[Ogmios]

Already, I know a question like this has a "how long is a piece of string?" air to it.
But I'll try anyhow, as it's driving me nuts.

The story so far;
~ sold the Airhead.
~ replacement needs to be good for commuting.
~ 2 up weekends away.
~training (not a lot, but must be fit for the job)
... and fit for Spirited Progress on boreen roads.

The last bit - boreens - i can hustle the most unlikely machinery around them, but i dont have masses of upper body strength anymore, so nimble, agile, flickable Bikes would be nice.
Big top speed or bhp not needed - i'm all torque.

Not asking for much, am i?

Going Bike blind at the moment - can't see the wood for the trees - hence this thread.
I do know it's not possible to get all i want.
I do hope to get all I need.

Budget is max. of €1200ish - (so if buying in U.K. VRT and travel costs have to come out of that too.)

Any suggestions or access to a genie with spare wishes much appreciated.

Feel free to take the mickey! with a topic like this - i dont expect any mercy whatsoever!

... i think what's prompted this is the knowledge that in the the last 35ish years, every single time i've commited my moolah to a specific Bike...
... another one comes up the next day that would have been a better one for me.

thanks in advance....
perhaps.
~~~

[Darkcloud]

Lovely VFR750 here....if you don't buy it I just might (but probably not :



















or this

This post has been edited by Darkcloud: 25 November 2011 - 01:46 PM

[crispy]

I had lots of options unti we hit the budget........

Clean Original Bandit 1200?..... http://www.donedeal....orbikes/2752174

Or a '00 CBR600 with lowish mileage http://www.donedeal....orbikes/2718512

This post has been edited by crispy: 25 November 2011 - 02:14 PM

[jamesobrady]

Fancy a super tenere ?

[PaulB]

jamesobrady, on 25 November 2011 - 07:15 PM, said:

Fancy a super tenere ?

Let me guess, its just broken in.

[delooney]

jamesobrady, on 25 November 2011 - 07:15 PM, said:

Fancy a super tenere ?

He said recommend, not wreckommend!



Honda CB400 Super 4 might suit you?

great bike, light, nice power, well able to show up bigger machines on the twisties, looks bigger than it should....

plenty out there, frinstance: http://www.donedeal....orbikes/2731726

[fabio]

Doubt it would do two-up riding all that well.

A TDM could fit your bill (http://www.donedeal....orbikes/2644569) or a V-Strom although they're not cheap.

Bandit 1250 is more refined than the 1200 and could also do it although no Bandit is a lightweight, they weigh about 200kg when DRY!

ZZR 600 or ZZR 1100 (http://www.donedeal....orbikes/2338841) could also possibly work. Again not lightweights my any reason but the 1100 has a lot of torque and was a fine sports tourer in the day apparently.

Yamaha FJ1200 (http://www.donedeal....?source=private) big old touring lump...

You should maybe consider a Deauville also. It fits all of the bills bar beating the crap out of top sports bikes but in the right hands it can move. Ask Larry!

Fazer maybe?

This post has been edited by fabio: 26 November 2011 - 12:56 AM

[delooney]

Dis maybe?

Or dis?

Muuhahaha!

[Darkcloud]

delooney, on 26 November 2011 - 02:24 PM, said:

Dis maybe?

I was gonna sugegst this....perfect for you

[Playtime]

Hows about This Og ?

[Ogmios]

Thanks a lot guys - i really appreciate the input.
For now - i am backing off looking.
For one thing, it's doing my head in trying to 'review' in my head the pro's and cons'...
it's got more --->
than
--->

if you know what i mean

So,
i have a borrowed BMW K100 to play with and see how that goes.
It wouldn't have come up on my radar but for a mate selling his.
first impressions;
~ f*cking rocket ship for power!
~ top heavy.... ish. (i blame rider input error )
~ smoooooth and comfy.
~ a lot of potential to be just right.

.. and better than Cumulus Numbnuts suggestion of a C1! (ffs - who am i? - Pat Kenny!?)

I'll keep youz posted.
~~~
The Demented One
p.s; P.Mers -
Thanks for the offers - i will reply on Monday.

This post has been edited by Ogmios: 26 November 2011 - 06:33 PM

[Ogmios]

Finally made a decision.

Some may think (or confirm ) i'm mad but,
i ended up buying that K100.

Certainly wasn't a Bike 'on my radar' but i got a loan of it when i was most in need and...

It grew on me. Big Time .
I certainly wouldn't have got one if i hadn't ridden one.
Engine is suprisingly smooth and torquey - and addictive - linear power
having changed the 'Bars, put my old screen on it and - the final touch a topbox.
Now it's rather nimble in traffic flickable on back roads - my favourites.

