Best A2 Bikes

[Wighty]

Hi all,

I am planning on getting my A2 license in the early months of next year, (or whenever I can afford it) which means I will be looking at getting a bigger bike so I no longer have to plod along on my 125.

Problem is I don't really know where to start looking since my options are a bit more open than they were when I was looking at 125's (I'm a big guy so everyone directed me towards the Varadero).

So I was hoping you guys may be able to help me out a little.

Some Details:

I'm 6"5, with a fairly large "circumference"
It's hard to pinpoint a budget at the moment but I suspect it will be in the region of £1.5k perhaps stretching to £2k
The bike will be used for 80% Commuting to work (centre of Manchester, 9 miles each way) and 20% Leisure

Thanks in advance
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Big twat on a 2005 Honda Varadero 125.

[Rogerborg]

I'd be thinking of sticking with vaguely adventure-stylee bikes:

Honda Transalp or Africa Twin (although the Africa Twin seems to be edging into the "appreciating modern classic, I know what it's worth, NO TIME WASTERS" market). Surprisingly, the Varadero 1000 might be A2 compliant (depending on which power figures you believe) but they don't run cheap.

Suzuki V-Strom might be do-able in budget. Versys probably not.

Have you considered a TDM?

All of the above need restricted or "restricted" but apart from oddities like the Cagiva Canyon there aren't that many natively A2 bikes around. Even the old F650GS single claimed slightly over 35kW.
____________________
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

[Wighty]

Cheers, the TDM's look good, within budget too. I've got a few months yet thankfully so there's no rushing about, I'll have a look round a few dealers, kick a few tyres as they say.
____________________
Big twat on a 2005 Honda Varadero 125.

[Rogerborg]

At that budget, I'd be mostly looking at private sales. That said, if you're not trading anything in, you might score a winter bargain at a dealer, but you're always going to be paying their overheads.
____________________
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

[Wighty]

I'll absolutely be buying from private, but I feel the best way to have a look at some bikes is to go to a dealership. I doubt private sellers would be too happy with me checking out their bike if I currently have no intention of purchasing it.
____________________
Big twat on a 2005 Honda Varadero 125.

[Beehive Bedlam]

If you're intent on adventure style I've seen a couple of old low mileage Varadero 1000's on eBay the past few weeks within your budget.

FZS 600 is the best A2 legal bike though and the fastest.

[Rogerborg]

[Wighty]

[Rogerborg]

Given an actual (and largely mythical) 35kW "net engine power", top speed will be limited by transmission losses and aerodynamics.

"Fastest" might mean most acceleration, but that's down to torque, not power. Honda were making a big thing that the humble 35kW A2-native NC700 would actually spank a (IIRC) Hornet up to legal UK road speeds. The 35kW G650GS I tried also pulled well up to 60 or so.

Buying a revvy IL4 just to chop the top end off of it seems like a curious decision, but perhaps we're talking about "restricted" rather than restricted.
____________________
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

[Wighty]

[wr6133]

Tall adventure type thing on budget, how about a Funduro? They seem to go for cheap

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bmw-f650-funduro-/262113138112?hash=item3d072915c0:g:jYEAAOSwI-BWLjXY

[Wighty]

[Rogerborg]

Could be worse, it could be a Scarver.
____________________
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

[wr6133]

[Rogerborg]

[Wighty]

Scarver sounds miles better than Fun... *sigh* "Funduro". The Bike itself though isn't much of a looker though.

What's better about belt driven bikes?
____________________
Big twat on a 2005 Honda Varadero 125.

[wr6133]

[Rogerborg]

[talkToTheHat]

Shaft drive is made of win for commuting but its not that common on anything that isn't monstrously powerful. I think at 6'5 you'll look like a bear on a bike on an xv535. No, not that kind of bear. Unless you go with tassles and chaps.

Restrict a deuville?
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Wighty]