David Dickinson with wheels!

[secretagentmo...]

A friend of ours is currently running round on a fleet bike, paying £5 a day for a 110cc twist and go Honda. Now the chap is 6 ft 5 and 25 stone> Ever seen a Gorilla on a kid's bicycle? Consequently he is fed up with being a) skint and b) looking like a circus act. He decided to go for a geared bike.

Shopping around he found a Chinese city bike (sort of crosser style but not for off road), a Zontes Monster that fits his mahoosive bulk quite well. Reading up we found that owners did seem to like them and that with care, they can last. This one was 4 years old.

We went to see this one, started out at £500 before we set off. Then the bloke said there was a problem with power. So reduced to £200, it was a 95 mile trip down to see it, it looked reasonable, apart from the standard Chinese flute exhaust. It had over a month's MOT left and riding it away (I know I am mad, but he could not afford to hire a van, it was taxed and MOT'd, he paid for a new MOT whilst we were there and I have ride any bark third party on my insurance) I discovered the back brake was purely for decoration!

The engine proved willing and able for the first 20 miles, then the kangaroo act started, stopped when I changed from main to reserve on the tank. For some unknown reason whatever the problem was cleared and it ran the other 70 miles like a good un. The A134 from Essex to Norfolk has some challenging hills and the little beast acquitted itself admirably. We got it back and have started the rebuild. Some unusual things presented themselves, like the airbox was not connected to the connector or the carburettor...

Well the opportunity for the other half to get a 125 cropped up. She wants to learn to ride so needs one for a few months to learn on. A 4 year old Zontes Monster near us, over 10,000 miles, been down the road on it's side, bent brake lever, scratched chrome heat shield, 12 months MOT and £750. We said no.

She looked online and found one for sale in Norwich, 1 year old, less than 1200 miles, top box, full (ie only) service history, both keys, all paperwork, £400 open to offers. We went to see it. It was like David Dickinson, orange!, superb condition. She asked him how much was the lowest he would take £300 he said. She made like a pigeon and left a small deposit.

Well did a 83600 check, no outstanding finance, no write off. Why so cheap? The local Honda dealer offered him more off the bike he wanted with no trade in than with a trade in! So he basically he wanted the balance to what he thought the bike was worth. Hey we ain't there to disappoint. The original and only registered owner was in his 50s, so the bike has not been trashed, problem is the engine is still tight!

We paid £300 for a bike that does not need an MOT for two years, runs, goes and stops!

[Rogerborg]

[Evil Hans]

True, there are bargains to be had. I got my AJS (OK, Jianshe) for £700 - in "as new" condition with only 300km on the clock. The original owner just kept it strapped to the back of his camper and hardly ever used it. Then bought a proper bike and wanted rid ASAP.

[secretagentmo...]

[Rogerborg]

Which is worse, your bark or your bike?
____________________
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

[MahatmaAndhi]

I have my Zontes Monster for sale right now for £750. Honestly, I'd take anything over £600. But no less.
Sounds like you got a good deal.

[carpe_diem]

That's a nice looking bike. Good luck with the sale.