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MahatmaAndhi
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PostPosted: 20:00 - 28 Dec 2017    Post subject: Narrow Bikes Reply with quote

I'm hankering for another bike. But I don't want to go through the whole theft thing again. In order to reduce the risk, I'd need to keep it in my back garden. However, it's a very tight space to get it around there.
My 125s fit before (Zontes Monster and GN125) but my ER5, Burgman, and Pegaso couldn't. They were too wide. The Piaggio MP3 stood no chance.
So, I could get another 125. But I'd like to go bigger if possible.

What are my options? I'm guessing I'll be limited to something like a 250 or 300cc max, before they start getting considerably wider.
What about the road-legal motorcross-type bikes?

To clarify, it wasn't the handlebars that I struggled with. It was the general length and width of the bike. With the 125s, I could lift the backend if I came in at the wrong angle. But I couldn't do that with the larger capacity bikes. They just would not fit.
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iooi
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PostPosted: 20:22 - 28 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Make the gateway bigger Thumbs Up
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recman
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PostPosted: 20:36 - 28 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've tried to fit numerous bikes into my back passage.
Apart from my old 125, the only bike I've been able to shoehorn in is my current one.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 20:46 - 28 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

SZR660?

Big single engine in a TZR250 chassis.
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pepperami
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PostPosted: 21:00 - 28 Dec 2017    Post subject: Re: Narrow Bikes Reply with quote

MahatmaAndhi wrote:
New bike problems .

Hmmm? Wasn’t there another query in another thread about this problem?
Why not buy a 250 (light & easily manageable) and fit a slimmer set of handlebars on it?

A 250 should still be light enough to manhandle and slim enough to get into the back garden.
Still should have enough ommph to be of some use.
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Suntan Sid
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PostPosted: 00:18 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yamaha SR400!

https://cdn.yamaha-motor.eu/product_assets/2016/SR400/950-75/2016-Yamaha-SR400-EU-60th-Anniversary-Studio-001.jpg
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linuxyeti
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PostPosted: 00:45 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

recman wrote:
I've tried to fit numerous bikes into my back passage.


I know it's late, and I've been to the pub, but this just sounds so wrong ..
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M.C
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PostPosted: 01:47 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stating the obvious here but can you back them in? If I didn't reverse in I'd need to lift the rear, which obviously wouldn't work with a big bike.
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jjdugen
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PostPosted: 01:56 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Could look at the V twins, Sv650, mebe even the 1000. I'd put my Falco in as being one of the slimmest out there, one of the reasons for giving Aprilia a go. VTR1000 too.
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NJD
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PostPosted: 01:59 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Re: Narrow Bikes Reply with quote

MahatmaAndhi wrote:
What about the road-legal motorcross-type bikes?


Theft-magnet galore.

...

Take measurements of what you've had in the past and see what big-un's are similar.

Same situation I just went with the option of leaving it in sight rather than having my choice limited even further. Truth of it is once someone see's you've got a bike once it doesn't matter where you keep it.
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pepperami
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PostPosted: 02:47 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

linuxyeti wrote:
recman wrote:
I've tried to fit numerous bikes into my back passage.


I know it's late, and I've been to the pub, but this just sounds so wrong ..


Snigger Wink
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Bozzy.
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PostPosted: 09:07 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

How about a KTM Duke 390?

Fairly sure it’s the same frame as the 125. Single cylinder so should be a fairly narrow engine. It’ll be light weight for manuevering into your back passage.

Yes, it’s a pikey magnet, but you mentioned getting into your back garden would solve that?
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P.
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PostPosted: 09:17 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Re: Narrow Bikes Reply with quote

MahatmaAndhi wrote:
But I don't want to go through the whole theft thing again.


Thumbs Up Agreed, keep it safe... is best idea.

Quote:
What about the road-legal motorcross-type bikes?


wut.

It'll be nicked before you've even got it home.

Buy a 19mm+ Almax/Pragmasis and a ground anchor. If its going in the garden go and find the biggest plant pot you can buy and 2 of the thickest D locks...then cement those d locks into the pot of cement and use that as your ground anchor. Chain through that and the frame of the bike, not the wheel.

