Another what shall I buy for fun
Discussion
Hi
I have a Multistrada as my main bike and have just sold my second bike .
It is therefore essential another arrives before the Mrs notices and spends the money.
I want a bike not a V twin , that is tall and good at small roads covered in mud . Basically just for messing about where I live where there are lots of country roads , very narrow and bumpy. I am 6'3'' and 17 stone.
£3000
Age and mileage no issue
3 or 4 cylinders possibly 1
Good for fat man
Upright riding position
Absolutely for fun non essential journeys
Thank you
David
I have a Multistrada as my main bike and have just sold my second bike .
It is therefore essential another arrives before the Mrs notices and spends the money.
I want a bike not a V twin , that is tall and good at small roads covered in mud . Basically just for messing about where I live where there are lots of country roads , very narrow and bumpy. I am 6'3'' and 17 stone.
£3000
Age and mileage no issue
3 or 4 cylinders possibly 1
Good for fat man
Upright riding position
Absolutely for fun non essential journeys
Thank you
David
Slightly over budget, but they are always minimum starting points.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XT-600-Motorcycl...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XT-600-Motorcycl...
I'd recommend a 1050 Triumph Tiger if you are on the fat side, I reckon you could grab one for £3k ish soon as some (unfortunately) will have to get rid of their bikes.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEPOSIT-TAKEN-2007-07-T...
Like that, they are great bikes.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEPOSIT-TAKEN-2007-07-T...
Like that, they are great bikes.
If you have a 'strada then a Tiger seems like another very similar bike to me.
There are a few retro scramblers type bikes for that money. I'd be tempted with something a bit different/interesting if it's a second bike.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or a bit left field, MT03, the original one. 660cc, single. Gets good reviews, you could get a late model/low mile bike for the budget.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-mt03/26473514603...
There are a few retro scramblers type bikes for that money. I'd be tempted with something a bit different/interesting if it's a second bike.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or a bit left field, MT03, the original one. 660cc, single. Gets good reviews, you could get a late model/low mile bike for the budget.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-mt03/26473514603...
cliffords said:
I do wonder if I should go for something with more cylinders , any other thoughts ?
The best bikes made for "small roads covered in mud" are singles, small, light & torqueyWhy do you want more cylinders ?
You could look at a KTM 640 / 690 but I'd go for the 525 suggested earlier (if you're happy doing an oil change every 5 minutes)
After the suggestions an update from me , I have ridden the XT660 , its a good size for me , I like it a lot . I am not so keen on the engine , its more tractor than the Multistrada , and I think the engine would drive me mad . Its loud too, I sneak about at 6am on little back lanes and roads and I would be heard by all. ( I sound strange writing that )
I looked at the KTM, it looks great , its mouse size for me , it would be too small.
Any last suggestions please . My original brief at first thread
Its got to be light and tall and can be less cc, its just for looking about the countryside.
Thank you
David
I looked at the KTM, it looks great , its mouse size for me , it would be too small.
Any last suggestions please . My original brief at first thread
Its got to be light and tall and can be less cc, its just for looking about the countryside.
Thank you
David
V8RX7 said:
The best bikes made for "small roads covered in mud" are singles, small, light & torquey
Why do you want more cylinders ?
You could look at a KTM 640 / 690 but I'd go for the 525 suggested earlier (if you're happy doing an oil change every 5 minutes)
Agreed, the more than two cylinder brief doesn't match the small, muddy roads brief.Why do you want more cylinders ?
You could look at a KTM 640 / 690 but I'd go for the 525 suggested earlier (if you're happy doing an oil change every 5 minutes)
I don't know when the 690 Duke switched to two balancer shafts to try to soften the single cylinder vibes.
The Yamaha TDM 850 seems to meet the big bike for a big rider and more than two cylinders briefs but it doesn't seem like a small, muddy road machine to me. The TDM 850 seems far more general purpose, adventure, tourer type machine.
Edited by carinaman on Tuesday 2nd June 14:10
Take a look at either a Husaberg FE450 enduro or a Husqvarna TE450 or 510. These are proper lightweight competition bikes.
The Husky comes with all sorts of trick stuff from the factory:
Dry Sump
Brembo brakes (with floating discs front & rear)
Flatslide Mikuni Carb (They changed to Injection with throttle body from 2007)
Sachs shock with remote reservoir
Marzocchi Forks
12.9:1 compression ratio. 47bhp (450)
109Kg dry weight.
Tops out around 90 mph, but that would be missing the point.
Husaberg will be similar, but I don't know the specs.
Not much difference between the 450 & 510, they're both capable of producing easy wheelies off the throttle. I think the carb model 510 makes about 52 bhp. Don't be tempted to buy older than 2006, as the early ones had thinner valve stems, which tended to snap under hard use.
These are competition bikes so they need oil changed regularly (every 500 miles), valves checked (every 1000 miles, but easy to do - takes 15 minutes, haven't had to adjust mine yet) and they don't have a cooling fan, nor very good lighting for night use either. These don't really make viable commuter bikes. They're competition bike for shorter rides. If you want something less focussed, there's other Husqvarna more suitable for general on/off road use, or indeed other Japanese brands, etc. which are less focussed and heavier.
