Thinking about a Winter hack

[Bill Rutter]

I start with a new company on the 25th Sept. and I'll be reducing the amount of commuting by road both in distance (down to a 35 mile trip each way) and, because I can get to work by  train more often, the amount of times I'll have to drive at all. So, hopefully, my little Seat that I bought specifically to get me to Eastleigh is now pretty much surplus to requirements. So I was thinking: Should I go down the cheap as chips two-wheeler route and then sell it on when the sun comes out for little financial loss? All the bike mags say this is easily achievable, but what do the sages in this great club think? And what bikes go for decent cash?

[guest18]

I'd love to say yes get a hack but tbh most bikes appear pretty overpriced
If you can put up with the traffic I'd say a cheap hatchback with a years mot is the easy cheap comfy answer, and probably just as easy on fuel!

If you really want to enjoy the trip to work however, then get a big traily. Small ones cost too much and/or have been off roaded into scrap. Big ones are a hoot to ride, can take the abuse of winter riding, still do 50 to the gallon and are too big/heavy for the idiots to wreck them off road (mostly).

Also you get to hold your head up high in that dodgy crowd... oh what are they called again? Oh yeah, the Rabbit club, no, thats not right... the Thumper Club!! That's them

[J Hop]

35 miles each way is too far to get a cheap hack IMO, if you broke down half way between home and work you'd have a 17.5 mile push.

I was looking for a winter ride last year but nothing cheap enough came along (I was looking for cg125 or c90 but these might be lacking in power for 70 mile a day?)

Bloke I work with bought a rusty c90 on ebay for £500 then instantly spent another £700 on big carb and full Takegowa race system for it (what a plonker)

Why not buy a bike that has a bit of cosmetic damage (maybe DRZ 400 or SV650 ? that will pretty much hold its value.

[Bill Rutter]

I'd be commuting this way a maximum of twice a week over the winter months (and then not every week) so as long as it was in reasonable fettle I wouldn't be asking too much of any machine. The back roads up to Gatwick are a hoot...loads of lovely twisties....with, for the most part, excellent surfaces and are generally well kept during the worst of winter weather. A DR or similar could be ideal for around a Grand which would let me pocket a tidy sum from the sale of the car (if the weather was really foul I've always got the missus' Golf, by the way) A cosmetically challenged bike wouldn't bother me, in fact it would probably have more cred ;-)

[guest7]

The Suzuki DR650 seems to be a bargain on the 'Bay. Simon Morgan has been all over the place on his with no real problems (apart from trying to fight germans who spill his pint, but I digress).

Look for the model with the nose fairing (like the Dominator's).

Away from thumpers, the Honda CB500 or the Kwak ER5 are both superb commuters with very low running costs.

Or... to go another route, the Suzuki 400 Bergman (the carb model, not FI), is a brilliant bit of kit, comfortable, fast and keeps you dry. If you doubt this, ask Jethro, he had one on a short term loan.

GC

[Andy M]

Off the wall idea, but do you fancy an unrestored classic or "modern" classic? I commuted everyday for 20 months on an Enfield Bullet and it never missed a beat. Buy for hack money (14 Bullets on E-bay now), run like a rat bike then either tart up the cosmetics and sell to the polishing brigade, or keep it and have your own classic. Parts and cheap and technology is simple, the downside is the 55 mph cruising speed and the chance of a long commute if you end up fixing some minor hassle.

Andy

[Bill Rutter]

All good suggestions. The Burgman and similar offerings aren't to be sniffed at (I actually quite like the Gilera Runner and a workmate is well pleased with his Peugeot JetForce 125, admittedly not really Superscoots). In all honesty I hadn't considered an Enfield for this task. Don't get me wrong, I love 'em - I'm just not confident that a Bullet won't leave me stranded.

[J Hop]

Yes the Gilera Runner is a very nice "bike", I was looking at them too but couldnt find a cheap one (I'm tight) 4-stroke version of course 125 or 180. One thing I dont like about them is they dont have a kickstart, so if you did have starter trouble you cant bump start an automatic.

Think I'd want at least 250-400cc for 70mile commute.

[Steffan]

Off the wall idea, but do you fancy an unrestored classic or "modern" classic? I commuted everyday for 20 months on an Enfield Bullet and it never missed a beat. Buy for hack money (14 Bullets on E-bay now), run like a rat bike then either tart up the cosmetics and sell to the polishing brigade, or keep it and have your own classic. Parts and cheap and technology is simple, the downside is the 55 mph cruising speed and the chance of a long commute if you end up fixing some minor hassle.

Andy

I would go along with that - storming little bike, if a little tubby, but I have to disagree with Andy they cruise a little quicker than that - not a lot mind. It is a real be happy bike, you laugh and hoot the whole time. I would love to try the cafe racer, must be an absolute squeal.

Steffan

[Richard]

I think Steve is right about his Bullet, depending which roads you are travelling on.  It has a sweet spot at 60-65 in top gear.  The vibes are quite acceptable, the engine just feels right.  I took it on a couple of runs to Cardigan (80 miles) and Carmarthen (40 miles) last week and was impressed by its frugality and fun factor.  Also its ability to cause traffic jams by virtue of old men just stopping their cars to look.

The other machine to consider would be a 301 MZ, higher motorway cruising speed, faster accelleration and more inherent reliability, but decidely less parsimonious with fuel.  Much better brakes of course.

[002]

Totally agree with above !

To be honest a well set up brake with different linings it aint that bad.

Dont forget the MZ 500 in its different guises.
Rotax 500 power plant.....had one of those storming bike.
Easy to look after and a very reliable engine in a soft state of tune,kick and leccy boot.
Frugal too.

Jethro

[guest18]

Anyone used the old Armstrong 500's? (while you mention Rotax engines!)

I never rode them myself but have heard good things and they look good... anyone confirm or deny?

[guest27]

Have a friend with an Armstron 500 - he loves it to bits.  There is a web page with loads of info on them - like what to look out for etc.  Apparently it is possible to buy them from the 'forces' in totally  knackered and totally unused for the same money... mind the dealers who get them know what they are looking at and mark up accorsdingly.  The 350 is supposedly better / more sought after than the 500, mainly due to the suspension brakes etc fitted.

Before the engine got ripped out of the Jawa 500 =- to go into the TZRotax, it is the same engine - great runner and fun, but the lack of frame and brakes scared me...


R

[Bruce]

I ve got a MT500 a damm good bike the brakes I find no problems with but I,m not used to super light disc brakes,re the MT350 it is considerabley slower than the 500,Mine should be back on the road soon.Like my Big4 its been all over the place.

PS just noticed when using the spellchecker it asked me if I meant disco rather than disc.

[002]

PS just noticed when using the spellchecker it asked me if I meant disco rather than disc.

I can imagine Bruce being asked to a Disco !

                   NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jethro