Small cruisers?

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Hi,

Ive currently got a Gz 125 Marauder, I love it. Been on other bikes, sports bikes and the like. But I find my GZ the comfiest of the lot.

Can anyone point out anything that isnt stupidly large that can be restricted to 33bhp and is a cruiser?

Thanks,

THCi.

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Yamaha Virago 535

Great reputation, good build quality and was very very popular. Plenty about and they don't hold their value very well at all so you can pick some up for about £1300 or less. Good thing is, ones at these prices have low mileages on them as they're only used on sunny days Smile

You can also get some very loud pipes for them. Very Happy

Hope that helps

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

I always thought the Virago had the image of a hair dresser's bike, a bit like the MX-5? You know, a bit soft and camp, not good for those who aren't secure with their manliness. Laughing

pipnet11 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Karma :

Have a look at https://www.bikepics.com/pictures/208982/

Kawasaki EL250. I was looking at these before i got my enfield. No idea what the availability of these are or how easy it is to get parts.

Phill
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bath of kylies · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

I can second the suggestion of a 535 Thumbs Up

Go for an earlier one (as long as it's not rusted to f*ck) as they had less sissy bars, screens, padded seats etc.

Black was the best colour.

Try properly before you buy though, as the front brake is a bit of a joke - depends on your riding style.

Best thing about them is once you've got your confidence you can scrape the pegs everywhere...

...and you look like the Fonz Very Happy

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Nothing wrong with the Virago VX535.
Only issue you may have is bits, so look into it.
Mention this as friend did a service recently and went to Hein Gericke for oil (the deal where you get oil & both filters together).
Oil filter discontinued, plugs discontinued. Air filter OK as believe same as Dragstar model(s).

Tyre choice for the 535 is very limited. Front is imperial size, rear is metric.

Other than that it's ok, very dependable.
I find it too low and cramped but horses for courses and all that Thumbs Up

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steveh · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Karma :

o0o me gots a marauder too Very Happy

fun to ride wat years yours?

Steve
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

TheShaggyDA · Repost Police Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Suzuki Savage, if you like big singles:-

https://motorcycles.about.com/library/graphics/04suzls650k4.jpg
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

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THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

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

yambabe · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I can second the EL250. I love mine! They are 27bhp standard. Mine will cruise all day on the motorway at 70-75 (fit a little nose-screen though cos of the wind) and will overtake at an indicated 95, which is the most I have had out of it so far but it wasn't flat out. It also does about 100 miles to a tank of juice - about £6.

Engine parts are very easy to come by as they are the same as the GPX, so there's quite a lot about.

Body parts are a bit harder, although a lot of the bits off the ZL400 and ZL600 (the bigger eliminators) will fit straight on. However, if anyone spots any sidepanels or a front mudguard on their travels..... Wink

Yamaha also do a 250 Virago as well as the 535, or you could liik at an SR250.

My personal favorite 33bhp-legal "cruiser"? This one........
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yambabe · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

And if you've never seen an EL250, this is mine!
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mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2004 Karma :

That's a nice bike, Babyyam. Thumbs Up

I'm not sure about the dustbin they put on for an exhaust though, it must be a bit loud... Very Happy

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THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Been looking round, dunno now what Im more interested in. Cruisers, or Nekid bikes.

I really like the look of the Bandit. Any one with any experience of how well they restrict to 33bhp, or, if they even will?

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Course they'll restrict !!! Someone on another board restricted theres for something like £50 so I heard, and parts are just about everywhere!!!

Highly recommended

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Cool, Now all Ive gotta do is pass my test, and go and buy me a bandit for my 19th! Smile

(March for those who want to contribute to the Help THCi buy a Bandit campain! Wink

)

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Ive done some research, including visiting ClickQuote, just done a few quotes, Unfaired Bandit with 1yrs NCB £1,450 TPFT-Only! and a Yam FZ6 £2,680.

Wonder how many times Id have to sell my body at 50p to afford that?! Rolling Eyes

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Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

If you're to phone one company, let it be CIA INSURANCE.........phone them up, and tell them that your cheapest quote is ROUGHLY what you can afford. Dont let them that this is what you want, tell them that "insert company name here" offered you it. Dont be ridiculously low, be reasonable.

Once they quote you, then ask "is that your best offer".....Its always worth a try.

I've got an er5, its going to be £500 TPFT, NO NCB, just passed my RESTRICTED test.

The bandit is 2 groups higher thn the er5 I believe Smile

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

What about the "motoring organisations" they always ask you about? Whats that all about?

Mind you, I was doing it as if Its gonna be buying it now. So, chances are Its gonna be cheaper for me when I do actually get the bike anyways. But if its gonna be that steep Ill stick with my GZ.
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Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

steveh · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Karma :

THCi, sorry havnt been on in a while, err 1 question, why do you need the headlight brighter? its bloody bright, u onabout mid beam? or high? mine are fine, is your battery charged fully?

currently after some crash bars for mine so if u hear of any give us a shout.
I took the the back seat off it looks waaaaaaaay better, i dont take pillions so i took it off, try it Razz

oh and what have u had out of yours? with hout a tailwind down hill that is Razz

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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Steveh > I ride through the country side everyday. I do 25 miles to get to work. High beam is pretty dark, and the battery is fine.

The most Ive had out of her is about 65, that was down hill reached 60, pull in the clutch and wind added about another 5. That was when we had some high winds not to long back.

So, how did you cover the holes where the nuts go through the plastic bits?

Frosty > Not worth it then, really is it.
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Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Oh, Steveh, you can get sissy bars from Suzuki's site.

If its a K2-4 that is.

Other bits

the wind screen looks promising. Smile

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Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

steveh · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Karma :

hah flyscreens are noisy on cruisers, all the sound seems to bounce of get louder Razz

oh ment to ask, how much u get yours for (trying not to be rude)
got mine of a lady owner, wich was actually true as i knew her.
Got it for 1300 down from 1800, i love it, doing my test soon and getting a 400 maybe, not to sure yet.
Would like crash bars/ freeway bars for mine, make it look like theres more to it at the front end Razz

Steve.
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

£2,600 Brand new (cant tell now! Laughing

) With 12 months tax, 12 months insurance, 10% off my gear (had a helmut, gloves and a jacket ~£45 saving Smile

) and a free CBT.

Wish I hadnt plumped for all that first time round though. Would have more money to spend on my post-test bike. Ah well, you Live and Learn I suppose.
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Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."