some advice needed...

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

Ok, I get back into the UK in May and I need to get myself a bike as soon as possible. I have places to go and people to see, so I need transportation.
I'm selling my 250 Ninja and I should get around £1200 for it, I also have some other cash lying around, so I should be able to spend about £1500 on a bike- but the question is, which one? I wanta get at least a 400 (something just quick enough to be fun and handle motorways), it also has to be reliable and reasonably comfortable cos I have a few longer trips I have to do. I would also like it if it looked half decent. Alot to ask I know, but I've been considering things like the bros 400, CB-1, XJR400 and other such naked 400's, as well as commuter 500's like the GS.
So, what do you guys think would be the most sensible option? any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Commuter 500. CB500 is probably out of that price range, so GPZ500 or GS500.

Major_Grooves · The Doctor Joined: 10 May 2002 Karma :

I paid £1350 for my CB500. It's a 1995 and now that I look at prices I think I paid a bit over the odds for it, but it is in good condition for the age.

Not sure whether it looks "good" - not as nice as the Planet anyway. But I have just ordered some tarty bits for it, to replace some bits that are a bit tatty so we'll see.
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Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

yeah this is the problem isnt it, you get yourself a nice shiny NSR or planet for your first bike for not alot of money, then when it comes time to upgrade you realise that the only bikes you can afford look crap Sad

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

For £1500 I would think you should have a fair amount of choice, but if you are in a hurry then that limits what is available. I would be tempted to just get the bargain pages, etc, when you arrive at the airport and look in there.

Anything from a GPZ500 (basically a bigger version of the GPX250 you have now) to a race rep 400 should be easy, and with a small amount of hunting most of the early 1990's sports 600s.

All the best

Keith
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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

For £1300 you could easily pick up a CB-1, bros 400, NC30, ZXR400 possibly an older XJR400. You could also easily pick up a GS500 or ER500 or CB500. They all seem to be on the same sort of levels performance and handling wise (the ER/GS/CB) so just go for what you can find in your price range that is in best condition and that you prefer.
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Have a look on www.adtrader.co.uk . You can look in the motorcycles section and limit your search to a mx of £1500... I'd stick in a min of £50 so you don't get all the wanted adds as well.

Shark · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Karma :

Hey
you say you want to get around fast,what about a 2stroke 250,NSR RGV TZR or the best a RS.
If your looking for a 4stroke,VFR or RVF are quite good.

e.g. i'm from SA so i don't know what the prices are like in the UK.
Good luck Thumbs Up

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

thanks for the advice everyone.

yeah I briefly considered a 250 2 stroke, but I can't deal with the unreliability. If I could afford a good condition RS250 I might consider it, but I don't wanna take a change on a beat-up RGV or something.