New Bike Recommendations

[Scootaloo]

Hello

Looking for a bike full of character and with a different/interesting power delivery, age range of 1985 - 2006.

I have only experienced 4 strokes: 500cc Parallel Twin and 400cc In-Line 4 and 125cc single

Bikes I know of and am Interested in (comments welcome):
- XBR500cc Single with Twin Valves
- VFR400cc V-4
- NSR125cc/250cc 2 Stroke Single/Twin

Would Ideally like to remain under the 500cc bracket as insurance takes a huge leap for anything above that usually...

Guessgestions?

Cheers
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(CBF125 - 09) (CBF125 - 11) (CB-1 - 89) (CBF500 - 06) (Push Bike) (CB-1 - 90) (XL125 - 01) (VF500 - 83) (GPZ500 - 94) (GPZ500 - 95) (GPZ500 - 87) (XV535 - 94) (XV535 - 94) (GPZ500 - 87)

[_Iain_]

I know I'm biased & providing the steriotypical BCF answer of "I have x bike, you should buy one", but give a little thought for the KTM Duke II.

https://www.fastanddust.com/images/ktm-duke-ii-4.jpg

625cc single despite being marketed as a 640, 54bhp.

Very punchy little motor, not all that quick top end (90-100ish absolute max), superb brakes/lights. 100ish miles to a tank before reserve. Handles exceptionally well, unique styling & it's definately got character. Low top speed means you're unlikely to get mass speeding tickets, however the grunty single makes the twisty backlanes a proper giggle.

Seem to sell anywhere between £1800 & £3000 & it's actually cheaper to insure than any other bike I've owned at just under £140 a year. Plenty of used parts availible (Complete replacement of all panels with used ones ought to cost between £150 & £200)

Have seen them modified into kitten killing ASBO machines;

https://www.almamotor.hu/uploads/ktm_duke690_black_label_3.jpg

And used as everyday commuter hacks;

https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w207/rickelsky/KTMpics008.jpg

Seems a lot of bike for the money if you can pick one up at the bottom end of the market. Plenty of low mileage examples about & crash damage isn't to be feared due to the slim cost of repairs.

Other thoughts,

Don't buy a GS500 or a Bandit 600.

The XBR500 reminds me of a 250 Superdream, that's not a good thing!

The VFR400 is a bike I've always quite fancied

A 250 2t would make an excellent toy but I wouldn't fancy it as a daily.
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[wr6133]

VFR 400 was on my wishlist till I rode one. Awesome but unless you are a midget you will find it hard going as the thing is seriously cramped. Also first gear is a little odd (too tall?) makes stop go traffic a bit of a pain.

Insurance is not solely based on CC, the type of bike and other things matter. A 600cc commuter will probably cost you less than a 400 Super sports.

[nowhere.elysium]

[Scootaloo]

Oh

Well to help with suggestions, its not a type of bike I'm after, its a different bike... hence my suggestions are all completely different style of engines to the currently used.

I.E I would not have considered a Bandit or a GS because the GS is a 500 Twin (Just like the CBF500 I have owned) and the Bandit is an In-Line 600 (like the CB-1 I currently owned) I know this is a bit engine racist but I imagine the power delivery is some-what similar due to the arrangement of the cylinders.

The KTM looks nice, but unfortunately that is a bit large CC right now and also my friend is a KTM nut and if I bought one I expect I would never live it down!

I think something with a lot of torque like an XBR500 would be fun rather then the revvy scream of the IL4... although the 2 stroke would be an amazing toy although completely impractical in every aspect.
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(CBF125 - 09) (CBF125 - 11) (CB-1 - 89) (CBF500 - 06) (Push Bike) (CB-1 - 90) (XL125 - 01) (VF500 - 83) (GPZ500 - 94) (GPZ500 - 95) (GPZ500 - 87) (XV535 - 94) (XV535 - 94) (GPZ500 - 87)

[wr6133]