a quote from uship for the bike. ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/which-bike-re-california/272478/2 "2015-06-10T18:55:20Z")
if you have nothing else set up for a means of transportation right away then i say bring it out here with you. put a few miles on it then post it for sale and buy something more comfortable (ie:sport touring or cruiser) ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/which-bike-re-california/272478/3 "2015-06-10T19:05:53Z")
What kind of bikes should I be looking at? I’ve never ridden a ‘cruiser’ besides a Victory highball this summer when I worked for Polaris. It was super nice and fast, wish it had cruise though. lol. Did almost 1k miles in a weekend. Something with a passenger seat for the occasional ride with the gf would be nice. suzuki boulevard? [http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/mcy/5037949712.html](http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/mcy/5037949712.html) victory? [http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/mcy/5053495789.html](http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/mcy/5053495789.html) honda? [http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/5065999833.html](http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/5065999833.html) are sportsters really that lame? [http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/mcy/5066259294.html](http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/mcy/5066259294.html) this honda seems legit: [http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/mcy/5064058590.html](http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/mcy/5064058590.html) ---
**Author:** ![donkeyballs69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@donkeyballs69](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/donkeyballs69)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/which-bike-re-california/272478/4 "2015-06-10T19:08:33Z")
It’s more than 4k, but my fz09 is a really fun bike that has that supermoto feel. It has ton of tq and power wheelies in almost all gears. Only bring it up because you can buy brand new for a bit more. Edit. I’m talking about finding a leftover 2014, about $1000 less if you can find one. ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/which-bike-re-california/272478/5 "2015-06-10T19:36:27Z")
over the years ive morphed into the typical “buy a harley” guy. so naturally i think a sportster would be perfect for you. i feel like the competitors (while they may make a nice bike) are always trying to imitate a harley. so why not just buy the real thing? i still miss my old sporty chop ![http://36.media.tumblr.com/14d689bd33acabda2aba624a1fa1a8a7/tumblr_mxisreX4BA1qf3hxno1_1280.jpg](http://36.media.tumblr.com/14d689bd33acabda2aba624a1fa1a8a7/tumblr_mxisreX4BA1qf3hxno1_1280.jpg) you can go 2 ways you can always find a deal on an 883 for prob 2500-3k then throw the 1200 top end kit on later (around 900 in parts from s&s or j&p) or you can find a 1200 right out of the gate. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/which-bike-re-california/272478/6 "2015-06-10T20:33:33Z")
What year sportsters? I just always had the impression that they were chick bikes and there was a different Harley to have. Yea your style of sportster would be sweet, just seems out of my budget Here we go [http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/5061389495.html](http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/5061389495.html) ---
**Author:** ![King](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/king/32/7329_2.png) [@King](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/King)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 7:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/which-bike-re-california/272478/7 "2015-06-11T07:02:28Z")
I’m with walker - for every non-cruiser bike, import is the way to go, and although I’m sure they’re great -i just kind of cringe at the non-harley cruisers. you may enjoy your current bike out there as theres probably more trail type places to explore in CA…if it were me, i would keep it so you have a vehicle for the time being…save up and wait to find a sportster, then swap some enduro/dirt wheel/tire setup on DRZ. commute on harley, have fun on the DRZ, some cheap e46 for rain/groceries. ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 7:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/which-bike-re-california/272478/8 "2015-06-11T07:10:44Z")
> [@travisn](#): > > What year sportsters? I just always had the impression that they were chick bikes and there was a different Harley to have. > > Yea your style of sportster would be sweet, just seems out of my budget > > Here we go [http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/5061389495.html](http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/5061389495.html) personally i would go with an evo sportster PRE 2006. but i like the simplicity of a carb’d setup vs FI > [@King](#): > > commute on harley, have fun on the DRZ, some cheap e46 for rain/groceries. this is solid advice.