It's a What Bike thread

[TheInternet]

As above, first post-125 bike, urban commute, all year around, lots of filtering. Secure parking either end. Don't want anything particularly powerful, heavy or with <200 mile range. Fuel economy/VED costs irrelevant. <£6k ideally, but low depreciation more important than purchase price. ULEZ friendly.

Head = CB500F
Heart = Moto Guzzi V7
Possible look in - CB300R

A good CB500F deal has come up, thinking of going that route until I've a bit more experience on a larger contraption.

Any thoughts welcome.

[JulianHJ]

Of that selection I'd definitely go for the CB500.

[Pat H]

Me too.

[CousinDupree]

If you like that classic feel, go for the Guzzi or a Bonnie.

Otherwise, have a look at the MT07 or XSR700. They are a lot more peppy and great fun to ride.

[NS400R]

CB500 all the way. My son has the CBR500. Brilliant middleweight that is entertaining to ride despite having a Fireblade.

[TT1138]

TheInternet said:

As above, first post-125 bike, urban commute, all year around, lots of filtering. Secure parking either end. Don't want anything particularly powerful, heavy or with <200 mile range. Fuel economy/VED costs irrelevant. <£6k ideally, but low depreciation more important than purchase price. ULEZ friendly.

Head = CB500F
Heart = Moto Guzzi V7
Possible look in - CB300R

A good CB500F deal has come up, thinking of going that route until I've a bit more experience on a larger contraption.

Any thoughts welcome.

Out of all of those surely the answer is MT07?

[trickywoo]

New model SV650.

[Goldfever4]

I put 35,000 miles on a CB500X, fundamentally the same as CB500F.

Brilliant for around town and would be a super first-big-bike bike. Clutch is super light, fuelling is good, they're quite light, narrow-ish handlebars and a short wheelbase so filtering is a doddle.

I know you said economy irrelevant but FWIW I averaged 75mpg and often saw over 85mpg to a tank. They are popular in London so resale is good. (I lost £700 in 4 years and 35,000 miles)

I sold because I started to commute on A-road and motoway, naturally with 47hp the motor is gutless over 70 so it became frustratingly limited as a daily. Also, the service intervals aren't brilliant and it was quite awkward to work on.

I would gladly have one again if I lived in London. But, a Guzzi V7 with a mistral exhaust...

[warch]

Knackered looking old cb500 that will still be there when you go to ride it home.

[Krikkit]

I'd go with the Guzzi - heart should always win over head.

[lukeyman]

As mentioned elsewhere, I've had an XSR700...

I'd get the Guzzi.

[TheInternet]

Thanks for the replies. Will be trying to get a seat on each of the front runners this morning.

On the alternatives, I'm not that interested in an SV650 or MT07.

[Pat H]

lukeyman said:

As mentioned elsewhere, I've had an XSR700...

I'd get the Guzzi.

I've had two Guzzis.

I'd have the Honda...

[SamR380]

A V7 III should be in range at that budget, aparently much nicer to ride than the earlier models. Comes with the advantage of ABS too, which is nice for a beginner.


You could get a CB500... but would it look as good as this?

[lukeyman]

Pat H said:

lukeyman said:

As mentioned elsewhere, I've had an XSR700...

I'd get the Guzzi.

I've had two Guzzis.

I'd have the Honda...

Two? Was the second just to confirm your opinion?

[Pizzaeatingking]

For all year round commuting, I'd get something resilient to the winter conditions and something you'll not be too precious over, even more so in a big city. Honda would probably be my choice.

[TheInternet]

A sit on each didn't really help the decision. Despite the clearly questionable build of the Guzzi it still appeals, and the Honda is as straightforward as expected.

To go ahead with the MG I'd want to find a good used V7 Special, and it seems that is a somewhat rare find so have made plans to see (and hopefully buy) a CB500F at the weekend.

With time and experience I can move onto the other, or something altogether different. Further research into whether year round London commuting is compatible with a V7 also seems prudent.

[TheInternet]

Pizzaeatingking said:

For all year round commuting, I'd get something resilient to the winter conditions and something you'll not be too precious over, even more so in a big city. Honda would probably be my choice.

Yep, this is a concern. The Honda I've earmarked is a bit too new, but I'll not feel the need to overly mollycoddle it.

[SamR380]

People are usually quite protective of the reputation of bikes they actually own, but if you have a facebook account, join the Guzzi V7 UK group and ask about build quality and reliability of the modern bikes.

[Pat H]

lukeyman said:

Pat H said:

lukeyman said:

As mentioned elsewhere, I've had an XSR700...

I'd get the Guzzi.

I've had two Guzzis.

I'd have the Honda...

Two? Was the second just to confirm your opinion?

The first was a V11 Le Mans, which looked lovely, but was a bit too agricultural for it's relatively sporting pretentions.



The second was an old 750 Strada which I bought because it was absurdly cheap and I needed something because my R100 had shat it's clutch.





I took the Strada to the IOM, where it acquitted itself pretty well, apart from breaking both clutch and speedo cables within half an hour of each other.

In fairness, for £1300 you can't complain. It was a bit like an old 750 Bonnie, but with the usual Guzzi tractor gearbox. Sounded nice, if rather lacking in performance.

But for everyday use it would have to be something reliable and disposable like a cheap Honda.