Buying to Restore
Discussion
Hi
I am looking for a damaged/inexpensive sportsbike i can rebuild and get to know...i've not got a licence yet as i've always been too preoccupied with cars, but now the bike bug is getting too strong to ignore and after a weekend riding crossers i'm thinking Sod it i may as well just take the plunge!
It's going to be a while for me to get buy gear and take the test as spare cash is fairly tight and i'm not ready to sell the 4 wheeled toy!
So this is why i'm looking for a "project"...i want something a bit special not too old although i've seen a few 95 bikes i'd have! and i aim to mainly track it and get involved in the rallies!...
Any suggestions? i have always fancied putting an Honda RS250 on the road but i figure an RVF will be cheaper plus i'm thinking a 400 will be a good starting point!
Any advice/ideas/damaged bikes greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Chris
I am looking for a damaged/inexpensive sportsbike i can rebuild and get to know...i've not got a licence yet as i've always been too preoccupied with cars, but now the bike bug is getting too strong to ignore and after a weekend riding crossers i'm thinking Sod it i may as well just take the plunge!
It's going to be a while for me to get buy gear and take the test as spare cash is fairly tight and i'm not ready to sell the 4 wheeled toy!
So this is why i'm looking for a "project"...i want something a bit special not too old although i've seen a few 95 bikes i'd have! and i aim to mainly track it and get involved in the rallies!...
Any suggestions? i have always fancied putting an Honda RS250 on the road but i figure an RVF will be cheaper plus i'm thinking a 400 will be a good starting point!
Any advice/ideas/damaged bikes greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Chris
Hi Chris,
Most projects (especially if youve not done a bike before, but even if you have!!) end up costing more that the real thing. Fine if you use a rebuild as kind of a wife avoiding HP scheme, but otherwise, Id advise anyone new to biking to buy a decent condition version of whatever floats their boat, and take a friend along whos bought/repaired/ridden a few.
Dont forget to HPI check it to, you dont want to buy a bike thats been repaired, as it'll be worth approx 30-40% less than the same 'straight one' if youre unlucky.
Im not being negative here, Ive rebuilt many bikes, but id concentrate on getting some miles under your eblt on a nice bike while the summer (summer?) is here!!
Not sure from how i read your post if youve ridden much on the road before but if yes, fine, get a VFR400, CBR600, GSXR600 etc, but if not, or youve not ridden since you had an FS1E or whatever, look at a some less focussed bikes, maybe a trail bike (as you enjoyed the crosser, it'll have a similar feel), a GB500, GS500 that sort of thing? Plus they are cheap and easy to come by you wont have to sell your car to test the water, and you will get afeel for if you like the experience of riding on the road; you might decide off road is more fun, and a 1-2 year old motorcrosser is cheap and probably safer than road riding
Its a bit like giving an experienced motorcyclist his first car, Im guessing you wouldnt want to let him loose in a Caterham, because even if you survive the first few weeks without falling off, it will intimidate you, and you wont enjoy it.
Hope this helps, posted with best thoughts in mind.
Regards
Steve
Most projects (especially if youve not done a bike before, but even if you have!!) end up costing more that the real thing. Fine if you use a rebuild as kind of a wife avoiding HP scheme, but otherwise, Id advise anyone new to biking to buy a decent condition version of whatever floats their boat, and take a friend along whos bought/repaired/ridden a few.
Dont forget to HPI check it to, you dont want to buy a bike thats been repaired, as it'll be worth approx 30-40% less than the same 'straight one' if youre unlucky.
Im not being negative here, Ive rebuilt many bikes, but id concentrate on getting some miles under your eblt on a nice bike while the summer (summer?) is here!!
Not sure from how i read your post if youve ridden much on the road before but if yes, fine, get a VFR400, CBR600, GSXR600 etc, but if not, or youve not ridden since you had an FS1E or whatever, look at a some less focussed bikes, maybe a trail bike (as you enjoyed the crosser, it'll have a similar feel), a GB500, GS500 that sort of thing? Plus they are cheap and easy to come by you wont have to sell your car to test the water, and you will get afeel for if you like the experience of riding on the road; you might decide off road is more fun, and a 1-2 year old motorcrosser is cheap and probably safer than road riding
Its a bit like giving an experienced motorcyclist his first car, Im guessing you wouldnt want to let him loose in a Caterham, because even if you survive the first few weeks without falling off, it will intimidate you, and you wont enjoy it.
Hope this helps, posted with best thoughts in mind.
Regards
Steve
Edited by dingocooke on Monday 19th June 17:36
Edited by dingocooke on Monday 19th June 17:38
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