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Motorbike suggestions

My understanding has always been that if you were going to get a genuinely old bike and hope to use it every day, you were best off getting a Honda.
 
Maurice Picarda said:
I thought about this recently and decided that a Honda CB500 made the most sense. Cheap, reliable commuter bikes. But Mrs Picarda put her foot down and said they were dangerous and nasty and I wasn't allowed one.
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Similar with Ms Cat.

I told her to fuck off, and now I'm out of hospital and can nearly eat without a straw.
 
Cid said:
1983HondaGoldwingInterstateTrike-VicV.jpg
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Just imagine having one of those in London... the annoyance to other bike bay users... the pointlessness of trying to filter up the Walworth Road... Just what I need for popping up to John Lewis for a ball of wool. Still, at least I could get my shopping into it.
 
How about this?

motoguzziv7classic.jpg


Shaft drive, doesnt have the reliability issues and crap build quality that older Guzzis have, and looks very pretty indeed. Probably a bit expensive though.
 
I'm bumping this thread because my mechanic advised me today that I needed to either invest some money into sorting out my current bike or get a new one in the next few months, and the latter seems like the sensible option.

More suggestions welcome... I've probably got a bit more flex in the budget than when I started the thread but am not really looking to spend more than a grand if poss.
 
Ruby, sadly the CB500 type of classic Jap machine will have appreciated value way out of your budget. Jap classics in the last few years have risen in value better than cash in the bank.

A Honda CB250 is a nice ride in town and outside town. Really cheap to run and fun.

If it wasn't for your horsepower limit I'd go for the BMW K75 or K100, RT spec if possible, and can be found for a grand and a bit. Aprilia's trailie the Pegaso or BMW F650 is worth a look though, imo not as nice looking as the K BMW's, or the Kawa W650.

Best place to buy is classic bike magazines, or specialist on line forums for whichever marque you fancy. Classic BMWs are well represented online.
 
RubyToogood said:
I'm bumping this thread because my mechanic advised me today that I needed to either invest some money into sorting out my current bike or get a new one in the next few months, and the latter seems like the sensible option.

More suggestions welcome... I've probably got a bit more flex in the budget than when I started the thread but am not really looking to spend more than a grand if poss.
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With only 1k your best bet is to get another less fucked SR125 (if I remember correctly) and use your old one for parts. There's a tidy one on autotrader with 20k miles for 800 quid.
 
was just about to mention the SR

i learnt on one many many yeras ago and they can take an awful lot of punishment


ets

though why anyone would hate themselves so much as to limit themselves to a 125 is beyond me :D
 
DownwardDog said:
With only 1k your best bet is to get another less fucked SR125 (if I remember correctly) and use your old one for parts. There's a tidy one on autotrader with 20k miles for 800 quid.
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It isn't. The current bike is perfectly repairable if I wanted to go down that path, it would just cost me. I should be able to get about £400 for it when selling. Mechanic has offered me one of his old loan bikes, a Honda CB500, for £800 plus £200 to restrict it. I'd just rather spend my money on something I actually like.

I could really tighten my belt and go higher if I had to I suppose but I'm convinved it's perfectly possible to get a decent bike for around a grand.

Something like this I could live with: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-CB-400-...iewItem&pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item255a354467 (would presumably need restricting though).
 
And actually the other thing that I should consider is whether in fact I would be better off getting a big scooter, one with lots of storage space. Yes it goes against the grain, but it wouldn't half be practical. I know nothing about these though.
 
The search is over: http://www.gumtree.com/london/93/62410293.html

But seriously (unfortunately)...This is getting ridiculous. I really need to crack on and get something. Have so far seen ONE bike I liked the look of and it was a pile of junk when seen in the flesh. The budget is ever-expanding but I still just don't really know what I want and can't find it if I did. Ebay and gumtree are getting me nowhere, I need to tour the bike shops of London or something.
 
Have you been to somewhere big, like a George White's, just to have a look around and get an idea of styles/prices?

Lovely Guzzi, but you'd be buying WORK.
 
Well yes (re the Guzzi). George White's is a good suggestion, I didn't know about them. What's the Shoreditch one like? I'm not really going to go to Slough or Swindon.
 
Incidentally the bike I looked at was a Honda CB400 Super Four. It wasn't a good example (bad respray job, had to be jumpstarted, tyres barely legal if at all) but it was comfy to sit on and I might pursue that vein. The nice ones have that Honda smartness that makes up for the shape I don't like much, and I feel they're about the right size for me.
 
stupid dogbot said:
Have you been to somewhere big, like a George White's, just to have a look around and get an idea of styles/prices?

Lovely Guzzi, but you'd be buying WORK.
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In my experience the Piaggio Guzzis (2004 onward) are really well built. However, both those Police bikes date from the DeTomaso era. The small block V50/V65 motors are bulletproof even with intergalactic milages - I know somebody that has a V35 with 300,000+km on it - but the electrics and other ancillaries are going to be a bit of a lottery.

I came to Guzzis late in life but there really is nothing else like them.
 
I'm so pathetic, I went over to see my mum last night on the bike and all the way I was imagining myself doing it on one of those Guzzis :rolleyes:

I need something reliable and easy to get parts for though <sigh>
I can only imagine the look of deep reproach my mechanic would give me if I brought him that.
 
RubyToogood said:
I'm so pathetic, I went over to see my mum last night on the bike and all the way I was imagining myself doing it on one of those Guzzis :rolleyes:

I need something reliable and easy to get parts for though <sigh>
I can only imagine the look of deep reproach my mechanic would give me if I brought him that.
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Isn't this the second time we've discussed the potential acquisition of an old Guzzi? If it's in you, it can't be denied. :) Nobody knows that better than me.
 
RubyToogood said:
1663km on the clock! Doesn't give any indication of year of manufacture though.
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there complete dogs brought by masochists and weirdos armstrongs rebadged as harleys to fool the MOD.
about as military useful as firky.
no armour can't use diesal and just for laughs have a brighter thermal image than a tank!
if its out of store might be worth having otherwise it will have been thrashed to fuck
 
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