Right, time for an unusual (and unfortunate) request:
Anyone know what bike I should get?
My US placement fell through before even starting, so I'm back in the UK, desperately looking for another job. And transport (once I get a job + money). However, due to my penchant for attacking Mercedes from the rear, insurance on an FZS600 is prohibitive. Last year, it was £750, now I can't find cheaper than £1,300! :eek :eek Third party only! :eek :'( Plus, while determined work and scrimping etc may raise that sum of cash, all the non-God-awful Fazers on the interwebs are well over my cap of £1000. So, I need an alternative, until I can get back to the Fazer scene.
A few important points before suggestions roll in:
I refuse to ride a scooter. I can't turn up to LoFos on a Vespa!!
The bike must be cheap to insure
Preferably good for a spot of fun too to keep up with the lads on LoFos etc
Cannot cost more than £1,000
Must be man enough to lug me + luggage down to France. I would consider 125s, but they're a menace on the road (too slow to keep up with traffic!)
Age, mileage, colour, brand: I don't mind. As long as it runs, and is reasonably mechanically sound
Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
The Deef's apprentice
03-11-13, 09:38 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-11-13, 09:41 PM by CRH.)
hey christo"....its got to be a bandit mate?....either 400 or a 600...they cheap as chips and cheap to insure!!.... :rolleyes ....spread the cost of your insurance over the year!....least with a bandit ule just about be able to keep up with them lofos?...but struggle on a 125 ithink?..dont you?
Where was that insurance quote based on? Stay well away from London/other large cities. Limit your annual mileage on your insurance too. Hmmm, can't think of a bike that might suit you right now. I know it's got to have a reasonable physical size. I'll give it some thought.
(03-11-13, 09:38 PM)CRH link Wrote: hey christo"....its got to be a bandit mate?....either 400 or a 600...they cheap as chips and cheap to insure!!.... :rolleyes ....spread the cost of your insurance over the year!....least with a bandit ule just about be able to keep up with them lofos?...but struggle on a 125 ithink?..dont you?
Shudder...
Not quite sure I can sink to THOSE depths! :lol :lol
I looked at the Bandit before getting the Fazer. The one word that came to mind was "meh". Although, to be fair, I was 100% sold on the Fazer. Until I rode it.  I should add, due to habitual long distances, I'd like a bit of fairing! Half faired or fully faired, as long as there's something!!
I should also add - I'm not short. I'm 6ft 3, and need an appropriately sized bike. Me on a 125 - imagine a circus bear on a bicycle, but twice as grumpy! :lol
(03-11-13, 09:43 PM)nick crisp link Wrote: Where was that insurance quote based on? Stay well away from London/other large cities. Limit your annual mileage on your insurance too. Hmmm, can't think of a bike that might suit you right now. I know it's got to have a reasonable physical size. I'll give it some thought.
That was based out of my Aunt's house in quiet Suffolk to boot. As for mileage - I use my bike. A lot. I'm a 10K per annum guy.
(03-11-13, 09:45 PM)Fizzy Pies link Wrote: XJ?
A spot on the pedestrian side, but I wouldn't turn one down. If I could find it in my price bracket. I was eyeing up an FJ1100 on Biketrader the other day though... Same insurance as the FZS!
Also, where do people source their bikes? Because Bike trader, Ebay and MCN are bleedin' expensive!! :eek
The Deef's apprentice
Honda CB500 twin. Bullet proof, insurance group 9 (instead of the Fazer's 12) and enough power to get you and luggage to France. Plenty of good ones under £1K such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB500-cb...1083620966
Sorry to hear about your US placement falling through Christo 
well theres always the sv 650!!?....they pretty cheap!!
(03-11-13, 09:51 PM)mtread link Wrote: Honda CB500 twin. Bullet proof, insurance group 9 (instead of the Fazer's 12) and enough power to get you and luggage to France. Plenty of good ones under £1K such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB500-cb...1083620966
Sorry to hear about your US placement falling through Christo
That's life sadly. Currently keeping all extremities crossed on a possible lead.
I know beggars can't be choosers, but do they do a faired version of that? At least SOMETHING to keep the wind out of my armpits!
