Uh-oh, another what bike thread...

[craigs23]

...for my second bike.

Needs to be somewhat disposable, something I don't feel inclined to clean every 5 minutes, or is easy to clean if it does require a spit and polish. Battles well with up to 50 miles a day commute, mostly twisty roads. Something fun at any speed. Cheap to insure and to run. Physically small so I can fit it in the back garden. Will stand up to punishment well. Budget is £1000-£1500.

[Davo]

I'd recommend a CB-1

Great little bike for hooning down back roads, only thing that lets it down a bit is the short(ish) tank range.

[Gazdaman]

CB500!

They're cheap, mileage is no problem, they're physically small, they handle well! Easy to clean (or just leave to rot, whichever).

Parts aren't a problem with the CB500 cup.

Easily within your price range, you can get them for as low as £500, but there's normally something wrong for that kinda money!

Gaz

[G]

The SV isn't as small as the others.

If you don't mind the bland power deliver, it's probably got the most fun chassis. While the power delivery may be even blander than some 500 twins, it does have more of it, which makes for easier overtaking and less thought when riding.

Personally, I don't like the riding position of the S model, however the fairing may be nice if you've got some higher speed dual carigeways.

[Deano]

supermoto sound exactly what your looking for klr/DR650.
i cant see you spit polishing a crosser as much as you did the blade or RVF, as their meant to get dirty.

[_Will_]

A crosser would be good for fun alternate trips home through forests
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[craigs23]

[phantomtek]

[paulthewitt]

sv650 is a good bike. about £150 on the suspension and new blake pads, and it'll handle well and stop well too. (the major flaws of the sv is budget suspesion, and brakes) not that ive bothered changing my suspension or owt....down to money that tho. if you get an old shape one you should be able to just about pick up an average condition one for £1500.

warning: you may be tempted to keep spotlessly clean

but that will probably happen with any bike you have, even a crosser, supermoto or 500 twin. If you can, pick up a cat c or summit....if its a little tatty it may tame your need to clean to perfection.

on the 500 twin note....i wouldnt do it. the sv has just enough power to keep it fun....any less and i would cry (money again stops me getting a bigger bike). also it is much harder to get decent rubber for the 500 twin wheel sies (or so i am led to beleive).

Paul

[craigs23]

Looks like I'm being persuaded to take a 500 twin out for a test.

There's a few votes for 'Other', any suggestions that I'm missing?

[dodsi]

Phannys ER-5 would be a good buy.

[bish777]

ratty GT550

good motor and shaft drive.

neglect seems to make it run sweeter.
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GSXR1100J

[colin1]

heres a challenge for you craig

get this bike and give it the rat bike look with matt black paint and then dont clean it at all for a year

you are allowed to oil the chain etc but no cleaning
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[MarkJ]

If i had to chose a style of bike for a hack it'd be a Supermoto. Never ridden one before, but they look like a laugh, and as others have said they're meant to be dirty

[extreme3d]

I'm another for the SV but only a pointy - I would stay clear of the older curvy ones as they are just too budget on the build quality side. Besides they look 'toytown' ish. I doubt you would get a pointy for £1500 though so perhaps a curvy is the only option....

Ultimatly either curvy or pointy, being half faired the SV is easy to keep clean.

[Trixie]

[craigs23]

Thanks for all the responses although things seem to be still very close. I guess I need some deciding factors, maybe aiming for the downsides on each bike type? Please put me straight if my concerns are unjust. Of course, I'd be out testing soon enough, but I'm not sure whether that would guage the appeal of long-term ownership. Remember, I'm not only after a commuter bike, but something I can have fun on when the weather's not perfect enough to bring out the '30.

Supermoto - limited performance/comfort on anything but a sub-90mph twisty back road, but then again I fancy slowing down my riding a little to enjoy the scenery a little more. Long(er) range comfort? Still not exactly sure what I could get for my budget. Good in town though?

CB1/Superfour - it's a 400 Honda, so I'm not sure whether I'll become to precious over them (and get the Autoglym out on more than a weekly basis).

500 Twin - have I under estimated their fun-factor ability and catagorised them too much as a learner/commuter bike. Less inclination to polish than the 400s though.

SV650 - wouldn't mind an unfaired early model, haven't seen too many at my price though. Hmmm, other than that, I wonder if I could squeeze it into my backgarden, the S model I hired was quite long.

Other - a few votes for these, but no recomendations yet.

[Barney]

My super four will be up for sale come late September if your interested. I was commuting 40 miles a day and had no problems, its also been great fun as you can rev the hell out of it (respectably) and not worry about losing your license

Check out my profile for a pic, I have plenty more

[Graham88]

If it were me I'd get a super moto, these looking fucking fun, especially after seeing Luke's pictures the other day!

But as it's not me, you decide.

[Akira]

CB500 all the way baybee

[no_shad]

I quite like the look of the CB1.

My SV handles suprisingly well but the power delivery is pretty bland.