He's starting on a VStar 650 (He could use something bigger but I want him to be able to man handle his first bike as he learns the ropes.). When I finally found his bike (after months of looking for both of us), I grabbed the first thing I could find that had a clean title and was in good shape (Road Star 1700 Silverado). I wanted EFI, water cooled and shaft drive. So of course I got none of that. I want an F6B. I'll buy one if I can find one and ditch the Road Star or he can ride it if he's ready by then. Not sure Momma will ever ride again (her last bike was a VStar 1100).
Used bike market is brutal here and new bikes are almost non existent. Last bike was a Valkyrie Interstate which I wish I still had (sort of). I was actually looking for a CTX 1300 for me and a 700 for him but finding a MANUAL transmission one with the deluxe trim (ABS,bluetooth etc) apparently is unobtanium. That's as close as I'll ever come to anything "sport". I tried an FJR and just don't care for riding on my wrists. I ride to relax, full stop. And I like to cover a lot of miles. I've been out of the market for a long time and was shocked at how it's changed (at was is offered and more importantly what is not offered). I had no clue that Yamaha doesn't even make cruisers anymore (save the 250) and Honda doesn't make a sport tourer. Bizarre (to me).
Vstar 650 is a good starter bike. Low center of gravity, not intimidating power, but can still do interstate speeds... With that, you will likely be able to sell it for what you paid for it, they tend to do that...
You mention the F6B... I got an email from a consultant a few years ago, wanting to pay me $250 for a hour of my time on a Saturday to talk to a marketing and design group with Honda...
They had cruiser guys there, but they also wanted sportbike and track riders, so I was picked... They asked a lot of questions and wanted feedback on what turned out to be the F6B.
It's not my style(yet), but I actually really liked the design. Loved the tech, and it handles far better than a bike that size should.
My biggest hangup is that it's $25k and you can't get it with a regular transmission? I think they only offer that DCT auto thingie...
Yeah, the sportbikes aren't as comfy. At 51 years old, I feel it a bit these days, but I can still ride all day on them... The ZX14R I have, is like a couch, and with bar risers it is comfortable to me.
The only bike I currently have that might appeal to you, would be my Triumph Speed Twin 1200. A proper British retro bike, with modern tech under the hood.