September 2014 new registrations

[Rogerborg]

https://www.mcia.co.uk/Uploads/Statistics/Press-Statistics-201409-%282%29.pdf

Pretty much more of the same. Most stuff is up, dealers get to eat this month.

Top selling 125-650 bike? Suzuki SV650S.

Suzuki had a really good month, actually. Bargains, bargains, bargains!
____________________
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

[arry]

[Rogerborg]

Sure, we're taking a loss on every bike, but look how many we sold!

As noted previously, the SV650S wasn't in the £1000 off fire-sale, but I've seen plenty of pre-reggers around at £4K. Presumably dealers were given plenty of incentives to register them. I still wonder why.
____________________
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

[arry]

[Rogerborg]

They're turning up nearly-new for £2500 or so, which seems about right for a budget Chinese bike.

The weight though!
____________________
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

[arry]

[Rogerborg]

[arry]

[Rogerborg]

They don't come in much cheaper than that, but you should be able to get newer for the money. I got a 4,000 mile 2008 Electra Deluxe for £2K, the very last of the carby models, with a bunch of upgrades. I could probably have got newer still with some patience, but they don't come up that often.

Pragmatically though, you might want to look for a 2008+ "UCE" model with fuel injection. They even have a fuel gauge, luxury.

Set your expectations to "characteristic", try on a sunny day, indulge yourself with random acts of common courtesy.
____________________
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

[arry]

Thanks I will give one a try, at some point in the near future.

At the risk of seriously de-railing this thread, what's the maintenance schedule like??

[Rogerborg]

Engine oil and filter every 6000km / 3,500 miles.

The new UCE models require a lot less maintenance, they're almost like modern motorcycles.

The previous models have separate clutch and gearbox oil with their own schedules and are a bit more involved. I quite like that, but if you can't be doing with it, go for a post 2008 FI model.

None of the maintenance is difficult. Valve adjustment, for example (again on the pre-UCE models) is side-of-the-road simple.

Owners manuals are available online, and there are plenty of parts either next day in the UK or direct from India if you can wait a week or so.
____________________
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

[Northern Monkey]