Advise me BCF!

[tzr]

Having passed my test around four months ago, I've been in two accidents. The first busted up the LHS fairings, I replaced the damaged panel with a £80 fiberglass copy. The second occured on Saturday, span the bike round 90 degrees after hitting oil exiting a roundabout. Landed on the RHS and now needs:
- New rear tyre (This was not due to the accident, but I'm down past the wear lines)
- RHS fairings are smashed
- Exhaust popped open at both ends, have put on an Ill fitting CCC replacement I'd bought on Ebay months ago.
- O/S hanger assemly (Brake lever snapped off)
- O/S clipon is bent, have bent back as straight as possible.
- Broken screen
- Cracked RHS mirror
etc etc, the usual damage from a roundabout accident.

The bike only cost me £700 in 8/10 condition, and now I'm seriously reconsidering fixing it. To add to this problem I've recently come into the sum of £1150. My only argument for keeping the FZR400 is that I'd like to accumulate 1 years NCB asap, I don't fancy loosing the 4 months I've already got.

So currently the FZR is outside with only the tank and rear fairings, no mirrors and an exhaust I've not yet had the time to seal properly. Getting the Gun Gum out this weekend.

Do I:
- Keep the FZR for the next 8 months, pretty much running it into the ground then use the £1150 + 8 months of savings to buy a nice 600.
- Repair the FZR, looking at around £500 for new fairings, paint job etc. Still selling it after 8 months.
- Get rid of the FZR, really no idea what it'd be worth in it's current condition; It's mechanically sound - produces 57.9hp. Buy a new bike over winter whilst the prices are low.

Open to any other suggestions, I may be using the bike to commute from Bath Row, Edgbaston to the University of Birmingham during the week and from Bath Row to Cannock(M6) at weekends.

I've been thinking a XT250/400 might be a laugh.

[v8will]

Get it roadworthy again and get some more miles and experience under your belt.

Would be a shame to buy a nicer bigger bike only to fall off it in 2 months time.

[tzr]

I could do that with just a couple aftermarket mirrors and a new rear tyre...
3500 miles experience so far btw.

[Greenychris]

[Skudd]

Spend some of the dosh on extra tuition.
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[G]

I'd keep it as is personally, doing what is needed to keep it running and hold bits on (gaffa tape on fairings). Have a look at part-worn tyres for the rear.
If you've got the option, I'd consider keeping this bike when you get another; this way you've got a 'backup' bike and one that you definitely won't care about getting mucky on nasty commuting days, etc.

[Flip]

Bodge it for as little money as possible. No point buying a nice bike when winter is around the corner. Keep the money, save more if you can and treat yourself in spring.

[RidersRest]

[Moonie]

'Fighter it
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[tzr]

Right thanks guys, I'm going to change the rear tyre, mirrors and screen & remove the lower fairing brackets. Saving the rest of my money towards a new bike next summer.

RE RidersRest:
I really love riding, a couple of bruises and a few hundred pounds wont put me off I spent 2 years doing downhill mountain biking which I believe has saved me from quite a few high/low sides and binning it when my rear wheel has locked up. Had a good few rides with more experienced riders too.
I think, in retrospect, it was quite a jump from having only spent the 12 hours training on a CG125 to having a full-power sports 400. Both accidents could have been avoided by a more experienced rider, hopefully including myself now.

[carlnicholson...]

Good choice IMO
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