Help - I can't think of the right bike for less than 2k....

[byke95]

Hi all,

I need some help. Something for less than 2k, cheap to run, isn't full of rot, fit for short trip commuting and preferably (rarely) some light off road. It's been a while since I looked and prices seem to have rocketed.

I'm old and rather bitter, and refuse to believe 2k isn't enough! Any ideas?

I don't want to have to look at scooters

[Bhud]

Probably the wrong time of the year to be looking. Not sure.

This search filter on Ebay (sub-£2K) doesn't yield a great deal of choice right now:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=motorcycle&_sacat=0&_sop=15&rt=nc&_udhi=2000

What sort of bike are you after, and in which part of the country do you live?

London ULEZ expands (to cover a huge area which includes a lot of suburbs and bike-owning places) yet again in 2023, so if you're well away from the city and can hold off until early next year, you will probably find exactly what you want at a price you want, as people try to get rid of their bikes.

A bike that's good for commuting and some light off-road is like a holy grail to many people. Might end up having to shell out a bit more.

[BRUN]

£2k wont get you much these days, a good condition 125 maybe but not much else

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

2 - 2.5k should get you a late '90s tiger - but unless you're london it might not be local
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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

[byke95]

Thanks Gents.

I'm down on the south coast in Dorset. City / London riding won't be an issue as my riding is all local to me - I do a 15 minute commute on my FZ1 currently and want something a bit easier, lighter and with better mpg.

Off road isn't essential, I'm just drawn to that style of bike and like the idea of having the option.

[byke95]

A 125cc would be fine...but I'd assumed their prices would be inflated because of the kids wanting them.

[stinkwheel]

https://messageboard.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13477
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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.

[MarJay]

It's great at everything except off road but I'd be going for a CBR600F, or maybe even a ZX6R.
____________________
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.

[om15]

Byke95, I have an ER 5 for sale in the bikes for sale thread, also in Dorset if you are interested, genuine 2800 miles, perfect condition, full service and mot, used every Sunday for a spin, can give you details if you are interested.
____________________
Alcohol doesn't solve problems, but neither does milk

[stinkwheel]

There's a couple of van van 125s in your price range on ebay.
____________________
“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.

[A100man]

Cheap as chips chinko 250..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134160869716?

Not so cheap Jap 350 Traily..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234609654019?

Pretend you're on a Goldie..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265764166249?

Barely run-in sporty lightweight..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125399336126?

[BRUN]

[BRUN]

[A100man]

[A100man]

[BRUN]

[BRUN]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175344009991

[ThunderGuts]

[dextersaurus]

TDM850 or if you can find one for that price, a TDM900 would be ideal. Does everything you're asking for.

https://adventuremotorcycle.com/images/ARTICLES/Bikes/Yamaha-TDM850/Gallery/Yamaha-TDM850-2.jpg

I had the 900, loved it. Sounded amazing with a decent set of cans as well. Handled off road perfectly well, handled amazingly with Pilot Road 5s, and was perfectly comfy for long rides. Decent set of wide renthals made a massive difference though.

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/-/media/bikesocial/2017-october-images/buyers-guide---tdm-900/yamaha-tdm900-20022005003.ashx?h=444&w=740&la=en&hash=4B5230A022F57EB00AB310CC494CA721883CC9B0
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2002 RSV Mille | 2003 955i Tiger | 1998 CBR900RR Streetfighter | Fazer 600 hardtail chop

I was MrDunkable in a previous life. Then questioned why I was the one being dunked...

[PotatoHead202...]

Seen a fair few NC's around that price.
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Honda VFR1200F, Honda CBF500 ABS, CZ125 now CZ175

[blurredman]

2k is a lot....

Bought a bike for 100 guineas a year ago. Does 75mpg and can do anything we'd ever need out of a bike.
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S.
Current: 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (bored to 295cc) - 38k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 49k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 9k, 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 17k.

[ThunderGuts]

As it turns out, the bike I was out on yesterday suits your requirements. 150mpg, less than £2k, two figures to insure (including breakdown cover!) and repairable with a handful of spanners.

As long as you don't need to travel on motorways or fast A-roads, it'd work just fine. Honda C90. Or a more modern equivalent, Honda Wave 110.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/c90r.jpg
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TG.

[garth]

If you can make do with a 125, I have a lexmoto venom I don't want. I put it on eBay and just got messed about.

Item no. 295039905930

I'm in Hampshire and just want the fekkin thing gone.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[byke95]

Thanks Gents - your replies have been unbelievably helpful!

After going around the options a bit, I realised the off road side of things was a non-essential.

And a big shout-out to a100man as I ended up buying the Herald Classic 250. A Chinese copy of a 80s air cooled suzuki engine? What could possible go wrong (it's cheap enough to enjoy the gamble)!?

Thanks again all - helpful as always

[A100man]