Recommend some classic, retro or otherwise awesome looking..

[s44678]

... bikes that can be bought for between £1-2k, are still fairly reliable (if old) and relatively easy / cost-effective to maintain.

Oh yeah, around 500cc (or similar BHP) as this is a first 'big-bike'.

Not too much to ask is it




This is for my neighbour. Previous bikes we have looked at (so you can evaluate his tastes)

The bonneville remake:
https://www.8towns.com/Img/triumph_bonneville.jpg

The W650:
https://www.yokohama-city.com/mc/impre/fo_bike/w650.jpg

The CBX550 (also the fully faired one):
https://www.cornwallclassicmotorcycleclub.com/elements/Photos/1982%20Honda%20CBX%20550.png


Any help appreciated

[Kickstart]

Hi

Plenty of choice at that level. From Bandits (600 and 1200), Zephyrs (550, 750 and 1100), XBR500, SRX600, etc.

There is a big difference between a modern Bonneville, a newish bike styled to look like a 1960s bike, and an early 1980s sports Honda.

All the best

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

[G]

I'd go for a TRX850, though not quite the same kind of look you're displaying.

[Thom]

Yamaha xj600 Pre-diversion.

https://www.bikez.com/pictures/yamaha/1988/12862_0_1_2_xj%20600_Submitted%20by%20anonymous%20user..jpg

Lovely bikes, quite quick, plenty of spares kicking about, low maintenance... seems ideal.

and they have a nice classic look which is growing on me
____________________
Current Bike: 1996 Yamaha TRX850 (The Japanese-Ducati One).
Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

[MarJay]

I'd be surprised if you could find a Hinkley Bonnie for less than £2k.

Have you tried looking for a Thunderbird?
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[The Original Muzza]

Royal Enfield 500?
Saw an old well-restored one for about 1,300 up my way. May have been a 350 but that would still be win.
____________________
Current Bikes: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (2020)
Former Bikes: Honda MSX125 (2014), BMW Funduro (1996), Honda VT500 (1983), Yamaha FZR250 (1989), Suzuki GZ125 Marauder(2005),:Triumph TT600 (2002) (stolen)
From then on, I and the bicycle feelings deeper.

[Handsome]

Zephyr 550, loved mine, wish I'd have kept it...

Meets all the requirements you listed...
____________________
Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[Mudskipper]

GT750

https://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/suzuki-history/1976/1976_GT750A_450.jpg

edit: oops, missed the '500cc' bit.

Erm, ok, GT380

https://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/suzuki-history/1974/1974_GT380_silver_530.jpg
____________________
CBR125|||GSXR400|||CBR400|||CBR400|||CB250RS|||GSXR750|||CB250RS
"You're clumsy, you eat too much and you behave like a 12 year old boy. But you know what? Every once in a while, you find a thumb."

[R6jonny]

[Handsome]

[The Original Muzza]

[J D]

There is a gt750 sitting in my uncles garage if i remember