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It is looking like I may have to start commuting into the M25 again soon, The round trip is circa 60 miles, I am looking for something cheap, reliable, comfortable, work with a topbox, economical etc

I have narrowed it down to
Transalp or TDM

I dont wat to F**k up the Falco

Found a transal with 45K on the clock and 17" wheels (SM wheels are worth circa £400) for £1300.

Any of you guys know what I should be looking for or any experience with these? The TDM is second choice but have yet to find one for an acceptable price.

Having looked at the bike it appears that the exhaust may be end of life with a lot of corrosion at the tail section joint, I have seen loads of adds for new slip ons but not for the header pipes any experiences out there?

CB500 or GS500e

Transalp, etc have road presence but are a bit on the heavy side for filtering in stuck still traffic when you're tired after a long day at work in the winter/ wet weather.

IMHO

I wouldnt buy a Honda nowadays on principle, however I think Rab had his Trans for quite a while with minor works needed. Usually gaffertape and a kick. You could always just bodge weld the can/zorst/bike up if it came to it.

I'd go the same as Kwack, I'd prefer the CB500 tho, its almost unbreakable and there's some good ones to be had for around £1500, cheap insurance and bits aren't the usual Honda rip off price (lots of pattern bits available).

I've been looking at an '03 plated one for £1900, its only done 6500miles, but its in that shit Honda red .

Mate of mine has just picked up a KLE500 for very little money (03 bike with 1,500m) he's delighted with it.

Might be of interest??

F9

I've only known 2 mates with TDMs and they were both a bit temperamental - the bikes not the blokes. Great once they started but it didn't always happen.










(Some people crash them a lot, but we won't mention that... )

BikerGran wrote:I've only known 2 mates with TDMs and they were both a bit temperamental - the bikes not the blokes. Great once they started but it didn't always happen.










(Some people crash them a lot, but we won't mention that... )

Shame it lasted only 6 days , But I might get another one day.

Kwackerz wrote:CB500 or GS500e

Transalp, etc have road presence but are a bit on the heavy side for filtering in stuck still traffic when you're tired after a long day at work in the winter/ wet weather.

I hear what your saying but niether of those have any weather protection, also I'm not manual so not physically tired at the end of the day, looking forward to using the ride as a wind down.

Thanks for the input

I've never had a Transalp or TDM so can't be much use to you. I did have 2 CB500s, both half-faired, and would recommend that. The half-fairing gave some weather protection. As another suggestion, what about a Mk1 Fazer?

moletrap wrote:I've never had a Transalp or TDM so can't be much use to you. I did have 2 CB500s, both half-faired, and would recommend that. The half-fairing gave some weather protection. As another suggestion, what about a Mk1 Fazer?

Thanks Moletrap, good idea, had not thought of that (wanders off to look at numerous websites)

This may sound silly, but if you do not spend too much time filtering you could try an old CBR1000F. I kept mine when I bought the Falco and it's still great for motorway runs or any long trips. Build quality is Honda at its best, they were the flagship when introduced and built like it. Mine is a 1995 with linked brakes, (something I am fine with), use it mainly as my winter bike and tends to get a bit negflected but still looks good. You can get them for silly money, (just check on Biketrader or ebay), and go nearly as well as a Blackbird, with more comfort. Also probably one of the best bikes ever if you take a pillion. Major downside - built like a tank! So heavy to handle, but is really stable on fast bends.

HowardQ wrote:This may sound silly, but if you do not spend too much time filtering you could try an old CBR1000F. I kept mine when I bought the Falco and it's still great for motorway runs or any long trips. Build quality is Honda at its best, they were the flagship when introduced and built like it. Mine is a 1995 with linked brakes, (something I am fine with), use it mainly as my winter bike and tends to get a bit negflected but still looks good. You can get them for silly money, (just check on Biketrader or ebay), and go nearly as well as a Blackbird, with more comfort. Also probably one of the best bikes ever if you take a pillion. Major downside - built like a tank! So heavy to handle, but is really stable on fast bends.

Thanks HQ
the journey is 20 mile mway and the london suburbs filtering for 12 miles, was looking for upto 600 cc with high bars due to view/mpg/tax and weight your suggestion might be a bit hard work
cheers for the input

This may be worth considering cheap as chips http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1987-HONDA-VFR-75 ... dZViewItem an ideal motorway commuter

If not how about a Suzuki 600 bandit or Sv600, they are getting cheap now and are reliable work horses.