I still wouldn't buy a road legal offroader unless you want to bring it indoors.

Most sports are fairly narrow, off roaders tend to have quite high but wide bars. Could go for a new KTM, but they aren't exactly top of the reliable chain, so would expect it to be intermittent at best.

YBR250, hard to come by, but there are some. Parts though...
Little 250 Ninja, very narrow on the whole and are a handful of fun, still a low powered engine but it really isn't too bad.
SV650, naked one should be slim.


Last edited by P. on 14:11 - 29 Dec 2017; edited 1 time in total
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 12:15 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Re: Narrow Bikes Reply with quote

Having actually read OP's issue:
MahatmaAndhi wrote:
With the 125s, I could lift the backend if I came in at the wrong angle.

Fnar. I'd suggest that the issue is weight as much as width.

Ninja 250 is probably too heavy at 175kg wet, but what about the Duke 390, which comes in under 150? Or a Z250SL if you can find one.
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-Monty-
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PostPosted: 12:46 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Doesn't G keep going on about how his GSXR 1000 is excellent for commuting due to it being so narrow/good at filtering?

Also have a look at the KTM 390 Duke. I think it's basically the 125 frame with a much more powerful engine, so should be pretty fun.
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linuxyeti
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PostPosted: 12:55 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mash 400 roadstar, Enfield Bullet, SV650 there all quite narrow, CB500 ??
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 13:09 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some of the newer sports bikes are tiny too. When I stand next to an R6, I worry it would disappear up the crack of my arse if I sat on it. It's significantly shorter than an ER5.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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MahatmaAndhi
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PostPosted: 13:53 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the suggestions!

Unfortunately making anything wider or more accessible is out of the question as none of the property is mine. It's a shared walkway and I have to go through two other people's gardens to get to my own.

I will be ground achoring it, which I tried on my last bike in the front garden, but they vandalised the shit out of the ignition before realising that it was tethered to the ground - costing me a few hundred quid in repairs.
Around the back, I can add security cameras, which we're planning on doing anyway, as a further deterrent.

That Yamaha SR400 looks ideal! Whether it fits or not, I'll have to look in to. But that's exactly what I am after.
I'll have a look in to the other suggestions too. I don't know models off heart, so they could also be what I'm after. Upvotes all 'round!
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andys675
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PostPosted: 14:19 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

SDR200, R1Z?
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 15:10 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

andys675 wrote:
SDR200,


Miniscule piece of Japanese home market insanity. If you could find one (and they are rare as rocking horse poo), you could pick up an SDR200 under one arm and carry it.

Strictly for the vertically challenged, I had a sit on one but at 6'1", I wouldn't be able to ride one on account of the handlebars hitting my knees.
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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.
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stephen_o
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PostPosted: 15:29 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had the same problem - access and parking at the side of my house and a narrow angle through the gate to have to squeeze the bike through - I went for a ybr250 to replace my old GPZ500 which was too heavy to manhandle.
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The Shaggy D.A.
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PostPosted: 17:28 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

1. Move.
2. Buy the bike you really want.
3. ?
4. Profit.
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 19:04 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

MahatmaAndhi wrote:
That Yamaha SR400 looks ideal!

Kickstart only. Ain't nobody got time fo', etc.
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recman
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PostPosted: 20:56 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

linuxyeti wrote:
recman wrote:
I've tried to fit numerous bikes into my back passage.


I know it's late, and I've been to the pub, but this just sounds so wrong ..



stinkwheel wrote:
When I stand next to an R6, I worry it would disappear up the crack of my arse if I sat on it.


See? Don't knock it.
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Bozzy.
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PostPosted: 21:34 - 29 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

OP, a few of us have mentioned a Duke 390. No good for you? At 150kg it should be piss easy to manhandle around, should you need to. Bearing in mind I’m about 11st wet through, I can pick the Strip up by the rear sub frame and move the back end around and the Strip is a good 190kg wet. Same with the SV I had previously.
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