Going back to biking after 18 years...

Lelly · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 21 Nov 2015 Karma :

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PostPosted: 18:19 - 21 Nov 2015 Post subject: Hoping to get another bike...after 18 years of not riding
Hello,
I haven't ridden a 'bike for 18 years. The last bike I rode was an XT350 which I came off, during my first and last'off road' experience, breaking my knee and losing my nerve. (I'd ridden a variety of of smaller bikes from 175cc - 350cc for 15 or so years before that)

I'm thinking of getting a 'bike again for commuting purposes (60ish mile round trip 3 times a week involving unlit,poorly surfaced country roads, A27 dual carriageway and Brighton town centre) and am looking for something that's easy to ride, reliable, fun and cheap -ish - around £2,500.

I like the look of 'naked' bikes with a retro feel and had almost decided on the Herald/HMC 250, but then came across the Sinnis Retrostar 250 and then - through browsing the forums here - the Suzuki TU 250 Grass Tracker.
Any advice on which one to go for would be very gratefully received.
I won't be buying until the new year, and after I've done some refresher training.
Thank you...apologies for long post!
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Going back to biking...hopefully

Val · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Karma :

Hello and welcome to BCF.

I am afraid you'll find soon 250s very under powered.

Get Yamaha XSR 700:

https://www.motorbikeonly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/7YamahaXSR700-660x330.jpg
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Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

Havern · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Nov 2015 Karma :

Good solution is FZ-6N, really great bike, light and fun as well Smile

wr6133 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Dec 2013 Karma :

Bandit 600/Divvy 600, blow the large chunk of change on fuel, coke and whores/gigolos.

If you are after something lighter/smaller statured maybe a CB400 Superfour (and again change.... fuel/coke/whores)

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

trevor saxe-coburg-gotha · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

Or you could buy my W650:

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r751/trevor_machine/378ce5bc-3f85-46bc-aff6-259f86acbc0e_zpsda439cb6.jpg
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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

kawakid · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

Get some lessons, seriously forget the riding around town crap and get some advanced lessons.
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I've a twin and a 4.

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

Definatly get a 600 or bigger. You will be bored stupid with anything smaller after a few weeks.

And if you do buy smaller, do not buy Chinese. Thumbs Up

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Kal · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Karma :

A lot depends on your size and comfort. I'm a big fan of the commuter 500s - CB500S, GPZ500S

They are cheap, fun to use and have fairly low running costs

They can also put you over a ton with ease if you want to get excable.

Welcome back to two wheels.
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

FlightRisk · Spanner Monkey Joined: 08 Jul 2014 Karma :

Go at least a 500. You'll thank yourself after a few weeks / after you go on a dual carraigeway.
Decent used and Japanese rather than cheap, new and Chinese.
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Honda CB500S

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

It all depends on what you want to do with said bike or where you want to ride it and how much/often?

I've had bikes from 98cc very briefly up to 1000cc so far. I am now sometimes riding around on a 125cc bike, and when I do I'm totally loving it.

Going big for the sake of going big is simply folly in my opinion. But it might be all the 'buy bigger than 500cc' advice from members is almost all coming from those still working their way up the cc ladder to their ultimate first superbike etc.

If bike is like a Taxi/car, carry van and workhorse and a regular luggage and pillion mover, then going for a relative larger capactity would be advantageous up to a point if the journey distances, road types and budget for running costs warrents it.

Once you get into big sports tourers over 1000cc as your only do everything bike, then you better really need one or be doing decent distances to warrant them, or just have an ample budget to run the bike and not care about getting through consumables very quickly and or it costing you far more to run than a family car.