A2 "forever bike"?

[CorriganJ]

If you had to keep one A2 compliant bike for ever as a second bike, what would it be?

I'm about to get my A2 license which I will be stuck on for 2 years. I want to make the bike "mine" and customise it a bit which will ruin the resale value, so I want to keep the bike even after I get my full license. So, what would make a fun "second" bike?

I'm considering either DRZ400 so that I always have a fun adventure bike for some light offroading, or, a CB400f so that I have a fun cafe racer (hence why it would be a second bike). Obviously one day I will want a big bike (Tiger 800 looks appealing. Comfortable, powerful, pratical) but they say its more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. So... yeah... what A2 bike would you have most fun on?
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1991 RD04

[arry]

As an all rounder - honestly, I'd have the Interceptor 650. Rode one out in the mountains of Andalusia and just felt instantly at home on it. Couldn't see an issue with it being a Sunday morning toy - especially when cheaper upgraded suspension becomes available - and I'd happily go tour somewhere on it, too.

It's cheap, good to look at, has a bit of soul and would do the job I need it for.

Whether it'd rot out or fall to bits underneath me, who knows.

[ThunderGuts]

Yep, as above, or an A2 Street Twin. They're lovely out of the factory, but with a decat, flyscreen and a few other tweaks they're bloody gorgeous.
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TG.

[arry]

[ThunderGuts]

Haven't rode the RE (although I imagine it's similar), but with the ST it's capacity and torque means you don't really feel like it ever lacks power either; burbling away from idle offers plenty of punch and actually in real world riding is far more flexible than a lot of more powerful machines (my old Street Twin, which wasn't the A2 but was the pre-facelift with 54bhp so not much over) would probably show a clean set of heels to my VFR on a roll-on of power when cruising about; different story once the revs climb of course.
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TG.

[bacon]

[Easy-X]

Yes, consider something restricted down to A2 which you can then convert back to A later. Congratulations! Your list is now over half the bikes in existence
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[MarJay]

Aprilia RS660, it's almost too easy an answer to the question.
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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.

[Polarbear]

The new Triumph Trident. Obviously I've never owned one bit I've owned 5 Triumph triples and love the engines.

I reckon it would be better than a restricted Striple simply because Triumph have designed the A2 limitations into it rather than it being an afterthought.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Robby]

Assuming A2 is the 47hp licence, it would be either a Triumph street twin, Guzzi V7, Enfield interceptor or Harley 883.

Their styling isn't going to get old(er), the power is enough for the chassis so they don't feel slow, and there are enough performance/tuning/styling parts available to get it how I want it.

Remember that for me, "forever" in bike terms means about 3 years.

[MarJay]

If it's a forever bike, you want it to be 94bhp and restricted so you can derestrict it later. Hence Aprilia RS660. Fast enough, lightweight, not too uncomfortable, practical, good handling, good looking. Shame it's £10k but most people buy new on PCP these days so it doesn't matter too much.
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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.

[Bhud]

For me it would have to be a bike with a simple and reliable engine with no real weaknesses, with reasonably good quality parts. Unmistakeable 80s looks would be a big plus. Narrow enough to filter to get to the nice places to ride (B-roads), and providing a decent level of melodrama (sound and vibration) to keep it interesting, raw and bike-like over a long period of time, without it being so crude it's annoying or tiring. I'm not restricted to A2 but if I were, I would probably have something along the lines of the late 80s CB350SG.

[Freddyfruitba...]

[JustinW]

Honda CB500x is a great bike. Comfortable, economical, reliable, good looking, well priced.

[reavsie]

+1 to the CB500X.

I would happily have another one of these as a forever bike. Never needed anything more than a 500 myself as they do everything I want.

Probably makes me a boring old git.
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Previously: GP100U, GP100U, RD200, GT380, GSX400, CX500, VT500, VT500, GS500, R80/RT, ER5, CB500, ER5, CB500, ER5, CB500X
Now: RE Himalayan

[DUCAUDI]

[struan80]

A Grey import 400. Best to get one while you can as the prices are going up absurdly at the moment. You won't lose any value on your investment.

Actually, are you allowed to even use an 4cyclinedr 400 with an A2 license?

4 cylinder screaming CBR400 Babyblade, better fun than modern bikes I would think.

[stinkwheel]

I'll just keep my 612 Enfield Bullet thanks.

if I was buying new, I'd give serious consideration to one of their new interceptors.
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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.

[Ayrton]

DRZ400 seems like a good choice. It's different enough from most road bikes to justify keeping as a second bike for when you want to go off road and I've seen a lot of people say they like them so much that's exactly what they do.

[ThunderGuts]

A forever bike for me (which I don't think actually exists in my case) would need to be something I'd never get tired of looking at or riding. CB500X . . . yes it's a great commuter and practical bike, but when I rode it I found it a bit soulless. It wasn't that it wasn't powerful enough, didn't handle well enough or wasn't comfy enough - it just was a bit uninteresting. For me, at least - all these things are subjective.
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TG.

[Easy-X]

[ThunderGuts]

[MarJay]

[ThunderGuts]

[quote="MarJay"]

[Keithy]