The itch is getting strong, what bike to "get back into it"?

[Darkslider]

Would a ZX6R G1/G2 be in budget for that much? I've got an old one (1999 G2 on a T reg) in the shed I keep meaning to sort out and sell that only set me back £1200 many years ago, they must have dropped to sub £1k in the mean time I would've thought?

[peterg1955]

Mr2Mike said:

You'll probably pick up a reasonable VFR750 for that budget, they don't seem to fetch much.

Good shout that, I got my first one 1987 and then bought the first single sided swingarm model to replace it in 1990, we honeymooned on that bike at the IOM TT that year and put a lot of two up mileage on it...

[Gareth9702]

More support for the VFR. I bought mine 2 1/2 years ago for £775. Used daily for commuting and nothing required other than servicing.

[longblackcoat]

Had a couple of VFRs - great bikes, but a bit soulless. For £1000-1500 I'd be looking for a VTR1000 - lovely engine, if appallingly thirsty.

[neelyp]

Darkslider said:

Would a ZX6R G1/G2 be in budget for that much? I've got an old one (1999 G2 on a T reg) in the shed I keep meaning to sort out and sell that only set me back £1200 many years ago, they must have dropped to sub £1k in the mean time I would've thought?

They seem to be hovering around the £1400 mark if they're half decent.

[Biker 1]

I reckon your budget is just toooooooo low. It would be a real shame to throw £800 at a shed & then keep throwing wonga at it just to keep it going. Can OP get a loan? PCP maybe???

[RumpleFugly]

One of the very early Hinckley Triumphs is a possibility. A Trident, Sprint or Trophy, like one of these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281333193209

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321403566660

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111346743692

The Daytona's and Speed Triples go for more money but the other models are less loved despite being the same basic engine, frame and running gear.

They are hugely over engineered, a bit heavy, but keep chugging and have a big comfortable pillion seat. And they sound lovely

But as others have said, best bet is to buy on condition, not model.

[MonkeyBusiness]

RumpleFugly said:

One of the very early Hinckley Triumphs is a possibility. A Trident, Sprint or Trophy, like one of these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281333193209

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321403566660

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111346743692

The Daytona's and Speed Triples go for more money but the other models are less loved despite being the same basic engine, frame and running gear.
They are hugely over engineered, a bit heavy, but keep chugging and have a big comfortable pillion seat. And they sound lovely
But as others have said, best bet is to buy on condition, not model.

That last link is a nice bike. I like how the bloke says he'll take £500 and the bidding is now at £600.

[Alex@POD]

Thanks guys, I haven't check the insurance for VFRs actually, I'll have a look. Some bikes will just be too much to insure though, I can get a Bandit 600 for £95/year, but a ZX9 is over £800!

I have a few financial commitments coming up (wedding, house), so I don't want to get tied down with a loan right now, however if I don't get a bike before all this is out of the way, I just might get something good for a few grand straight away. I absolutely hate being in debt though, so it would have to be a cracking deal.

[MotorsportTom]

VFR750 '93 reg. Paid £780 with 12 months MOT and 6 months tax.
Insurance for me at 21 and only 1 years ncd is sub £400.

As for the souless comment, I guarantee if you remove the exhaust even once and hear an unsilenced V4 on full chat you'll fall in love instantly.

It's worth a look surely?

[RizzoTheRat]

dern said:

At that sort of price suggesting a particular bike would be pointless. I think you'll have to see what's for sale and then make sure it's mechanically ok otherwise you'll increase your purchase price loads with tyres, chain, etc.

This definitely. At that price buy on condition over everything else.

When looking for a bike for the Mrs we had a trawl through e-bay and autotrader to see what was available in budget, after having a look a few Bandits, Fazers and the like she settled on an £800 XJ600 Diversion. Not the most exciting bike in the world but mechanically in good condition, after 2 years use I now need to do the fork seals but otherwise all it's needed was standard servicing and a rear tyre.

