Discussion
I've got bored of my XJ6, so looking for something different.
Ive got around £3,000 to play with.
Not too keen on a all out sports bike. Insurance is finally reasonable for bigger bikes though.
At the moment I've seen two that I like. A BMW R1100s at £2750, it's a 1999 with just under 41,000 miles.
And a Triumph Sprint ST 2002 at £2695 with 37,000 miles.
They seem to get good reviews online, but does anyone have/had one? Anything to look out for.
Is the mileage a lot for these types of bikes?
Going to test ride them both tomorrow, so could hate them both.
Ive got around £3,000 to play with.
Not too keen on a all out sports bike. Insurance is finally reasonable for bigger bikes though.
At the moment I've seen two that I like. A BMW R1100s at £2750, it's a 1999 with just under 41,000 miles.
And a Triumph Sprint ST 2002 at £2695 with 37,000 miles.
They seem to get good reviews online, but does anyone have/had one? Anything to look out for.
Is the mileage a lot for these types of bikes?
Going to test ride them both tomorrow, so could hate them both.
I loved my R1100S when I had it but they are very different to a Japanese bike. Check the forums for common problems (there are loads) I'd expect one with that sort of mileage to need a clutch in the near future if it hasn't been done recently and it's and expensive job. Expensive clutch and gearbox problems are common, mine ended up costing me just over £1300 sorting the clutch and recon gearbox. My mate had the same as well as a replacement final drive which was even more.
I'm not a big fan of Sprint ST 955's. Many people love them but I just can't see it. Just when you expect some power from the engine you hit the rev limiter, I don't think they sound all that great and I've never known something so reluctant to go round a corner.
I'm not a big fan of Sprint ST 955's. Many people love them but I just can't see it. Just when you expect some power from the engine you hit the rev limiter, I don't think they sound all that great and I've never known something so reluctant to go round a corner.
Ki3r said:
Ive got around £3,000 to play with.
Triumph Sprint ST 2002 at £2695 with 37,000 miles.
Doesn't seem great value IMO. I wouldn't pay more than 2k for the 955 model. There's usually plenty of good VFR800s for around that price too.Triumph Sprint ST 2002 at £2695 with 37,000 miles.
For 3k, there's a 2005 ST1050 with only 24,000 miles on ebay. A few private sale ones for a bit less too.
Try the search below:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/bikes/post...
It gives you a wide range of different bikes as suggestions from a Guzzi California through to a CBF1000 or an F800.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/bikes/post...
It gives you a wide range of different bikes as suggestions from a Guzzi California through to a CBF1000 or an F800.
SAS Tom said:
I loved my R1100S when I had it but they are very different to a Japanese bike. Check the forums for common problems (there are loads) I'd expect one with that sort of mileage to need a clutch in the near future if it hasn't been done recently and it's and expensive job. Expensive clutch and gearbox problems are common, mine ended up costing me just over £1300 sorting the clutch and recon gearbox. My mate had the same as well as a replacement final drive which was even more.
I'm not a big fan of Sprint ST 955's. Many people love them but I just can't see it. Just when you expect some power from the engine you hit the rev limiter, I don't think they sound all that great and I've never known something so reluctant to go round a corner.
Sad to hear that the R1100S isn't a paragon of reliability. I had always hoped that and the R1200S would be, for the trade off in performance against the Japanese bikes. Sounds like the power and the reliabilty stayed in Japan.I'm not a big fan of Sprint ST 955's. Many people love them but I just can't see it. Just when you expect some power from the engine you hit the rev limiter, I don't think they sound all that great and I've never known something so reluctant to go round a corner.
Regards the Sprint 955i, I presume that's just the Speed Triple 955i engine slotted into a longer sport tourer bike? I've not tried the Sprint or the Speed but I read a lot of riders saying that they love the engine. I have it in my T595 Daytona where it feels more than adequate for me, although it was tuned for a little more power there. I still find the way it uncorks at 5000rpm a giggle with plenty of flex and urge at the top end. It strikes me as an engine that responds very strongly from top to bottom so it's great on the road in that respect. I've not rode loads of bikes to benchmark it against but I love it, especially with the race can on. I'd like to try a Sprint out.
JS748 said:
Doesn't seem great value IMO. I wouldn't pay more than 2k for the 955 model. There's usually plenty of good VFR800s for around that price too.
For 3k, there's a 2005 ST1050 with only 24,000 miles on ebay. A few private sale ones for a bit less too.
Thanks for the replies all. For 3k, there's a 2005 ST1050 with only 24,000 miles on ebay. A few private sale ones for a bit less too.
At the moment I've only looked a garages, rather than private sellers, as I honestly don't know too much about bikes.
What I may do is sell mine to them and have a look around privately. They've offered £250 less than what I would want privately, but don't think that's too bad considering its high mileage, no service history, and kept outside.
There was a nice VFR800 that I looked at a few days ago. Will have a look into that
. Sold my XJ6 today and had planned to buy a GSXR1000, however it was sold yesterday which is a shame.
However, just put a deposit down for a 2003 GSXR600.
Complete opposite of what I was looking for to start with, but sod it. Get it out my system now.
Pick it up either Thursday or Friday next week. Managed to get £100 knocked off plus a new MOT. Paid £2,600 for it.
There were cheaper ones around on eBay/gumtree, but they had higher mileage or were miles away, or the advert was written by a three year old.
Only thing I'm a little worried about is the size of it. I'm 6ft 4 and 18 stone. Could look a bit stupid on it!
I know they aren't to everyone's taste, and can be seen as a bit chavvy, but can't wait to get it.
However, just put a deposit down for a 2003 GSXR600.
Complete opposite of what I was looking for to start with, but sod it. Get it out my system now.
Pick it up either Thursday or Friday next week. Managed to get £100 knocked off plus a new MOT. Paid £2,600 for it.
There were cheaper ones around on eBay/gumtree, but they had higher mileage or were miles away, or the advert was written by a three year old.
Only thing I'm a little worried about is the size of it. I'm 6ft 4 and 18 stone. Could look a bit stupid on it!
I know they aren't to everyone's taste, and can be seen as a bit chavvy, but can't wait to get it
. Ki3r said:
Picked it up today...I love it. It isn't the most comfortable at the moment, but I'm sure I'll get used to it.
If its not had it done already get the TRE mod done - makes it that bit better response wise in the lower gears. I had a 600K3 from new until I was relieved of ownership on an unapproved basis.I used to commute in London on mine and I did a euro tour prior to it going walkies. You do get used to the inclined position (most extreme riding position bike I've owned in 20 years) and eventually you stop noticing the OE steering damping impeding low speed use.
I do and did sometimes miss the thing but I got an original R6 next which was far more comfortable and a really good bike. This was about 11 years ago now.
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