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| LUXY DJ |
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 LUXY DJ World Chat Champion

Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Karma :     
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 Posted: 12:19 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: A DECENT COURIER BIKE?.. |
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im looking for A good enough bike 2 do couriering on but need some suggestions on whats best!. looking for a MIN of 250 really & no more then a 450 i suppose as i need 2 keep fuel & insurance cost as low as poss cause my gixxer aint no good for it so any suggestions,links,etc,etc let me know
THX! ____________________ GSXR750
(FAR FAR from standard) www.gixerjunkies.net
Last edited by LUXY DJ on 12:22 - 07 Jan 2006; edited 1 time in total |
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| instigator |
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 instigator Super Spammer

Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :   
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| LUXY DJ |
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 LUXY DJ World Chat Champion

Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Karma :     
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 Posted: 12:27 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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ok
well atm im using my gixxer & it EATS fuel & aint as agile,etc & i dont wanna kill it doing couriering so i wanna make my money with a peice of shit then PUT my money in to doing up the gixxer
only 2 cb250's on feebay atm must be more to use for couriering surely
dont really wanna go as big as a 500 cause i gotta run both bikes as im not getting rid of the gixxer cause im gonna use it on weekends,days off,etc
cheers m8 for the quick reply anymore suggestions from any 1 else? ____________________ GSXR750
(FAR FAR from standard) www.gixerjunkies.net |
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| mchaggis |
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 mchaggis World Chat Champion

Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :    
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 Posted: 12:36 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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Something like an NTV600/650 should keep on plodding past 100k without too many problems. Sickpup should be able to help you with this question. I imagine it mostly depends where you're doing it; in town I should think you could get away with a scooter. ____________________ I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.  |
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| Aikman666 |
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 Aikman666 World Chat Champion

Joined: 20 Dec 2004 Karma :     
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 Posted: 12:56 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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Wont you get completely BEASTED on insurance?! ____________________ Will work for petrol
My Design Blog |
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| satans_BIG_helper |
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 satans_BIG_helper Nearly there...
Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Karma :   
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 Posted: 13:07 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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Im looking at setting up my own courier business....
And you need to have courier insurance for ya bike plus insurance to cover the goods u r carrying im 22 n got quotes for a GT750 and a FJ1200
GT750 comp courier insurance was £1300
FJ1200 comp courier insurance was £2100
BUT the FJ is my weapon of choice really as its nice n comfy for some one of my height and luggage options are good + plenty of room to mount GPS and it offers soem weather protecton etc.............
However the GT is the ultimate reliable bike and if it brakes theres plenty of parts for them on ebay and in breakers yards etc..... ____________________ TS 50er >CG 125>AR 125>TZR250> z200(shit heap)> ZXR750 H2 > VT500 FT >XLR250 > Mito125mk1 (unlucky strike) > TZR250 3ma > GS550 > TDR250 > GSXR750 >GS1000 > Elefant 650 > GPZ750 > FZR600>z1000 (03) > KTM 640 LC4
(Yeah i forgot some too :S ) |
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| Robby |
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 Robby Dirty Old Man

Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :   
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| mr.tattoo |
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 mr.tattoo Spanner Monkey
Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Karma :  
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 Posted: 13:11 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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ive used honda bros's, cb1's and superfours for my dispatching. great bikes and cheap to run, cam driven engines last forever. 2nd gears go on ntv's  |
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| Danny |
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 Danny Ask Me About Stoppie School

Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :   
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| satans_BIG_helper |
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 satans_BIG_helper Nearly there...
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| satans_BIG_helper |
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 satans_BIG_helper Nearly there...
Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Karma :   
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 Posted: 13:22 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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| Robby |
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 Robby Dirty Old Man

Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :   
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| LUXY DJ |
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 LUXY DJ World Chat Champion

Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Karma :     
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| satans_BIG_helper |
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 satans_BIG_helper Nearly there...
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| Danny |
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 Danny Ask Me About Stoppie School

Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :   
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 Posted: 13:29 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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It's such a shame they put those crappy callipers on it, the bike would be bullet-proof if it wasn't for the brakes.
As long as you know what your getting yourself into go for it mate, and best of luck to you.
I'm sure you've already looked into this but make sure you get some good advice/accountant to minimise the tax and maximise state help.
Also you might want to look into personal injury cover as if you break your leg you obviously won't be working for a while, but I'd imagine it would be rather expensive for a bike courier.  |
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| satans_BIG_helper |
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 satans_BIG_helper Nearly there...
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| Yoshi |
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 Yoshi Traffic Copper

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 satans_BIG_helper Nearly there...
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| lurker |
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 lurker Trackday Trickster
Joined: 18 Sep 2004 Karma :     
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| LUXY DJ |
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 LUXY DJ World Chat Champion

Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Karma :     
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 Posted: 13:44 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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| Jack_Cheese |
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 Jack_Cheese World Chat Champion

Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Karma :  
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 Posted: 14:21 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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Bandit(400,600,650)? Renowned mile-munchers, parts are plentiful, and they're dirt cheap to start with.
Accessories such as top boxes and panniers should be absolute piss to get hold of, too...
I'm not a fan of the bandit to be honest, it just seems overrated to me, but io haven't ridden one. Everyone who has says they're fantastic commuters.
Other than that, what about a fazer?
Jack ____________________ www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!" |
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| mattsmith95 |
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 mattsmith95 Traffic Copper
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| stinkwheel |
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 stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist

Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :    
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 Posted: 15:08 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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Or go ultra cheap and buy two MZ250s. They are pretty reliable in the way that only an air cooled, piston ported 2-smoke can be. Plus you can totally strip and rebuild the engine down to the crank in about eight hours (less with practice).
Parts are readily available with a 48h delivery time from Germany ex-stock. Motorcycling doesn't come any cheaper.
You will get two MZ 2-smokes (good ones) for under a grand and insure them for peanuts. Then you have a spare, which is always handy.
Or what about a slightly older R series BMW? I know this is bigger than you wanted but they will take a huge amount of abuse. They've only been making the boxer engine for the last 60 years or so. ____________________ “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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| Itchy |
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 Itchy Super Spammer

Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :     
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| sickpup |
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 sickpup Old Timer

Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :     
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 Posted: 15:55 - 07 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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| mchaggis wrote: | Sickpup should be able to help you with this question. I imagine it mostly depends where you're doing it; in town I should think you could get away with a scooter. |
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
C90 Hideous but any competant DR once they get over the shock of riding one should do £60+ a day on one.
CG125 Not much to say really. You all know what they are like and any competant DR should do £70+ a day on one.
CD250 Absolutely love em. cost nothing to run, nothing to insure, totally reliable, parts are very cheap from Dave Silvers but they have one weak point the rear hub. The rear sprocket has a weird fixing and when it wears it shatters the rear hub which is no longer available as a spare. I was using one up until christmas when my rear hub went earning £100-£140 for an 8 hour day. OWned 3 of these on my fleet, most reliable bike I ever rented out.
CB250 nighthawk What Matt uses. Very good updated version of the CD 250. Good solid little bike with no real weaknesses except the rack problem, some came with a little chrome rear rack that a topbox will just about fit on but most didn't. Rear tyre can be a bit of a problem as it's some weird custom size so tends to be pricey. I don't recommend these for people over 5'10 as the riding position causes lower back pain and vague front end handling.
Superdreams Getting a little old now but if you can find one in good condition could be worth it. The BSA rebuilds are good but very rare.
BROS 400 Good little bike but underpowered. Same running costs as a BROS650 and a bit higher than an NTV. No rack available for it. We used to modify Nonfango racks to fit but Nonfango is no more. High mileage ones tend to shred the splines off the gearbox output shaft so there are a lot around with the front sprocket welded on. Second gear is also a problem. Cannot be rebored as no over size pistons available. Bros's are very hard on oil. I recommend fully synth changed every 4000mls. The gearbox seems to shear the oil very quickly. Whatever you put in will look old in under 1000mls. Engine bars sometimes available.I owned 5 of these on my hire fleet.
CB-1 Amazing little bike. Good power, handling and reliability. Down side is a very revvy motor so high fuel costs. Very good on oil, fully synth lasts about 6000mls and comes out looking like new. Cam gears wear on unserviced bikes. Getting hard to get parts for especially 2nd hand as they only made them for 2 years 89-91. Two different versions US has welded on pillion footrests hangers and the rest of world had bolt on. The exhaust is the big weakness on these, one piece stainles skin with a quick rust baffle. Rear tyre is an unusual size so don't expect discounts. No engine bars available last time I looked. Owned 2 of these on my fleet.
Super four Underpowered, heavy, expensive to run, expensive to maintain especially when compared to a CB-1. Not reccomended.
CB500 Never been a fan myself. Always seemed underpowered and crap handling to me but lots of Dr's use them so they must have something going for them. If you must have one get a P 'reg' with the rear drum brake. You don't need a disc and the shoes last 40k before needing changing at a cost of £25 compared to at least 10 sets of pads at £14 each.
GT550/750 Very reliable when new. These days the electrics tend to be dodgy, rear air shocks are dead, gearboxs are dead but the real big weakness is needing new carbs at anything between 30-60k. Discs are also a problem as they wear very quickly although 1mm thicker discs are available. Rear hubs also ovalise. Engine bars still available.
BROS650 Same as a 400 but more comfortable due to being faster. Wind speed takes the weight off the wrists. Can be rebored. Owned 3 of these for my fleet.
NTV600/650 One of my favourites. Small people have a lot of problems handling these. They are physically big heavy bikes and if you weigh less than 12 stone don't get one. Every big person I know thats had one loves them, every small person crashed very often. Second gear is not really up to the job. Fleet bikes can take out second gear in less than 500miles but if you own the bike and don't over rev in first they last forever. Hard on oil 4000mls change with full synth to keep in good order. Loads of parts everywhere for these. I have a 600 in my lockup still going strong with 105k miles on it. Good for wheelies as well. A good engine will lift on the throttle in 2nd gear. Engine bars are not available for these.
As the man says what you get depends on the work you do. I don't do distance at the moment just around the 25 so I don't need anything big and fast. I also nomally ride between 4 and 7 up so need a topbox and panniers. Fast bikes also cost you money as you use more petrol and miss the extra drops, just cruise at the limit and you earn more. Being constant earns more money that being fast.
Last edited by sickpup on 18:53 - 07 Jan 2006; edited 4 times in total |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 20 years, 41 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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