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

[Alex@POD]

Hey all,

I passed my test 7 years ago, rode a ZX6R for about a year, then had to hang up the leathers for financial reasons.

I'm feeling the itch to get back on a bike, but I'm not sure what to get. I'd like my girlfriend to enjoy being on the back, and I only have a couple of miles to commute so that doesn't need to be taken into account, it would purely be a fun bike.

What can I get that's fun 2 up, without breaking the bank? I was thinking of getting something around the £800 mark, cheap to insure, and reliable(at least that won't require too much for the MOT). Then next year, either she likes it and I can invest in something good, or she doesn't and I can look at bike that are not pillion-friendly.

I keep coming back to Bandit 600s as they seem quite cheap, but I'm afraid it may be too much of a commuter and not fun? Or should I just go for a Bandit 1200 or equivalent?

[castex]

Buy something Italian. Italian bikes are cool.

[y2blade]

I have no idea what you can get for £800 sorry.

If an old 1200 Bandit is in that price then go for it, they are a great bikes

[y2blade]

castex said:

Buy something Italian. Italian bikes are cool.

Yeah because an £800 Italian bike will be fking awesome

[slickchange]

Old CBR600f? Never had one but always looked comfy for a pillion and I'm sure its not slow!

[Alex@POD]

y2blade said:

I have no idea what you can get for £800 sorry.

If an old 1200 Bandit is in that price then go for it, they are a great bikes

From having a quick look the 1200 would be about £1500, still affordable compared to others though!

[dern]

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.

Just bought a TTR250 (no good for you as no pillion) for 900 and so far I've replaced the throttle cables, front sprocket, all brake pads and I'm just removing the head and barrel to cure an oil leak from the bottom of the barrel. So far the parts cost have been roughly 100-150. Still happy as they go for more and still probably have issues but you won't get a perfect bike at that price unless you're lucky and not picky.

Good luck.

Mark

[datsunman]

I was in the same position (albeit with a bit of a bigger budget) and bought a GSX-R750. Spent years taking the mickey out of born again bikers and now I'm one of them.

It's great.

[Hooli]

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.

+1

At that price range, the bike that isn't falling apart & minor things like brakes & suspension still work is the one to go for.

[castex]

y2blade said:

castex said:

Buy something Italian. Italian bikes are cool.

Yeah because an £800 Italian bike will be fking awesome

Have a look at this once you're done roffling. Okay so it's no oil painting and has been lightly Scroned but it could be capable of scratching the itch in question.

[y2blade]

castex said:

y2blade said:

castex said:

Buy something Italian. Italian bikes are cool.

Yeah because an £800 Italian bike will be fking awesome

Have a look at this once you're done roffling. Okay so it's no oil painting and has been lightly Scroned but it could be capable of scratching the itch in question.

51k...£750 no bids!

yeah it's a great find.


joking aside you'd prob get a wked old Ducati Monster 600 or SS600 for that money......then throw £££ after £££ at it ever other month until you got pissed off and put it on Ebay for the circle of life to continue.

[Alex@POD]

Yeah I would love an Italian bike, particularly a Ducati, but not until I can buy one in really good condition and keep it garaged, which will be out of my budget for a few years yet!

[castex]

You keep lollering, y2. It's so gratifying to provide such enjoyment.

[y2blade]

castex said:

You keep lollering, y2. It's so gratifying to provide such enjoyment.

[Biker's Nemesis]

You're going to have to buy on condition rather than model at that price

[Alex@POD]

Thanks for the replies so far, I guess I'm looking to know what type of bike will be suitable for what I want, as opposed to a specific model... Although on reflection, any bike can be "fun", so I'm just looking for a comfy backseat in budget?

[10penceparalyzed]

Yamaha FZR 1000 EXUP will fit the bill, fast, stable, comfy two up, not impossible to get one on yor budget, possible classic insurance.

It will burn oil, they all did good solid bikes IMO.

[moto_traxport]

ZX-9 B model, ZX-9 C model, ZZR600 and 1100's.
Early CBR600 and CBR1000's.
FJ1100 and 1200. Early Fazer 600.

Something big and old basically. As has been said, buy on condition rather than go looking for a specific model. Something good will turn up.

Trawling the utter dross on Gumtree last night for the want of anything better to do I found a lovely ZXR750J2 in candy red for £1300 or something. Same owner last 12 years. Doesn't meet your requirements of pillion friendly but got me interested for no apparent reason. I talked myself out of it.

[Mr2Mike]

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

[srob]

Have you an iPad or anything? If so, get the Autotrader app and set the max price to £1000. There's 900-odd bikes on there, as BN says buy on condition not looks.

It's amazing just how much bike a grand will buy if you're not a snob