£2000 bike

[junglie]

Good morning,

I am after some advice for a bike purchase.

Sold my bike last year and was going to rent one again for our annual summer trip to the continent (which may be Wales and Scotland depending on travel situation) but lots of the rental places are not re-opening until next year.

Previous bikes include CBR 600, Varadero, Fireblade, K1300GT and Blackbird among various others / rentals.

Looking to spend £2000 ish and undecided if I will keep or sell on.

I think the requirements are fuel injection, reliable, comfy (enough), weatherproof (enough) and possibly luggage.

Not really bothered on make and have looked at (not ridden) R1100S, VFR 800, Bandit 1250, CBR 600, CBF1000, FJR 1300 etc.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.

[Jag_NE]

The main thing if you are looking to sell on is buy at a good price. If you do, there’s a fair chance you won’t lose any money. I’d be looking for a private sale on a vfr800, great all rounder and fairly easy to sell later.

[Jazoli]

VFR800, FZS1000, ST1100's and Blackbirds can all be had for sub £2k if you haggle hard, there's plenty of choice although prices of older stuff have firmed up quite a bit though, I haven't seen many 1250 bandits sub £2k.

[junglie]

That makes absolute sense but I know I will doubtless change my mind, become attached to it and then want to keep it!

I also have to guard against mission creep - I rode my mate’s VFR 800 (loved it), then a VTEC (yo!) 800 but would then want to find a post 2006 revised model in that lovely burgundy with full luggage!

Man maths would obviously prove it is a sensible pathway but then the, ‘if I am spending £4500 on this then add a bit more and.......’!

[talksthetorque]

Vfr800 - last of the Gen 5 were injected (( 99 on I think) or an early gen 6 Vtec for that money. You might be lucky and get one with luggage, in which case the Gen 5 would be better suited to throwover panners, due to the exhaust position on the Gen 6.
Reg/Rec/Stator issues similar to other Hondas at this age. Other than that bulletproof. If you're planning a lot of two up touring, you might want a bigger engine chioce, it'll do it easy but it'll be even easier with a bit more torque.

[junglie]

Being an avid Honda man the VFR 800 (pre or post VTEC) appeals and it appears the VFR 800 is the bike equivalent of an MX5 in terms of the answer to many questions!

[talksthetorque]

junglie said:

That makes absolute sense but I know I will doubtless change my mind, become attached to it and then want to keep it!

I also have to guard against mission creep - I rode my mate’s VFR 800 (loved it), then a VTEC (yo!) 800 but would then want to find a post 2006 revised model in that lovely burgundy with full luggage!

Man maths would obviously prove it is a sensible pathway but then the, ‘if I am spending £4500 on this then add a bit more and.......’!

Exactly what I have. 23k miles FSH,
You can have it for 4.5k

Think there was one as you desire - around the £3800 mark, low mileage, all the kit, but that's some serious budget creep.

[junglie]

I can spend as much as I like really but all my previous bikes have been mint and I was always a bit soft in using them as a result. I was ‘scared’ of mud, water, car parks, parking etc.

Whilst I may fail, I want to get something that I might be able to enjoy more as I care less. It needs to be aesthetically pleasing, so no rusty and scratched stters, but need not be cutting edge.

[ambuletz]

junglie said:

Being an avid Honda man the VFR 800 (pre or post VTEC) appeals and it appears the VFR 800 is the bike equivalent of an MX5 in terms of the answer to many questions!

I thought the SV650 was the bike equivalent of an MX-5 (especially as it's more affordable).

[talksthetorque]

Just come up on vfr buy and sell.

Mileage is a bit high but apart from that lots of servicing and consumables just done. Plus luggage and a spare set of fairings! He wants 2k for it.

[black-k1]

As above, VFR800 is a good choice but I'd also look for a R1100S. Good do-it-all bikes with good luggage options and pillion comfort.

[Drawweight]

Off the wall choice but ever since having had one of those as a replacement bike for a week I’ve got a soft spot for these.

No fuel injection and maybe slightly older than you were looking for.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-Yamaha-FZS600-Faze...

[J B L]

I used to really rate my Triumph Sprint ST955i.

If I was to resume some sort of long commute like it was used for then I'd haveanother one in a shot.

Fast enough
Low mpg
Comfy
Great chassis
Felt like quality in this price range

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Sprint-955i/265... That would look great!

[junglie]

The Trumpet is a great shout!

[black-k1]

If you can stretch your budget just a touch then you're into Sprint ST1050 and Blackbird territory.

[Rubin215 QFSM]

Sprint 1050 would be the one for me.

Very comfy, great engine, good luggage.

[half.pipe]

As above, Sprint 1050 or VFR 800. I think the 5th gen (i.e: 1998-2002 pre-VTEC) VFR's are excellent. Had a 98 model (which also doesn't have a cat) and loved that bike. Regretted selling it the moment it left my drive.

Can easily pick up a 5th Gen VFR with full luggage within budget, with cash left over for some fancy extras should you so desire.

[junglie]

I really do think the VFR 800 is the way forward for numerous reasons.

I’ve always wanted an R1100S though for some reason!

I have never heard any bad words about a VFR 800 (similar in many respects to my Blackbird) and only ‘dull’ has been mentioned. I don’t consider not breaking down as ‘dull’ and I am not a good enough rider to warrant cutting edge!

[rat840771]

A few years back you could get some great bargains for 2k, I bought a GSXR1000 K2 for 2k, sold it for £2.6k 2 years later and the price keeps going up!

Bought the wife. VTR1000 firestorm for under 2k and these are still available, she had a go on the VFR800 and found it a bit dull.

[conkerman]

rat840771 said:

A few years back you could get some great bargains for 2k, I bought a GSXR1000 K2 for 2k, sold it for £2.6k 2 years later and the price keeps going up!

Bought the wife. VTR1000 firestorm for under 2k and these are still available, she had a go on the VFR800 and found it a bit dull.

I had a VTR and a VFR (Pre VTEC 800) and agree that the VFR is dull. I just couldn't get on with the riding position either, but I am oddly proportioned.

I'd try and pick up a Fazer, I was offered £2500 for my 2007 with 21k miles recently.