Winter bike

[Mantzy]

Though this idea has yet to be run past the missus, I am thinking that getting a winter/commuter bike to save me a) the cost of servicing the ZX-6R all the time and b) the worry of dropping it on ice. Personally, don't really care too much about the condition as long as it works and isn't in TOO much of a bad state. Preferably a 250-600cc. And most importantly, it has to be dirt cheap (under £1K, preferably under £500) and insurance has to be a couple of hundred pounds max.

Any suggestions.

Che-ars
R
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[Ste]

How far is your daily commute?

[Davo]

See if you can find yourself an old Kawasaki GT550, would be a good winter hack.

[iCraig]

A Suzuki GS500 would suit you down to the ground for a winter hack.

The older ones can be picked up from about £300 with some MOT on them, £500 would probably buy you a 1991 bike with a long MOT if you looked hard enough. They my good winter bikes cos if you dropped them hardly anything will break and the engines are bullet proof and easy to service.
Also they are quite light so you'll be able to pick it up if you loose it on ice.

Also insurance on the GS is group 7, and my last one cost me £282 TPFT to insure!

A quick poke on ebay found this and this.

HTH

Craig

[mr.z]

CX500 - shaft drive, comfy as a goldwing, shaft drive, as long as its not an excourrier then it will go forever and ever and ever.

GL500 - its uglyer big brother, has a nice big faring and panniers e.t.c.

Both of which can be found from £400 upwards, £800 for a very goodun. At 22 with one years no claims insureance is now £190tpft (i suspect i could find cheeper if i could be bothered looking)

As far as weight goes.. dont find it heavy to drive about but picking it up takes care. its suppriseingly easy to handle on the mucky stuff because its quite upright, slow speed controll is good for the same reason..
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Frost]

Insurance and value are strongly based on capacity. no one wants a low capacity non sports bike like a CB250. Hunt around on ebay for only 250's, they are dirt cheap to buy, run and insure with ample spare parts in scrap yards. And if it gets damaged or stolen, what do you care?

[stinkwheel]

MZ 2-stroke.

As ane fule no.
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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.

[Kram]

[Demonic69]

Fancy a winter project? Got a GPZ550 that only needs about £100 spending on it to get it totally sorted
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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[Robby]

CB250. Superdream is the slug, RSA is the more fun one. RSD is fun and has an electric start.

Of course, they would all be less "fun" than your XTC, but if you do get the RSA, find a long stretch of gravel and drift the back wheel about a bit. I used to lock it up on the brake and drift round the corner on my local big gravel car park, endless fun.

[instigator]

Go for an er A decent workhorse, quite a few peope use them for courier work and they can't hold their value for epanuts. Seriously. Its that bad. Apparently they don't like weather but no bike does. If you give it a rub down and a dosing of WD, it'll be fine. I wash mine once a week, it gets caked in wet road grime/mud from day one but holds up well.

Otherwise, I'd say yeah to the kawasaki gt550.

[Sparks!]

Is that your bike instigator? Cool wheely bar
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Gracie Jones]

What is a wheely bar? That is the coolest looking Er-5 ever. Love the belly pan and fly screen.

G

[Sparks!]

[instigator]

LOL!!!!

The fly screen has now gone along with the renntec sports rack (whats the point of a rack that can take a maximum of 2kg mass?!?!?!)

So, now it's just got the undertray and I plan to get a rear hugger if I can sometime, the mud all over the back is getting ridiculous!!!

[mrchips]

That's probably the best looking ER-5 I've seen, good work.
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Northern Irish? www.nibikers.com

[Gazdaman]

[stinkwheel]

[map]

I know of a GT550 that may be available.
Guy who has it wants to upgrade to a proper tourer.
Just under 50K miles, Krauser panniers, 2 helmet top box and half fairing. Bad news is it'll probably be at the top of your £1K spend.
Let me know if you're interested and don't find anything near you.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Rob W]

My old man's got an E-reg GT550 that he used for bits to get his GT750 on the road. To be honest I aint got much in the way of details on it at the moment and even if he'd sell it, but if he did it wouldnt be much as it's gonna need some work, it has got an engine and 2 wheels though

If you want, I'll ask him about it. The lucky bast bought the 750 for £50 with 28,000 miles on an E plate, the bloke who had it gave up riding after 2 years and just left it in his garage, then someone at his club gave him the 550 for nothing. Some people eh
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TS50 > Senda 125 > ZXR400 > CB-1 > GSX-R1000 > Bandit 600 > ZXR750 H1 > GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > T595 Daytona > Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[palmer]

CB400N

1970'ish model, they go for peanuts, are quite bullet proof, dont look half bad either

[mattsmith95]

[mr.z]

[stinkwheel]

[mchaggis]

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4507358762&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Here's something I had an eye on. KLE 500, no bids and 11hrs to go, starting price £850.

You might just be better off on a GS500 though.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.