I had the luxury of try before buy so i 'fixed' it to suit me.
Thanks to Reillste (an occasional poster here)
and Jaythro (a very occasional poster here) - I must thank as he could even give me a history (pictorial - with stripdown pics! ) of the Bike.
That made the decision on a 26year old Bike for everyday use much easier, to put it mildly!

I've made a few changes to it and i aint finished yet.
It was an RS/ is now not so much naked as skinned in places!
has 2 dinky little chrome headlights, RT 'Bars, a fugly screen, topbox and.... a tow bar!
Sorry - Wheelie Bar

i've never going to tow - i just love the wtf value.
It's going to be fun, pishing off the purists with this one.
pics to follow
~~
oh and,
Thanks for all the input, ideas and suggestions folks - .

[CBR 46]

Glad to hear you got sorted Og...now put your clothes back on and stop frightening the postman and go out and enjoy your new bike

[Ogmios]

CBR 46, on 06 January 2012 - 05:00 PM, said:

Glad to hear you got sorted Og...now put your clothes back on and stop frightening the postman and go out and enjoy your new bike

*sighs*....
you flash just one postman..... and they never let you forget it.

i'm going back to directing plays....

[Darkcloud]

Great stuff Og...may she serve you well and keep yuu safe ....looking forward to the pics

[nab301]

Ogmios, on 06 January 2012 - 04:46 PM, said:

and.... a tow bar!

Normally used by Enfield bullet riders And yes i know one guy who does tow a trailer occasionally...

[Ogmios]

Many things i can do / many things i can't.

canNOT suss how to upload pics here!

so,
a link instead.
She's a 'work in progress' - so, yes - it's a Rat!

comments welcome.... also - paint, (matt black of course) wire wool, a rad cover (he says - looking with interest at the fireguard in the hearth!), and some vinyl for a seat cover!
https://picasaweb.go...feat=directlink

This post has been edited by Ogmios: 10 January 2012 - 05:09 PM

[nab301]

Ogmios, on 10 January 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

comments welcome....

Interesting! was it difficult to fit the rt bars, and how much does the exhaust weigh? . ( I think I have a new front r/h caliper to suit if you ever need one ...)

This post has been edited by nab301: 10 January 2012 - 09:27 PM

[Ogmios]

nab301, on 10 January 2012 - 09:24 PM, said:

Interesting! was it difficult to fit the rt bars, and how much does the exhaust weigh? . ( I think I have a new front r/h caliper to suit if you ever need one ...)

RT 'Bars;
There's a tale in itself.
Fiddly to fit but not difficult.
I did a lot of standing and looking before i touched anything, so had most of the working out done before i lifted a spanner.
The Bike was originally an "RT". Then an "RS". Then met a deer on a country road - it lost the encounter and trashed its plastics ... and got nekkid!
So, i didn't know for sure whether it had 'long' or 'short' cables and brake hose.
I could not cope with the RS 'Bars - they may be great on an Autobahn -but for me, made the Bike unwieldy and not at all pleasant to steer - especially low speed steering.
It had no screen at the time and made er... Making Progress literally a pain.
I only stuck with it as i thought i can fix this (that silky smooth turbine like engine had rather a lot to do with this - i love it!)
Then fitted a set of "K75" 'bars - they're midway between RS and RT 'Bars - not as wide either.
Then the screen - this ole fart wants his comfort and i've had that screen on 3 different Bikes -set right, it gives me a sweet spot - draft free -i can ride visor up at... most speeds.
Big improvement / i'm getting there / but not enough.. yet.

Did me sums, looked at the setup of cables and brake hose (BMW use a really tidy setup with the hose running through the headstock - very neat.)
Right i says - This looks like it will work as is!
It did.
I set the 'Bars ever so slightly too far forward for total comfort as it makes me sit up and lean forward - better for my back that way - as i have to try to keep good posture that way.

So, i've put up a good few miles with this setup now and can happily hustle along boreens, filter with fun on the commute and it's rock steady at faster twisties.
Very happy with how that worked out as i honestly didn't expect to grin so much on this yoke.

The Exhaust;
it's a full stainless system under all the crud- with a lot of brillo and scouring powder, maybe even a vicious wire brushing that would get the polishing fetishists whimpering
it would come up well actually.
But it must weigh a ton too. maybe a suitable end can would help that. any suggestions?

Thanks for the thought about brakes - i want to take a look at the rear sometime - a little more finesse would be nice for low speed control - but i think the fronts are good, Ta.

There's idiot lights in the clocks not working .. or sometimes working... or behaving like disco lights at times.. (just my luck; electrickery - my favourite.. NOT! )
THAT's the next job!

Still grinning every time i ride it.
Would love to sort the cosmetics but there are priorities!
.... Having seriously insane ideas about a rad cover using... whatever i find lying about, ahem.
It's certainly going to be..... 'Different'.