FINALLY have the money for a GS450 or a GR650.

[LAB3]

One thing I can assure you of, the GS450t will get a TON of compliments and positive comments over the newer bikes! People just seemed to gravitate toward mine! Needless to say this would tick off people with $20k+ bikes at the rallies.

[Boogywstew]

Would there be any chance if you would know whether a GS450T fuel tank and seat will bolt right on a GS450L ??? All I'm seeing lately are the "L" models, at least the only bikes I would consider buying. We all have various "red flags" and one of mine is I won't buy a bike that the owner has "hopped up". I also won't buy a bike unless the owner has a clean title for that exact bike.I found a hot prospect 450T model but the owner doesn't respond on Marketplace. .
I still go to local bike nights in Erie, PA during the warm months. At least twice, I walked amongst all the motorcycles present where every motorcycle, out of over 70 bikes, was a V Twin. No transverse twins, no thumpers, no triples and not even any transverse 4 cylinders. Every single bike was a V Twin. I thought bikers were supposed to be a bit rebellious? I owned a Yamaha XS650 at the time but I was always stopping in on my way home from work so my bike never made an appearance.

[650Skull]

Have you thought about an XS650. For the money you have you could het a good XS650. Parts are plentiful, good aftermarket suppliers. Easy to work on and a good forum with helpfull people like on here

Not trying to turn you off the Suzi's just that 400's are small and underpowered for highway or secondary road cruising

[Boogywstew]

My first bike was a 1980 Kawasaki KZ440, and the only new bike I ever owned. I put 33,000 miles on that bike in 3 years. I drove it from Central FL to Central WY via Augusta, GA ... 2,600 miles. Albuquerque NM to Webster, FL ... 1,800 miles and Lander, WY to Albuquerque, NM 800 miles, all on the Interstates with no problems. I had the self control to keep it at 65 mph and under and I only drove faster if, on occasions, I was slowing up traffic. I hate Interstate driving on a bike and only do it if I'm pressed for time. My next bike was a 1978 Yamaha SR500. Great bike but I felt the kick starter only deal was a nightmare if you stalled in traffic ... especially on a hill. Then I bought 2 Yamaha XS650s, one a '79 and the other an '80. Next was a 1980 Kawasaki KZ750 B which I didn't keep long. It was heavy, about 500 lbs, but also top heavy. Then I went back to 2 more Yamaha XS650s, another '80 and a '78. I had to sell my XS650s about 5 years ago because I had no where to store them or work on them.
Looking back at everything, I never appreciated what a great bike my KZ440 was. It was my first bike and everyone told me it was a "beginner bike" or a "girl's bike". True, it was too slow and bogged down with a passenger but I have come to realize I don't like passengers on my bike, anyways. I enjoy upshifting and downshifting at exactly the right times while cruising hilly, country 2 lane roads so I loved the 6 speed transmission. The KZ440 top ended at 100 mph and would do the quarter in 14.5 seconds. That's faster than I want to go.
I have decided that being 72 years old it might be better for me to go back to riding a 400 lb. bike. Yamaha XS650s are what ... 460 - 470 lbs.? I'm not doing the brat - cafe thingy to save weight. I love fenders, side covers, factory air cleaners, tachometers, batteries etc. I decided the GS 450 was a better bet than the KZ440 because Suzuki had it in production longer and many parts from the GS500 will work on the GS450. Specifically, I'm thinking the GS450T is the right bike for me.
John Lennon said, "Life is what happens when you're busy making plans." It is not impossible that I end up with another Yamaha XS650. In many ways I felt it fit me to a "T" !!! The vibration never bothered me, ever. I saw a Honda FT500 Ascot for sale on Marketplace that is cherry but parts would be a nightmare. Water cooling is a resounding "NO!" and I won't own anything over 2 cylinders.

[Nessism]

2nd gen SV650N is the same weight, or maybe lighter, than a GS450T. There are other lightweight modern bikes also.

[Boogywstew]

The GS500 and the S40 are modern bikes without water cooling and would be easier for me to work on. "KISS" (Directed at me and not you!)