I have a 2006 SMR450, which is the motard version. Has firmer suspension and road-sized wheels. Makes a great bike for twisty roads, if you're local to any. Not ideal to ride off-road with sticky road tyres though. I don't have a pic to hand of it, but easy enough to find with a google search.
HTH
The Husky comes with all sorts of trick stuff from the factory:
Dry Sump
Brembo brakes (with floating discs front & rear)
Flatslide Mikuni Carb (They changed to Injection with throttle body from 2007)
Sachs shock with remote reservoir
Marzocchi Forks
12.9:1 compression ratio. 47bhp (450)
109Kg dry weight.
Tops out around 90 mph, but that would be missing the point.
Husaberg will be similar, but I don't know the specs.
Not much difference between the 450 & 510, they're both capable of producing easy wheelies off the throttle. I think the carb model 510 makes about 52 bhp. Don't be tempted to buy older than 2006, as the early ones had thinner valve stems, which tended to snap under hard use.
These are competition bikes so they need oil changed regularly (every 500 miles), valves checked (every 1000 miles, but easy to do - takes 15 minutes, haven't had to adjust mine yet) and they don't have a cooling fan, nor very good lighting for night use either. These don't really make viable commuter bikes. They're competition bike for shorter rides. If you want something less focussed, there's other Husqvarna more suitable for general on/off road use, or indeed other Japanese brands, etc. which are less focussed and heavier.
I have a 2006 SMR450, which is the motard version. Has firmer suspension and road-sized wheels. Makes a great bike for twisty roads, if you're local to any. Not ideal to ride off-road with sticky road tyres though. I don't have a pic to hand of it, but easy enough to find with a google search.
HTH
Edited by Petrolism on Tuesday 2nd June 15:22
cliffords said:
After the suggestions an update from me , I have ridden the XT660 , its a good size for me , I like it a lot . I am not so keen on the engine , its more tractor than the Multistrada , and I think the engine would drive me mad . Its loud too, I sneak about at 6am on little back lanes and roads and I would be heard by all. ( I sound strange writing that )
I looked at the KTM, it looks great , its mouse size for me , it would be too small.
Any last suggestions please . My original brief at first thread
Its got to be light and tall and can be less cc, its just for looking about the countryside.
Thank you
David
Why do we never start with all the data....I looked at the KTM, it looks great , its mouse size for me , it would be too small.
Any last suggestions please . My original brief at first thread
Its got to be light and tall and can be less cc, its just for looking about the countryside.
Thank you
David
How about up the budget and get this (though you really want the xChallenge)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-G-650-X-MOTO-8300-M...
Or...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Royal-Enfield-Himalayan...
Just about to post about the Royal Enfield Himalayan myself...completely different to anything modern and seem to get good reviews for what it is.
It's something I'd be tempted to stick in the garage if I had room / the cash as I think it's something that you would have to work to ride properly if you know what I mean
It's something I'd be tempted to stick in the garage if I had room / the cash as I think it's something that you would have to work to ride properly if you know what I mean
Ah feck. If we're looking at Royal Enfields now, then do take a look at the Husky SMR450/510 (Or FE450/510 if wanting to do more off-road than road riding).
Despite having 8 other bikes, from an NSR250 to a VTR SP2, I love riding the SMR450. So much fun for little roads with corners & so forgiving.
Yep, they're a bit noisy ( Titanium exhaust makes it a little worse/better
).
If you can get over a bit of engine noise, its worth seeing if there are any about...I guess £3K will buy a very nice one (just don't buy one that's been abused).
I'd say go for the SMR450 rather than the FE450, unless you particularly want a bike with knobblies on.
They're a lot cooler looking as Motards and handle really well.
450 has a shorter stroke than the 510 and gives more revs. Never ridden a 510, but the 450 isn't slow by any means.
Should be alright for someone 6'3 and probably better in some ways... I'm 5'8 and my feet don't quite sit flat on the ground.
Here's a video where a guy talks about his after selling an R1 to get it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwslA7dbZ-U
You can find all sorts of videos on the track, etc. Great bike for learning how to slide / wheelie, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAtdOFnHXLM
Despite having 8 other bikes, from an NSR250 to a VTR SP2, I love riding the SMR450. So much fun for little roads with corners & so forgiving.
Yep, they're a bit noisy ( Titanium exhaust makes it a little worse/better
). If you can get over a bit of engine noise, its worth seeing if there are any about...I guess £3K will buy a very nice one (just don't buy one that's been abused).
I'd say go for the SMR450 rather than the FE450, unless you particularly want a bike with knobblies on.
They're a lot cooler looking as Motards and handle really well.
450 has a shorter stroke than the 510 and gives more revs. Never ridden a 510, but the 450 isn't slow by any means.
Should be alright for someone 6'3 and probably better in some ways... I'm 5'8 and my feet don't quite sit flat on the ground.
Here's a video where a guy talks about his after selling an R1 to get it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwslA7dbZ-U
You can find all sorts of videos on the track, etc. Great bike for learning how to slide / wheelie, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAtdOFnHXLM
Edited by Petrolism on Wednesday 3rd June 14:52
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