Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Saw this today.

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I know the bike owner, I think ;)

cg125 all day everyday. Brilliant bikes, good practice and just seriously practical. My 1981 one will happily do 60mph all day long and costs me mere pounds to fill up (100mpg give or take). reliable as anything as well.

100mpg?!?!

I wish the 100 meant the same for me with my 1977 bmw r100rs. I still love it :-)

Cg125/ybr 125 only if older than 2005. I.e. Not China production. Unless you like chasing endless electrical gremlins and rot. Mate has a 2011 ybr, <10k on it and failed it's not on frame rot, not crash repair either, mine a 2007 has it too. If your tall look elsewhere, I'm 5'10 on a good day and legs get cramp after even 45 mins constant on it

Agreed with all of this. Less electrics the better, kick start always works and carburettor means very easy home DIY. CG's changed from 6v to 12v in 1985 but even 6v is fine.

Kick start always works....hmmm. Mine have been making me hot, angry and sweaty in that order recently. And that's just on a 250 2 stroke!

I'm a gnat's cock away from entering the LA-Barstow-Vegas enduro, 2 days, 500 miles off road to LV. Only problem is that I need a street plated bike.

Unexpectedly Mrs J has given me permission to buy one for the event as long as I sell what's left of it immediately after. Soooo....

Originally, I was thinking DR350, DRZ400, XT350, XR400/600 - air cooled, bullet proof, proven. But after you tubing the light fantastic, I'm not sure I need to be riding a heavy, underpowered old nail through 150 miles of deep sand washes. (The single track and Fire roads would be fine.)

Because CA, the choice of lighter weapons is really limited, within my budget a few haggard KTMS and more interestingly some Yammy WR400/426s.

What to do? - hare or (desert) tortoise? Street plates versions of all are available about the same price....hmm.

Don't usually do concept bikes, but this one caught my eye, BMW's bike of the future, self balancing, HUD visor, and lots of electronics to make sure you don't fall off

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW0ShDRggts

nice video. the future is bright, quiet roads ftw. love the reel to reel.

yeah got to love a bike ride which encounters no cars whatsoever...

Not sure why all that tech...would eliminate the need for a helmet...

yeah i think she needs a helmet. definitely needs a helmet.

So... I'm still hunting for my new bike. Busy weekends and work make it really hard to testride.

I had a look at a new SV650 and a Kawasaki er6f.

I was looking at the SV650 mainly because I was on the hunt for a Gladius, which although ugly people like. It's a really nice bike and seems to hit all the sweet spots for me. I was after a test on the non-faired ER6n but they only had the ER6f. Definitely also a nice ride, but the Suzuki just nudged it for me.

What I'm not sure about is whether to pull the trigger on finance for £5k, or if it's just much more sensible to go for something one of these low millage Gladius' for a grand or two less.

Thoughts?

Pros are new bike, warranty, EURO4, known history.

(I still haven't managed to get a proper ride on a newer Hornet or a Yamaha XJ6 Diversion.)

I'd get an SV650, but are there enogh changes to justify getting an almost new one? they've being going for donkeys years! I'd look for a cheaper low mileage older one and rag the wotsits out of it,then sell it for the smae price i got it for. No tears then when it gets stolen as well.

The thing that puts me off the old SV650 is the low bars and style. A fully faired "fast" looking bike will be harder to sell to the other half.

As I'm going to be commuting anything less than EURO3 is a no go I think.

That's why I was thinking the Gladius/SFV650, as it seems to solve the SV650's "problems".

Must be similar to something in the Honda NC700 series. I like Honda, rarely lets you down.

What's the score with this Euro3/4 thing?

New rules coming in for central london, anything not complying with emission regs faces an extra daily charge.

I went for the older faired 'fast' looking SV. Not entirely sure what you're trying to sell to the other half exactly. A bike with clip-ons is more likely to kill you? it'll make you go wild with testosterone compared to a naked bike and start punching grannies in the face?
A bike is a bike. Speeding is likely on either. As are the dangers that come with them. 70mph is not gonna be any different on either.
I digress though. I was in the same boat as you. MT07 on finance vs older SV650.
I went for the latter simply because I'm a noob. At this point, I've yet to tap even double digit percentage of the bikes potential.
I learnt on the Gladius and whilst I'm a fan of it cos it's so easy to handle, but I can't stand risers and they have their fair share of faults as well. Internally, it was never a massive change from the SV.
Saying that....in hindsight, If I bought again, I'd either buy the SV again but with way lower mileage and closer to home or a cbr600f.
New bike...no. I want to have fun, not spend weekends looking for possible scratches.

Or is @jung referring to new non member states in Europe and how that ruling will apply to them?

It's to do with EU emissions requirements (I think). All bikes made after summer 2007 (I think) will be EURO3 compliant.

Other than general environmental consciousness its not that important right now.

But in 2020 (or maybe 2017 now) the ultra low emissions zone will be brought in so bikes will have to be EURO3 compliant or pay to drive through.

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone

and

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone#on-this-page-0

The zone is also likely (or hopefully) going to be extended to the North / South Circular.

Also if I'm going to keep the bike for a while then it seems to make more sense to have something that confirms to the most up-to-date regs - hence me seeing EURO4 compliance as a positive, albeit not a dealbreaker.

Good points.

Yes the thing about it looking fast is nonsensical. However, I still think that a less sporty bike would go down less badly - whatever I get will be disapproved of.

Have you had a go on a cbr600f? Any thoughts on the differencw?

One good reason to keep the r80, it will be a historic vehicle by then.

That r80 is full of win :-)