Another patented Rookie 'suggest-a-bike' thread

[Rookie]

My circumstances have changed somewhat. The Thundercat died again the other day, so it's in the workshop being diagnosed. I also got a decent office job in the centre of Bristol, which means a 35 mile commute each way. The Cat dying has thrown into sharp relief the cost of keeping it running, so I'm thinking of buying a ratty commuter.

I need it to be disgustingly cheap to run. By which I mean, nothing over 500cc, tyre wear minimal, nothing over 50bhp, simple to work on, a real workhorse. I don't care how it looks, though I'm by no means small so a physically bigger bike would be useful. It also needs to be very cheap to insure, as it will be joining the Cat on my policy.

What can you dig up? Aside from the usual CG125, I saw a Superdream in Bristol which got me thinking.

[Whosthedaddy]

I much prefered the comfort and ride of the Yam SR125 compared to the CG. Not sure how you will find it being big lad as my kness were roundmy ears a little and was almost sat on the pillion seat when out and about.
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[repiV]

I would have said something like a CB500 but that's a bit more powerful than what you're after...

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Any parallel twin, in particular the GPZ500s and CB500.

Plenty to choose from and cheap to buy and insure. My GPZ would do 200 miles to a tank normally. Once rode London to Liverpool without stopping for petrol. Never failed on me mechanically and was more than quick enough for the outside lane of the motorway. Most realistically make around 50bhp, probably work out more cost effective initially than a decent 125.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[repiV]

I have to say it's a damn good idea. I commute on a Fazer and the fuel costs really hurt the wallet (not as much as using the tube, mind), if I had spare cash available I'd definitely get a separate bike for commuting. Something narrower as well as more efficient, as I'm sick of all the scooters squeezing between gaps that I can't.

[Rookie]

[McGee]

Bandit or a hornet ?
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◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[thegubner]

buy my GPZ, its a fucking shed, but for 4 ton, she's all yours

[Rookie]

[thegubner]

see post above

[map]

Vote for the old Kawasaki GT550. Ok, so it's over 500cc but not so you'd notice and under 600cc so cheaper road tax. Dirt cheap to run, shaft drive so no chain lubing. Parts available at any breakers Get one with a fairing and panniers and it'll commute ok. Easy to work on too. Insurance should be cheap too, mine only cost about £20 to add on a 2 bike policy (although I might have been lucky, age of the bike helps here too).

Anyhow, just some thoughts, don't rule anything out.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Rookie]

[thegubner]

no rookie, not just cosmetically, it IS a shed cosmetically, but its more of a fucking shed mechanically.

[Rookie]

[McGee]

[thegubner]

It did do 80 in a thunderstorm yesterday though, and 110 in the sun today


doesnt sound to clever though.

[beatnck]

honda cb1 mate - ive seen them go on ebay for around £400 - £500 in decent condition. I get 60 mpg out of mine, its dirt cheap to insure and the build quality is faultless.
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no silly comment here!!

[ace_tweety]

[G]

I've never been a big fan of the cruiser-biased riding position of the SR.

Also worth considering is stuff like the KLR650 - I used to get decent mpg out of mine and the thin body with high bars is good for filtering through cars and you get a good view ahead - be careful of van mirrors though!

The Bros etc should also be half decent - though I'd go for a 650 if you can.

[st3v3]

for a 125, it;d have to be an NSR

that BROS, note