Enjoying the search for a new bike.

[Kawasicki]

So, I’m not much of a biker. I’ve only owned 4, they were...

Early eighties Yamaha 250XT
Kawasaki zxr400
Honda SP1
KTM 525 EXC

Now I haven’t owned a bike for 5 years, and I’m now living in Bavaria, Which seems to be pretty damn good as far as road riding goes, so I’m on the lookout for a bike.

Budget...cheap...I’m a family man, and I am saving for other things. So...between 1000 and 6000 euros...the lower the better.

Style of bike...I’m really flexible regards what type of bike and really enjoying looking at the bargains on offer. I don’t want to start a “What bike should I buy?” thread...I just wanted to see if people had experience of some of the bikes I’m considering.

What will I use the bike for? Just tooling ‘round!

So, my very odd list..which changes constantly!

Ducati 999
Ducati Hypermotard 1100
KTM Duke 390
KTM big single duke
KTM superduke 990
GSXR 750 SRAD (these are as cheap as chips!)
Yamaha R1 - first generation

Stupid thread, I know!

[neutral 3]

You know you Want one.....
But if you do, beware on those Bavarian roads, the early R1 bites.....

[Kawasicki]

There is something about the red seat!

[neutral 3]

Indeed, there is......

Edited by neutral 3 on Monday 25th March 21:29

[jjones]

The gsxr750 srad was very impressive for its time.

[neutral 3]

Suprisingly practical too !

[Kawasicki]

jjones said:

The gsxr750 srad was very impressive for its time.

Yep, Suzuki really put effort into it...cheap as anything now too. I really enjoyed the raw, revvy character of my old zxr400. I was hoping the Suzuki would feel similar.

[Kawasicki]

neutral 3 said:

Indeed, there is......

Edited by neutral 3 on Monday 25th March 21:29

She’s tiny!

[Kawasicki]

neutral 3 said:

Suprisingly practical too !

Is that your milk, cake and bike?

[Kawasicki]

Ugly, but somehow not...

[neutral 3]

Kawasicki said:

She’s tiny!

She's Lovely!! We had hoped to do a 20th anniversary photo shoot with Zoe, but we couldn't track her down in time.

[neutral 3]

Kawasicki said:

Is that your milk, cake and bike?

Indeed it is ! Or rather, the Genoa and the milk were mine.

[rog007]

Summer riding only or much of the year? Touring or relatively short blasts?

Dream location regardless; I’d be happy on a C90 if I lived in Bavaria!

[Kawasicki]

rog007 said:

Summer riding only or much of the year? Touring or relatively short blasts?

Dream location regardless; I’d be happy on a C90 if I lived in Bavaria!

The funny thing is, so would I. And I’m not even joking.

4 reasons to buy...
1. bikes are great, I live in road bike heaven.
2. ride out with my wife for a coffee/ice cream on a sunny day
3. social...i have a couple of mates, they ride down to the Austrian alps on a Friday evening and ride home on a Sunday afternoon, maybe 2 or 3 times over summer. Neither of them are fast riders, and both ride old 80‘s bikes with maybe 30bhp.
4. commute to work (mixture of glorious B roads and unlimited Autobahn)

I should say I toured on the zxr400 in comfort, even with my wife. I’m short enough and light enough that I find even typically uncomfortable bikes totally fine. I commuted 100km per day on a knobbly tyred enduro. It made me laugh, because it felt unstable at speed, like a fish out of water. The light was sh!t though, which I didn’t think was funny.

I would probably not ride it over the winter, as it can get a little bit severe in southern Germany, fairly quickly too...and I have three kids, and a intense dislike of hospitals.

[Kawasicki]

neutral 3 said:

Kawasicki said:

Is that your milk, cake and bike?

Indeed it is ! Or rather, the Genoa and the milk were mine.

Looks tidy! Have you had it long? Fun to ride? Make you laugh?

[Kawasicki]

Other ideas...
Yamaha TDM 850
Suzuki DR800

[neutral 3]

Kawasicki said:

Looks tidy! Have you had it long? Fun to ride? Make you laugh?

Absolutely Love a 98 R1!!

I specialise in them, sales, service, repair, restoration and spares and pre purchase inspections.

If you are serious about buying one, il PM you.

This is my 5th 98. It's the first UK customer supplied R1 sold to Britain. First registered on Jan 31st 98, the bikes official U.K. Launch was March 98. I've only recently discovered that my first 98, was the second customer UK bike, it was registered on Feb 1st 98, I stupidly sold it in late 04.
Check out my profile shot of my third one....

[Kawasicki]

neutral 3 said:

Kawasicki said:

Looks tidy! Have you had it long? Fun to ride? Make you laugh?

Absolutely Love a 98 R1!!

I specialise in them, sales, service, repair, restoration and spares and pre purchase inspections.

If you are serious about buying one, il PM you.

This is my 5th 98. It's the first UK customer supplied R1 sold to Britain. First registered on Jan 31st 98, the bikes official U.K. Launch was March 98. I've only recently discovered that my first 98, was the second customer UK bike, it was registered on Feb 1st 98, I stupidly sold it in late 04.
Check out my profile shot of my third one....

Thanks for the offer, I really appreciate it.

Hope you didn't get as badly injured as your third one.

A couple of questions then, from me - I've read that the gearbox shifting can be iffy...does that fit with your experience? They also have a reputation as a bike likely to highside...is that still true with modern tyres?

[Kawasicki]

OK, it's a blue 1 owner bike with new tyres and new chain, fysh and 36k km for 4150euro.

It is blue though!

[Kawasicki]

But then I could get this
2,500euro