Bought my first bike today... without viewing...

ConTRo13R · 28 Jan 2014 at 10:40

Bought my first bike today... without viewing... PICS ADDED

Bought a 1997 Honda CBR600F from Budget Bikes, Swindon. Picked her up for £1499, they charged me £1599, but i noticed when the invoice came through and they will refund it to my card. Getting it delivered hopefully this weekend.

Anybody here have experiences with this dealer, or bought bikes blind before?

Anything in particular to look out for on this year and model bike?

I'm excited to look it over and get started on any work.... also incredibly nervous!

Now to pass my Mod 2 and get my crazy priced insurance!

leigh_boy · 28 Jan 2014 at 11:12

congrats,
i found it, http://www.budgetbikesuk.co.uk/26816/used-bikes.htm
it looks ok, its carbed so has a manual choke, from what i remember pretty reliable, just remember to turn the fuel tap off and the carbs can suffer freezing making it run on 3 cyclenders till its warmed up.

unKle · 28 Jan 2014 at 16:13

ConTRo13R said:
Bought a 1997 Honda CBR600F from Budget Bikes, Swindon. Picked her up for £1499, they charged me £1599, but i noticed when the invoice came through and they will refund it to my card. Getting it delivered hopefully this weekend.

Anybody here have experiences with this dealer, or bought bikes blind before?

Anything in particular to look out for on this year and model bike?

I'm excited to look it over and get started on any work.... also incredibly nervous!

Now to pass my Mod 2 and get my crazy priced insurance!

Well done on getting your first bike! Of all the old bikes, you've picked a good strong reliable one, I had a CBR600 many years ago and it was faultless. It will very much depend on previous owners and how it's been used as to it's general condition mind.

How competent are you working on bikes? If you don't know your way around them make sure you have a 'mechanic mate' with you to show the basics and help out, or alternatively book it in at Kent Motorcycles for an inspection/service, as you're based in Canterbury they're just a short trek down the A2. They're a Honda dealer too. That will give you piece of mind. But always more satisfying working on your own bike, getting to know it etc.

ConTRo13R · 28 Jan 2014 at 16:34

They're the guys I'm doing my DSA with, great team down there. As for location...that shop is the middle of no where!

My first thought was me, my engineer dad, (he's been riding and tweaking for 30 odd years)

and a Haynes manual, with Kent Motor Cycles to do a full check over after we are done.

I did a lot of research and I was torn between this and a 2003 SV650. I just couldn't resist the CBR.

leigh_boy · 28 Jan 2014 at 21:06

ConTRo13R said:
They're the guys I'm doing my DSA with, great team down there. As for location...that shop is the middle of no where!

My first thought was me, my engineer dad, (he's been riding and tweaking for 30 odd years) and a Haynes manual, with Kent Motor Cycles to do a full check over after we are done.

I did a lot of research and I was torn between this and a 2003 SV650. I just couldn't resist the CBR.

i would have gone with the SV but im sure you will be happy with the cbr

WrathOfAchilles · 9 Feb 2014 at 11:11

Congrats, my first bike was a 1996cbr and was happy with it. You have paid 400 - 500 too much IMO though.

One thing to look out for is a leaking fuel tank. At that age they are prone to rusting inside and little holes appear causing fuel to leak.

wazza300 · 9 Feb 2014 at 12:00

you can buy some petseal for your tank n swish it around,works well

ShakenNstirred · 12 Feb 2014 at 19:50

WrathOfAchilles said:
Congrats, my first bike was a 1996cbr and was happy with it. You have paid 400 - 500 too much IMO though.

One thing to look out for is a leaking fuel tank. At that age they are prone to rusting inside and little holes appear causing fuel to leak.

most of the ones I have seen that age are around the £1500
the 97 cbr he has is the 2nd gen ramair cbr your 96 was 1st gen ramair same as my 95 cbr

ConTRo13R · 14 Feb 2014 at 12:14

I feel I got a pretty good price tbh. Especially as it only has 47000 on the clock

that's a newly broken in engine... Almost.

It's a very well looked after bike, a bit scruffy. Only issue iv found with it is the previous owner changed the down pipes to stainless ones but hasn't bolted the 2 & 3 pipes n they're blowing and slightly Corroded, I'm scared to ride it anymore

Need some spare time to play

Yaayuh! · 14 Feb 2014 at 12:20

ConTRo13R said:
I feel I got a pretty good price tbh. Especially as it only has 47000 on the clock that's a newly broken in engine... Almost.

It's a very well looked after bike, a bit scruffy. Only issue iv found with it is the previous owner changed the down pipes to stainless ones but hasn't bolted the 2 & 3 pipes n they're blowing and slightly Corroded, I'm scared to ride it anymore Need some spare time to play

47,000 or 4,700?

Yeah, the CBR600F can go for miles. Bullet proof.

Muffin` · 14 Feb 2014 at 12:47

So people wouldn't have any issues with something like this as a first bike? http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/cb500/1048379375

I'm not a complete ****wit mechanically so I'm sure I could muddle through most things if it were to go wrong or is it it highly likely to be a lemon with those miles? Should I look at bikes with 20k ish miles?

Yaayuh! · 14 Feb 2014 at 12:48

Midrange Hondas are like donkeys, they go for miles and most are easy to maintain.

Muffin` · 14 Feb 2014 at 12:57

Cheers

wazza300 · 14 Feb 2014 at 16:32

all jap bikes id highly rate for reliability,thers not much diff between the big 4 manufacturers these days

PU7E · 14 Feb 2014 at 16:57

Cb500 is a fantastic bike, if looked after they've been known to hit 200k with ease

I miss mine

Terminal_Boy · 14 Feb 2014 at 17:08

The other thing o look out for on CBR600s is hole for lock wiring drilled through the sump plug as many of this model ended up on the track.

Muffin` · 18 Feb 2014 at 17:50

Did you try to haggle on price at Budget Bikes? What about a test ride, did they let you try the bike first to ensure it felt right?

ConTRo13R · 18 Feb 2014 at 22:31

I didn't haggle at all, I was very happy with the price. Budget bikes history is that they buy part exchanges and sell them not much above blue book value, so make little profit on each bike but sell a lot of them

I bought blind but the sales man was very descriptive and helpful. To be honest I bought the bike expecting to be doing quite a bit of work to make it road worthy and was very pleasantly suprised. I wouldn't buy expecting a pristine 2nd hand bike but I would recommend this dealer to anyone. Just don't expect main dealer service and quality is all. Iv unearthed a real gem of a bike from these guys and had a great experience buying from them, they even threw in a free mot

I cannot fault budget bikes.

4T5 · 18 Feb 2014 at 22:41

Why haven't you posted any pics ?

The Guy above that said these are raced ? There not it's a CBR-F not a CBR-R.

Is that 47000miles or Kms ?

Anyway, Good sports tourer but a few to many miles for that money if it is miles that is.

All that's by the by though it's your first bike & you bought a Honda, Welcome to the club. :cool:

dangermouse425 · 19 Feb 2014 at 06:23

Get some pics up.

Anyone else used Budget Bikes? I'd be interested to hear any feedback.

I'm half tempted to scrap my plans of a more expensive sports bike, and just pick up a cheap commuting tool instead, as I want something that's comfortable for long motorway journeys too.

Edit:
Found mixed reviews after a quick Google:
http://www.triumphtorque.com/messageboard/thread/68704-Budget-Bikes-Swindon-Part-1.aspx

http://www.wiltshirebikers.co.uk/showthread.php?38361-Budget-Bikes-in-Swindon