Any ideas on a second bike

[Falconihlist]

After having my bike on (and off) the road over the last month, I still can't believe how well it does everything. My question is to the experienced and wise, having not ridden many other bikes, what would be the closest comparison to the Falco? (Age is irrelevant)

I'm looking at getting a second bike (repairable to rebuild over the winter) and then use next summer for commuting.

A second Falco wouldn't go down too well with the other half, although it could be an excuse to get her licence.

[D-Rider]

Hmmm - do I have this right? You want a bike to rebuild and commute on that is very similar to the Falco but isn't a Falco?

TBH I think that may be a recipe for disappointment.

If the "as close to a Falco as possible" is the most important thing then I'd not settle for anything other than another Falco - but maybe set it up a bit differently.

If not, then I think I'd go for something fairly different - and if commuting were my priority then something that does that very well.
Next thing is what sort of commuting do you do? Different bikes are good for different commutes.

How important is the desire to rebuild it (probably has a bearing on age of the bike)?
What sort of budget are we playing with?

[Falconihlist]

The commute is a mix of dual carriageway and B Road for about 20 miles with only about 2 miles in built up areas.

I guess the initial bulk of the budget would be on getting another bike. I've been toying with the idea of getting a ZZR 600 or an older Thundercat. Also had a look at a Pegaso or the very quirky F650 CS.

Another Falco is definitely on the cards for when I finish this job in 4 years, a track based one for the days when I can actually get round to planning time off months in advance and a bigger garage:)

I reckon a budget of about 2K all in would be feasible.

[Kwackerz]

CBR600 make excellent second bikes.. commuters.. scratchers.. and theyre reliable.. and cheap as chips to buy and insure, repair, run.

I wouldnt bother trying to find something akin to the Falco, i'd be more inclined to try something different. Pick up a steelframed CBR for low bucks, chuck some new swingarm bushes in it and overhaul the brakes and revive the front forks and youre still way under 2k.. under 1500 for that matter..

[Aladinsaneuk]

decent older beemer

makes a lot of sense

[Dusty]

An interesting question. I regret selling my Triumph Sprint RS 955i. It was a superb bike that did everything so well. Much easier to ride in town than the Falco and consistently returning 55mpg. Obviously, it lacks that V twin kick up the backside but that triple sounds amazing when opened up. Also, for someone who appreciates bikes that have soul, probably easier for you to love than a Honda!

[fastasfcuk]

totally different bike,but have a look at the z9 another good allrounder,askhoward he owns one,

[Willopotomas]

My BMW K100 (un-faired) is still bar far the best all rounder in the garage.. Shame it's been dormant for 4 years! Will keep up with traffic with ease, it's probably the tallest bike I've ridden (bar form crossers) which makes looking over things easy. Handles well, stops well.. is ugly as sin and has the street cred of a tramps piss soaked shoes. BUT.. insurance is cheap, fuel return is good (£20-£25 to fill from empty will see 160-200 miles in the dial.. depending on use), they're reliable and easy to work on. Tyre's can be a pain with limited choice through being 16" wheels. The engines are bullet proof, with many I know clocking over 200,000 miles before something goes pop.

Also consider the K75. Pretty much the same but a 3 cylinder 750cc version. Slightly less power, but not too noticeable around town. Despatch riders love them..

[back_marker]

How abaout a VFR750. Now going for very reasonable money and still brilliant bikes. Picked up an imaculate 60,000 miler for the wife for £1300 a couple of years ago and it does everything brilliantly.

The only thing to watch out for (and this is the same with any aging or high mileage bike) is the state of the consumables, ie tyres, chain and sprockets, brakes etc. These can soon mount the costs up when you put together a hundred here and a hundred there. Nothing that should put you off a bike on their own but just remember to factor them in to the price.

[MartDude]

Good, late BMW R100RS or RT. Reliable, quirky enough to be interesting. The RS is pretty nimble, thanks to its narrow-section tyres. Good quality panniers, and effective fairing. Both benefit from fitting a fork brace.

Yamaha XJ900. Solid, dependable, quite grunty. Shaft drive. Get the latest you can afford; earlier ones, I'm told, had temperamental gearboxes.

[mangocrazy]

How abaout a VFR750. Now going for very reasonable money and still brilliant bikes. Picked up an imaculate 60,000 miler for the wife for £1300 a couple of years ago and it does everything brilliantly.

The only thing to watch out for (and this is the same with any aging or high mileage bike) is the state of the consumables, ie tyres, chain and sprockets, brakes etc. These can soon mount the costs up when you put together a hundred here and a hundred there. Nothing that should put you off a bike on their own but just remember to factor them in to the price.

I'd second that - I'd tend to view the Falco as an Italian VFR. It's just that the Falco has more attitude, but less cylinders. It's also worth noting that VFRs do have more character than most Jap bikes (although less than Italian).

I actually know where there is a 1988 VFR750FJ going for silly money (£850 ono). The guy lives in Stafford and the bike is a pearl white example and has had money spent on it recently. Not sure if you'll be able to see the link without registering, but here it is:

http://www.bikersoracle.com/central/for ... php?t=7594

[Falconihlist]

Thanks guys, just had a look at the VFR in the previous post, it looks like an outstanding deal. Will try and give him a shout when I get logged onto their forum. Have had a look on some of the usual selling places, and there does seem to be quite a bit of hardware for sale at some reasonable prices. All I have to do now is sell my V8 engine, and then time to do a bit of shopping:)

[Willopotomas]

V8 engine.. do tell..

[Falconihlist]

whilst in Germany, I indulged in purchasing 2 Mustangs. One was the new shape, which I sold last month as I got fed up of driving it over here, and one was an older 95 model. Had bought a V8 to drop into the 95 as that was a V6. Didn't have enough time on my hands, so ended up swapping the project a few months ago for a TL1000S, which funded the Falco, bike test and parts:)

[mangocrazy]

Thanks guys, just had a look at the VFR in the previous post, it looks like an outstanding deal. Will try and give him a shout when I get logged onto their forum.

I tried to get a mate of mine interested, as to me it represent fantastic value for money. The owner has fixed the two main problem areas on these lovely old bikes (collector box/exhaust corrosion and rear shock damping fade), by fitting a Motad Stainless system and getting the shock re-furbed.

It's also had the forks overhauled and stainless brake lines. You can't go wrong with it at that price, especially as the motors are even more bulletproof than the Falco, due to the gear-driven cams. I bought one new in 1989, put 75,000 miles on it in 6 years, and when I sold it the engine was absolutely as good as new. Change the oil regularly and it will last pretty much indefinitely.