Help on choosing a Motorbike (not riden for a long long time)

JaseUK

JaseUK

JaseUK

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Joined
10 Jun 2006
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W. Yorks
Hi guys,

I have decided to get myself a motorbike which I will mainly use for commuting to and from work.

I passed my test way back in 1990 but have not ridden a motorbike for at least 10 years.

I don't think I want anything over 600cc, I was more thinking about a 500cc or in and around that area.

I don't want a racing bike (if that's even what they're called ;) ), I want something that I can put a box on the back to carry stuff in or something that I can fit panniers to.

I always remember seeing Suzuki Bandits a few years ago and I alsways like the look of them.

Budget erm I dunno no more than a £1,000

any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks :)
 
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MooMoo444 said:
Hopefully this can be moved to the bikers section, you'll get a better feedback in there.
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Whoops I didn't realise there was a separate section for motorbikes. My first post in the motors section in all these years I have used OcUK Forums :)
 
You should be able to find a bandit for that money without much issue to be honest. not seen one with more than a top box on it though

What do you like about the bandit? It is the naked style? the inline 4 engine? There are more styles of bikes since you were last riding so it might be worth have a look to see what you like.

Bike trader is a good place to start
 
Yamaha FZS 600's are meant to be good and when I got back into biking 4 or 5 years ago I almost bought one but the dealer seemed so uninterested I walked away. If it wasn't for that I'd have had one.
 
I'll grab myself a copy of bike trader then cheers.

I only remember the bandit that's all and thought I could use it as a reference. I don't know enough more about bikes to give a good idea of what I need really just something I can put a box on back.
 
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There's a GS500 on the biketrader website that looks like it fits your requirements and it comes with a topbox. I don't know much about that model though, i.e. if its any good, or not.

There are also a couple of GPZ500's up for sale, I had one of those a few years back and liked it. It was reliable and handled fairly well, but I have no idea if you can get hard luggage for them. Soft luggage will be fine though, like a tail bag. I currently use the 'HELD Speedy Tail Pack' which is 12-18 Litres, its just right for commuting and weekends out.
 
you'll be hard pushed to find a decent condition machine for a grand imo,idk you might but rare

Suzuki bandits are good its just finding one in good nick
 
There are so many 600s to choose from, you're bound to find a nice easy ride.
I understand the ZZR600 is quite a good general-usage one, especially the older models and easy to handle so long as you don't purposely gun the throttle to insane levels.

Failing that, I'd be looking at some of the bikes training schools use. NOT the GS500, though... *horrible* bike, that one!!! :)
 
ttaskmaster said:
And what's wrong with K-reg hunks of junk, exactly...???

Mine'll make Point-Five past licence-losing speeds. May not look like much but she's got it where it counts, kid. I made a lot of special modifications myself!

:p
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Hell yeah :)

I miss my old Millen...um, FZR600 Genesis. I wish I'd kept her, she was a great bike. Just because something is old, doesn't make it junk.
 
Nothing wrong with older machines as long as they have been maintained,they don't change much anyway over the years,shed a bit of weight and bit more power but basically the same engine as older models

Had my 600 since 98 and I love it more than my 04 zx10r
 
If you know the person selling it and they have maintained it they're okay. But its one thing to own something from new and love it than buy something that someone else has abused. At least with a newer one its had less time to be abused an unloved.
 
that's why you should check it over thoroughly before buying:D

bikes can still be thrashed and neglected new or old,aswell as accident damage or involved in accidents
 
PooKer said:
How long have you had yours ttaskmaster?
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I've had it for just over 2 years now and clocked about 15k in all weathers over the 48k it came with. 11 previous owners, apparently, though I can't see why anyone would give up such a gorgeous thing like this... well, maybe the weight of it wasn't to taste!
 
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