Bike for A2 Test

Alpha-9 · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Karma :

Okok

Branching out from the 400 tunnel vision and looking at other things, hoping for something with good economy but was looking at the following:

GPZ500
CB-1 NC27 400
NC23 Babyblade - sexy thing, probably whores fuel though and maybe pricey on insurance
GS 500 K4
BMW F650 CS - apparently good on fuel, expensive bike though, prefer the GS
old Kwak GPX400R - Looks retro and win (once you remove the ninja sticker) https://i.ebayimg.com/t/1987-D-Kawasaki-GPX400-R-400cc-Sports-Black-/00/$(KGrHqV,!o0FBfzB6y0jBQZ6ic2SJ!~~_12.JPG
CB400 Superfour
ER-500

What do you guys think about these bikes?
How are they on fuel economy and reliability or will they just be money pits?
Any particular years or variants to avoid?
Which are the tallest or widest for a lanky rider? Razz

Got one for sale?
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Fzr-600 1999

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

BMW for what you want hands down.

Buy a decent one and it'll be reliable. Thumbs Up

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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

You could look for ages to find a nice one of any of these bikes. All are fairly old and personally i'd keep an open mind and a set maximum budget, and then whichever bike you find thats in superb condition first for it's age, and thats been looked after well and is cosmetically nice with no damage or rot would be my choice.

Obviously if your tall, you don't want something uncomfortably small or cramped. For me that would reluctantly probably sideline a baby blade CBR4, but i've never tried riding one so i couldn't be 100%.

The only one im not sure about as a pure road only bike would be the BMW F650? It would probably make a good commuter and they are supposed to be one of the more well built, comfy singles and not as vibey as say a Dominator 650 etc, but i think compared to your other choices a 650cc adventure trailie is a bit limited.

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

Alpha-9 · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Karma :

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

Chris,
I'll go get my coat now! Embarassed

I forgot all about these newer funky styled street singles with the under tank storage and plenty of useful features. I think your aware i was thinking of the old F650 trail style bikes.

If Alpha, wants a do anything urban bike, that's mega practical, decent looking and farily cheap to run, then it could be one hell of a bike for the job.

Something like a baby blade these days would probably need pelnty of tlc and work to get it up to scratch. They would for most people also want a full front and rear suspension re-build and re-valve etc to suit uk size and weight riders. Then there's the issue of parts for 400cc bikes generally being and getting harder to find. If you brought one of the 400's these days, and get it well fettled and set up and looking nice, then it's probably best just kept for sunny sunday morning thrash's for the vast majority of people.

Alpha-9 · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

GPZ500, ER-5 and CB500 are very neat bikes, you'll still have your knees round your ears something something your mum something.

The CS was an attempt to sell bikes to non-bikers. The adverts apparently featured "snowboarding down Mount Everest". Since that reduced the market to Warped, it was an "unmitigated flop".

I've looked at one, sort of wanted, but I didn't like the potential running costs. Fuel is OKish, but if that belt snaps, it'll whip you in the tits then do you up the garage.

The Honda NC700 has a kind of similar theme, with in-tank storage, easy riding characteristics, and a car-derived engine, but it has the critical distinction of being cheap to buy. Wink

Alpha, if you're really talking about an A2 test bike, are you aware that the CS, the GPZ and ER-5 and like as not half the others are all too powerful for the A2 test? GS500 is OK.

DSA Derek will be wanting to see a convincing looking bit of paper (not a dyno or PaddyCert^tm) saying that they've been restricted. Maybe. Who knows?
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

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

BTW while I think the f650 is the bike you want, it is fucking ugly.

Edit even though it is the most expensive, it'll be the most reliable and less likely to want parts.

Don't crash it though as second hand bits must be thin on the ground.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

Alpha-9 · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Karma :