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'nevertheless' is the same reasoning I'm using to rationalise a motorcycle.
I'm not a heavy rider, nor particularly interested in power, but more balanced and nippy bikes, hence the SV. It was initially a VFR, but their scarcity and delicacy kinda scared me off.
I'm also looking for a bit of a project, as I know I won't leave the bike untouched for long. Thing is, I have NO idea what I should be looking at if I go check out a used one as I know it's totally dependent on each bike. Cue hmm'ing and ahh'ing
Chak-
I love a nippy middleweight, even better a lightweight, though it's pretty much only the proper supermotos that fall into that camp these days.
Check the mileage and try and find something under 25k, there's really not much that can go wrong below that. Otherwise, look at the consumables, tyres, brake pads front and rear, chain and sprockets and fork seals. If there's a centre stand or you take a mate, check the headrace bearings (swing bars from side to side and feel for a notch or lump in the middle), wheel bearings (spin rims and rock laterally for play), Swingarm bushes, shock linkages etc (look for signs of grease, feel for play.) Feel the clutch and throttle, smooth or dry as a bone with frayed cables? Look for signs of crash damage, cracked fairings, missing bolts, broken lock stops on the frame, bent subframe etc. Some did get tracked, so look for evidence of lockwire, (holes through the sump bolt, brake caliper bolts etc,also cuts to the loom, unlikely but possible. Check oil and coolant levels and colour. Smoke or rattles from the engine on start up. And ALWAYS go for a test ride - take your hands off and see if it goes straight.
It's actually pretty handy to make up a little checklist like this and go through it methodically - I frequently don't, then forget stuff and get angry with myself when it turns out to be bollixed.
VFR400s are pretty bomb proof -they just cost a packet to service and are fiddly to work on yourself (at least engine wise...)
I had a lot of fun on a CB500 and older GPZ500 and from what I hear the ER6s are pretty good to. Never really liked any of the RR400s - they're lots of fun on the track but crap around town. No idea what they sell for these days, but ALL of the 250 2 strokes are a total giggle. They're also shit around town, definitely less reliable but much cheaper and easier to fix and work on yourself if you want a project. First gen TZR250? Bit ancient but still a blast to ride, I'm sure.
Have fun!
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How about a fazer?
Jung
lynx
It's a very naughty piece of kit. Too naughty for me really but nevertheless....
My sis had a second generation SV650 for ages and absolutely loved it. I wasn't the biggest fan (not as torquey as I'd expected and perhaps a bit bland as stock.) That said they have a huge following, an almost inexhaustible array of handling and performance options and can be turned into real fun weapons. The old ones with the roundy styling and frames are less desirable. I think Suzuki are in the process of releasing a new version that looks pretty cool..
http://www.sportrider.com/2016-suzuki-sv650-first-look