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I use my car mostly for short solo trips...got me thinking a motorbike might be more fun and cheaper to run...never had one...so...
1. Could I get a cool 60-70s on, not too big (so I don't kill meself) that would be fun, safe, practical & capable of restoration/maintanence at home?
2. Can you bolt up your bike to the back of them via the front fork, like a tag-a-long?
3. Would i really be able to do front wheel skids? 😉
yeah a bike and I've one in the garage that I'd sell you for £750 and it'd only need £200 spent on it, cbr 600
Go for it!
It probably depends what car you are comparing it to.. but they are not _that_ cheap to run. Insurance is comparable, servicing more frequent, you'll need to buy a load of kit to go with it... but it is still fun. It's a bit like cycling somewhere.. it's transport and fun 🙂
A modern bike would be much better on the not killing yourself front than one from a few decades ago - brakes and suspension have come on a LONG way! It'd probably be a lot more reliable too.
Items 2 and 3 - no idea..
1. Yes
2. You are being silly now
3. only if you upgrade the brakes 😉
holiday or STW holiday??
Do you have an organ donor card Al?
Just asking, like.
.
Could I get a cool 60-70s on, not too big (so I don't kill meself) that would be fun, safe, practical & capable of restoration/maintanence at home?
You will not find a motorbike cheap to run especially a classic. if by 60s / 70s you mean a brit classic then forget it. You don't have a garage either. What was the issue with the classic car you had? Working on it in the street?
You also need to do direct access test - £500 minimum IIRC
there is a chap in the states who has done this with his tandem and his Goldwing -= reports no issues. Solo bikes can be put on a motorbike there are even commercially available racks to do it but needs a decent size bike2. Can you bolt up your bike to the back of them via the front fork, like a tag-a-long?
All part of learning to ride properly. You need to know where the limits are 😉3. Would i really be able to do front wheel skids?
2 cheap options - enfield India - cheap and nasty but with that classic style or modern retro - Kawa W6 or Hinkley Triumph Bonnie. I'll sell you an Enfield India. Much cheapness to you sir. The brakes are really good honest injun. Not sabotaged at all.
60s-70s stuff isn't fun, safe or practical.
A Triumph 60s-70s look-alike from the 90s onwards would fit the bill though.
Yes
Everyone should.
It can be 5th - but if it is it ain't cheap or hassle free.
[img][url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2548475585_93aaf50537_o.jp g" target="_blank">
This has been in a garage now for ten years or so. However prior to that it was eveyday transport for 25 years including many trans european tours. hevily uprated tho with a modern bottom end in the motor and modern oilfitration, 2LS front brake of a later bike, modern solid state electrics, more modern forks and if / when it sees the light of day its getting front discs as the forks have mounts for them
Al - I'll sell you this one. Honest the brakes are really good
[img][url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2549305822_189fbbe452_o.jp g" target="_blank">
It can be 5th - but if it is it ain't cheap or hassle free.
OK, I'll give you that one.
In terms of not cheap I'd imagine a brand new Triumph would be cheaper.
Sorry for being thick TJ but what Enfield is that?
It looks great 😀
Thanks all...confirms what I thought re old bikes. TJ I have a back yard I could keep it in...and get a shed?
Soz but I don't like Brit classics. The idea was inspired by seeing this lot in Germany...
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BK9Ee-MnrmbGxBMl-u8w5v3q76HDjF1pPo9dgBBldrY?feat=directlink
I also like those BMWs - long tank, single seat, prob a bit too big though (can't find a pic)
I was thinking 250cc odd European? I also saw a Monkey and those wee monocoque Hondas (I think they are small tho?). I have an MX5 which eats £100-300 a year servicing usually.
Junkyard - why not?
Do you have an organ donor card Al?Just asking, like
I've bagsied his kidneys, retinas, and baws......
Creg - MemberSorry for being thick TJ but what Enfield is that?
It looks great
Its a 2000ish enfield india 500 with all the crap tinwear stripped off and in minimalist trials trim
Old BMW boxers were available in smallish capacities, as were MotoGuzzis. Not 250cc small, but Benellis were (and plenty of Japanese brands). They're all very expensive compared to a nearly new retro styled bike and will eat your wallet.
But if you enjoy trying to source parts from all over the world they're certainly a hobby (I've done a lot of this so I have mixed feelings about it).
Not reading any of that.
In answer to your OP. Yes.
It is inevitable. You have started the process and you will follow it to it's logical conclusion. The ownership of a grossly unsuitable machine.
DO IT! i want a backie!
Al - older BMW would do fine - reliable and practical. Something like a 600/5 perhaps?
