Next bike advice?

Fred3606 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 26 Jul 2016 Karma :

Hi all,
Just upgraded from a2 to full license and wanting a change from my SV650Sk3.
My budget is around 2000-2500 so mostly looking at privately sold bikes.

I like the idea of a naked bike for doing any maintenance and simplicity but looks always end up drawing me to a faired bike. My main requirement is something relatively reliable and likely to be well kept (due to the likely early 00s age), atleast 600cc and atleast 3 cylinders since I have had twins for the last 5 years.

I am currently looking at VFR800s (gen5 and 6) and Sprint ST1050 since there seems to be a good wodge of them second hand and I like the relatively unique sound of both.

Any advice and/or bikes to consider?
Thanks
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ThatDippyTwat · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Aug 2016 Karma :

jeffyjeff · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :

+1 on everything That Dippy Twat said. Electrical issues are quite likely on the 5th gen, unless you are fortunate enough to find one that has been well sorted. Often times owners will install an aftermarket band aid called a VFRness. In my opinion the VFRness is a worthless piece of crap that owners slap on the bike (prior to sale) so that they can say they fixed the problem. In my experience, clean connections, redundant grounds, and hard wiring (eliminating the connector) between the stator and RR (three phase circuit) does wonders for the reliability of the VFR electrics. Installing a decent voltage monitor is a smart move on these bikes. In my experience, you can expect about 75,000 miles out of an OE stator. The mosfet RR on my bike lasted longer than that.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

Evil Hans · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2015 Karma :

ST1050 is a great bike (OK I'm biased) but be prepared for the possibility of electrical niggles, and make sure the rear hub/chain adjuster has been regularly serviced and greased otherwise they have a tendency to seize. Earlier ones have a habit of self destructing their starter sprag gears.

Mine has been reliable, except for the charging system once giving up after a day of riding in torrential rain. It was fine once it dried out, though.
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Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red.

Fred3606 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 26 Jul 2016 Karma :

thanks for the responses and advice!
I'll keep an eye out for all you're pointers when I'm having a look around
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