Cheap bike that isn't sh*t but won't get nicked (probably)

[The Selfish Gene]

I have to get to the airport at 4am tomorrow (and this happens often)

I have to get a taxi as public transport doesn't work

I'd much rather take one of the bikes, but alas can't because it's London and some will steal them over the weekend.

So - got me thinking, what can I buy, that is not desirable enough to steal............will work for short ish distances (say 50miles max) and if it is stolen, worst case I wouldn't bother claiming on insurance.

[srob]

(The original) Honda CB500?

[dern]

An africa twin, I think everyone has one by now so you should be safe.

[cbmotorsport]

Honda NT650.

Cheap as chips, shaft drive, and absolutely bullet proof (courier bike of choice)

Perhaps a little bit st, but will munch miles and take very little looking after.

Will not get nicked.

[NAS]

ER-5/GS500E? Or a steel-framed CBR600F?

[Bikesalot]

bandit 600?

[coupeboy]

TDM....

[NITO]

Harley

[CaptainSlow]

Any Yamaha in yellow...

[kiethton]

My CBF600 - bought to commute into London and leave on the road every day

8 years old now, bought from a salvage yard with 50k miles after being dropped on its side so scuffed up and looks tatty.

Runs well and goes well enough, would fit the bill perfectly, especially if you can find one sub £1,250 like mine was.

[flux]

depending on if you need to go thru zone 1, the pain in the butt for me isn't just about getting the bike nicked, but also the ULEZ charge from next year.

[Chongwong]

An SV650 would probably do the trick

[Rubin215]

srob said:

(The original) Honda CB500?

The original dates from the 1970's...

[ssray]

cbmotorsport said:

Honda NT650.

Cheap as chips, shaft drive, and absolutely bullet proof (courier bike of choice)

Perhaps a little bit st, but will munch miles and take very little looking after.

Will not get nicked.

Mine got nicked and dumped in a local river

[creampuff]

Is there off-road bike parking at the airport (e.g. Heathrow has a section of the car park)?

I'd still take a taxi. It is London, so it will be stolen.

[CousinDupree]

Rubin215 said:

The original dates from the 1970's...

So avoids the LEZ charge

[powerstans]

Older model V Strom 1000 or 650. Advantage of luggage but about as popular as a communicable disease in a Convent.

[supercommuter]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

This.

I have left multiple sports bikes and my AT at the airport every month. The parking is right outside the terminal 5 and has cameras everywhere, it is also free. As above there is a lot of nice kit there. It is also by Valet parking where there is a ton of lovely metal waiting for their owners to land.

If you mean London city, get a CB500 of some varient. Lock it and cover it.