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Moto Guzzi v 50- another possibility
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Old small bike will be very very slow thus not much use or fun. Old european stuff difficult to get parts
Edit - 5th - great minds and all that 🙂
If you need to ask, probably not
Hmmm cheers again all...nothing that fits the bill then?
What old small Jap stuff is there?
EDIT I don't really mind slow...or want to go fast.
My mate use to ride his C90 out on 120 mile Sunday runs into Wales. Yes you can do 50mph on one but 60-70mph is optimistic. Some of those guys in the photos are on mopeds which would be lucky to top 40mph!
An old CB250RS is a decent machine that will do illegal speeds and can cruise on the motorway and is cheap to run with 70mpg possible.
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As for carrying a bike on a motorcycle - yes it is possible.
[img] http://www.bikehacks.com/.a/6a0120a7ed5f9d970b015432a6ae8c970c-800wi [/img]
Greg herbold use to use a Kawsaki trail bike to take him to the top of mountains with his mtb strapped to the back circa 1994.
yes - 670s beemer or guzzi 🙄
Ok - a couple of off the wall sugestions. Ural / dnieper - russian made copies of wartime BMWs - mainly with sidecars but also available without - ever WW11 movie sees loads destroyed
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MZ 250
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One more for luck - BSA bantam - small but will do 60 - 70. plenty of parts available not too expensive.
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Still cheap to buy as well - and a very simple robust machine
http://www.classicbikeshed.com/index.php?a=2&b=2945
GB500? Old, but not as old as it looks.
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I wish my Dad kept his bike.
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I had a Honda Hornet.
Still death traps though 🙁
I am liking this
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Well, I guess it's not a scooter.
It costs some serious cash to run a bike mate.
Tyres only last about 3000-6000 mls on the rear and double that on the front. £250 a set and if you do 12000 mls a year your talking nearly £400 on tyres.
Road tax is cheap, insurance isn't ,especially if you have just passed your test.
It will cost around £ 600 to kit yourself out with stuff that will last and protect.
Your average 600cc bike will get 40-50 mpg. If you can't service the bike yourself it will get very expensive. Most need serviced every 3000 mls or there abouts. There are big and small services which alternate and can be anything up to £ 600 for a big one.
Tyres only last about 3000-6000 mls on the rear and double that on the front. £250 a set and if you do 12000 mls a year your talking nearly £400 on tyres.
For this?
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Tyres will be £20 and last 25 years.
Any bike I've had that's the mileage I got. Never had a vintage, temperamental, impractical motorcycle that's not fit for daily driving. Looks great though and as a sunny Sunday machine would give great service.
What PP said.
Don't buy an old bike, they do look nice but they always turn out to be an expensive can of worms.
If its for commuting buy a cb500[img] 
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It will do over a ton so its fun and it will do 70mpg if ridden carefully
Never had a vintage, temperamental, impractical motorcycle that's not fit for daily driving.
That's why you wear tyres out 😉
Al - I'll sell you this one. Honest the brakes are really good
You know it makes more sense to sell it to me than to al...
You want teh enfeild Juan? Your not having my BSA
I had the 'cool" British 60-70s bikes when they were new. They were heaps of animal exhaust apart from Velocettes, Ariel singles, and Matchless/AJS singles. Most of these bikes got their exalted reputations from people who didn't ride far. The only advantage is they won't rust because of their oil leaks.
Best bikes of that era are the BMW /5 /6 /7 and then their successors. Genuine fill and forget it bikes so long as they got their servicing, and easy to maintain yourself if desired.
5th too true. Also probably why I'm held together by large pieces of titanium and the Mrs says I'm only allowed two wheeled machines with pedals and about 1/3 horse power.
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[/img]if I had £5000 to spend it'd be one of these for a new rider/comuter
epicyclo - MemberThe only advantage is they won't rust because of their oil leaks
loving it Brian 😀
I think I need to start a new thread...
I'll buy them both TJ...
yer not having the BSA - you couldn't afford it anyway 🙂 Its worth thousands - the enfield hundreds
the enfield hundreds
How much out of interest
Several. I'd have to do some thinking and checking
If I had kept my old motorbikes, I'd be sitting on a fortune. But then I remember why I sold most of them...
But I do have my eye out for a good BMW twin at the moment.
Got to get rid of a few other toys first...
one of a in precise number http://pre65trials.blogspot.com/ rode to the pub yesterday am all barboured up etc..
Don't get a small/slow bike, you get too snarled up in traffic. You need to have enough acceleration to make yourself a bit of space for safety sake.