What bike next

[Prawny]

I’m not a Bennett’s bike social member, I need to rely on you lot.

Looks like I’m moving jobs and location, back into brum so a 40-50 mile round trip depending which way I want to go.

The meteor is a great bike for what it is, but I don’t think it’s up to this task (I think the Meteor is perfect for those that don’t need to get anywhere for a specific time)

So I’m looking around for the next one. Must haves are
1 reliable - the ER6 I had was a bag of shite, having something that has started everyday and not crapped out on the way to work has been great, I need to keep that up.

2 have a bit more poke - Meteor is not great on the motorway and no good at overtaking on the open roads

3 cheap! I’ve got to get this past the mrs, so needs to be reasonable to buy, run and insure. New bikes (won’t pass the insurance cost test with the wife so realistically would be looking at 5y/o bikes plus.

I’m pretty flexible on everything else, I’d love a big GS but it doesn’t tick the cheap box and I’ve not got a garage so it’s probably get nicked anyway. I’m more than likely putting a topbox on anything I get so nothing too pretty
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Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom

[A100man]

Budget?

How about an older Tiger or that SV based dual sport from Suzuki?
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[Prawny]

Not sure on budget. I reckon much over £5-6k will get me a stern look. Depends on how attractive she finds the bike
I’ve just seen a 2012 GS1200 near me for 6 grand 20k miles. Is that going to be the money pit I fear it would be?

There’s a 60k mile CBF1000 at my RE dealer too but I expect that’s been px’d for a reason.
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Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom

[Kentol750]

+1 for a tiger (800 xrx with heated grips and luggage). I had an xcx and rhe more road suited tyres available for the xr cast wheels would make it my choice now. Your budget would run to a 2016 lowish mileage model. Used to do a 40mile round trip commute and never had an issue.
Also versys thou or vstrom thou for ease and weather protection. Plus value!
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Some bikes.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[BRUN]

Tracer ?

[Prawny]

@FAS - you’d be surprised at the difference the age of the bike makes.

New MT07 would be about £500 a year, an er6 from 2014 is about £180 that Katana is lovely, but fails the ‘not wanting to ruin the looks of it’ test.

Will have a look at the Triumphs, and older Tracers

Any more suggestions more than welcome. I have to admit to considering a big ass scooter too but can’t face it being the only bike I’ve got.
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Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom

[stinkwheel]

A diesel Yaris.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Prawny]

[Kentol750]

Had a tracer700 for 5k miles, great engine in mt07, but I found it a bit lacking in thrills and oomph. What about z1000sx? They eat miles and aren't uncomfortable.
Early tracer 9 however would be high up on my list.
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Some bikes.

[WD Forte]

Big Scooter
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bikers smell of wee

[Polarbear]

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[MarJay]

BMW F800GT. It was the runner up for me for a similar task, and I caved and went 1000cc with my GSX-S1000F. The GSX is too much really, but the F800 seems great.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[jeffyjeff]

Seems that an RE Interceptor would meet your needs, but as a current Enfield owner, you've probably already considered that.

If you decide on the BMW, you could go with an oilhead, hexhead, camhead, or the liquid cooled boxer. The oilheads (1995-2004) are getting a little long in the tooth by now. My daily rider is a 2002 R1150R. Can't recommend any of the R1150's, your probability of getting a reliable, durable machine is down around 50%.

Of the R1200's, the Hexhead (2005-2009) or the Camhead (2010-2014) would be my platform of choice. The RnineT still uses the camhead engine to my knowledge. I would avoid any of the liquid cooled boxers, mainly because I am an old-school boomer who prefers simplicity and ease of service. The liquid cooled bikes have the alternator situated in such a way that the transmission must come off in order to service the stator. I've read too many accounts from disgruntled owners who found that out the hard way.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[Easy-X]

40~50 miles of what? If it's mostly motorway a bigger bike is the way to go. If it's more city roads then MT07 variations are fine. I do >40miles on my XSR to get into London and that just has a bit of the A3 at the start. Not the best engine for big miles although I did go to Cornwall on it.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Robby]

Going by your requirements, just about anything.

It's enough miles to seriously consider the cost of consumables, particularly tyres. So you want something that takes normal sizes and gives you the chance of getting decent pair deals.

Apart from that, very little else can be easily quantified. Fuel burn is never what it's meant to be, depends how you ride. Chains can last forever with lots of care, or no time at all if neglected. Random expensive failures can and do happen.

You will save money over time on repairs by buying something newer and better in the first place.

Get what you want, not what a stranger on the internet tells you to.

[Prawny]

Ultimately Robby had hit the nail on the head, it’s something I could do on any bike, even the meteor if I really wanted to.

I really started this thread to get some ideas that I’d either not thought of or not been aware they were a bad idea.

I think the biggest problem is what I want I either can’t afford (a newish GS) or wouldn’t be practical like a Street Triple

A big scoot probably is the answer but I can’t have 2 bikes and I don’t want just a scooter. Not yet anyway, im only 40.

Please more suggestions of cheap reliable pokey bikes that can handle the M6 and Birmingham city centre at rush hour. Ta!
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Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom

[Prawny]

Actually Marjays suggestion of an F800GT is something I’d forgotten about.

Any horror stories with these? Don’t know much about them, belt drive is a plus. Any years to avoid? Is the ST as good?
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Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Prawny]

Not a bad shout, cheap insurance too for a new bike.

Worried that it might be a bit gutless on the motorway, but then it is the M6 so can’t see it being a regular issue. Hmmm.
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Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Prawny]

Yeah just watched a couple of YouTube videos about them. Definitely on the shortlist. I’m also tempted by a less shagged er6 or z650 now I’ve got some miles under my belt and grown a pair. Would need to be older though which has pluses and minuses.
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Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom

[Easy-X]

There's also the Svartpilen 401 if you don't like orange. Essentially the same bike as a Duke 390. Looks-wise it's a bit Marmite but possibly less attractive to the toe rags.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[WD Forte]

40-50 miles round trip?
That's a shopping trip FFS, two half hour rides at legal speeds
I know delivery guys who do 4/5 times that every day on 125s
A big scoot will handle that nae bother.

Bikerz is poofs ( and smell of wee)
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bikers smell of wee