Which bike is best for parts?

[A500leroy]

So if your running a 'Sunday' bike on a budget, which would be the best for affordable spare parts if your ok a basic mechanics?

Wood it be something like a late 90s diversion, a mid 00s Honda or something newer/older.

Air cooled or Water cooled? etc etc.

[black-k1]

One that doesn't go wrong often and isn't crashed regularly.

Once you get passed 10+ years old then it'll be down to each indavidual bike rather than specific makes or models. Avoid exotic, rare and extreme bikes and get one from a mainstream manufacturer with a detailed history that's been looked after.

[dibblecorse]

CBR600, millions of the things and like coackroaches won't die.

[Drezza]

Single cylinder air cooled if performance is no criteria... CG125 or Cub 90

For more performance, probably something like a CB500, XJ600 or more fun but still practical... FZS600

[V8RX7]

I really don't think it'll matter much as long as you chose a mainstream model - it isn't going to cover many miles and probably won't need many / any parts

Best bet is simply to see what comes up and buy on condition / history

[A500leroy]

V8RX7 said:

I really don't think it'll matter much as long as you chose a mainstream model - it isn't going to cover many miles and probably won't need many / any parts

Best bet is simply to see what comes up and buy on condition / history

I think ive got the right bike i was just curious if it would come up in the suggestions!

[Krikkit]

A500leroy are you just on a retainer from PH to create clickbait threads ever day?

[A500leroy]

Wish i was buddy, benefit of Asperger's is at least i start threads people want to read!

[trickywoo]

Sv650.

Simple and indestructible. Loads made.

[black-k1]

A500leroy said:

I think ive got the right bike i was just curious if it would come up in the suggestions!

Note to self: There's no point in putting effort into responding to A500leroy.

[NS400R]

Look at the parts fiches on CMSNL. That'll give you a good idea of parts availability.

Buy Japanese, less likely to break down.... Having a few geriatric bikes, Honda are the easiest to find parts for. Suzuki are next best. Kwak and Yamaha can be quite difficult to get bits for.

[Andy XRV]

A500leroy said:

V8RX7 said:

I really don't think it'll matter much as long as you chose a mainstream model - it isn't going to cover many miles and probably won't need many / any parts

Best bet is simply to see what comes up and buy on condition / history

I think ive got the right bike i was just curious if it would come up in the suggestions!

fking priceless!!

[A500leroy]

black-k1 said:

A500leroy said:

I think ive got the right bike i was just curious if it would come up in the suggestions!

Note to self: There's no point in putting effort into responding to A500leroy.

But i'll miss you so much.


For everyone else thanks for the feedback, seems im along the right area and this thread just might help someone in a similar situation.

[Ed.]

NS400R said:

Look at the parts fiches on CMSNL. That'll give you a good idea of parts availability.

Buy Japanese, less likely to break down.... Having a few geriatric bikes, Honda are the easiest to find parts for. Suzuki are next best. Kwak and Yamaha can be quite difficult to get bits for.

Have Honda always had good parts supply for older models or is it just that they sold so many? I remember Suzuki launching their vintage parts supply a couple of years ago.

[NS400R]

Ed. said:

Have Honda always had good parts supply for older models or is it just that they sold so many? I remember Suzuki launching their vintage parts supply a couple of years ago.

Nothing to do with Honda themselves, just there seem to be more options for sourcing parts. The obvious David Silver that has specialised in Honda for years, CMS started off just supplying Honda, then there is a raft of other smaller Honda only parts suppliers. No idea why the others aren't as well covered. May just be down to being the biggest manufacturer, so greater breadth of parts.

[rodericb]

Are there really more spares for old Hondas laying about that other Japanese brands? Although it's a tiny sample I find early 1990's CBR900RR bodywork parts (i.e. fairings and decals) as difficult to find as ZX9R stuff....!

[NS400R]

I doubt there are more spares, there just seem to be more options to buy them.

What are you looking for for the CBR?

[rodericb]

NS400R said:

I doubt there are more spares, there just seem to be more options to buy them.

What are you looking for for the CBR?

It was bodywork and decals - whatever I could find. It was for a mates bike but if I'd found some I was thinking of getting some and saving a streetfighter from streetfighterdom.