Most reliable first 'big' bike?

[Derivative]

Okay, so I've been looking around for my first big bike as I want to have something waiting on the drive when (if?) I get my license. I'll be doing DAS, so unrestricted, but looking for something that's <60bhp or so.

Initially I thought a bit about getting an SV or Hornet, but I've had a think about it and really, I'd rather get something a bit ratty and a bit less powerful, then think about spending a bit more (say £2-3k) on a shiny example once I'm less worried about dropping the damn thing.

Price range is £1000ish.
Top priorities for me are as follows:

1. reliable and cheap/easy to maintain - no FI, no ABS, etc (not that I'm likely to get them in my price range).

2. decent for motorway riding, reasonable stance and fuel efficient when cruising, I'll be doing a fair few 200+ mile journeys annually and hopefully going touring a bit

3. minor one, but I'd prefer something that's not ridiculously heavy, my garden is on an incline and grassy, to be honest I'm not sure how I'm going to manage with the side stand

So far I'm looking at the commuters, GPZ500, CB500, ER-5, GS500 etc.
I want to know if there are any others that I might have missed out, or anyone's experiences with the above. As it stands if I could choose I'd probably get the GPZ, but I reckon it'll come down to what's available when I come to buy.

(As a side note, if anyone is selling something suitable, I'm looking to have something sorted in about 5 weeks time - happy to put down a reasonable deposit now, or arrange delivery before then, I just won't be able to ride it myself).

[U_W v2.0]

bike: no idea

side stand: you may benefit from buying something like 10 paving slabs, some 1/2" x 3" (by whatever length but a good 15ft in total) and some sand.

make a rectangle the length of 5 slabs and as wide as 2. and drive them a couple of inches into the ground.

insert sand

lay paving slabs.

level the edges.

nice non grassy area to store your bike.
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BCF's biggest cunt list: Cansa, Pits, Rob

[Derivative]

[ninja_butler]

I agree with Reeve, get some paving slabs. It's a chore laying the sand and getting it properly level (not as easy as it looks! you might want to use a couple of planks to check for shallow spots) but once it's done you've got a proper hard-standing area.

[temeluchus]

[CaNsA]

Cbr600f 1994-1996

[U_W v2.0]

as a thought, how rich are you?

also, im assuming theres a path around the house into the back yard?

if so, why not hire a mini digger (you know, tinker toy ones used on road works lol) and dig out a level area and board up the sides (or concrete them) lay some concrete in the bottom and have yourself a dedicated bike area thats dug into the soil?

this would also allow you to install one of those "dig in" ground anchors at the same time.

i spose a picture of ur garden would open up alot more suggestions.

(i used to be a landscape gardener and i will agree, leveling paving slabs is a bitch, but still easier than brick work lol)
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BCF's biggest cunt list: Cansa, Pits, Rob

[Rogerborg]

Honda Deauville ticks most of them except the price. They hold their value very well.

I've got no complaints so far about my GPZ, except for the daft balancer pipe being eaten by the rust moths (they all do that). Also, you'll likely want a taller screen for motorway work.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Cheeseybeaner]

[Amreet]

Ntv650/ 600 revere

All the positives of bikes like the CB500 and GPz but shaft drive, at least 60mpg, easy to restrict and will sit well over nsl all day long.

[G]

At this price point it's not really worth looking for a 'reliable model', I'd say.

You need to find a bike in good condition that's been looked after well.

BMWs are an obvious example of 'reliable' bikes, but when you get to £1k, you'll often find they're really high miles and may well have more issues than a sportier less-reliable bike.
High miles on shaft drive bikes can lead to expensive repairs of the rear geary bits.

Something like the GPZ500s seems a good start.
I'd be keeping an eye out for 'good deals' rather than being focused on one model. If you've got time and money you've got the best chance of snapping up a good deal when one comes up.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[doggone]

If you're considering this as a temporary step to gain more experience the more mainstream bikes like SV and Hornet will be easier to sell on.
You could even lose nothing especially starting with one that looks rough and doing a bit of work on it.

Slightly off-beat bikes are OK if you really like it and plan to keep a while.

[.Chris.]

The Kawk GT550 is a great bike for the motorway - 60mpg on a run, huge tank (220+ mile range), shaft drive, big comfy seat. For £1000 you could easily get one in nice nick, probably with enough left over to buy a spares bike, if you're mechanically minded. Only problem is they're heavy, old, dated, can suffer from carb trouble, and are just generally a bit boring! Very workmanlike, but not really a bike to light one's fires.

Personally I'd go for one of the 500s already mentioned. The Hornet is nice, but is thirsty and has a poorish tank range, which might become annoying if you want to tour.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Alpha-9]

SV and hornet seem to be the popular choice

Hornet is probably gonna be mine when I get there
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Fzr-600 1999

[MG]

My CB5 seems just like what you're looking for
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'03 Honda Cityfly 125 > '02 Honda CB500S > '98 Honda CBR600F

[arry]

[Cheeseybeaner]

[arry]

[Slacker24seve...]

The only things that went wrong with my Hornet were caused by me crashing it, and it crashed very well. It's fun, versatile, incredibly easy to work on and you could pick up a good high miler or a tatty low miler for your money.

Recommended, provided you can live with the tank range and thirst - ride conservatively and you might get 120 miles before reserve.
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[Cheeseybeaner]

[donniemateno]

CB500 i bought for £500 has been uber reliable
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Current bike: Honda CBR 600 F3
Previous bikes: Honda XR 125L5 , BMW 800 ST, Honda CB500

[map]

[mooserx]

CBR 1000F, ticks the boxes, I know lots of folks say sub 1000cc for your first big bike but they are awesome albeit a little on the heavy side, parts are plentiful and cheap, go like stink, cheaper to insure than modern thous, and will go on forever. But then again I've had 2 of em and am a bit of a fanboy for the old barges.
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TL1000r-handful.

[sidewinder]

yamaha diversion 600. Mine has been 100% reliable in the 14mnth iv'e had it fits what your asking as well