Another first bike question!

[Yosser]

Hi all, first post here I'm doing my DAS soon and starting to think about what bike to get when I pass (I'm thinking positive! lol) I've read lots of posts on here and other sites regarding first big bikes and want to know if my thinking is right with what I've read! A lot of advice seems to be along the lines of as long as I'm sensible any bike will be as safe as the next. Well I'm 45 and not a speed freak and probably too sensible, so should be OK there. I want something that will (eventually) take 2 up for holidays, be good commuting and be a bit of fun from time to time. I've been looking particularly at the Triumph Sprint ST 955i because reviews say it has a wide power band and are a smooth ride. Is this the right sort of bike to be looking at? My budget is very low and you seem to be able to pick up older ones for £1500 and that seems a lot of bike for that sort of money! Any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated

[Pete.]

Giz a job!
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[JP7]

Welcome.

Based on your criteria the Sprint is a pretty good choice, it's a good all-rounder. A Honda VFR is also worth a look.

[Yosser]

[Yosser]

[JP7]

Yes, sorry, I should have specified. You can't really go wrong with a VFR800... but I am a very happy Triumph owner so equally the Sprint is an excellent choice!

[Yosser]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

I think unless you're prepared to do a bit yourself, 1.5k won't buy a decent vfr8. It will tend to be high miles w/ suspect plastics and one or two other issues. Don't get me wrong, they're honda so will be good for a fair few thou on the clocks. But they're expensive bikes new and have depreciated right down to end up at one and a half grand. If you fancy a fettle, fine go for it. But for that money I'd be getting the spanners and faring filler ready. Personally I'd be budgeting for 2-2.5k on a vfr800.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Papa Lazarou]

As said, the VFR is a great bike and not dissimilar to the Sprint.

Me, I'd go pre-Vtec. The best VFR in my view was the VFR750FM.

These can be had for little money-I've just sold my fully sorted VFR750FL for £1000. The engines tend to be reliable. The outer gearbox goes and is a fiddly fix. Like all V4s the choke cables can stick on if not regularly oiled-that's a bit of pain but doable, as you have to removed the carb inbtakes and airbox to get to them. Otherwise, it's the usual-fork seals, etc etc.

[MCN]

Personal Stats:
I dropped two Sprints.

Not dropped a bike since I stopped riding Sprints.

I found Triumph very expensive for spares and spares were few and far between (UK BIKE ) compared to other bikes I owned. BMW, Yamaha, Kawasaki.

Stick to Jap as there are no surprises with them.

I'd let you know my Trumpet History for a PM.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[adam277]

I'd say a Beemer but finding one in your price range that isn't fucked is going to be hard. Also I am biased.

Honda Deauville maybe?
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[Yosser]

Thanks for all the insight, lots to think about! I don't mind getting the spanners out and a less than perfect fairing doesn't bother me, if I drop it, it's not the end of the world and from all accounts it's likely I will as a newbie! I'm going to be buying over winter so maybe be able to pick up something decent when the prices are lower

[Val]

Yamaha Fazer FZS 600 Foxeye 2002-2003. The best all around bike you can get for £1500 at the moment.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x75G5Pclea4/TcaNQsCi1iI/AAAAAAAACg8/3m0CJFH8vMs/s1600/yamaha+FZS+600+%252829%2529.jpg
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Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[Yosser]

[Val]

[gonzo1]

For two up touring with luggage I would look at something bigger than a 600.You can quote horse power figures all day but it's all about the torque when touring and a lot of 600's make their power at high revs which is no good for long distance two up riding with a loaded bike.
You want power at the start of the rev range and a nice spread from then onwards,this will make relaxed touring a much easier and pleasent experience.

[Yosser]

[Thorn]

[Matt B]

[Ste]

93.7bhp according to Yamaha.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=289785

[Papa Lazarou]

Me, I've never had any problems with Hinckley Triumphs. The early ones (to 1998) are heavily over-engineered. That said, check the sprag clutch on the starter for these early bikes has been done-they had a nasty habit of going at 25000 and it's an engine split to fix. Everone I know who has had a Sprnit has had no troubles.

Now, Meriden Triumphs on the other hand....

[Thorn]

[gonzo1]

[Val]

[Papa Lazarou]

I'd disagree about Triumph quality-it's better than Japanese, even though quality has gone down a bit recently. The older ones especially are extremely well made.

A Sprint would fit the bill fine. You'd be able to get a very clean early Trophy 900 for around £700. I'd avoid the MK2 Trophies, as although they are fine tourers, they weigh a ton-but can be had for around £1500.

The Fazer or any of its relations is a fine do-it-all bike. The VFR is a better machine.

It might be a good idea to go middle weight: Versys, V Strom, F800. Or consider a 1200 Bandit (finish will be dreadful but good mechanically) or SV650s.