Workhorse for under a grand

Mrjoolz · Brolly Dolly Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Karma :

Quick question guys,

Best reliable Bike to commute 70 Miles round trip to work and home each day, for under a grand.

Not worried about looks, or if its got scratches, but if I just wanted something reliable, and reasonable engine size, with low servicing costs, and good MPG, what would be your first suggestion ?

Answers on a postcard................

Tenko · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Karma :

GPZ500 if it doesn't smoke, knock or rattle...

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Mrjoolz · Brolly Dolly Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Karma :

Cheers,

I'll have a look at them.

I do want to get something more for about 1500, but the trains are so bad at the moment, that I may just get something now, for the immediate, and continue to save and then chop the cheaper bike with another 1500 at a later date.

What is the sort of mileage I should steer clear from on these bikes ?

Zeuky · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jul 2011 Karma :

Depends on the age mate. I picked up a bike from '97 with 15k on the clock and though it was brilliant. However my car is from '95 and has 90k on it (That's why it was only £400 Laughing

)
____________________
"S'cuse me mate but you left something under your car... think they call it a 'KEEP CLEAR' sign... No no, i don't need to go down that road to get to where I LIVE. Proposterous!"
https://www.CrunchySlipper.co.uk/

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Where are you based? I know someone local with a near mint XJ600 K reg 15k miles that will sell for under 1k

Snorty · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Oct 2010 Karma :

I have to agree with GPZ 500s.

There are so many cheap ones out there you could get a decent one with change left over from a grand.

Picked mine up for £400 taxed and tested and (touch wood) I've not had any serious problems besides the usual Kawasaki downpipe rotting. Repaired that myself with a couple of quid.

They're not slow either, nice acceleration and I've had an indicated 125 out of mine hauling my 15st around.

Tenko · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Karma :

That'd be a good choice - just make sure the back wheel bearing isn't breaking up...

Mrjoolz · Brolly Dolly Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Karma :

sounds like a GPZ500 is the only viable option then ?!

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

I would 2nd the XJ 600.
Mine did 65 to 70 mpg, Low service costs. Reliable as hell. In fact even started after 12 months stood in the garage.
____________________
Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

MrJoolz, not sure if you are from Maidstone (i think it may have been you) but if you are, there are a few CB400SF's, brother has one, feels fantastic, rns really well and handles amazing. They are REALLY cheap.

ace-card · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 May 2011 Karma :

jjdugen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

Do your sums first. Running a bike for over 1000 miles a month will beat the living out of it. You will probably have had enough of it come weekend so maintenance 'might' get overlooked. Throw in a set of tyres every four - five months and a chain at not much more and the costs mount up. The GPZ is a god 'local' workhorse but you would soon get tired of flogging it every day, same for the Bandit 6 (although you can change sprokets to give a more relaxing cruising speed). I would go for the usual suspects, CBR600 (maybe too exensive) or the ZZR600, probably the best of all this budget level bunch.

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Fazers worth a shot.
____________________
You ain't a has been if you never was

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Another vote for the GPZ, although a XJ600 is another fairly traditional workhorse.

I've got a(nother) GPZ in the pipeline for cheapo cheapo, I think they are great.

But then, I don't need anything flash. Its perfect for me for banging around town but rarely going on long rides, so a good knockabout bike.

I've replaced a chain on mine and fudged it thru two MOT's with little more than a bit of oil, chain lube and a few sets of brake pads.

But there's apparently a prob with the ignition on this new one, I'm told "sometimes it needs a bump start" ... hmmmmm Thinking

... wonder what that means. LOL
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

swampy · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Karma :

blurredman · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Karma :

honda cg. it's good enough for the asians!
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 51k.

Muscle Bike Rider · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Karma :

I agree the xj600 divvy is a good work horse, good mpg, cheap insurance and is well known for its engine durability, basic maintenace keeps it happy, parts are easily got and cheap.
____________________
Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

Reid · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 24 Jan 2011 Karma :

Surprised nobody's mentioned the definition of a cheap workhorse, the CB500. Couriers choice and about as reliable as a "big bike" gets. You won't get the fairing of the GPZ but that's just about the only thing it doesn't have going for it (could look at it as less to break/lose value on).

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

CB500.