Thoughs on older bikes.

[fra-zzr]

After coming of my zzr i'm done with sport-bikes. Thinking of getting a smaller bike for some light weekend touring, pottering about and just for my much needed bike fix. Been looking at anything from cg's to bmw r100's ( small? ).

Would love a little bike with a bit of character, seen a couple of mz's/jawas fairly cheap around here which would be great, but i wonder how easy it would be to get parts for these bikes?

If anyone with experience on these bikes could advise that'd be great

thanks

example:
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270452097700&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_924
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04' Hyosung Comet Gt125
96' zzr600

[ToGGoT]

Brother has an R100GS. Big heavy, but torquey bike. Great feel sat at lights, and good road presence.

However, parts are expensive, though available, and the charging system is the weak point.

Tip though, if you do get one, and arent going to Dakar, put road tyes on it - bro has 70/30 road/muds on his, and the handling is poor (Though he wont admit it!)

We've currently got charging system issues with his - the light comes on after the system heats up, and he revs past 3k. We've replaced the rotor(Twice), brushes, regulator, diode board, and cleaned the loom with no change. So its stator, or wiring - and diagnosis is not a fun chore!lol!

ToGGoT
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2005 BMW R1150R

[stirlinggaz]

hi,
i havnt seen one of them for ages!
used to own one, just after leaving school. (was actually my 2nd bike, 1st was something called a simson, iirc)
from what im led to beleive theres an abundance of spare parts for these bikes, seeing as they last for years.
i still remember my mates giggling when i bought it.
i was the one giggling when their bikes broke & mines kept on going!
cheers,
GAZ

[MarJay]

I've got an MZ ETZ 301 Saxon Fun, and it is actually good fun. I'm not sure I'd want to go touring on it but for getting to work its quite nice. Parts are available from Germany and are pretty damn cheap, but you do have to get them shipped from Germany.

I have also got a Yamaha RD350YPVS which is of 1986 vintage, and its a great little bike. It handles surprisingly well, and has a fair bit of power (unlike the MZ which is pretty slow). I reckon that as long as you choose a decent older bike you can get bikes which are just as good for most peoples day to day riding as any modern bike. Obviously there will be areas that need attention like bearings, seals, and pistons and rings on two strokes, but once you've done that stuff, there are a lot of old bikes which can give current bikes a run for their money.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[bikedemon99]

Little bikes are in my opinion great fun verses bigger bikes for tons of reasons, some great little bikes knocking about such as cb250's, cheap to run and parts everywhere, personally Ive got a cd250 because its really cheap to run ( up to 90mpg ) and maintain with great fun factor, Ive had a shit load of big bikes in the past and there great for motorway distance runs but crap for in town and taking that short cut down the mud track if you know what I mean.
Depends what your looking for really, sensible bike BMW but still f**king heavy, good luck and let us see what ever you get.
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Ride safe

[craigs23]

Does anyone know that I started riding a CG instead of a CBR and actually enjoyed it?

Bizarre, I know.

[G]

Depends the touring you want to do, really.
I'd suggest a trail bike of some kind - but half 'cos I'm into the muddy stuff at the moment .
I had a R100, it had 'character', but not the good kind (if there is a good kind). Much preferred the TRX850 I had, which along with an SV I considered comparable for various reasons.

[Flip]

[P.addy]

trade zzr for gs500
i find the GS well comfy and easy to potter around on.

Stay away from an MZ 150.. the manual actually states the top speed as 62.5mph with the engine running at peak with your head on the tank.. laughed, but its ACTUALLY there.

Im not too great with older bikes, but the currents, like the cbf125...but you kinda have to be a midget.
Hyosung GT125/250, or the GT125R/250R could be nice?

[fra-zzr]

cheers for the tip on the mz. As for the hyosung had an 04 gt125 and it was nightmare, wouldnt really have another, and i want an oldy

think ill just keep my eye on the local gumtree


thanks for all the advice
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04' Hyosung Comet Gt125
96' zzr600

[stinkwheel]

Old Eastern block 2-strokes are rewarding in an odd kind of way. They are just so basic that you feel pleased with yourself for going somewhere on one.

I will say, having had a few, that I would go for an MZ over a Jawa. I've had Jawas for a long time and I'm fast falling out with my current one due to its pig headed and unreasonable refusal to run properly. The MZs are better made altogether.

Parts are readily available. They do require a constant feed of low-level tinkering to keep them running right but it's kind of fun and invariably easy. I can have a Jawa engine out of the frame, stripped to the crank, re-assembled and back in the bike in about 6 hours without reference to a manual these days.

EDIT: Another suggestion, what about a big heavy behemoth of a late 70's aircooled 4-stroke? Something like a GS series Suzuki or a Kawasaki Z or a CB750? People always seem to get a lot of fun out of riding them, probably because they don't have the latest razor sharp handling and brakes, run on odball tyres and take a bit of concentration to keep them on the straight and narrow.
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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.

[fra-zzr]

cheers stickwheel, was hoping for your input really

definetly been considering the old gs and theres a lovely z1000 round these parts. Thing is the simplicity of a single really appeals to me, and im trying to get away from the power too. At 21 i still cant really trust myself to hold back, which was the problem with the zzr600, sports tourer it may be but it would shift:roll:
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04' Hyosung Comet Gt125
96' zzr600

[stinkwheel]

What about an SRX600 or an XBR500 (or a GB500, very sexy but they're like rocking horse poo).

All nimble wee single cylinder road bikes. Nothing too intimidating but good fun to ride.

Just a warning though, the SRX in particular is a tiny little motorcycle. I always fancied one until I saw it in the flesh and realised it would disappear up the crack of my arse while rattling my knees with the handlebars if I sat on it.

EDIT: Or an MZ Skorpion. A road bike based round a Yamaha XTZ660 motor.
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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.

[fra-zzr]

thanks. hadnt considered either of those.

anyone with experience of a cx500?
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04' Hyosung Comet Gt125
96' zzr600

[temeluchus]

Slow but charming.

Avoid the 650, they apparently blow their big ends regularly.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Stelmer]

I have a love-hate relationship with my GSX550.

Always tinkering with it in some way or another. Never ending but that's the fun of it. In my mind it makes a more rewarding ride once I get out on it.

I remind myself that i've never seen another one out and about, which is even more of an incentive to keep it running and it's still not finished....

Ebay, Wemoto, Sickpup and CMS are your best friends when after spares. Half my bike came from them all....

[Cptn. Awesome]

[bikedemon99]

[panrider_uk]

[Mender]

I had much the same dilemma brought on by the quack telling me my knee was knackered and I need a new one. So I've sold the SV1000 and the CBR600 and bought a £500 XBR500. What a revelation, comfortable, accelerates pretty good, corners brilliantly does over 200miles before reserve is needed and still gets my 15stone easily up to 90mph. The book says 110mph! but it is 24 years old! I use it all the time, commuting to work, nipping to the shops Sunday morning country lanes(suprises the big boys sometimes) and always gets admiring glances wherever I park it.
It fits the bill of a small light and relatively powerful little runaround.