So I think I might want a bike.

So I think I might want a bike.

Author
Discussion

HorneyMX5

Original Poster:

5,308 posts

149 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Hello Bike Banter dwellers.

I went to a bikers Cafe yesterday (H Cafe Oxford for those who are interested, great breakfast) in the MX5 and while I've always had a passing interest in bikes I've never really felt the urge. That was until I clapped eyes on a couple of 70's Kawasakis (z250 etc) and suddenly I came over all interested.



This style of bike really floats my boat as something to potter about on a sunny sunday. It's got me considering doing my bike test and getting a tatty one bought and doing it up as a little project.

Am I mad? Will I hate riding something like this? Any other similar looking bikes that are "Better"? Cars are my main interest so I'm looking at very low budget biking here, ideally picking up a bike for less than £1K.

School me people of two wheels.

mike-r

1,539 posts

190 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
I don't think you'll hate riding anything at first, I remember getting a hard on over the joy of my stty little Chinese 125. This does soon fade but that's why Jesus made bigger bikes. Can't imagine not having a bike now.

crofty1984

15,830 posts

203 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
You might want to look at Honda 250 and 400 superdreams (don't laugh!) Yamaha did an XS250, I think Suzuki's version was a GSX 250. I've been looking at similar for a little project. All those are parallel twin Japanese 250s. They're usually pretty easy to come by for under £1k for a project.

Basically you're looking at any late 70's - early 80's small-middleweight if you like that style. There are also fours and singles to consider as well.

cybersimon

199 posts

168 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Well get on with it then. smash
There's no point dithering with 4 tests to get through.

bgunn

1,416 posts

130 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Get CBT, ride and see whether you like it. In the time that you're doing that, you'll get a feel for whether you want to ride a bike or not..

FunkyNige

8,859 posts

274 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
HorneyMX5 said:
Am I mad? Will I hate riding something like this? Any other similar looking bikes that are "Better"? Cars are my main interest so I'm looking at very low budget biking here, ideally picking up a bike for less than £1K.

School me people of two wheels.
I'm sure someone who has passed their test recently can correct me on this, but I think you're looking at £1000 to pass your test and get a helmet, jacket, gloves, etc. so maybe just doing your CBT for £100 to see if you enjoy it (and maybe take a 500cc bike out for an hour or two after...) first would be the place to start.

HorneyMX5

Original Poster:

5,308 posts

149 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Cheers all.

I think then I shall get myself booked on a CBT and with that under my belt buy myself something like a late 80s Honda H100 to potter about on and get the feel for it plus pick up experience towards a big bike test later on. If it doesn't float my boat I doubt I'll lose much, if anything, on the bike.

theshrew

6,008 posts

183 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
You went in a MX5. Get your test done and you will go from gay lord to women slayer in a few quick lessons biggrin

Being serous having a bike opens a whole new world and it's great.

Get it done.

LoonR1

26,988 posts

176 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
Another thread where the first word is "so". Does anyone else find it both superfluous and patronising at the same time?

sprinter1050

11,550 posts

226 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
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LoonR1 said:
Another thread where the first word is "so". Does anyone else find it both superfluous and patronising at the same time?
The use of "So.." to start the answer to a question has become annoyingly f*** common (almost trendy). I noticed it first with people being interviewed on the Beeb.

Often makes no sense in a response & typically the sentence after doesn't answer the actual question..but that seems to be some form of "schooling" on dealing with the media.

normal bloke

166 posts

186 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
ash73 said:
If you like that style of bike I'd suggest a Mutt motorcycle - here



It's based on a brand new HMC Classic and you can customise it as you wish. I've just bought one! smile
While you're at it, grow an enormous ginger beard, get down to Motolegends and buy yourself a David Beckham Belstaff and a retro '70s helmet with no visor.....the illusion will then be complete.

toxgobbler

2,903 posts

190 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
HorneyMX5 said:
Hello Bike Banter dwellers.

I went to a bikers Cafe yesterday (H Cafe Oxford for those who are interested, great breakfast) in the MX5 and while I've always had a passing interest in bikes I've never really felt the urge. That was until I clapped eyes on a couple of 70's Kawasakis (z250 etc) and suddenly I came over all interested.



