Clueless biker needs advice... PLEEEEEASE!!!!

daveiw · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 May 2004 Karma :

OK, I passed my test earlier this year, been riding a 1999 Suzuki Bandit 600. Been good to me, I do kinda like it, but the thing is I really like cruisers and the old classics!
I've looked at a 1988 Yamaha fzx750z today, took it for a ride and well, loved it Very Happy

Looks nice, sounds nice!

My point is that it's up for £1695 ono (sounds expensive?)
It has a few scrapes on it (end cans scraped)
The indicators have been changed for some dumb little things with black lenses and the speedos are ugly white things that read in kilometers, also some crappy twin tiny headlamps!

Now the bikes done 30,000 kilometers, has tax until end of jan, new MOT, both tyres are BRAND spanking new (hence couldn't enjoy test ride too much Wink

)

It looks bloody nice to me, sounds great to! But needs really tidying up, I've looked on the net for some pics and info - most people seem to think they are good power cruisers! Are they?

Are they hard to get parts for? I typed in fz and fzx into ebay and got bugger all back! Does that mean I'm stuffed for bits? Or do other parts fit as standard?

Sorry for the long post and questions... But I really need help to make my mind up, I can straight swap my Bandit (maybe get a bit of store credit) for the Yamaha, but Is it REALLY dumb to swap a 1999 bike that's damn near mint for a 1988 bike?

See I reckon that I paid £2400 for me bandit this year and know I'm gonna lose a few hundred at least on it! But an older bike done up can only go up in value, yeah?
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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

The old FZ / FZX engine is really tough. The bearing behind the front sprocket goes if you run the chain too tight, and the starter clutch wears out. Neither are that expensive but both require a full engine strip down to fix.

To be honest that FZX sounds well over priced. I am not up on the prices of those but FZs were more expensive new, far more popular and you would have great difficulty getting that much for an immaculate one now, let alone a tatty import.

For FZ750 stuff try https://www.fz750.net . Friendly bunch and some might have FZX experience as well.

All the best

Keith
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I would agree, sounds pricey to me for a 'tatty' custom bike that is six years old with 30k miles on it. Mind you, I don't shop in that market much, not my cup of tea.

Another one to look at is the Honda Magna, custom styled V4 or for a 'proper' muscle bike, the V-max (as long as you like going very fast in straight lines).

In theory you can make a bike worth more by tarting it up, in practice, the cost of bike parts and the time involved makes it impractical. This is probably why the previous owner used crappy aftermarket parts for his repairs. In my experience these things are seldom as simple as they first appear and you can end up making it worse unless you do a first-class job of any repairs.

Shop around.
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map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

daveiw · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 May 2004 Karma :

OK, so not a great move then! Good job there's places like this around to advise Thumbs Up

Thing is I really wanna new bike, now the criterea is...

1) More cc. 750 or more! (not to silly insurance though, as still year one on license, £175 tpft on Bandit 600)

2) Maybe a classic - I like the idea of an older bike

3) Would like to learn about bikes with it, but not buy one that needs shed loads of work as I know sod all about mechanics at the moment!

4) NOT a sports bike, Must be naked (sorry lads I know you all love them, I like to ride them and look at them, but I don't want one - yet!)

5) don't really wanna add too much money to it in case something goes wrong, I need some bucks in the bank to buy another bike if need be (also looking for a cheep (yeah right! Rolling Eyes

) 250-400cc trials bike)

You mission should you choose to accpet it, is to sort my spinning mind out and tell me what the hell I should buy! Confused

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"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."

mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2004 Karma :

How about a Benelli 900 Sei!
https://www.motorbikes.be/en/Benelli/1988/900%20Sei/

Only an inline six, rare as hell and costing £3000 plus.. Whistle

Or, on the other hand something a bit more sensible, how about a Yamaha TDM 850, a BMW R850 R, or a Honda CB900? Or, for the more extreme amongst us, a Kawasaki ZRX 1100?

https://masany.powerbean.jp/images/cb900.JPG
They've been making these for ages, so a 'classic' shouldn't be that difficult to find.

https://www.balderstonbmw.freeserve.co.uk/BMW%20R850%20R%20Classic%20-%20low%20resolution.jpg

https://www.bikez.com/bike/19810/index.jpg
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Finglonga · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

If you like the FZX then go for it. Should be a decent enough bike, just find one at sensible money (about a thousand pounds less than that one). The reviews seem to like them and the engine is very tough. Built quality was acceptable, but they did not sell in the UK at all well.

There are 2 on Autotrader at the moment, one at £1999 (way over priced) and one at £1299 (a bit pricey for its mileage).

NickD · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2004 Karma :

With the more rare/ cult bikes, they're always way overpriced, so you might as well go straight to the top of the tree. For similar money for the year, more 'cruiser' looks, more power, and a better reputation..........

BUY A FECKING V- MAX,

you know you want to really. Very Happy

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daveiw · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 May 2004 Karma :

Love the look of that zrx100 https://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/html/emoticons/wub.gif Some nice bikes there....
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"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."

Finglonga · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Finglonga · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

Ross Vernon...opposite the prison, St Patrick Street.

Eddie Lawson ZRX1100 (W*** RNT)

Went for a wander while having my bike MOT'd at C G Chell and thought I would nip in too se what he had and there it was. The lad that had it off me part chopped it for a Harley..........Hmmmmmm very different animal. Wink

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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Yep, know the shop. Might have to have a look at your old bike Laughing

.

I normally use R&B Motors for bike MOTs these days as they can normally do them with very little notice.

All the best

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

NickD · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2004 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

If you could then I would say grab the V Max, but I would expect a V Max to be worth one hell of a lot more.

All the best

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

daveiw · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 May 2004 Karma :

Thanks fella's Thumbs Up

I'll keep looking, I'll post my next option and get views on that! I really appreciate it Thumbs Up

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"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."

dandit · Nearly there... Joined: 04 May 2004 Karma :

daveiwdo you want to sell your bandit or swap for my 97 bandit6 and some cash on top??????
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WHAT DO YOU MEAN 100 MPH THATS IMPOSSIBLE I STILL HAD 3 GEARS TO GO OFFICER. Currently riding a naked cbr 600 and driving a 52 plate 2litre tdci mondeo

daveiw · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 May 2004 Karma :

Hi mate - at the moment I can't decide what to do, I know I want something else but I don't know what Confused

Just seen today a brand spanking Triumph Americana in the showroom today and loved it... but it means finance! If I do sell, I'll bear you in mind, as long as I got the difference in the trade in price I wouldn't lose anything and you could get a cheep upgrade - both do alright! Very Happy

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"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."