Good project bikes...

[AlphaRomeo]

I’ve just passed my DAS so I’ve been asking questions in the “no dumb questions thread” but had one that might be worthy of its own thread...

One option I was considering was buying an old banger and doing it up myself for the following reasons:

1. It seems like fun
2. I’ll learn more about bikes
3. If I drop it, it won’t be so bad


So which bikes would be a good choice for this? Ideally, I’d like something with a bit of power (so I don’t get bored). But I’d also like it to be quite simple and easy to work with and buy parts for.

Is there an obvious choice?

Many thanks!

[MotorsportTom]

My opinion don't do it if it's your only bike. You passed your test because you want to ride so get something you can jump on and go with confidence!

If you are really set though an SV650 is a fair choice. Plenty of bikes around cheaply and lots of spares availabilty and also potential for upgrades as they are used in minitwin and super twin racing.
Approx 70hp and a user friendly bike for a novice but again... I would advise against a project bike as your only bike!

Nothing worse than losing the will for motorbikes before you have even started riding by getting annoyed by your project vehicle which almost everyone I have known (including myself) does at some point

Btw congrats on passing now get your bum on a seat and get some miles under your belt!

[gregs656]

What style of bike are you thinking of?

A common thought with projects, which I agree with, is to buy something that is fundamentally in good shape not something that has been sat rusting outside or was stripped 5 years a go etc.

I wanted a cheap project to bobber, ended up with an EN500 which was absolutely perfect. Loads of cosmetic issues but it hadn't been messed around with too badly. It took me quite a while to find the right bike though, as I was set on the EN.

The more flexible you are the easier it is.

My preference for bikes generally is things which are interesting but were never very popular. Half the fun for me is finding the weird bikes.

edit: this was the EN, before on the bottom after at the top.

Edited by gregs656 on Wednesday 6th November 18:03

[warch]

I'd go with something like a Honda CBR 600F or Suzuki SV 650 or Bandit 600, any of which can be had for a bag or thereabouts. There are loads of these about, so parts are easily available and they are easy to work on and maintain. They are also tough as old boots and well put together.

I find private sellers much better than dealers at this end of the market, cheap dealer bikes are usually overpriced and in relatively poor condition. Don't worry about mileage, but you may as well make things easy for yourself by getting one that's been well cared for. Bikers tend to be fastidious and over critical of their own bikes so you may get something that's been lovingly maintained for much the same money as a project.

I'd be wary of anyone selling a bike that has running problems, people often start unsystematically taking bikes to bits or fiddling with or adjusting things which can be a nightmare to put right.

[BugLebowski]

If you can afford it I'd agree with buying something newer and then get a second bike as a project if you wish. From personal experience all the nice dry sunny days seem to come around when my bike is off the road needing something annoying fixed.

[MrGman]

AlphaRomeo said:

doing it up myself

3. If I drop it, it won’t be so bad

that’ll only make it worse

[Rubin215]

Buy a running, mot'd Bandit 600 for £750 or less, there are literally hundreds out there.

Spend £100 on a cheap socket set, a Haines manual, oil and filter, air filter and plugs.

Take it from there.

[AlphaRomeo]

Some really great points here and plenty of food for thought! Thanks for all the replies! Such a friendly forum.

I never really thought about doing a project as a second bike and, it’s true, i do want to get out on the roads, rather than faffing about.

Lovely EN there too!

I’ll look into this Bandit idea - don’t even know what one looks like!

As far as a non-project bike goes, I love the Ducati Monster, Yamaha XSR900, Honda CB650R, some BMWs. Can’t afford any of them though. Lol.

[AlphaRomeo]

MrGman said:

that’ll only make it worse

Ha ha! Fair point

[gregs656]

AlphaRomeo said:

I never really thought about doing a project as a second bike and, it’s true, i do want to get out on the roads, rather than faffing about.

As far as a non-project bike goes, I love the Ducati Monster, Yamaha XSR900, Honda CB650R, some BMWs. Can’t afford any of them though. Lol.

A second bike as a project makes a lot of sense.

I don’t think it would be difficult to find something older and cheaper that fits the profile of those bikes.

[TommyBuoy]

BugLebowski said:

If you can afford it I'd agree with buying something newer and then get a second bike as a project if you wish. From personal experience all the nice dry sunny days seem to come around when my bike is off the road needing something annoying fixed.

This! A project bike is great and you can either do up a rough'en and maybe get your money back or make something that you really want.

Having a bike that needs work other than some cosmetic tidying will be really frustrating when your desperately spannering to make the most of a perfect riding day.

Sounds like you want a naked bike - lots to choose from at a lower budget than those mentioned.

ETA: GSR600 / GSR750 or 600 hornet (2007+) are available for decent money and are nakeds with enough grunt butnew enough and reliable enough to be able to get out on without too much concern of something breaking.

Edited by TommyBuoy on Thursday 7th November 09:53