small bike, good pillion seat

[puffnut]

Hi everyone

First post here, just passed my module 1 for a2 license, got my module 2 next week.

I'm going to be looking to buy a bigger (circa 500cc) bike soon but i have a few requirements and i was wondering if you guys have any suggestions.

it has to be...

Under £1000
sit a pillion comfortably (she's quite small)
be under 47bhp ( or be restricted without completely killing it)
be cheap on insurance


Thanks in advance
puffnut

[MCN]

Kawasaki ER5


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510037475048?search-target=usedbikes&make=kawasaki&model=er&cc-to=500cc&sort=default&postcode=ml66ex&page=1&radius=1501&logcode=p

Not massive in the guts dept. but very use-able and comfy.

Decent MPG and reliability

That example if more the £1k but you will only get grief for anything under a grand.

Unless you know how to fix bikes.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[puffnut]

ah yes i've read about them, what are they like to ride?

I can do a bit of tinkering, Got my gs125 for £325, hasn't let me down yet really haha.

[MCN]

[puffnut]

how do you think that would compare to a bandit 600? or a cb500, both of them seem to have good seats.
I've heard the bandit handles the restriction reasonably well but it is about £100 more insurance.

[Pie-Roe]

They are very different in terms of engine. An IL4 600 will generally be quicker and revvier than a parallel twin.

If you can get a bandit or fazer for under a grand I'd go for that instead of a commuter 500. Purely because the extra money on fuel and consumables is negligible and it'll have more oomph and more fun.

The seats on the 500s are a bit narrow, the 600s a bit bigger (generally again) If you stick a topbox on it'll increase pillion comfort when new to riding.
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Previous: GSF600, FZR600 x2, ZXR750, XT600 Tenere, CB125, CZ125, ETZ 250, ER5, CCM R30, DRZ400, RF600x4, RF900x2, GS500, VTR1000F, 640 SMC, CB250 NIGHTHAWK, GT550x3, GPX750 TE610, CB500, X11x2, SV650, ZING 125, TL1000R,CB250 Superdream, CBR1100XX

[Pete.]

[Rogerborg]

Well, he's on a budget, and also A2. There's not a huge amount to choose.

Best condition ER, GPZ, CB 500 / Bandit / Divvy 600 that comes up in budget. All of them need restricted or "restricted", the only "500"+ that doesn't is the GS500, but sad tales, sad tales.
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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

[Matt B]

Looking at the options I would go with the Bandit and restrict it.

Pete is right, they do show their age after a few years, but it's a solid bulletproof engine that restricts reasonably well and there are some out there that have avoided the worst weather.

Just as an example, one here in your budget.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-bandit-600-/281839510712?hash=item419ef1a4b8:g:EkQAAOSwl9BWLi4L

They all get the scabby fork legs but at least that owner bothered to put an oil cooler guard and some crash bars on.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[puffnut]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to get a 600cc, that way I'll be able to use my bike in two years for my unrestricted test. Rather than pay a school again.

Chances are I'm going to go with the bandit. For some reason the divvy is much higher on insurance.
However I do like the pre diversion and they're cheaper on insurance...
https://www.gumtree.com/p/yamaha-motorbikes/yamaha-xj600-august-mot-drives-beautifully-no-known-faults-30k-miles/1138998536

What are people's opinions on the xj600 vs bandit. I like the retro style you see...

[Pete.]

That Bandit looks like a good enough deal, if you're hell bent on one i doubt you'll find a better value for money bike. I'm nearby if you want me to check it out.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[puffnut]

Hi Pete

Thanks very much for the offer but I'm going to wait until I've passed my test until I buy a bike, which hopefully shouldn't be too long.

Any opinion on the xj600 pre diversion?

[Pete.]

[talkToTheHat]

XV 535 is natively A2, about 190kg fully fuelled, and has a low, roomy and comfortable pillion seat. Cissy bar or luggage rack makes it harder to get on, and isn't really needed as it's a fairly gentle beast. Will sit at motorway speed 2 up with luggage all day. Shaft drive too. Could use a bigger tank range and the ones with the buckhorn handlebars are well into tassles and chaps territory.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Beehive Bedlam]

I'd get an FZS 600 over a Bandit.

[SpicyPeperami]

Got a striple and taken me lad on the back and a couple of his m8s. Not a huge seat but good enough for an hour or so
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Street triple and luvin it!! Providing motorcycle courier services around the country - contact me for a quote!!

[arry]

[Evil Hans]

[Rogerborg]

[SpicyPeperami]