[Fastchas]

I hope this doesn't break forum rules.
I've got a VFR750 if you're interested? I bought it off eBay last summer for £600. It's done 60k and starts/pulls great. I spent £100 on rubbing down & spraying the panels again, powder-coated the wheels, it had a new chain/sprockets from its previous owner and I had to put a new tyre on it about 100 miles ago. It's great two-up, your missus will love it. After owning one in 1995 I thought I'd enjoy it again but it's just not for me, a little too soft. I want to put a grand to it and get a '96 'blade. I'm hoping to get it to an MOT station this weekend to get a new ticket as it's just expired. I see them going for £800 so I want that, I reckon.

[Jazoli]

Fastchas said:

I hope this doesn't break forum rules.
I've got a VFR750 if you're interested? I bought it off eBay last summer for £600. It's done 60k and starts/pulls great. I spent £100 on rubbing down & spraying the panels again, powder-coated the wheels, it had a new chain/sprockets from its previous owner and I had to put a new tyre on it about 100 miles ago. It's great two-up, your missus will love it. After owning one in 1995 I thought I'd enjoy it again but it's just not for me, a little too soft. I want to put a grand to it and get a '96 'blade. I'm hoping to get it to an MOT station this weekend to get a new ticket as it's just expired. I see them going for £800 so I want that, I reckon.

Looks good for £800, I'd seriously consider it if that was my budget.

[Prof Prolapse]

I agree about ignoring requirements.

1199 R

[Alex@POD]

Fastchas said:

I hope this doesn't break forum rules.
I've got a VFR750 if you're interested? I bought it off eBay last summer for £600. It's done 60k and starts/pulls great. I spent £100 on rubbing down & spraying the panels again, powder-coated the wheels, it had a new chain/sprockets from its previous owner and I had to put a new tyre on it about 100 miles ago. It's great two-up, your missus will love it. After owning one in 1995 I thought I'd enjoy it again but it's just not for me, a little too soft. I want to put a grand to it and get a '96 'blade. I'm hoping to get it to an MOT station this weekend to get a new ticket as it's just expired. I see them going for £800 so I want that, I reckon.

That does look good, I'll have a think about it.

[crofty1984]

Yamaha diversion?

[Alex@POD]

I don't suppose this changes things much, but it looks like my 1.5 mile walk to work will soon become a 60 mile a day commute! I'll need something I'm happy to do miles on everyday, in all weathers, so I might up the budget a bit to £1500-£2000, although I'll have to speak to the bank first.

With regards to that, how much difference does a half fairing make to protection (from rain, road crap, etc)? For example between a Bandit and a Bandit S, is it noticeable or just for looks? Or should I just go for a full fairing model?

[Mastodon2]

For those mileages I'd want a full fairing if I could have it. When I think back to my DAS lessons, riding a naked CBF600, even with the little aero screen at the front, could only be described as "blowy as fk". My SRAD, with the wide fairing and crouched riding position is incomparably better for comfort. Upright seating positions and small fairings would get tiresome after time at a decent speed.

Then again, something faired and upright might be better, as some people find sportsbike painful. Perhaps a Honda Deauville would be a good choice, or better yet, a Pan European or BMW R1200rt.

[Mr OCD]

Alex@POD said:

I don't suppose this changes things much, but it looks like my 1.5 mile walk to work will soon become a 60 mile a day commute! I'll need something I'm happy to do miles on everyday, in all weathers, so I might up the budget a bit to £1500-£2000, although I'll have to speak to the bank first.

With regards to that, how much difference does a half fairing make to protection (from rain, road crap, etc)? For example between a Bandit and a Bandit S, is it noticeable or just for looks? Or should I just go for a full fairing model?

60 miles a day ... you want full fairings or half at minimum... I wouldn't spend £2k on a Bandit either but that's just me. I'd be looking at sport tourers.

[Alex@POD]

Mastodon2 said:

better yet, a Pan European or BMW R1200rt.

Yeah.... no. Maybe in 30-40 years time, I don't feel old enough to ride a Pan yet