You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I'm looking at getting a motorbike again and this has caught my eye. Seems like a good price, decent riding position, can take pannier boxes. I'd probably be buying second hand - maybe a couple of years old with about 5000 miles on it.
Has anyone got one?
I'm going to be commuting into Edinburgh from Linlithgow a few days a week (10 miles of motorway/a road and 10 miles of city traffic each way). Office is at Waverly so car parking is awful and pricey. Train is an obvious choice but again a bit pricey as season ticket no good for part time commuting. As a contractor I can claim mileage on the bike. Also, a motorbike can be used for fun stuff too! Train is there if bad weather too.
There's not much off roading available for motorbikes in Scotland though. However some pals take smaller off road capable bikes down to France in the campervans sometimes so I could do that if I get a rack/lift for it.
Previous bikes were big nakeds - a Buell and a Speed Triple. However I don't really need/want that 100hp+ power.
But I do wonder if the Royal Enfield is underpowered? Seems like the 650 twin would be better?
Other option is the Yamaha Tenere 700, but it is twice the price.
My thoughts are get one second hand, get used to riding again (not had a bike for a few years) and if it's too underpowered I can sell and get something bigger and won't lose much £££s
From what I have seen on YouTube, it is a bit underpowered, but that will maybe not be a problem for a commuter.
Itchyboots (above) took one a long way and there is a head-to-head from ReZilla hre:
I probably wouldn't choose that as a commuter if half my journey was on motorway/fast A road
Thinking about it, would a tourer like a Versys 650 tick the boxes? Maybe something a little more road orientated would work for commuting and longer running around, but still give you a more upright position and that sort of comfort.
I'm slightly biased in the searches (Swedish bike market is smaller), but there seem to be way fewer Royal Enfields than other makes, so maybe the same in the UK.
Have a look at the Honda 500X - very highly rated. Perfect for what you want, I would imagine.
KTM 390 Adventure is often mentioned a an alternative.
Thanks for the ideas.
The Honda and Kawasaki just don't do it for me.
I will admit that a bike isn't the most rational choice, it's more a "heart" than head thing.
I think I like simpler, old fashioned bikes a bit - and really seem to dislike fairings!
I do like the KTM 390 though, will put that on the test ride list. BMW 310GS might do it too..
Friend of mine has a GS, loves it to pieces. His photo diary from the tour of the alps he did on it was really inspiring.
Royal Enfield Interceptor?
Good upright position, room for panniers, gutsier engine and the simplicity factor.
There was talk of an updated Himalayan using a bigger engine, probably the 650 but it doesn't seem to have turned up since they talked about it. Seem to have turned their attention to the 350 Meteor, which is prompting Honda to start bringing this to our shores (supposed to be India and asia market):
RE - I wouldnt bother, overweight, under powered, look awful. Their only plus point is the price isnt too bad.
If you want a reasonable priced bike, the Benelli TRK has been recommended a few times.
It's a bit overweight, but looks great in the flesh.2nd hand bargains can be found.
Other than that, I'd be looking at a Vstrom 650, the KTM 390 is good, but I found it just a little too slow at times, it's a thief magnet too. My second bike is an old SV650, I reckon its still a great bike at 20 years old.£1000, and I'd take it to the Alps if I was on my own.
The MT07 is a great bike, and the BMW F800 is a different thing to look at.
Funnily enough a mate just pulled up on his Himalayan yesterday. Lovely bit of kit. He paid £3,500 for it complete with panniers and it’s only got 1,400 miles on the clock. Bargain.
He’s using it as a commuter and really rated it. He’s no motorway though, just east lancs A and B roads.
RE are pretty well built and are a bargain imo.
Talk to Davey at Saltire, he'll sort you out.
Benelli are just chinese built generics aren't they ? Had a look and wasn't impressed when looking for a bike for my grandson.
I love something classic with a bit of character but I'd want something with slightly longer legs than a Himalayan - my ideal would be a modern 72 Bonneville so for that reason I'd go for an Intercepter.
Make sure you test ride one to make sure it fits your needs.
Moto guzzi v85?
I fancy one but do a lot of 2up so decided it would be underpowered. Potentially a nicer more powerful adventure bike than the enfield
Benelli TRK 502?
Remember at the sort of money an RE comes in at new, you could easily buy an Africa Twin or a GS
Oh, and did I mention, avoid chinese. They are that bad to own.
Some good ideas on here. Will need to get a weekend of test rides sorted.
I think the big 1200cc ones are more than I'm looking for.
Have been looking at the XT660 Tenere. Seems like it could be a good answer.
I used to have an MT-03 which I liked and the XT seems relatively similar
Out of all of this, the best thing is that you will get a weekend of riding a lot of different bikes. That is, in my book, a win!
I looked at an SV650. GF took it for the test rive and commented that a) it was likely stolen and b) I will hav to get to like changing gears. The engine sounds better than the 650 inline 4 I have on the Bandit.
I had an XT660z Tenere when they first came out.
Brilliant bike, in every way.