This style of bike really floats my boat as something to potter about on a sunny sunday. It's got me considering doing my bike test and getting a tatty one bought and doing it up as a little project.

Am I mad? Will I hate riding something like this? Any other similar looking bikes that are "Better"? Cars are my main interest so I'm looking at very low budget biking here, ideally picking up a bike for less than £1K.

School me people of two wheels.
Have a go and see if you like it, for free: http://www.geton.co.uk/

Tall_Paul

1,915 posts

226 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
toxgobbler said:
Have a go and see if you like it, for free: http://www.geton.co.uk/
Was just about to post that, 100% do this before a CBT if there's one close by. I did it, and in the hour you get, you do loads. Helped me no end when I did my CBT a year later, we did the basic stuff - pushing the bike round, centre stand, front brake, then slow ride, pulling away, clutch control, slalom, figure of 8's, fast ovals in 1st gear, u turns and some other bit's I've forgotten. Didn't do gears but we weren't far off it.


ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
Looks ace, get it over with and work your way up to a new W800 smile.

As above, just get on with it. Don' be fooled by the costs, the bike might be £1000, but a good set of gear (pants, boots, vest, helmet, gloves) will set you back about the same amount, as will the full license.

crofty1984

15,830 posts

203 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
normal bloke said:
ash73 said:
If you like that style of bike I'd suggest a Mutt motorcycle - here



It's based on a brand new HMC Classic and you can customise it as you wish. I've just bought one! smile
While you're at it, grow an enormous ginger beard, get down to Motolegends and buy yourself a David Beckham Belstaff and a retro '70s helmet with no visor.....the illusion will then be complete.
Yeah - you stick it to 'em! How dare other people become interested in our hobby! What if they do it slightly differently, or dress like tts (like EVERYONE did in our teens/early 20's).

There was once upon a time when all of us were just getting into bikes* and there were guys who'd been at it decades before us. Except in my experience they had the decency to welcome us into the flock and show us the ropes.

It's probably a safe bet that 80% will drop away as soon as bikes fall out of fashion, but the remaining 20% will be the next generation of bikers. And bikers who have an interest in the actual workings of their bikes and customising.

*Except MTB and Srob. They've been riding since God were a lad.

Mastodon2

13,818 posts

164 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
crofty1984 said:
normal bloke said:
ash73 said:
If you like that style of bike I'd suggest a Mutt motorcycle - here



It's based on a brand new HMC Classic and you can customise it as you wish. I've just bought one! smile
While you're at it, grow an enormous ginger beard, get down to Motolegends and buy yourself a David Beckham Belstaff and a retro '70s helmet with no visor.....the illusion will then be complete.
Yeah - you stick it to 'em! How dare other people become interested in our hobby! What if they do it slightly differently, or dress like tts (like EVERYONE did in our teens/early 20's).

There was once upon a time when all of us were just getting into bikes* and there were guys who'd been at it decades before us. Except in my experience they had the decency to welcome us into the flock and show us the ropes.

It's probably a safe bet that 80% will drop away as soon as bikes fall out of fashion, but the remaining 20% will be the next generation of bikers. And bikers who have an interest in the actual workings of their bikes and customising.
Am I to take it that this is a southern thing? Only, I don't think I've ever seen one of these "hipster" bikers up in Newcastle / Northumberland way, everyone I see riding a vintage bike or a new biked with that vintage styling looks old and fat enough to have riding one when they were the height of motorcycling technology.

I don't disbelieve that people get into biking as a fashion statement, but it seems like a lot of expense and hard work to be trendy.

dapearson

4,252 posts

223 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
ash73 said:
If you like that style of bike I'd suggest a Mutt motorcycle - here



It's based on a brand new HMC Classic and you can customise it as you wish. I've just bought one! smile
boiiiiiiing!!

love that!!

Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

189 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
I'd kill myself on a bike.

CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

211 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
dapearson said:
ash73 said:
If you like that style of bike I'd suggest a Mutt motorcycle - here



It's based on a brand new HMC Classic and you can customise it as you wish. I've just bought one! smile
boiiiiiiing!!

love that!!
Me too..125 though...is there a 250 or 400 equivalent...new SR400?

ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
Prof Prolapse said:
I'd kill myself on a bike.
hehe

I wanted to post that but refrained my self from doing so.