On my way to work yesterday, de restricted road, flat out. 55mph. It's only a 125... Cue the most hideous mechanical thrashing and clunking I've ever heard, and with a lurch and a bump, I pulled over. Only a mile and a half from work. I'll walk the rest of the way and deal with it later. My word, in full (winter) gear, that was miserable. And hot... And miserable. Yesterday I bought a ramp (I always borrow for track days, may as well have my own) and hired a van. Got it to my mechanic, and yup, it's terminal! Mrs Volant can't understand my lack of care, every other thing I own, I am meticulous, borderline OCD with. This, which I use every single day, gets ignored between services, don't check the oil. Oh, and I get it serviced every year (12,000 miles) and not the 5000 recommended. But it's a Honda, right? They don't break?! Turns out they do if you run it dry with no oil Ah well, expensive learning point I suppose. £350 for a second hand engine, plus labour? Nah, it bores me anyway. It's really tatty, but managed to get £200 from a breaker. Was going to break it myself but decided as its coming to winter I probably don't want to spend all my spare time in a garage with no power, waddling to the post office every week with bits I've sold on eBay.. That would have got me more money, but this way I'll take the hit and do overtime instead. So I'm looking for a commuter. Bored of 125cc, although could be talked into another scooter, but at least 200cc. Also looking at commuter bikes. Budget £2000 max. There's a Fazer (very) locally I like the look of, 2007, gather it's low on midrange but fun up top, but that probably suits commuting on the slippery grime. Anyone owned/ridden one? Any other ideas/opinions? Other bikes I'm considering: Maxi scooter (Bergman or similar) CBR600 SV650 ER6 Volant
Quite a few of the lads at my work commute on them er6’s, I think the new ones look quite smart, not sure about the older ones. I started my commuting days on a Yamaha diversion, never had a problem with it and you can get the older ones well under your budget id imagine.
Or if you're actually going to commute in bad weather V Strom 650 Absolutely blaring lights can't be missed. Plenty of torque. Wind protection and a good height. I'm using my pop's V Strom 16 miles a day at the moment! Ours has done 25.8k miles and is fine And Kawasaki thought it was such a good bike they even produced it from Suzuki.. http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/suzuki/dl650-v-strom/2004/
All good suggestions! I need to carry quite a lot of kit, so a trials bike is out! I hadn't even considered a v strom (wanders off to the classifieds......)
Honda cbr600f steel frame,you could get a nice one for £1000-£1500,good weather protection,50mpg steady away,great fun ,very reliable as long as you put oil in the engine.i regret getting rid of mine.
i know 2 with er6's and there great little bike 1 of them is my god daughter and it holds out pritty good when she drops it too
My boss has a nice 650 bandit in very nice condition I believe it's around 1500. Check out website. I think it's qrgservices.co.uk or 01536 518319 ask for nige. And say ad said to call
That's interesting, seems reasonable cost wise. Just a bit too far I'm afraid, I'm SW London, or else I'd have probably gone to have a look... My best lead so far is a mate who 'might' sell his 2002 CBR600. Heated grips, top box already on, just serviced and new PR3 tyres. He bought it from another mate who never rode it, so 9000 miles, £2000. Only sticking point is if his missus decides she wants to ride it this winter as her 'hack'. We'll see. That's very much at mates rates, he didn't like it as he's used to bigger bikes, so it's a bargain. Fun for the commute too... If that falls through I'm still going to have a look at that Fazer close to me, high-ish miles (30,000) but looks well kept. Failing that there's a 400cc burgman that I may look it. It's always the way, no matter what my budget it, if I had a bit more I could get something I'd want! Shame that bandit isn't 100 miles closer!
Guess it doesn't really matter what it is as long as it does the job! Fazer would be fine, had a mate for had a Fazer and used it for everything and it just kept going!
You're right, this isn't a 'fun' bike, or something you'd pick on heart. It's a head decision (albeit not fully, or else I'd have ended up with another 125...) I bought the Fazer today. Pick it up Tuesday morning with the heated grips and givi top box frame fitted, 12 months MOT and a service done. Shame it's going to need tyres in a couple of thousand miles! I reckon PR3's?
Good decision Volant. Yes PR3s would be a good call. Those will last long time and will give good winter grip! May not be exciting and make your heart pump when you see it or ride it but hey that's why you got the Daytona!
