Thinking of getting a new bike... this one caught my eye

[guyal]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200943344503058/sort/priceasc/usedbikes/engine-size-bikes/325cc_to_525cc/postcode/ne55np/quicksearch/true/page/1?previous=%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fusedbikes%2Fpostcode%2Fne55np%2Fengine-size-bikes%2F325cc_to_525cc%2Fquicksearch%2Ftrue%2Fsort%2Fpriceasc%2Fpage%2F1&anchor=advert200943344503058&logcode=p#

I was thinking of moving onto something a little bigger than my little 125. What do you guys think of this bike? Can you see anything wrong with it? Do you like it? Would you buy it? I'm pretty much in the dark here, and don't want to buy a pig in a poke, so any advice (no matter how condescending and patronizing) would be appreciated.
Also, I'm only 17 (doing my test this Wednesday) so I'd need to get the bike restricted, if I'm going to do it legally. It is possible/ worth it to not bother? Or i I do end up restricting it, any idea how I could get it done/ how much it would cost?
Thanks

https://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=1007453953
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guyal

[Nb]

Its fairly old but looks to be very clean, looking on google i can see a vt500 33bhp kit listed here https://www.bat-motorcycles.co.uk/33bhp.asp but not sure how much it would cost to fit. Also he looks to have gone a bit mad with the tyre shine on the tyres!
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Cbr1100xx blackbird gone, mk4 golf gt tdi chav now
Colin1 wrote 'Im grateful for what i can get, which isnt all that much.'
Columbus travel insurance are crap!! Do not use!

[yen_powell]

That bike (and the CBX550) was famous for wearing out brake pads and discs on the front wheel because, being enclosed, no one ever checked them till it was too late.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Kaz96]

My other half had one of these years ago and I currently ride the cruiser version (also on a B), that was left unloved and exposed to all the elements for 9 years and apart from cosmetic work, the engine just needed the valves tweaked and the obvious bits replaced, but it runs perfectly... the engine and frame are pretty much the same on both bikes!

The only niggles he had with the VT500 EF was the brake hose was a rubber one, this will need to be replaced with a braided hose if not already done. The other thing was the rear indicators, the originals tend to stick out and are easy to knock off... so would be better replaced with smaller/mini indicators. Aside from that he loved the bike and only sold it because he was offered more than he actually paid for it!!

As for the issue of the brakes going unchecked until it was too late, you need to make sure you do check them and should do so no matter what you ride!

Good luck with your test!

[The Original Muzza]

[Kaz96]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

If the engine sounds as good as the rest of the bike looks, I'd have it in a heartbeat.

https://www.usedbikeguide.com/bible/display.asp?id=150
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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

[guyal]

[guyal]

[guyal]

[guyal]

[guyal]

[guyal]

One more thing I've just thought of- I'm not overly keen on the fairing and the square headlight, although it is growing on me and it's not that much of an issue. But if I were to replace it, how easy do you think it would be to find an alternative headlight? I emailed the seller who said it's easy to remove both, but I would need to find another light that would fit inside the brackets.
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guyal

[Kickstart]

Hi

Looks clean for a VT. Biggest problem with them is that most land up being destroyed by being used as courier bikes.

Suspect if you take the fairing off you will discover a hideous mess of wiring, and any aftermarket fairing is likely to look tacky and nasty compared to the original

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[guyal]

[Kaz96]

Shiny tyres means its been polished more than ridden!
The brakes were just neglected!
Headlight can be replaced fairly easily, just make sure you replace it with a halogen one!

[guyal]

[Kickstart]

[Kaz96]

[Polo]

Psssssst, the link at the top has your full post code/
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My mum smells your fingers

[guyal]

[Steve-D]

My sisters boyfriend has the C version on an A plate.
Engine is pokey enough, his brakes aren't enclosed, but they are shocking. Lever goes to the bar pretty much.
Don't know if its just him refusing to listen to me when I say they don't work all you get is a load of fork dive.
Luckily has lots of engine braking so sort of evens itself out.

Good price as well, he paid 825 for his, and its a shed and doesn't know how many miles its done.
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Tristan The said 'Dunno what my pace will be like, fastish slow puncture on the rear and if I go too fast I risk my 'keys' falling out'

[bazza]

[Dragonfly]

Looks clean and well looked after, nice shiny chrome! best not leave it in my hands chrome rusts around me.

nice bike and I normally dont say that about older bikes but that one is in good condition.
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Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

[Kaz96]