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I haven't had a road motorcycle since I was 21 which was a Yamaha R6. I miss having a bike around but I'm aware of the fact if I get to ride once a month then I am very lucky so with that in mind I want to get something cheap for an occasional bit of fun on a Sunday afternoon. Just a blast around some of the fun little country roads nearby.
I'm completely out of the loop on bikes now so have no idea what to look for and I really can't spend more than 2k at an absolute max and even that is pushing it. I've scoured ebay and there are some nice decent looking older machines for well under 2k but I have no idea if they are good, bad, junk etc. I want something sporty but am not fussy on capacity really. I used to have an Aprilia RS250 (2 stroke) when I was a teenager and that was a joy to ride.
Any suggestions on what to consider/avoid?
Plenty of good sports 600s (or bigger) for that money if that's the style of bike you want. They're not as popular these days, and new riders struggle to insure them.
SV650s are plentiful, tough, cheap and fun to ride. Low insurance too if that's an issue (it is where I live). I like twins too.
super moto?
^ this
If you want sporty, an old CBR600 will see you right. Bulletproof engines and great fun to ride.
Other than that, as posted above SV650's are plentiful and the V-twin motor is entertaining.
EDIT: ooooooooo... supermoto - good shout!
supermoto, max fun...
KTM ftw. (but make sure its electric start)
Never really considered a supermoto. I suppose coming from a motocross background a supermoto would make sense. Good for mucky country roads too.
Why not get an big enduro and get a set of supermoto wheels then you get best of both worlds, I like the XR650 its still a belting bike and one of the best engines out there
£2000 gets you a lot of bike tbh. How old was your R6? Do you want something similiar again, or not?
As a rule, you can't go wrong with a CBR600. Never been a bad one. Doubt you'll find an RR for this price but there'll be stacks of alu-framed Fs and Fxs.
SV650 is a brilliant bike- fun, quick enough, very hard to kill... And there'll be a million available at your price. But, to be fair the suspension is pish- if you weigh more than 10 stone it'll be a good idea to get into the forks as they'll be both too soft, and underdamped, and it's fairly likely still will be the original shagged out fork oil to boot. A well sorted SV is an absolute joy though.
I bought an SV to hack to work and back, and it's so good it's almost persuaded me to ride on the road for fun again! Engine is punchy revvy and fun but totally unintimidating, it's light and flickable but stable.
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-HUSABERG-650-DCR-Supermoto-/140953010187?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item20d174400b#ht_983wt_1129 ]Husaberg[/url]
More fun than any 600cc sportsbike ive ever ridden! imop.
Bikes with lots of cylinders, power and bodywork are a pain to work on and consumables cost a lot.
A single supermoto though... it's like working on a mountain bike (except the consumables are cheaper). And they look good with gravel rash.
No no no the whole super moto thing is fine if you are not planning on going more than 20 miles, they eat chain and sprockets are horribly uncomfortable and get dull a bit quick.
Honda Hornet loads about, enough poke to make you grin and as tough as old boots.
If you really liked your old RS250 you could always get an old RD350 and rebuild it, then you can relive that 2 stroke buzz.
i had a kawasaki gpz 600 - lovely bike and the main reason for getting such and old bike was insurance. my ex was 10 years younger than me and insuring him on it doubled the cost of the insurance
Then we split and i can't justify the expense as i wouldn't ride it enough
Such good rides and always such fun, i miss it (the bike obviously!)
Definitely, and can be hard to clean the expensive metal bits. The SV is very open to cleaning, obviously a supermoto is too. (I think the best road going supermoto would be the KTM, but the £2K limit might be tight.)Bikes with lots of cylinders, power and bodywork are a pain to work on and consumables cost a lot.
Another great choice.Honda Hornet loads about, enough poke to make you grin and as tough as old boots.
horribly uncomfortable and get dull a bit quick
Not for me i sold my 600 and went beck to the SM fold for that reason.
though for big distance yes you're correct they aren't the greatest, I could manage about 100 miles before soreness krept in on my berg, but it was a lot more fun in those 100 miles than the kwak, and all within legal speed limits too...officer..
