Fun bike c. £2.5k
Discussion
Hello all, as I'm stuck in East London with just underground parking I'm finding it challenging to insure anything half decent or remotely expensive (despite being on the wrong side of 40 with a full no claims).
So, I'm thinking of taking advantage of this by now getting something relatively insurance friendly but also fun that I can chuck around and maybe 'up' a few biking skills without crying if I drop it.
I've been looking at 2000 era FZS1000, sv1000, fazer600, 1200 bandit, Tuono etc. But is there anything else I should consider, even something smaller or more modern?
All ears here and grateful for any replies!
So, I'm thinking of taking advantage of this by now getting something relatively insurance friendly but also fun that I can chuck around and maybe 'up' a few biking skills without crying if I drop it.
I've been looking at 2000 era FZS1000, sv1000, fazer600, 1200 bandit, Tuono etc. But is there anything else I should consider, even something smaller or more modern?
All ears here and grateful for any replies!
I found the Tuono a big tall feeling bike. Felt very tippy in corners.
Some people get on with them though.
You really need a decent test ride to see if it suits you.
That said are you going to get a good one for £2.5k in the current market? Same for a speed triple.
I’d be tempted by a 1200 Bandit given your criteria.
Some people get on with them though.
You really need a decent test ride to see if it suits you.
That said are you going to get a good one for £2.5k in the current market? Same for a speed triple.
I’d be tempted by a 1200 Bandit given your criteria.
tter for that moneyI've had 1200 and 1250 Bandits. Great value, maybe a bit cumbersome for the OP though. Speed Triple I had was excellent but you won't get one for £2500.
How about a Honda Hornet 600? They seem plentiful and not too expensive. I've recently bought a CBR650F (the replacement for the Hornet), very pleased with it but I doubt you'll find a decent one under £2500.
How about a Honda Hornet 600? They seem plentiful and not too expensive. I've recently bought a CBR650F (the replacement for the Hornet), very pleased with it but I doubt you'll find a decent one under £2500.
Thanks all... food for thought!
Best in that price range (lets say up to 3k...budget creep!), would be a Tuono (ridden one and fantastic ride), but my fears were confirmed by the previous poster... I don't want to have to have something fragile I have to constantly maintain for not many miles. My previous Blade got zero love but was super reliable.
I would stretch for a Street/Speed Triple but I was returning 4 figure insurance quotes!
Might just do a lucky dip on autotrader with the price bracket to get some ideas.
Best in that price range (lets say up to 3k...budget creep!), would be a Tuono (ridden one and fantastic ride), but my fears were confirmed by the previous poster... I don't want to have to have something fragile I have to constantly maintain for not many miles. My previous Blade got zero love but was super reliable.
I would stretch for a Street/Speed Triple but I was returning 4 figure insurance quotes!
Might just do a lucky dip on autotrader with the price bracket to get some ideas.
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the 900 Hornet - especially as the 600 has been mentioned. I've had mine from new in 2003 and love it. Not as feisty as a Tuono, but more nimble than a Bandit. Must be one of the most reliable bikes ever made, with great build quality. Mines on 60k and has been ridden in all weathers, the only non-service item so far has been a radiator as it had a pin-hole from corrosion. Hasn't even had a reg/rec or CCT. They're less nimble than the 600 but have better economy and a larger tank giving much more range, better brakes, are physically bigger so if over about 5ft9 they're more comfortable, and have much, much more torque etc. etc. Parts are getting harder to get though. I'm comparing against the early Hornets as I've never been on a newer 600 as they're too ugly for me!
The only problem is finding a good one as those that have them tend to keep them. You should get something decent on about 30k for £2.5k though.
I honestly believe that the only reason they weren't more popular when new is because the performance orientated magazine road testers wanted an unfaired 'blade rather than a great naked all-rounder, so slated it in every test. A main dealer told me just after they'd stopped having new bikes that they were much easier to sell once the road tests had stopped being published. Strangely they always got good reviews in used bike tests.
The only problem is finding a good one as those that have them tend to keep them. You should get something decent on about 30k for £2.5k though.
I honestly believe that the only reason they weren't more popular when new is because the performance orientated magazine road testers wanted an unfaired 'blade rather than a great naked all-rounder, so slated it in every test. A main dealer told me just after they'd stopped having new bikes that they were much easier to sell once the road tests had stopped being published. Strangely they always got good reviews in used bike tests.
stang65 said:
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the 900 Hornet - especially as the 600 has been mentioned. I've had mine from new in 2003 and love it. Not as feisty as a Tuono, but more nimble than a Bandit. Must be one of the most reliable bikes ever made, with great build quality. Mines on 60k and has been ridden in all weathers, the only non-service item so far has been a radiator as it had a pin-hole from corrosion. Hasn't even had a reg/rec or CCT. They're less nimble than the 600 but have better economy and a larger tank giving much more range, better brakes, are physically bigger so if over about 5ft9 they're more comfortable, and have much, much more torque etc. etc. Parts are getting harder to get though. I'm comparing against the early Hornets as I've never been on a newer 600 as they're too ugly for me!
The only problem is finding a good one as those that have them tend to keep them. You should get something decent on about 30k for £2.5k though.
I honestly believe that the only reason they weren't more popular when new is because the performance orientated magazine road testers wanted an unfaired 'blade rather than a great naked all-rounder, so slated it in every test. A main dealer told me just after they'd stopped having new bikes that they were much easier to sell once the road tests had stopped being published. Strangely they always got good reviews in used bike tests.
I will echo the above. I bought my 2007 last year and absolutely love it. The engine is so torquey for an inline 4 and the bike does everything so well with the reliability to back it up. Quite a rare bike to see these days and you don't see many for sale. Most people tend to keep them long term and you tend to find they are very well looked after. The later 900 hornets have adjustable front pre load in the forks. Previous to this I had an SV1000 but much prefer the smoothness of the Hornet. The only problem is finding a good one as those that have them tend to keep them. You should get something decent on about 30k for £2.5k though.
I honestly believe that the only reason they weren't more popular when new is because the performance orientated magazine road testers wanted an unfaired 'blade rather than a great naked all-rounder, so slated it in every test. A main dealer told me just after they'd stopped having new bikes that they were much easier to sell once the road tests had stopped being published. Strangely they always got good reviews in used bike tests.
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