(03-11-13, 09:53 PM)CRH link Wrote: well theres always the sv 650!!?....they pretty cheap!!
I have to draw the line somewhere!! :lol :lol
No, I would consider one (against better judgement, admittedly), again, it's a question of finding one in the right place at the right time. I'm not yet in a buyers market, but I would like to know what I should be on the lookout for at least.
Thanks all for the replies thus far. 
The Deef's apprentice
staying with yam.....dirversion....old and cheap,just like me :lol .....you tried gumtree ?
One, is never going to be enough.....
Yep, they did CB500S with fairing - prices for a nice one can be a bit on the high side tho. SV would probably be more enjoyable to ride. I had an unfaired one for a while - I'm 6' 2'' and it was ok, rode it to Wales and did a week of daily high mileages on it. There's the S version of that too, clip-on bars, sports fairing, more sporty riding position.
Auction !!!
at our local auction i have seen some tatty not very old bikes go for peanuts
An ageing test pilot for home grown widgets that may fail at anytime.
(03-11-13, 10:03 PM)slimwilly link Wrote: Auction !!!
at our local auction i have seen some tatty not very old bikes go for peanuts
I'll have to check some out when I get some money coming in!
How did you find the motor on the SV, Nick? I've grown lazy, and lize the smoothness of the inline 4!
Fizzy - I'm currently skint, so need to wait before considering buying. But I like knowing what to look for.
The Deef's apprentice
gpz 500s bombproof engine ,no slouch!,,cheap to buy, run,insure .......oh and a very good fairing!!!
The engine on the SV is a peach, being a V-twin. Lots of low-down go, but will seem slow generally compared to the Fazer - not anywhere near the top end go, but handle real well in the twisties. You should also consider putting a handlebar screen on something like the unfaired versions too - don't look great, but will help with the wind blast - Givi do some different ones (bit expensive) or if you can find someone that sells the old "Spitfire" screens, a lot cheaper.
(03-11-13, 10:11 PM)CRH link Wrote: gpz 500s bombproof engine ,no slouch!,,cheap to buy, run,insure .......oh and a very good fairing!!!
had one of them before my 600 fazer about 12 years ago......good bike,not as quick or smooth as the fazer but not far behind
One, is never going to be enough.....
(03-11-13, 10:18 PM)red98 link Wrote: [quote author=CRH link=topic=10576.msg111220#msg111220 date=1383513074]
gpz 500s bombproof engine ,no slouch!,,cheap to buy, run,insure .......oh and a very good fairing!!! had one of them before my 600 fazer about 12 years ago......good bike,not as quick or smooth as the fazer but not far behind
[/quote]
Just had a look at it on the www.cycle-ergo.com site. Bleedin' eck, my knees would be around my ears! :eek
I'm 6ft 3 with a 33 inch inseam. I was a bit big for a Fazer. I dwarf that.
Nick - the SV is a contender, but maybe as a stopgap before getting something better... like another :faz , maybe? Not hugely keen on the look of that tiny cylinder poking out the front, plus I always had it down as a bit of a girls' bike.But will consider.
The Deef's apprentice
Those GPZ's sure are Retro so would fit in nicely with the fazers on your lofo rideouts.
welcome back Cristo,get your arse to Wales next summer for some bike camping. 8) ,we'll buy you some snakebite or some other suitably cheap and studenty beveridge.
Easiest way to go fast........don't buy a blue bike
you want big....think off road
One, is never going to be enough.....
Have you looked at Stevierst's TDM 850???, nice looking bike, looks big, decent price and still a yamaha, not sure about insurance on those though.
Easiest way to go fast........don't buy a blue bike
Yeah, the SV got a reputation as a bit of a girl's bike, but only cos they're light and easy to use. If you read any serious write-ups, you'll also find they say it's good for beginners and experienced alike. They really aren't bad, and as you yourself said, beggars can't be choosers, so they're worth considering. Keep a can of WD40 handy if you ride one in heavy rain tho! Mine was a stop-gap until I could afford something with a bit more go, but it did the job.
Noggy's right - that TDM would be more your size - get a quote on one, make sure you check the earlier 850, not the 900.
ya fkr nogg just posting same !!ya beat me to it :lol
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