Things that make folks get rid of Z900RS/Cafe?

[Redlinez]

Long time no post! I got rid of mine because I enjoyed riding with the wife on our Goldwing.  She wouldn't even get on this one. I see quite a few getting traded in all over the place with pretty low miles and some leftover 2019's dirty cheap.  I enjoyed riding my standard RS to an extent, couldn't seem to get used to no wind protection I guess.  I've owned a bunch of new bikes since 1992, it was my first with no fairings.  I'm kind of on the lookout again as ya'll know how it is to go with no bike.  It has been since last March. I'm looking for something I can take for a day or overnight ride with "enough" wind protection and the ability to have some side bags.  I've watched a boatload of youtube reviews on tons of bikes.  It will make your head spin.  I'm wondering how much of a real difference the cafe's windscreen makes.  I have a friend who rides a 07 Aprilia Tuono and another has a new Triumph Street Triple who may ride with me.  Not sure my wife will ride anything other than a Goldwing after experiencing them several times, but they are kind of out of the question as I want to stay under about $9k.  Her riding with me may be out until we can swing another Wing.  We also have a travel trailer that we will use about 10 weekends a year, so having a big touring bike doesn't make a lot of sense.
   Bikes I've made payments on since 1992- 1992 Kawasaki ZX6R, 1995 Honda CBR600F3 , 1999 Kawasaki ZX9R, 1995 Honda CBR600F3 , 2004 Suzuki GSXR600, 2008 Honda CBR1000RR, 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000, 2015 Honda Goldwing F6B, 2015 Honda Goldwing, 2016 Honda Goldwing F6B, 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS, 2016 Honda Goldwing
   I'm a shade under 200lbs and about 5'll".  I live about 2.5-3 hours from the North Carolina mountains. Cruise control was cool, but I don't know if it's a make or break deal for me.  I've been eyeing 08-09 Concours, I seem to remember thinking they feel top heavy on the one 5 mile test ride I did several years ago.

[Salnap]

I had both ZRS  and C14 for a short time. Wanted the 14 for a long time. Fastest,smoothest bike I ever owned. Also the heaviest and hottest. If I add another bike I'd go with Versys 1000

[Redlinez]

I thought the Versys was really tall and top heavy when I rode one several years ago.  I may need to try to ride another one as it checks a lot of boxes
 It was pretty windy the day I did 5 miles.

[CaliZed9]

A friend just got a new triumph and loves it.  Rides two up with bags and a top case and his pillion loves it.

[Redlinez]

Found a really good review on the Versys, but I would have to look at a used much less expensive one, so probably a way different bike with on the fly electronic suspension, TFT screen, cruise control, and cornering lights.  https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2019-kawasaki-versys-1000-se-lt-review-the-5403-mile-road-to-revzilla
  I also have thought the FJ09 looked interesting, never ridden or owned a Yamaha though. 

[Dirty Dave]

Yamaha is at the top of most reliable motorcycles, closely followed by the other big 3 Japanese.

[Redlinez]

I may have to ride one of those FJ09's.  I've never been a fan of the FJR for whatever reason, but have always loved the Concours looks.  I don't necessarily need something that big, but I do like wind protection and the ability to put side bags on.  There was a brand new 19 RS Cafe for sale for $7999 and I was eyeing it hard, but it just sold.  I'm not sure that bike will be enough for me to want to do long days in the saddle though.

[Pappy]

Some of the older 1800 wings are in your ballpark I would think. Nice thing about them is that the owners usually take darn good care of them.
You already have experience on them so that is a plus.
Your wife already likes the wings .....huge plus.
You already know they are heavy but the engine sits so low the bike seems well balanced.

[TallyRex]

Another vote for the Versys 1K.  Yeah, it's tall, but I've added lowering links to my 2015 that solved that problem.  While the 15-17 don't have all the bells and whistles that the newer ones have, it is much less expensive and the guts of the bikes are the same.  Many V1K riders, including me, used to own C-14s (GTR1400 in Europe) but found it too heavy.  150 pounds make a big difference.

[mfairplay]

Take a look at the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT.