New bike suggestions wanted!

[Gazdaman]

Right, here's the story, I'm off to uni soon.

The XJ has become unreliable, so it's going on eBay. It would also guzzle fuel too much.

The MZ would be almost perfect to take with me, but lacks any kind of credability.

So here we are, I need suggestions. Something that's easy on petrol, performance isn't a major issue, bigger than a 125 though please.

It has to look better than this...

https://www.gaz-racing.co.uk/bike/DSCI0016%20(Small).JPG

The TZR would probably be nice, although petrol costs would be too big, and it's not exactly a mile-munching kind of bike.

Gaz

[instigator]

er5? That kind of bike? Unbreakable things so long as your name isn't "craig".

Or any other 500 for that matter (minus gpz, they're a bit.....dated looking )

[mrchips]

GPZ500, fastest of the 500s
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Northern Irish? www.nibikers.com

[cliff]

Get an older sports 400 like a E or F reg vfr or something along those lines. A nice solid jap inline4 maybe a cb400, not too bad on petrol, very credible, sound nice, cheaper on insurance, very reliable, good runarounds, and of course the performance bonus!
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Sweet reggae music.

[Gazdaman]

I'd love a sportsish 400. Like an NC21 or 29 or something. They're a bit ugly, and I'm inclined to think if they go wrong it's going to cost me ALOT.

I also won't have a garage and will be living slap bang in the centre of Bristol.

I wouldn't mind an ER5 or GS500 kind of thing, there's a GS in my local rag for £800.
I want a bike that won't just get me from home to uni. I want something I can have fun on at the weekends too. I used to love ragging my XJ around, but sadly it's now on eBay.

Need to keep costs down aswell, around a thousand pounds methinks.

Gaz

[numark1]

Mine.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=57067

[Gazdaman]

I think a ZX6-r may not classify as 'suitable'.

Gaz

[stinkwheel]

From what you've said on the site, I could see you on an old BMW boxer of some sort.

CBX500 are pretty cool and a bit different. Dead reliable and handle well.

Sensible side. NTV650 if you can afford one.

There is a lot to be said for the GPZ500s, they have been a good workhorse for me. CB400/4 are also well put together, much cheapness, decent performance and good fuel economy..
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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.

[dodsi]

ER-5 would be the best option as far as reliability readyness of parts and fuel economy etc.

The CB500 tend to be more expensive and the GS500 fall to bits too quicky.

You have seen/ridden my old ER-5 so you should know what they are like.

The GPZ also is a good option, slightly less reliable more expensive but offer more weather protection. but the performance is more entertaining bike.

[G]

TRX850!

Ok, I should probably stop pimping them so much, turning into the sort of person I hate .


Might be a bit over your budget, but from a tad under a grand you can get an one (maybe with some scars etc though).

I never liked 400s because you had to work them to get going - fine for 'fun', not so good for getting from A to B.
The TRX only has a bit more power than a 400, but has a whole load more 'go' when you're not pushing it.

You get a top fairing, so have wind protection.
Mine's shod with macadams, so can't comment too much on handling, but seems to be nice enough.

Is quite heavy, but also suprisingly low, so you don't notice it too much - I definitely don't have a problem.


It is a twin, so don't expect amazing performance, but it will respond if you abuse it a bit. Like many twins the revs run out when you hope something good's gonna happen; but compared to other not highly tuned bikes (ie hornet, fazer etc) it's not too bad.


I was initially looking at a cheap Bros or even cheap SV650, but couldn't find any suitable ones and this seemed like a good deal.

[instigator]

Trx850's do actually seem like good bikes. I wanted one but never managed to win that particular auction

It is indeed a lot of bike for the money. Owners seem to cherish them (cherish can mean anything, in G's case, wheelying ). Not so many about but can be had for cheap.

[G]

From what I can see you get a similar-ish bike to a Fazer/Hornet/bandt, but for about 2/3rds of the price for a similar age one.
Ok, a bit sportier, but I like sportier - and it's not /too/ extreme position etc.

[Gazdaman]

TRX850 would be lovely.

I adore the bikes, although insurance would be an issue, and I'm sure running costs wouldn't be as lean as my MZ 250.

I'm not sure if I should be insulted by Stinkwheel's suggestion I would enjoy a boxer. My father owns one! I'm not old enough to be him yet!!

CX500 is almost right, just want something a tad prettier.

I'm considering something off-roady aswell. I saw an XL250 advertised in the local rag. I'm sure that'd be fun. As all I want it for is to get me around Bristol and for some fun weekend jaunts.

Gaz

[G]

A 250 four stroke offroader won't be great for distance.

The klr650 I had was ok for distance, but wouldn't be so great for off road stuff as it's relatively heavy. The lighter off roaders aint so great for distnace.

[stinkwheel]

Sorry there. I meant to say XBR 500. There is no such thing as a CBX500

Twin port 500cc single. Comstar wheels.

UMG says

[Kickstart]

[stinkwheel]

Gaz. You're still on a restricted licence aren't you? Just for information.
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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.

[Gazdaman]

I am, technically.

I do like the XBR alot! There are 2 on eBay, the prettier of the two is in Wirral. D'oh.

Another has a buy it now of £600 and is fairly close, but isn't nearly as pretty, the further away one has a viper can, single seat unit and a pretty belly pan.

Any more suggestions. The bike will have to get me to and from home, but its main task is to get me around Bristol, so an enduro style bike with wide bars and an upright position would be ok.

hmm, XBR.

Couple of nice GPZs around aswell.

Gaz

[Kickstart]

KLE500 like Stinkwheels? Gilera Nordwest (a civilised supermoto), although bodywork is a pig to get hold of. Aprilia Pegaso / BMW F650?

Plenty of sports 600s, and the older ones are fairly useable everyday and comfy for long distances.

Trouble with any single is that they tend to wear the chains out rather rapidly, which could be a pain for long motorway trecks home.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[stinkwheel]

The trouble with anything that looks even vaguely like a dirt bike in a town centre is that thieving little scrotes think it is their god given right to steal them and razz the hell out of them round their housing estate.

You get all sorts of wierd and wonderful grey bikes as well. Why not have a look at bat motorcycles website, a good source of inspiration.
____________________
“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.

[Wave2k]

i would say, you cant really go wrong with a 500,
you obviously know your stuff about bikes, how to fix them and stuff.
but i would still say some 400 would be better
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