Best buy for going slowly!

[cyclistbruce]

I've got a role as a marshall in cycling events. These will involve going slowly for long periods of time, including up some fairly big hills. I'll also continue to use it for my commute etc.

I've currently got my favourite bike of all time, an old but reliable VFR750, but it doesn't like getting hot. Any advice on what might be a suitable bike for this role, whilst not losing the daily use of nipping through traffic. I'm not too keen on a pan european, as to be honest, I don't think I'm a big enough rider to cope with it!

[TheDonUK]

https://is00.thegumtree.com/image/big/138483288.jpg
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[numpty2]

How about getting a cheap scooter just for the cycle marshalling, and keeping the VFR (you know you'll miss it).

Maybe something like the Honda Vision. Maybe find something that is 100-110 cc rather than a 125. I'd have though the prices would be much lower for the 100-110 cc. I think Yamaha & Suzuki may also have made things of this capacity as well. The CVT gearbox would make it easy to match cycle speeds.

2 bikes is always better than one, and a Honda vision can be a lot of fun in slow traffic.

[stinkwheel]

An air-cooled bike would probably be favourite, or something dervied from an enduro/motocross machine on the basis that they go pretty slowly when used offroad. A DR350 maybe?

Or anything popular with urban dispatch riders. What about an NTV650?
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“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.

[sidewinder]

600 divvy mine is so easy to ride slow it's stupid
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"Nitrous is like a cheap hooker, you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences

[herulach]

Tour chase bikes seem to be nearly exclusively big tourers. Unless you're sweeping people who shouldn't be riding anyway the slowest you're going to be riding is 10-15mph up hills, not really that slow in the scheme of things. Also bear in mind you don't want it too noisy.

If it were me I'd be tempted with a maxi scoot assuming you've space to keep a real bike as well
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YBR 125>FZS600

[neatbik]

BMW F650 i reckon. Comfy, excellent on fuel ( i know you didnt specify that, but it cant hurt, right..?) and will pootle along at slow speeds all day.

I used to regularly take mine off road, and it was very happy sitting at 15-20mph whilst i enjoyed the scenery. Off course, it would go faster on the rough stuff but then the suspension started showing its limits.

Anyway, for what you need it for i would say it would be ideal.
There is also the Aprilia Pegaso which is a similar bike.

[Amreet]

Are you going to be carrying anyone pillion then? Go test riding with a fat bloke on the back and get him to stand up and move around a bit and choose the bike that feels most comfortable with an unstable mass on the back end. Any bike can be easily handled between 10 and 40 mph, its the load I'd be more concerned about.


if it's just you, use your viffer, getting warm won't do it any harm, if you're worried wire in some computer fans onto the rads with a seperate switch so you can have them running all the time.

[barrkel]

Nthing scooter. Can trivially trickle along at 3 mph if necessary, never get your clutch hand sore slipping.
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Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[RhynoCZ]

What about a bus ticket?

Go for anything small made by honda.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[cyclistbruce]

I have just acquired a C90 for the wifes commute to work, don't think I could bring myself to riding it as a marshal though, probably get beaten up the hills! I do need the ability to carry pillions whilst marshalling, which kinda rules out anything too small. I might look at the F650 (didn't they used to be called 'funduros'!. I've also got an ex-army Honda R250, might put some less lumpy tyres on that...

Some of the other marshalls are quite keen on the BMW R1100GS, but I don't know how keen I am on an enduro.

[Stiffler]

If you watch any cycling on TV you'll notice that the bikes are almost all BMW. Likely due to some sort of sponsorship deal but I guess they're proven as capable.
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[RhynoCZ]

You could also get some 80's 400cc in-line twin motorcycle like CB400, XS400, GS400, and so on. These bikes are very reliable if you do basic maintenance and since they're air cooled they ''practically'' can't overheat. Just change oil and lube the chain

I don't know what do these cost in the UK, but here it's cheap to get one and since we live in the 21. century, parts are just one click away now, so you won't get any trouble to repair anything.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[daemonoid]

What's with the air cooled being a good thing for not overheating?

They need a constant air flow to keep them cooled, I'd've thought that 10mph would be the worst speed to drive them at? I know my monster doesn't appreciate it.
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current: ducati monster 750
past: hyosung gt250r, bajaj pulsar 180, hyosung gt 125 comet
@thomasgarrard | www.straitjkt.com | www.racingseven.com

[stinkwheel]

[RhynoCZ]

I was about to say that above. Plus, if you've got some oil leak, because of blown gasket or other seal, the engine would still work. I had blown cylinder/head gasket on my former GPz550 and I could get home on it, it was like 18miles, oil was slightly leaking and it made the enginy greasy, no spraying all over the road.

Liquid cooled engine would be most likely not working

I was young and stupid, it was my the very first motorcycle
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[defblade]

Royal Enfield Trials? Slow is its forte Also fine for commuting if not on DC or Mway
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Honda Varadero 125cc => Suzuki Bandit 650 33bhp => 77bhp =>
BMW K1200R Sport 163bhp => Aprilia Shiver GT 750 95bhp

[_Iain_]

Four stroke 50cc pedped.

Cheap, slow, cheap insurance, good on fuel, quiet.
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[stinkwheel]