Looking to spend £1500-£2000, doable?

Bennell · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Nov 2015 Karma :

Hey all,

I rode a 125 on a CBT for years and I just finished a 6 month work transfer to Thailand where I rode a gsx650r (unlicensed, like everyone else.)

So now I'm back in the UK I want to get a bike but I don't want to break the bank. I've just paid for my Direct Access. My current thoughts are an SV650 as I've always liked the look of them and can't really afford the insurance of a pure sports 6 right now.

I have about 1500 - 2k to spend, and I've seen a few within this price range, but generally speaking is this a decent amount to spend on these bikes? If I have to buy it a bit later and spend £2500 for a decent bike I can do so. Can anyone suggest any other good bikes in this price range? Upto 2k ideally.

I'm not really interested in the usual 500 beginner bikes, as I've clocked up about 6000km on the zx650 so I think I'd be a bit bored on a 500.

Thanks Smile

Matt B · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 May 2012 Karma :

The FZ6 is a better all round bike than the SV and you should be able to find a decent one for £2.5k. More comfortable, more power, just all round better.

Look for one of the later S2 models.
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Fazer, Hornet, don't write off the CBR600F until you've done quotes.

You can find plenty of decent examples for that money. Heck, I just saw a 3300 mile 2008 (yes, 2008 registered) Thundercat come up for £1800 locally.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

This looks lovely for 2.3k (try to imagine it without the dirtbox ; - )):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-FZ6-S2-2007-/141816585539?hash=item2104ed5d43:g:-zAAAOSwYHxWNRMv&clk_rvr_id=924145540631&rmvSB=true
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

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

Kidjal · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 20 Sep 2015 Karma :

When I was looking, I found a 2009 FZ6n for £2000 with only 9k on the clock. Was mint with new bars and even had both the original keys.

Only didn't go for it as I had my heart set on a street triple.

Robster · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Dec 2013 Karma :

My first bike was and still is a VFR750. Doubt i'll be getting bored of it anytime soon and i've been riding since January this year - its lovely although a bit heavy.
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Val · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Karma :

Slacker24seve... · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2010 Karma :

Fazers and Hornets are a good chunk quicker and more capable than an SV and have the added bonus of not being constructed from Edam and cheddar. Fazer if you're lanky, Hornet if you're not. Simple.

As the Rt. Hon. Borg says, CBF600s are good but only if you like going slowly. Which, if you're considering an SV, may well be you.
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Bennell · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Nov 2015 Karma :

Slacker24seve... · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2010 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Matt B · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 May 2012 Karma :

Kawasaki Jimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Oct 2015 Karma :

<<<<<

You can pick up 600cc, 100bhp sports bikes from the late-'90s/ early 2000s,with low mileage and in good condition for that kind of money.
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'93 Yamaha XJR400 grey import (p-ex’d), '99 Kawasaki ZX6R (nicked), another '99 ZX6R (still got it) and '03 Yamaha YZF-R1 (still got that too.)

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

Slacker24seve... · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2010 Karma :

Silver_Fox · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jun 2015 Karma :

Paid £1500 for a 97' CBR600F3 with 26k miles and a wedge of service history. Pretty comfy and is quick enough if you want it to be

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xlf1/v/t1.0-9/11951287_10153621518369390_4245470057520121566_n.jpg?oh=f12afe9cdaab9a506dbc1215ae08187a&oe=56BAD77F&__gda__=1454301888_713545b83465bdf17a86ca8196295e70

Val · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Karma :

Kawasaki Jimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Oct 2015 Karma :

I think the point is if you have "pure sports 600" and track day aspirations then a budget of £1500 - £2000 doesn't just limit you to Fazers and the like, good though they are. If you're prepared to look and wait for the right bike for you (doesn't everyone?) and you understand that >20k miles doesn't automatically mean you're getting a knackered machine there are many interesting bikes available.
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'93 Yamaha XJR400 grey import (p-ex’d), '99 Kawasaki ZX6R (nicked), another '99 ZX6R (still got it) and '03 Yamaha YZF-R1 (still got that too.)

Sleeping Dragon · Derestricted Danger Joined: 25 May 2014 Karma :

You can get a tidy VFR 800fi for that money. Big finance on first bike nah. Up to you of course. Lots of reasons not to spend loads of money on your first bike, unless money is no object to you. If that was the case you wouldn't need finance though. Anyway the VFR ain't that heavy unless you compare it to a little 600 sports. As a first post DAS bike it's a great bit of kit and cheap. I know it was my first big bike and I loved it.
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HONDA VFR 800 fi