What bike should I buy?

Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

I have just bought a 600 Bandit as my first bike, for £600! I had to spend some money on it at the garage, which was mainly new cam belt, etc. Which costs a further £480.

I got it to get me on the road and already I am starting to satisfy that itch of what bike I actually want, and what I am likely going to use it for.

Basically, my position is as follows:

1. It has more than enough power and I actually want something slower than I can be lazy with. This feels like it wants to go fast all the time and feels buzzy to me.

2. I want ABS

3. I find going anywhere above 20 miles an hour on a road where other cars may pull out scary and ruins your sense of 'freedom', I want quiet roads and something to enjoy it on and able to carrage luggage

4. I want something very light, and easy to move and push around

The closest thing I can think of is a Versys? Its a real shame the KTM 690 doesn't have ABS
.

Bezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

From a previous post:

Blau Zedong · Banned Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Karma :

olionel · Brolly Dolly Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Karma :

yeah transalp should easily cope with 2 up and power range is pretty tame. Try whacking the shock up with you and your wife on it and set your ride height.. if not good enough get a new spring for your shock. Im not sure on specs tbh don't even know if they do abs transalps. Also you sit up high and will have a nice view of the road ahead than most bikes (for the safety concious) also a KTM 690 single cylinder would lack ooomph for for two up loaded stuff and wont be very comfy on long journeys, esp for ur passenger...also don't pick the bike on whether it has ABS or not... it's weird...
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Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

rogerbourgs pasting of my post is very old, things have changed since then.... ignore it, i wont be carrying passengers, etc. I bascially want something that feels like a fast bicycle!

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Cam belt on a Bandit?

Buy a fast road bicycle then? Thinking

pedal harder?

Its an IL4, it wants revving.

ABS is overrated, never noticed the difference on a Tiger 1050.

Above 20mph is scary, moped.

Something light easy to move, moped.

Looks like you want something that doesn't exist... look at SV650s, Hyosung GT250/650

olionel · Brolly Dolly Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Karma :

an electric bicycle would be the answer I guess... Confused

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1989 CG125 - Childhood Sweetheart (she got kidnapped by baddies)
1998 ZXR400 - Teenage Love (lasted three years, then she turned lesbian and left me)
2001 XRV750 - Wife Material (still getting to know her but head over heels in love)

Okeydokey · Scooby Slapper Joined: 13 Sep 2011 Karma :

Honda SH300 seems a popular choice for your kind of spec, I'm not sure you have to be disabled or infirm to ride one but it might help Laughing

Edit:
If as you suggest you are that lazy linky here: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2010/November/nov1010-2011-honda-sh300-abs/
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Nick__C · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2008 Karma :

firefox · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Karma :

Nick__C · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2008 Karma :

Hmm doubt it.. since he shouldn't be going 120 mph along roads where cars may pull out on him ! Laughing

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Walloper · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Karma :

Any Harley Davidson will feel slow.
Oh.. But they are heavier than motorcycles are though. Dam...
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haroman666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Karma :

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

Walloper · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Karma :

ABS WORKS.
It does nothing until you need it.
It is not a substitute for good road craft.
It can be troublesome if it malfunctions (But manufacturers have about fixed that.)

I would recommend ABS on all bikes used on the road.
Last time I dropped my bike ABS would have prevented it.
Off road there's no need for it.
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Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

I think its mainly that I live in Guernsey, where there is a national 35mph speed limit!! And tiny roads, and millions of drives, all of which are completely blind and need those special mirrors to even get onto the road. Honestly everything but an electric bike does seem excessive! I suppose something lazy, I looked at the Moto Guzzi Breva, slow, sounds cool, torquey.... (no ABS though).

It rains here constantly, sometimes super heavy and I ride it in all weathers and with the apparent need for emergency stops I think ABS is a no brainer!

No way am I buying a scooter as they are gay

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Cam belt on a bandit? I call troll.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

no, I am just a philistine! I meant to say cam chain, right?

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

Billy Balthorpe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Karma :

If it were me living there, it would be a supermoto, no question, then, after i got out of prison, it would be an RS 125 Aprillia, then when they let me out again i think i would go for a 535 Virago with 6 inch T bars, that should keep my parole officer and the local constabulary happy!
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

My budget is effectively limitless as I am happy to take out a finance deal. I bought this to get myself confident so at least I can go and out test ride a load of bikes, run a hack through the winter and learn my mistakes on something cheap, etc.

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Versys with luggage and ABS.
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Billy Balthorpe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Karma :

Ive never reccomended one to anyone before but it still remains, the 535 Virago, easy to ride, slow, un-intimidating, no ABS but come on, if you are going to be riding round at less than 35mph you dont really need it, learn to read the road condtions and anticipate potential problems.
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