Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Oi this is not about you, this is about recommendations;)

True, on the condition. I quite like the gpz500. They do come up and usually boring owners and well maintained.

Bandit does look like a good value option. Aesthetically I'm not mad on the Fazer - although I do like the naked ones.

@Ptown - good point about the Hornet. The prices now seem to reflect a sort of premium rather than just depreciation. Although I saw someone on Gumtree with a few that were around £1,200-1,400.

The Yamaha XT660X seems way over budget, unless I'm missing something.

I've started to wonder about a CB400 as they seem to be a bit cheaper and I'm wondering; a) if I need 600cc, and b) if something a bit smaller for traffic/parking might be sensible.

I probably need to go and test ride a few bikes as well. Any suggestions for places in Central London or North of London - Edgware, Barnet, Herts, etc.

Any thoughts about this one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/cx500-cafe-racer-/191879707037?hash=item2cacebf99d:g:1mMAAOSwMN9XQzuT

i prefer this treatment.

https://youtu.be/Ts_y8LBm5TM

That one ^ has better forks, upside down, better breakes disks etc, but I don't like the back.

BTW, I'm just considering now, and I'm thinking to something that starts enough good and ridable with fun, a mid-weight engine, then I will put hands on things and change it by myself.

My main concern is how it's the cx 500 engine? And I would prefer a chain transmission rather than a driveshaft...

CX500 was designed to be bulletproof and, for all intents and purposes, is. Used to be considered one of the ugliest bikes made, now starting to get a bit of a premium when they're in good nick due to cafe racer culture. If you like the look of them, think about a Moto Guzzi, what these cafe builds are attempting to emulate without being at the mercy of someone's chop-shop skills.

Engine is an old, 500cc twin. It won't set the world alight but still more fun than a car. Shaftdrive is a piece of piss to maintain compared to a chain, if you're not looking for a performance bike, it's probably preferable.

edit: Sample Guzzi

I know very well the Guzzi, I used to be a motorbike mechanic, and Guzzi and Cagiva was my first job. After that I moved to the Japanese and the rest is just no thanks. I'm thinking to something sporty but also good in London. The real sporty i.e. CBR600R etc I prefer no, because I'm not going to that again! So something fun on the curves but also easy to move in between cars. I don't care much about massive power horses because as I said and I keep saying to me: you will not use it, you can't use it anymore, you must not use it. Never, don't even think about. You're too old anyway.

Obviously now I can't go down to wanker touring brum brum. So what to do what do I want? Not sure yet, but definitely with sporty look and agile, with tons of performance on manoeuvrability, low gravity point, excellent braking system and shocks, and great transmission.. and thats why the shaft drive mhhh. And it's heavy...

I need to get something where then I can build upon...

Q plate difficult and more expensive to insure.

Why would you prefer chain....guzzi ;)

Was that the vfr750 after the Vf750 ;)

Anyone want a gl400? Same v engine and 400 cc known as the baby gold wing (silverwing)

this is not the bike just a very shiny one.

What the fuck is now Q plate... We must meet for a beer, and you can tell me all about these new things of the English branch...

What sort of money?

And more importantly, can you install fork gaiters and exhaust wrap? ;)

You need to see photos first.

That bad, huh?

Actually, first I need to do a budget and go test ride some bikes.

That said if you come across a Bandit in decent* nick, do let me know as I'd be interested.

*by decent I mean engine, brakes, etc. I'm OK with some cosmetic deterioration.

Look on the bandit owners club website and facebook page. A few come up there.

Couple of cheap sv came up on gumtree, like 650 to 700 and they were alright. Could do with a fork oil service and clean up on the calipers and maybe new pads.

Either year unknown import or made up of alsorts of parts usually because the frame has been an insurance write off and can't go back on the road with that ID, or it has been rung in the past so id unknown.

Cheers. That's a good shout.

I've now got more space, plus a rear paddock stand, so doing minor work on a bike should be possible.

Then really, is a tarted up 80s commuter gonna give you the agility you want? A grey import 250/400 on the other hand...

90s Cb500 is a great little bike, fast enough for some fun and cheap / plain enough not to attract too much interest.

Exactly, but then I need also to consider the appearance. And I would like a 500/600cc. It's a four stroke...

My CR500 Supermoto was on a Q plate - no problem and minimal cost to insure. Just added it to my regular policy. Does merit investigation though.

90s CB500s are great. Same ERA GPZ500s also good, though the 16" front tyre ones are tricky for decent tyre choice. I always found 600 Bandits profoundly boring, the Hornets were a bit more fun but I hate the vague gearboxes. I reckon the 900 Hornet would be a cracking bike but never rode one. Love that engine though.

Ahhh, I meant a CBR400RR or the like, not the two-strokes. Revvy, agile, fun without a daft top speed. CB1 if unfaired is a priority.

I used to occasionally see a courier on a grey import VTR250, which looked like a little Ducati Monster. He swore it was the best bike he had ever had for bombing through the traffic.
It's the only one I've ever seen, no idea how many made it over here.

Cx500 the "plastic maggot". Not sure how these bikes can be enjoying a renaissance.

In fact I'm between one of those cafe racer(tart bike) or something that sounds like this.

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