Motors Motorcycle Mayhem

Yep.

 

Yep

 

Thinking about it, go for a 400. You won't get so hurt by the power restriction as it'll be so much lighter so you'll be able to have more fun. The ZXRs are pretty mental bikes and very good fun due to their high rev nature. I nearly bought one myself last month. A ZXR will hold value better than a diversion or whatever equivalent you're looking at now, should be a bit cheaper on tyres and the insurance reduction will be well worth it. You're better off spending the excess cash on really good gear to protect yourself.

 

Dry weight between the zxr400 and an sv650 is negligable Still agree though, probably a bit more fun to get a screaming 400!

 

More fun than a growling, snarling 650?! Pah!!

Edit: Speaking of which, given the amazing weather at the moment here in Chichester I'm going to be taking a look at my fuel pump tomorrow, see if I can get the old girl growling again! Desperate to get out on it this weekend. The weather's awesome!

 

So no votes for a relativley boring CB500 then!

The thing with a ZXR is I wouldn't have that much left to spend on good gear. I'm also looking to do a fair little bit of touring in the summer, albeit with a friend on a 125. I've of course not tried one, so I've not got that much basis for comfort/discomfort. I would go and try one, but the nearest at a dealer is around 100 miles away from me, which is impractical since I don't have any mode of transport at the moment, bar public transport, of course.

Whereas there are plenty of CB500's around. And I'm pretty certain that they'd be more comfortable for a longer trip. Of course, it definitely seems that most, if not all, are workhorses, and generally maintained for best value. (If that makes any sense at all)

I'm going to certainly go and have a look and sit on a CB500 at some point in the near future. And if a ZXR pops up within 50 miles of my house, then I'll take a look at that too.

I don't want to rush into things, but at the same time it's really depressing on the long, 4 mile walk home from work to watch all these people on bikes whiz past at 40 mph. At times, I even envy people on scooters...

Thanks for all the advice people.

 

Four hours later the fuel pump has been out, checked, poked and prodded, cleaned, put back in and the bike started and seemed to run fine. Nice crisp throttle response with no apparent issues fuelling. Going to eat something, put a bit of fuel in her and go for a ride, see what happens.

 

Now I'm looking a bit more at other bikes, any opinions on a CBR 400RR?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CBR...2456406?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item4173031656

I'm probably going to head over and take a look at this one, and insurance for the CBR is closer to £1250, which is moderately reasonable.

Seems very cheap for the market, and looks very tidy. I'm not sure about the guy having had everything resprayed black, and the replacement fairing 'Only for looks' But I'm willing to give it a shot.

I'm going to be giving him a call this afternoon, any suggestions as to what I should be asking him?

 

I'd only buy one of these (and ditto for a ZXR400) if it was a genuinely looked after and loved example with few previous owners. Otherwise likely to have plenty of "interesting" history. If I were you i'd just be trying to get the general feeling of whether the current owner is a chav or not. Ask about paperwork, maintenance and previous owners... If he sounds alright go have a look

edit now that i've actually read the advert...:

Promising! Quite a well written ad, too. It could do with some fresh brake fluid by the looks of things

 

Just bought the CBR! Collecting it on Wednesday, fitting the restrictors, and then probably heading off into the sunset!

Paid asking price, the guy couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating, let me ride the bike down his cul de sac with no helmet, gloves, or even seeing my licence.

It's a small bike, But I can get on and off it really easy, it sounds amazing, even with the stock exhaust, and was surprisingly comfortable. He showed me the MOT certificates, and the bike had done 50km in 3 years.

Tyres were incredibly new, the only advisory on the MOT was a bit of pulsing through the lever on the front brakes.

I can't wait 'till Wednesday!

 

That pulsing is probably a warped disc, caused by a sticky caliper.

Easy enough fix, and those "small bikes" aren't so small. they are plenty quick enough. I do think they are well worth having and are different from the norm

Hearing you talk about getting one almost makes me jealous and I want a go

 

That's the thing. After seeing it, hearing it, and having a very little pootle around, I thought it was worth the extra money over something like a parallel twin commuter.

And the end of the day, when you're restricted, what influenced me is that the only difference is going to be the sound, the looks, and the handling. And since it was a winner on all three, then I thought, sod it.

It looks really good, my mother who went with me was a bit shocked when I told her it was 22 years old- she thought it much younger.

Odd thing was, it really wasn't that aggressive seating-wise. I thought it'd be arse in the air, hugging the tank, but it really felt like I was sitting in it as opposed to ontop of it. It wasn't like any other sportsbike I've sat on before.

 

Nice purchase - sod those parallel twin bore-fests I sense an ace cafe (as much as i dislike the place) meet up coming on!

 

Sounds like a good idea

 

I Concur!

I've still got to justify to my Dad why he now has to pay for some protective gear because I've spent all of my money on the bike and insurance! I've got helmet, gloves, and a half decent jacket, but nothing more. Boots are next, I think.

 

Just picked it up off Craigslist
2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250


First two wheeled vehicle

 

Sounds like a very good idea RTT! Give it until after the 17th and I'll be finished at Uni for the year! Well up for meeting a few of you guys.

 

That's a great buy TDK, well done. I think you made the right choice giving the parallel twin ****-fests a miss - so dull.

 

I haven't fetched my bike out of hibernation yet anyway (it lives elsewhere during the winter)

Spoiler

proper fair weather rider