Motorbikes Under 2M Long

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

Hi,

I've recently passed my test and am now looking for my first 'big bike.' However, a guy on the next street recently had his Honda CBR stolen and about a year ago I heard a guy across the street had his bike stolen too. So I would like to keep it in my back garden as I do with my current bike, a Zontes Monster.

I know that my Monster is 2,000mm long and even at that length, it's difficult to get it in the back garden. So, for security purposes, I'd like for my next bike to be of equal or shorter length.

I'm not expecting anyone to be able to reel off then lengths of bikes off-heart, but if you know of any smaller shorter bikes then I'll look into the length and see if it's the one for me.

I've been looking for something around 300-650cc. And my budget is going to be hundreds, not thousands so it'll probably be an absolute junker.

tom_e · Brolly Dolly Joined: 27 Feb 2016 Karma :

Most bikes that aren't big old cruisers should come in under or around 2m.

M.C · Super Spammer Joined: 29 Sep 2015 Karma :

I could get my XR in my garden in one go, and that's longer than the MT-03 which takes a 3 point turn as it has less steering lock. Also wider bars make it more difficult.

Just something to consider.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Bandit 600 is 2060mm, GPZ500S is 2095mm, CB500 is 2090mm.

You'll struggle to find a common, cheap (i.e. not a Buell) 300cc+ bike that's under 2m.

I'd be looking at modifying the access rather than limiting your bike choice. At that budget, you can't be choosy anyway.
____________________
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

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

Appreciate the responses so far. I wish I could modify the access, but it is a neighbour's house and their shed (shared access.)
My front garden is another option, but it's much more visible, so I'd need to invest a lot more in security.

Wonko The Sane · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Karma :

in your front garden you can look into ground anchors etc, it's easier to make life difficult for theft on your own ground than on the street.

what divides your garden from the road? if it's a hedge stop trimming it and let it grow taller to help hide the bike.
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Commuter_Tim · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 May 2013 Karma :

JoeDaStudd · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 01 Oct 2015 Karma :

You've got it chained to a ground anchor or something immovable in the back garden right?
Saw a post fairly recently about someone whose bike was stolen from the back garden and the thieves had tied the back door so they could stop them in time. Iirc they just smashed the disc lock and steering lock and walked it away.

col-el rider · Derestricted Danger Joined: 04 May 2016 Karma :

A lad across the street from me used to keep his 125 YBF in his garden, and now that his misses has done one he wheels it into his living room and keeps it there. Laughing

This isnt a sugestion haha, just something amusing I thought i'd mention.
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Had: HN125-8
Current Steed: Yamaha Fazer 600

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

They key word is 'extra.'
I would definitely be investing in physical security first and foremost.

Here's a pic of my front garden (ignore the National Grid barriers. They'll be gone in a week or so):
https://i.imgur.com/da5SZ31.jpg

The visible fence panel comes off. I was thinking of fashioning it in to a gate with a few hinges and extra wood to strengthen it.
My wife's happy with me putting more slabs down near the solid fence, but no so much with concreting it as we'll be selling in a year or two.
I am thinking that I'd anchor it to the wall or with the wheelie bin method mentioned before, put my disc lock on the back and stick a CCTV camera in the bay window facing the bike. That should deter anyone from nicking something which'll probably be worth about £600.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Fair point, if you're going to go for a 16mm+ Pragmasis chain and a decent anchor, then anything else is gravy.
____________________
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

Aceslock · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Dec 2014 Karma :

What about something like this for your back yard?

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-mcd1-motorcycle-dolly/?da=1&TC=GS-020110139&gclid=CMiI7_nY184CFRIz0wodQZwH-Q
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Previous Bike: Skyjet SJ27
Sold: Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat. Sold: ZX636R
Current bike: R1 14B (Beast)

Commuter_Tim · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 May 2013 Karma :

Aceslock · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Dec 2014 Karma :

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

Aceslock · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Dec 2014 Karma :

____________________
Previous Bike: Skyjet SJ27
Sold: Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat. Sold: ZX636R
Current bike: R1 14B (Beast)

ZX-7R · Banned Joined: 24 Jan 2016 Karma :

People say length is not important,but i'm not so sure.My ex-wife told me she was leaving me for a bloke with a bigger plonker than mine. Embarassed

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Current Bike - 2000 ZX-7R

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Did he have a chopper?
____________________
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

kgm · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :

Looking at that image I think you're onto plumbs. I squeeze my ER6 in through a garden gate and past a large picnic table which is REALLY tight (theres a technique - good for security!) but that looks like a nightmare in comparison.

angryjonny · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Karma :

Hong Kong Phooey · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Apr 2016 Karma :

Wouldn't nosing past the recess and reversing it in work?
Looks a bit tight to be spinning on the sidestand.

I wouldn't leave a bike on show, I'm fully aware of the scrotage quotient of my habitat.

Check the turning circle stats too, it's not just about the length she says
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~~'81 CG125, '97 FZS600~~ : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

Kyle. · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 28 Aug 2016 Karma :

Fin · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Feb 2016 Karma :

I'd recommend digging in your front 'garden' and putting a load of concrete down with a pipe and chain through. Then put a slab or plants over the top. When you sell the house people won't notice if there are plants over the top or you cover it with a slab.

Make sure your chain and lock is good though as people will try and steal it .