What bike to go for next?

[carlnicholson...]

I've only been off two wheels for what, three months? Already I'm struggling to bear it! My only salvation from irrepairable emotional damage is the thought of buying my next bike in 12 months or so time.

So, I've got about a year to decide exactly what I want. So many times, I've bought a bike, only to wish I bought something different a few weeks after, so now's my time to get it right for once! We now have two cars, so the bike will really be a toy for my own, personal gratification, it doesn't need to be able to commute, race, tour, or excel in any area other than be competant at putting a pathetically cheesy grin on my face when I set out on it at the weekend. I'm not a racer, nor have any aspirations to be even remotely competitively competent, so blistering speed is also not required!

I have to think about the cost of maintaining and owning it though. Now that I'm paying the insurance, tax and running cost of two cars, the bikes got to be cheap to own and run, so don't be offended by the ommittance of a RSV100 from the list!!!

So, which of these bikes do you think would best fit the bill? I'm not particulally 'into' any one genre of bike, so I'm open to all options. Go on, say what you think!!
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"THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING."

[bigwill]

dude, if i was planning on buying one as a toy to play with, i would have a much larger list!!! Best thing do is find any bikes in your budget and ride em all! see what happens.
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2006 Yamaha FZ1 - the comfy R1

[carlnicholson...]

I suppose each model on the list is more of a catagory representation than a specific bike. The Dragstar could easily be a Honda Shadow, or the WR could end up being a CR in reality.

I always liked the idea of a modern classic, the new Clubman looks perfect, but I'm not sure a 500 single would be that much fun for long, that alone demonstrates the need to blag a whole heap of test rides once I have the cash sorted!

TBH, there aren't a load of cheap, simple bikes that are that much cop to ride IMO, probably due to the very obvious fact that they are cheap and simple! Therefore my list is quite restricted to quite common, even boring bikes. Comfort and maintenance see's my dream of a Ducati fall at the start, and anything else particulally rapid would render my wife a nagging nightmare to stop me killing myself before the kids even start school! (I took her out on the 636, she hasn't trusted me since!)
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"THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING."

[Itchy]

Another DRZ400! , at which you can swap with my Africa twin! when you get tired of it!.
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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.

[carlnicholson...]

Africa Twin?! Have they not all rotted away yet?! LOL, only joking, always had fantasies of buying one and kicking arse at the Dakar rally. Reality is I'm too fat and soft to actually do anything even remotely so challenging!

DRZ's are a bit heavy really. If I get a trail bike, then I'll really use it, so it'll ideally be small, light and torquey, and capable of taking some serious damage! Problem is, if I was to go for a trailie, then I'd almost certainly want something for the road as well, and two bikes would be seriously pushing my luck with the wife!
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"THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING."

[MarJay]

If you can't even decide on a style of bike, then you won't get any help from us...
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[01dabreoo]

Z750?
Ment to be a blast.

[Kickstart]

[Billy Balthorpe]

"it doesn't need to be able to commute, race, tour, or excel in any area other than be competant at putting a pathetically cheesy grin on my face when I set out on it at the weekend."

If you had to choose from that list, CBR600, the '94 model i think, the one that had fully adjustable suspension, the following model didnt. Cheap, very cheerful and will put a smile on your face whatever you do on it.

[carlnicholson...]

You know, I haven't really lent much serious thought to the CBR until this thread, I've only ridden the RR so I don't know what the original is like. That's sown a seed now, it is clearly taking the lead!
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"THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING."

[The Shaggy D.A.]

There's something very wrong with an Enfield having a pulse air valve, electronic fuel injection and a catalytic converter.

I'd still have one though.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[adamcpi50sx08]

[Kris]

I'd be tempted to get an old Bandit 600 if cash was a real struggle. You can get any part for them off eBay or breakers yards etc and they are so cheap to run. Good solid bikes
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Kal]

Fun factor? It has to be the Clubman for the win... No question.
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S