Yet Another "suggest a bike" thread

[ThatDippyTwat]

I'm after a new (to me) bike. I can do it 2 ways - Either replace the commuter, and get something cheaper, but reliable. Or replace the VFR and get something to munch miles, keeping the 125 for commuting.

Happy to do brand new if it makes financial sense, as there's much less of a difference than I thought. I'm fine with Far East brands, as long as parts are available. Preferably under 4K, lower is better.

No full on "shitting frog" ergonomics. I'm too old, grumpy and broken to be teararsing around on sportsbikes now.
Decent parts availability.
Preferably around North Wales/Liverpool/Manchester.

Sensible head says go look at CBR600F's, but I want to know what's out there that I just haven't considered.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[MarJay]

Z1000SX. Plenty to choose from. Sit up and beg (although they look sporty). 2014 onwards ones will do 180 miles to a tank. 140bhp but handle nicely with decent tyres. Reliable as the rising sun, comfortable, fast, good wind protection, easy parts supply.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[RhynoCZ]

[slowside]

Fazer 1000 / FZ1?

Must say if I had the space and means I’d keep my YBR for winter misery duties so I could have something shinier for the weekends.

[ThatDippyTwat]

[Kentol750]

Ktm790 Duke. 8 weeks 2500 miles and I'm still not sure how a naked bike can do motorway speeds as quiet as a z1000sx with handling on b roads like a supermoto. It's a bloody marvel. (I know it's new, but price wise it can be had for only a grand more than a very basic big bike, and finance is very cheap!)
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Some bikes.

[linuxyeti]

Cheap situp bike, Mash 400 Roadstar, mine was excellent, was 100% reliable, good for motorways & pootling around country lanes. Decent importer 3x, dead easy to service, aside from 3x, parts are also very easy to get hold of direct from China if you prefer.
I only got rid of mine as p/x for my new Interceptor, again, a bike I fully recommend, 4000 miles now on it in a few months, just a more expensive than the Mash, and in the higher VED bracket.
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Beware what photos you upload, or link to on here, especially if you have family members on them

[stinkwheel]

I'd suggest getting a Royal Enfield Himalayan as a commuter. You'll get one for £3-3.5K

Think about that for a moment... They are doing 70mpg and are nimble, different, high enough to see over vans from, not too heavy, very easy going riding position.

Interceptors will be in your price bracket when they start being available second hand. Imagine coming out every morning and riding that to work? It would put a smile on my face and it's probably not much bigger than your 125.

A CBR600 is a sideways step from your VFR. You're also used to just winding open the throttle and something happening. The CBR probably makes more power but it is way peakier so you can't just wind on in top and overtake, you have to stir the 'box.

In fairness, a VFR750 is a bike we'll never see the likes of again. I'd keep it. The only thing I could see me replacing mine with is a Blackbird, but it's not a V4 with gear driven cams.

I can highly recommend spending some money on your VFR brakes and suspension if you haven't already. Cheapest option is that a firestorm front end fits in complete with 4-pot nissins (drops ride height slightly). You need the forks, spindle, spacers, callipers and mudguard, bolts in with the existing wheel. The springs will be wrong so respring them with linear springs appropriate to your weight.
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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.

[G]

Normal suggestion for a bike as boring as a CBR600F... GSXR1000... with some higher bars?

[MarJay]

[linuxyeti]

[bigdom86]

MT09 or Z800? I would say MT10 or Z1000SX but MT09 and Z800 will be nicer on the wallet

[G]

[MarJay]

[ThatDippyTwat]

Thanks for the input, it's appreciated. Himalayan was the front runner. However - I've decided to buy 2 bikes, one for being a tit on, and one to get me to work.

A KDX220 will allow me to be a tit without getting into banning territory. I think most of you know I have a thing for 2T supermoto's, but non-fucked 500's are way out of my price range, and I probably won't get chance to do this kind of thing again, so I bit the bullet.

I'll probably get a cheap 250/300/400 for the whopping great 4 mile commute, and replace the ratted 125 - Which looks like it already has a buyer. No idea what I'll get, but it doesn't need to set my world on fire, just reliable and cheap to run. Suggestions welcomed.

The Viffer is staying. I like the old girl. Only happy when munching miles though.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[linuxyeti]

[stinkwheel]

[Easy-X]

[stinkwheel]

A slammed and stretched super scooter.
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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.

[ThatDippyTwat]

[MarJay]

[ThatDippyTwat]

[stevo as b4]

Interesting conundrum, and I've stayed silent as each man's situation and reasoning or autism is different.
I get your KDX purchase, a good enough off road bike for anyone who isn't Graham Jarvis, and you can do the commonly done half hearted SM treatment to it with a spare set of wheels.

I'd be spending the square sum of fuck all on a 4mile work hack commuter tho, a used Lexmoto CBR replica would work for me or a chinky twist n go. No pride or fucks would be given.

The VFR is where your heart is at, and I presume you don't want to upgrade to a late 800, so I'd be spending my money on that to make it the best it can be. No shitty wannabe naked castrated GSX1000F will ever be as good a bike IMO.

I thank fuck I don't need a bike for anything now, as life is easy. I get my nostalgia trip from old two stroke 125's and all I want different in the shed is a modern silly uncomfortable supermoto 125-450cc max. Will be looking next year to see what seems best value as a new purchase.

[ThatDippyTwat]

[Easy-X]

Early morning start (will get dark in winter) I won't recommend an eBike. Better to have something that makes some noise and also has some spare power to handle heated grips or extra lights - whatever floats your boat.

4 miles... comfort really isn't an issue for that distance so how about something like the Lexmoto Tempest:

https://www.lexmoto.co.uk/models/LJ125-9A

Like a poor man's Himalayan
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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