So I think I might want a bike.
Discussion
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.School me people of two wheels.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.It's based on a brand new HMC Classic and you can customise it as you wish. I've just bought one!
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/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.
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. 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!
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.It's based on a brand new HMC Classic and you can customise it as you wish. I've just bought one!
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.
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!
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.It's based on a brand new HMC Classic and you can customise it as you wish. I've just bought one!
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.
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.
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