Hello again and ideas for a winter bike?

[Mrs_Hippy]

Huy guys not been around for a while thought I would just wave (do we have a symbol for wave?)

I am thinking of getting a winter bike. The hippy is trying to perswade me to have his 1200 bandit when he buys his zzr1200 but I dont know if I want his hand me downs and I dont think its my bag baby!! As most of you know I have a 650 raptor and the poor boy is italian and not a good winter runner (carb icing) and I dont like the fact its getting covered with the winter salt with all the corosion buisness when I just do the daily run to work in the winter.

I was thinking of getting a second hand winter runner and was intrested in peoples opinions of good sturdy options, perhaps ones that I can put belly pans, etc on to help with winter salty road stuff.

Size isnt important (no really)
I like bikes with a bit of character
It has to be pink (oh ok that would narrow down things too much)
Cost is a bit of an issue after all if it wasnt I would be buying a pink speed tripple as my second bike!

Any suggestions?
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[Demonic69]

Forget about it and wait till spring, it's a few months away?
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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[Doddmaster]

SuperDream.

People will laugh, but they go on and on and on and on, and a bit of salt doesnt bother them. I'm buying a 16 year old 'Dream, been ridden in all weathers as a learner bike and winter hack, the only thing that doesnt look mint is a dent in the petrol tank

[Mrs_Hippy]

You are right - well if the english weather ever decided to perk up. I was thinking of getting a head start on next year.
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[Mrs_Hippy]

Well I am a big girl so I need a 'big' bike - Isnt the super dream small built? I might catch myself out with the drop in cc's and bhp as well but I will look out for one when we go bike shopping with the hippy and see what they are like.

Thanks

[Stew]

[M1ke]

im looking at buying a shitty scooter for all the short journies i make in all weather (1 mile to college and 1 mile home) i usually go home inbetween lessons as well so i make about six 1 mile trips a day! Those short journies were crapping up my beautiful aprilia

I know alot of older people (in their 30's) who use scooteres for commuting on as they are dead cheap to run and so easy to queue jump!

Thats just me tho... if you after something a bit bigger then maybe a cg or something

[Doddmaster]

You can get early GS500s and GPZ500s for less than £1000, thats not too big a drop in bhp

[Kickstart]

Hi

The 250 and 400 superdreams are not small bikes for the engine size. They go OK ish for cruising and are sheep proof. However they are getting rare now.

I agree with Dodds to have a look at a GPZ500 or GS500. We paid about £800 for Charlottes GPZ500 which was in good condition but needed some new tyres (the ones on it were virtually new, but were an illegal combination of a radial front and a crossply rear). The GPZ manages about 65mpg and they are quite low (probably smaller than a Superdream)

All the best

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

[McJamweasel]

How about a fireblade???
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[Scooby]

C90
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A big enough hammer fixes anything!

[McJamweasel]

Yeah, go with a CBR900!!
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[Anthony]

[McJamweasel]

Radial and cross ply are different methods of tire construction.

I think its illegal cos it can do silly things to the handling.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[Guest]

If they are rare thats probably why I cant think what one looks like! The hippy says that dropping down in engine would probably not notice as I am still in the very extra care in winter stage. I didnt realise they came in 400 that wold be nice and if they are rare then I better start to kleep an eye out now for next year!

[Guest]

Ah yes memories of my bike course! Certainly a good solid machine

[craigT19]

mrs hippy..............how about a certain red "V-raptor" ......just a thought

have you thought about going on a spending binge with Mr Hippys credit card??? you know buy your self a new bike i.e blade or summin and keep your raptor for a winter bike

regards
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Bikes owned :- 2001 nsr125, 1999 zx6r, 2006 yzf-r1, 2009 xmax 250, 2012 yzf-r1, 2015 MT-07
Current bike : - 2016 MT-10
BCF member pops. sadly missed 1945-2003

[Kickstart]

Hi

The 250 and 400 superdreams died in the early 1980s. Youngest ones would be 20 years old. The 400 has a top speed of about 105. Most I ever got out of mine was 95, but then a friend one clocked me at 105mph when I was indicating 88 so I think the speedo was a tad out.

If you buy one change the oil regularly.

If you get a late 400 (CB400NC) then they have twin disks at the front with twin pot calipers which work OK.

There was also the CB350S from the late 80's which used a more modern looking frame with a reduced capacity version of the 400 engine. There was also around 1990 the CB450 which was a bored out version of the CB400 with only mildly revised styling and which was built in Brazil

All the best

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

[Mrs_Hippy]

I do like the v raptor (when I get to ride it!!) but it is not a winter bike. We have jsut done some major money reorganisation and tecnically there is enough on the cards to go and get the speed triple but tecnically as I have paid of the acounts I am supposed to be closing them............
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[Mrs_Hippy]

Thanks Keith you really are a mind of information!!

I think after todays journey to Lee on solent (Farham) I might just look into something with a bit of faring and a couple of those fluffy hand covers that go on the bars. Would the Hippy notice if I nick his heated hand grips?!

I also had a bit of a shock on the way home in the dark and drizzle when I realised that driving just to and from work all winter has stripped me of a lot I learnt over the summer and seems to have knocked my confidence as a result.

I think a few courses are in order. I am sure the hippy wont complain at going to a race day so I can get some cornering practice!!
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[Ropehead]

Honda CB 450 twin,
my dads just picked one up for £650 mint condition 19,000 miles on a J plate ,,cant go wrong

[PsychoHippy]

Looks like a trip into Swindon may be in order on Saturday so that you can have a look at what they have and get some ideas about size etc.
I'm sure if you ask nicely I can be persuaded to come along with you

[Mrs_Hippy]

You having to be perswaded to go to a bike shop - dont make me laugh thats about as difficult as perswading me to go to a tropical fish centre!!