A commuter that wont rot

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Can anyone point out a decent winter hack, that wont rot.

My poor baby GZ is rotting, mainly due to my inexperience in not cleaning the salt off of the bike in the areas that it gets hard hit. Mainly, any framework lower down.

The underside of the bike is quite shocking! Very shocking in fact.

Ive looked at the GS500, GS500F, ER5, XJ600Div. Can anyone give some input into which is best as a year in, year out winter hack? Dont need anything flash, but Im leaning more towards the GS500F and XJ600Div as they have screens.

Im bearing in mind that I work 22 miles away, though town and very mucky country, and the screen would come in handy for keeping me someway protected.

Any thoughts guys?
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Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

White Noise · Mr Dudwee Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Karma :

i've got a divvy and think that it would make a good winter hack, and you can have some fun on it, the only thing that i would point out it the exhaust seem to be made from butter if you leave them to the salt!
WN
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Buy my wife: 96' Yam XJ600s (Diversion)
Wing Commander White Noise - SE Clique
Riding Tip #86: See God, then back off a bit: Problem is i haven't seen god yet, just a close up of tarmac on revett straight

Chriss · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 May 2005 Karma :

GS500s are notorious for rotting.
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

As I said in another thread, you might want to consider a Kawasaki GT550 (or 750 if you can find one). Cheap to buy, cheap to insure, engine should run forever (certainly 100K+ miles if oil changed regular, change cam chain <50K miles and make sure adjusted ok). Shaft drive means other maintenance is also minimum. Besides if it brakes parts from any breakers usually cost pennies.
Aftermarket fairings and heated grips are also common so some comfort in winter. Not the latest in design either (dates from the 70s) so not as desirable and so less likely to be nicked.

Another alternative, again shaft drive, is the Honda NTV650 (became the Deauville - NT650V). Find one used as a tourer and you'll get the aftermarket fairing and you're setup.

Obviously try to avoid any of the above bikes that've been used by couriers as they'll more than likely to be on their last legs.

HTH Thumbs Up

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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
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THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

I had looked at the Deuville, really taken by it, especially the thought of not having to adjust a chain every weekend. (the ammount of chain lube my hands see a month is rather high!).

I aint thought of the GT, mind you, aint seen one either... time to auto trader it.

Nice imput guys, keep it up Smile

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Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."