suggest me a bike

[lazarus]

havent had one for four years now - in response to pressure from SWMBO after my last "off" I sold the KTM and bought a Lotus. Not planning on selling the latter ( they really are fantastic small sports cars) but in my declining years I intent to treat myself to another bike.

Budget round the 5k mark. last couple of bikes were adventure style machines but they are now getting close to being too tall / too top heavy for me to handle. So I reckon something in the roadster / cruiser area, reasonably light for the sort of pottering I do, with some basic weather proitection and maybe some luggage ( say a top box) . The most common use for the bke is a gentle ride out round the back roads of the Brecon beacons near where I live with a pack of sandwiches for lunch.

So power isnt important but character is. For that reason I have never been attracted to Jap multis. I prefer someything European and maybe even air cooled though thats a bit limiting.

Anybody here got a Guzzi? Breva 750?

[Aladinsaneuk]

hmmmm

having enjoyed riding the pegaso in shropshire - consider something like that?? it was ideal for pottering/zooming around the twisties.... i was impressed :)

one of the modern triumph replicas - thunderbird ?? never going to win a speed record but modern reliability with a bit of character
(I can hear a strangled yelp from willopotamus!)

sounds crazy, but go along to one of the local bike meets of an evening and just wander around and see what you like....

[D-Rider]

Budget round the 5k mark. last couple of bikes were adventure style machines but they are now getting close to being too tall / too top heavy for me to handle. So I reckon something in the roadster / cruiser area, reasonably light for the sort of pottering I do, with some basic weather proitection and maybe some luggage ( say a top box) . The most common use for the bke is a gentle ride out round the back roads of the Brecon beacons near where I live with a pack of sandwiches for lunch.

So power isnt important but character is. For that reason I have never been attracted to Jap multis. I prefer someything European and maybe even air cooled though thats a bit limiting.

I think you just described one of these .....


other than it's Japanese and you did mention character in passing .... and it'd not be new to fit within your budget ....

[Willopotomas]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-BMW-R120 ... 27c7cd3cca

Nice plodders and really easy to ride. Saddle bags rather than a top box though. They also seem to hold their value quite well.

[Nooj]

Avoid a Dullville if you want character, they are also terrible for corrosion as well.

New Bonnie sounds exactly like the thing you're after. Plenty available for around £5k on fleaBay as well.

[MartDude]

Almost any air-head BMW boxer; air-cooled, and relatively low seat. R100RS or R100R?

Or, Moto Guzzi California

[snapdragon]

-/-
So power isnt important but character is. For that reason I have never been attracted to Jap multis. I prefer someything European and maybe even air cooled though thats a bit limiting.

Anybody here got a Guzzi? Breva 750?

no, but thought about one. Like the engine, had the nevada 750 which he liked until the dealer refused to fix the gear problem.
Have a Pegaso though and love it. The new street version looks good with hard to soft luggage fitted, yam engine though I think nowadays, mine's the rotax

[Willopotomas]

Avoid a Dullville if you want character, they are also terrible for corrosion as well.

+1

New Bonnies.. Now, most of you know my thoughts on the new Triumph company, but the bikes themselves are ok. A friend of mine has an 09' plate 'classic'.. The finish isn't great and he's had (believe it or not) problems with oil leaks. A chap down the pub has the 'America' version and had suffered similar issues. Probably something to do with them being built in Malaysia.

I'd have the BM over a Bloorumph, but hey, it's not my money..lol.

[lazarus]

Have both the new Bonnie and the R1200R on my list already - plus maybe an older 1450 Harley softail. The budget is flexible but not as far as the Triumph Tiger 800 which I have ridden and liked. I'll add the Pegaso and maybe the Breva though I worry about Guzzi back up. Any more ideas?

[HisNibbs]

Enfield?

Great for pottering and can put a smile on the strangest of faces.

If you need more than 70mph then I'd be another vote for a BMW or Guzzi twin.

[Falcopops]

Didn't BMW come up with a cruiser built around the 1150 motor, in fact they used it in one of the James Bond movies IIRC, prolly a bit pricey though.

[FlyingKiwi]

Moto Guzzi V7 Classic if your'e going 2 up or V7 Cafe for solo jaunts

[MartDude]

Didn't BMW come up with a cruiser built around the 1150 motor, in fact they used it in one of the James Bond movies IIRC, prolly a bit pricey though.

R1200C Montauk

[randomsquid]

Moto Guzzi V7 Classic if your'e going 2 up or V7 Cafe for solo jaunts

Problem with those is that they're tiny. I sat on one at the NEC and it disappeared up my arse cheeks.

How about a W650? Or if you're feeling spendy a W800se with the humpy seat and nose fairing.

[MartDude]

Problem with those is that they're tiny. I sat on one at the NEC and it disappeared up my arse cheeks.

But that was your arse cheeks . . .