Saving for a New Bike:

[deanoet]

Looking to getting a larger engined bike next July once i get my years NCB (hopefully).

The types i am looking at are the Traditional ones, Hornet, Bandit etc etc. Incidentally, why are the Kawaski ER-5 so much cheaper?

Reason i am asking now is budget, I will be able to save around quite easily £1000, plus trade in for my bike a round figure of £1000.

Hornets within that price range are year 1999, is that old for a bike? There is one on bike trader for exactly 2k, with 10k on the clocks. Also, i have heard that bikes go up in the summer, by how much? Is it noticable? Or will i get more for mine, so wont notice it?


I am not decided on bike type at the moment, but is 2k realistic to get a decent bike, suitable for mid range distance. On rare occasion i may go Blackpool to Newcastle on it run, and on an even rarer occasion a Blackpool to South Wales run (know people with bikes there too)? It will mainly be used for ride outs and round town. I have just seen on another response that the Hornet isnt comfy long distance, what constitutes as long distance? Newcastle is 150 miles, ish, 2.5 hours in a car on a busy friday. South Wales is probably double that

Once i get my full license (test on the 30th) i will get round the dealers and have a go on a few nearer the time and see what is what. Not a fan of the sports style bikes, as nice as they look, and dont like the tourer types either. This is purely visual, as i have only ever ridden a CG125 and a GS500, which i really liked, but nothing to compare it to.

I am asking now because if 2k is pushing my luck i am not against getting a second job for 6 months for an extra bit of £££ to up my limit a bit.


Thanx in advance folks, sorry for the waffling... [/url]
____________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Itchy]

Sort out your link!

Anyway you can always get a Hornet S which has a top fairing on it , they stopped making those babies a while ago though , 1999 isn't old for a bike, it is how it has been treated and serviced that is the issue with bikes,

A 90s and 00 bike will easily hit 100K with just valves/tyres/oil/sparks /brakeservices

as said my CBR600FX was £1850 , its alot of bike for not alot of money.

EDIT Ashton bikes has a 2000 Hornet S for £1995, prices right now seem kind of low probably due to the wet summer.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[alun111]

Well, considering I bought my bandit 4 for £650 and it runs sweet after sorting a few problems out, 2k is definately enough to spend.

I'm planning the same as you... I'm saving too so that I can buy a newer bike in April when I get my NCB. I'm after a Hornet for around £1500-£2000.

My bandit's 14yrs old, it's not the age that matters it's the work done on it and the condition of parts/engine.

There's a guide on here somewhere of what to look for when buying used, it's like 30 odd pages long or something, have a search.
____________________
Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
Winter: '93 Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit VP Variable Valve
Past Bikes: Lifan LF100-5 Lifan LF125-A Honda C70

[G]

£2k should see you with a decent bike.

Seen hornets go for less than that with similar mileage etc - quite a bit less.

The 500s cost less because they are generally cheaper bikes - cost less chassis components aren't as advanced.

Could probably get a sports 600 with a few more miles on it or even a litre-class sports bike from a similar kind of time with £2k.

Prices do go up a bit summer.

[deanoet]

Thanx, puts me at ease a bit, will stick with the spending cut backs...
got my bonus, plus back pay, plus a possible underpayment in my favour so all is good.

Is there a website with all traditional bikes listed with pics? Or would that just make it far too easy?

PS
First Gold blob... woo... \o/
____________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Itchy]

traditional? do you perhaps mean naked? or half faired (like Kitty's Fazer you saw at Bab's place the other week).

Half fared can also be described as a bikini fairing

a goosie through

https://www.bikez.com/

is a good start
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[deanoet]

Yeah, "naked"
Hornet / bandit style

Did like the Fazer i must admit. I am still at the stage where all bikes look awesome. Although like i said i am moving away from the sports bikes

Thanx for the link
____________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Charlie]

Remember you will have to pay for insurance as well!

(not sure how old you are) But a restrictor kit too.

[deanoet]

[brier88]

Been on M0l0t0vs '99 hornet and is a quality bike, i myself am buying a '92 vfr400, Tbh older bikes are a completely different aspect to older cars, with cars you have newer airbags/crumple zones, also the matter of rust/decay on older cars e.t.c but for a bike that is 10 or so years old it should be fine as long as its been properly serviced/taken care of.

Shouldn't cost too much to get a decent bike for a lowish price (especially at this time of year)

Brier

[stinkwheel]

I payed £2000 for my '97 VFR750 with 18k miles on the clock. How much more bike do you want?
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[mark83]

ER5 is not comparable to a Hornet.

Bet the ER6 is. I used to have one and it was a great first bike.

Very easy to use, not intimidating, but not slow either.

Might be worth a testride.


____________________
Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo

[deanoet]

Thanx folks

Very helpful
Overtime has reared its head at work in time for xmas and bike saving.

Will aim for 1k savings + trade in, anything extra is a bonus



Just to clarify, what is classed as "long distance" on a hormet being uncomfy? It was said in the "Are 500s boring" thread.
____________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Itchy]

[Seb]

With the random weather lately its a great time to be buying a bike at the moment, some real bargains out there. Bandits are a good choice if you fancy tinkering and modding the thing to your own taste though.

Cheap as chips to buy and insure as well, you could get an absolutely mint 2002 or later one for 2 grand if you hunt around. Personally I'd get an older 98/99 model and spent the change on spicing it up a little though.

https://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/SUZUKI+GSF+BANDIT/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146,N-121-4294966933-4294967252/advert.action?R=200730292238591&distance=37&postcode=pl2+2jt&channel=BIKES&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=

https://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/SUZUKI+GSF+BANDIT/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146,N-121-4294966933-4294967252/advert.action?R=200740107103397&distance=258&postcode=pl2+2jt&channel=BIKES&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=

One thing though, if you do get a bandit, avoid the red, they seem to discolor something crazy and it looks awful.

I'd also add, don't jump into buying a bike on a whim, whilst I certainly can't fault my ZZR, its a shame to see stuff like ZX9s going for the same money now.
____________________
2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[deanoet]

Thanx Itchy.
The Honda garage is 1 minute from the M55, so i could even get a test ride and try the Hornet itself next year. I didnt find it a problem in the CG coming back from warrington, but that was back roads, so not much prolonged high speed, using the term "high speed" very loosely.


Seb:
Not got the money yet, it will be july / august next year when i buy one, unless overtime stays available and i feel like treating myself...
____________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[mark83]

Check my sig "My European Adventure"

I went touring on my naked ER6.

Yes it was painful, but it was still worth it!
____________________
Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo