Bike buying - head or heart

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flatlander · #16 Post by **flatlander** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:38 pm

randomsquid wrote:[

....getting on a bit now.

....reattach anything that drops off. Investigate things that go scrunch... Fuck .

That you or the bike?

BikerGran · #17 Post by **BikerGran** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 7:13 pm

Both of course!

fatboy · #18 Post by **fatboy** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 7:34 pm

Your maintainance policy would secure you a transport manager's job where I work.
They only act when things fall off

Dusty · #19 Post by **Dusty** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 4:23 pm

Nice wee bike! I liked the look of the CRF250L when it was launched but the M is likely to be a better commuter, especially with that bigger front disc.
90+mpg sounds good to me.

randomsquid · #20 Post by **randomsquid** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 6:03 pm

Dusty wrote:Nice wee bike! I liked the look of the CRF250L when it was launched but the M is likely to be a better commuter, especially with that bigger front disc.
90+mpg sounds good to me.

They really look like fun but the fact that hard luggage doesn't seem to be an option unless you want to risk breaking the subframe has sort of put me off. That and the fact that the suspension looks very exposed. And it'll be a thief magnet.

I'm back where I started looking at the dull and dependable CB500 variants. According to Fuelly the 500s and 250 both get the same sort of average mileage (mid 70s). Dull though.

MartDude · #21 Post by **MartDude** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 6:18 pm

KTM Duke?

randomsquid · #22 Post by **randomsquid** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 11:03 pm

MartDude wrote:KTM Duke?

Would have been my first choice but browsing various forums they're abysmal. Too many reports of engines shredded in less than 1k, clocks not working, random stalling etc. That's for the euro destined bikes with the supposedly better QC.

Everything smallish seems to be built in India or Thailand regardless of the badge. I've seen less reports of Issues with the small Hondas than anything else, and those were niggles.

The V7 Guzzis are still built in Mandello and I haven't seen any reports of serious grief, but there aren't that many out there and I'm guessing they're mostly sunny Sunday bikes.

HowardQ · #23 Post by **HowardQ** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 10:31 pm

I agree with most of your thoughts/comments John, and it's difficult to say this, but I would still be thinking of something like a T Max scooter for this type of regular journey, (good storage, decent handing and performance for a scooter).
I don't rule out all small bikes, but agree that the build quality of some may not be the best for every day, all year round use.

flatlander · #24 Post by **flatlander** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 10:32 pm

Gas gas?

randomsquid · #25 Post by **randomsquid** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 6:59 pm

flatlander wrote:Gas gas?

Probably, don't think the tech on electric stuff is there yet.

randomsquid · #26 Post by **randomsquid** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 7:08 pm

HowardQ wrote:I agree with most of your thoughts/comments John, and it's difficult to say this, but I would still be thinking of something like a T Max scooter for this type of regular journey, (good storage, decent handing and performance for a scooter).
I don't rule out all small bikes, but agree that the build quality of some may not be the best for every day, all year round use.

Cheers for that Howard. Maybe I should arrange a test ride on something along those lines but the lack of a clutch lever always niggled at me when I had a c90. I think I'm lacking in finesse on the throttle. I don't know how little wheels do with the big holes we have in the roads round here either.

BikerGran · #27 Post by **BikerGran** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 7:23 pm

Isn't the T-max one of the big wheeled sort?

fatboy · #28 Post by **fatboy** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 7:26 pm

Maybe the V7,s appeal to a certain market.
Some biking commuters prefer economy over performance, some prefer the opposite.
The V7 offerers moderate performance ( suitable for those new restricted licsence things ) so too big for some and not big enough for others.
I would love V7 as a second bike, almost bought the cafe racer but decided the price was a bit too high for the performance.
Think the 'Stone' models look ace
'

HowardQ · #29 Post by **HowardQ** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 7:29 pm

Good point, you could lose a small scooter in some of the potholes around here, but may be worthwhile to try a test drive, as some of the super scoots have slightly bigger wheels.
On the bike side, how about one of the SV650 variants, from basic older SV650(S) versions and including the later Gladius and V-Strom 650 etc..
They are all easy, but fun to ride and can be more economical than average.

Good luck with your search.

squadron Nero · #30 Post by **squadron Nero** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:29 pm

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 1820276424