No no no the whole super moto thing is fine if you are not planning on going more than 20 miles
Yeah, I wouldn't want to go anywhere on a supermoto but the OP said...
I want to get something cheap for an occasional bit of fun on a Sunday afternoon. Just a blast around some of the fun little country roads nearby.
back to the XR 650 in supermoto trim its a really comfy bike and will poke its the front wheel at the sky on a whiff, loads of fun. pretty cheap on parts too
+1 for the XR650 as its bulletproof almost, but it needs the engine uncorking and the suspension sorting properly to be anywhere near as entertaining as a KTM or berg.
£2000 gets you a lot of bike tbh. How old was your R6? Do you want something similiar again, or not?
Well if I could get well below that budget more the better. Will keep the wife off my back!
My R6 was new when I had it. A 2005. I'm not that fussy really, I just want some fun on the road again. I'm certainly open to a supermoto style bike. I loved my R6 but also enjoy the upright positioning on a supermoto style bike. I guess it comes down to 'bang for your buck'.
considering parting company with my 04 zx6r (B1 model) my email is in my profile if you want to chat about it...
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/waaaaaay-ot-zx6r-roadtrack-motorbike
[i]If you really liked your old RS250 you could always get an old RD350 and rebuild it, then you can relive that 2 stroke buzz. [/i]
What for £2k, have you seen the price of the 'classics'?
Just get a Jap 4 and be done with, most have had a easy life. If they've had a hard life you'll easy see, and engines usually run for ever.
Got a cbr600fx. I traded down from a 1050 tiger that I wasn't riding anywhere near enough but can't be without a bike. Had allsorts over the years. cbr is fairly quick when you rev it and comfy for me (i'm 6'2). In good order for its age as I think most Hondas have decent build quality.
Another vote for the CBR600. Reliable and fun, whether its a quick blast or a euro tour. I bought mine new and put over 100k on it.
(I think the best road going supermoto would be the KTM, but the £2K limit might be tight.)
Sold Orangina's mint KTM660 SMC for £2k.. but as I mentioned, kickstarting it after a foot operation was a no go. Electric boots please. Shame as it was a brilliant ride. Top drawer everything.
If its just for the occassional blat about the above advice re unfaired and fewer cylinders (if possible) is spot on.
I sold my xt660 tenere as I didn't want the expense of running two bikes (kept the Suzuki RF900) and wish I'd done it the other way round for ease of maintenance and running costs.
Loads of good fun bikes at under £2k - both of mine cost well under a grand and there seems to be not much difference between something well taken care of and an obvious dog . Just take your time and preferably someone who knows their stuff if you are not sure and have been out of the loop for a while.
Cheers folks, great advice as always. The search begins. I'll update when I get something.
Ive had a xr650 and a cbr600.
the xr was better, providing:-
1, i was on my own, 2, i only had max 40 miles to do, 3, I could afford a new set of tyres, 4, I had all day to recover.
jees what a pain in the arse.
Cbr600f= best all round bike ever. As quick as an r1 up to 120mph and comfortable, cheap, reliable, etc, etc
What for £2k, have you seen the price of the 'classics'?
Hence "old" and "rebuild" 😆 maybe I should of put basket case.
Bandits are dirt cheap and stone axe relaible, fugly things though.
I reckon that a supermoto's the way forward.
I've had R1's, GSX-R's and big naked bikes but when I get another bike it'll be a supermoto. Perfect for my daily commute as its only 20 miles or so.
[i]Cbr600f= best all round bike ever. As quick as an r1 up to 120mph [/i]
Er, don't think so.
My buddy had one, he's quick but got marmalised by our Blades/zx9r's/R1's etc. They're not slow, but a litre bike is a different beast entirely.