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Advise from bikers please.....

nickg

MB Enthusiast
Joined
May 10, 2004
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London
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Advise required!

I am going to upgrade my 125cc scooter for a bike early in the new year.
I use it to commute into central london every day - a journey of about 13 miles, and also to get to clients in the london area.

I know very little about bikes and was wondering if any of the bikers amongst us could advise as to what bike I should get.

Make/model/new/used?

My priorities are:
comfort, reliability, manoueverable, light and compact enough to get through traffic, decent power and quality.
Budget - £4Kish.
 
I'd seriously look at:-

Suzuki Bandit 600 (lots availible, lots in breakers, small and light, but revvy engine)

Honda CB500 - used by many training companies as they are very easy to ride. not a lot of power, but more relaxed to ride as only a twin (so not 'revvy')

Kawasaki ER5 - as above, kwak version.

or.... go for a 250ish (minimum) trailie / crosser. 4 stroke, leccy start. put road based tyres on it (avon gripsters for example) which will be nice and comfey over the london potholes, high up so you can see over the cars, is tough (so when (not if...) you drop it, little to no damage is done), has a fantastic turning circle, is usually bright colour (visibility), handle bars are on a different height to most wing mirrors, and you can ride it over a pavement to your parking spot with no issue.

BUT - are you tall enough? 5'10" is about the minimum for a decent street-ish trailie.

eg yamaha xt660 - 48HP - new is 4.5 / 5k might be a bit big tho'

DR-Z 400 suzuki - two mates have these and love them. possibly a bit crazy...
 
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If you prefer the twist and go regime of the scooter there are quite few options also with Suzuki Berghman and Honda Silver Wing, these are upto 650cc. Or try and find a S/H BMW boxer twin, reliable and economical, easily serviced. Always remember to try before you buy, and take it for a decent run as you may find after 40 miles its uncomfortable but feels great going around the block, or too heavy in traffic. Wish you luck.
 
Think I agree with Guy on this.

If you are thinking of getting a mid sized commuter then in terms of smiles per mile a trail bike is going to be your best bet. Great fun and great through the traffic (better than anything else on two wheels).

Definately find something with an electric start as kicking over a big single isnt fun. Prolly best to steer clear from the Kawasaki KLR series as from my experience the engines just dont last.

With up to £4k to spend you can pretty much afford whatever you like assuming your not fussed about going second hand.

The limitation being your own confidence jumping from a scooter to a bigger bike. A 400cc plus trail bike will tend to be rather light on the front wheel and if your clutch control is less than perfect, you might find that you frighten yourself somewhat. That said, once you've gotten over that fear, there is much fun to be had :D

This could also be the start of a new hobby for you called green laning. We have thousands of miles of public rights of way throughout the countryside which can legally be explored on your bike or 4wd.

Your choice of bike however is a personal one... try before you buy and make sure you test ride all sorts of different machines before parting with your cash.
 
I'd add a Honda Hornet to your list, not too heavy, no many fairings to scrape, not too bad on insurance. CB500's look a bit dated now and I don't think have been made for a few years. But if you want to stick to the twist & go the Silverwing is great but might be too bulky for round town and not the lightest thing around! Or a Ducatti Monster might be worth a look if you want something a bit bifferent!

kate
 
Have to admit I wasn't considering a trail type. And am 5'8" so maybe they'll be a bit big.
I'm really not into green laning or similar. The bike is purely for commuting, and I don't plan on dropping it! I haven't done so in 2 yrs on the scooter.........
But the ruggedness does appeal - big wheels, good suspension travel and toughness. My scooter has been shaken to bits in 2 yrs over London roads and I'll want something that can stand up to the beating.
Are BMWs any good? I took a look at their website today and liked the look of the 650 GS. Over-priced or good value for money?
I'd also like something with a bit of poke. If I buy something too puny I'll only want to change in 6 months.
For that reason I don't fancy a bigger scooter. Would probably be more comfortable but I'd get bored of it really quick.
Thanks for the advice - will be continuing my search over the next few weeks and will probably buy a couple of bike mags to peruse for hours over the next week - beats yakking with the mother-in-law.
Any further advice would be welcome - are Ducatti Monsters reliable enough for an every day commute ?
 
One of my colleagues has just bought a VFR750 Honda. P reg and absolutely immaculate for £2500.
Comfy enough for a daily commute and will cover continents if you feel like it.
With your budget you would be looking at the 800cc V-TEC model.
 
Here's my Hornet which is great fun and guaranteed to put a smile on your face, boy that thing flys, it's very light and easy to move about:
hornet.jpg


The more sensible option though would probably be a Honda Deuville, a 650 V twin shaft drive with semi fairing and built in storage, that's what I'd go for. Heres one:

Good hunting.
 

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Nickg,
The BMW650GS is a great bike big 650 single, I think about 5 are entered into the Paris Dakar this year, but they are quite tall. There are other BMW 650's, have a look at www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk look at the enduro/funduros its the web page for BMW motorcycles.

Good luck in your search
 
5' 8''... you're gonna struggle on a trailbike I'm afraid. BMW do a low seat option on the 650 which you might get away with.

Honda's are always better built than the other 3 jap mftrs, A hornet is an ideal starter bike that will have you grinning from ear to ear on a sunny sunday as well as being a reliable workhorse when needs be. The Deuville is an ideal commuter with a generous fairing to keep the weather at bay and secure storage for laptop/work stuff and a change of cloths etc. To be honest its probably the most sensible option - perhaps a little too sensible if I had to find something negative to say about it.
 
Deauville looks interesting. Smart, not flashy, less likely to incur wrath of other road users when squeezing by! Good luggage space is important - perhaps a bit bulky for the London commute?

As always, enthusiastic advice from this forum. I'll keep you updated with progress in the new year.
 
I agree that Honda has the quality issue sorted on their bigger bikes, the Deuville is used by the police for vertically challenged officers, it is very reliable and well built, performance wise it is a known as the Dullville.

Another midrange bike that is well thought of in the motorcycling press is the Yamaha Fazer. A bit more sporty and wil filter through traffic easier than the Deuville.

Any of the Honda VFRs will do you, they are consistently considered the best all rounders. :rock: Let us know what you get.
 
vertically challenged!!!!!!!!!!
 
nickg said:
vertically challenged!!!!!!!!!!

Better known as a PORG. Person Of Restricted Growth.
 
nickg said:
vertically challenged!!!!!!!!!!


Then this is for you but you have to promise to get a tattoo as well.

1100cc bags of power and sounds very nice in high sided streets :D
 

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Yamaha Virago

Heres a pic of a real Virago,handles well in traffic very comfortable and gets lots of looks,also available in smaller engine sizes. (No tattoos here either.) I also have a Pan European (ex police) which is the big brother of the Deauville, my mate had a Deauville and while the performance isnt startling its used by many couriers and the panniers are very handy.
Happy New Year to all
Steve
 

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Try a second hand Virago 535, good height for 5.8" I've had one for five and a half years. Reliable cheap to run,looks good and fun to ride. Plus shaft drive no chain worries. Only two on Ebay right now and the 1987 one is an import.
Check the Motorcycle News.
 
you might be surprised with seat heights... a low fat custom bike means your legs go outwards (at 4 o'clock and 8 o clock) then down... with a trailie, they are very thin and so your legs go at 5.30 and 6.30 (iyswim)

try one at a dealers?
 
Careful with Japanese custom bikes... they are not particularly popular and the depreciation is horrendous.
 

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