Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: KIFESTOOSHORT on June 21, 2007, 09:23:22 AM
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Hi, I have found your site from the BIKE forum, please bare with me if I break some etiquette rule but I'm new to this forum stuff!
I am selling my Yamaha TDR250 and looking to buy a 600/650 single in the same style (s'moto ish but more road orientated), I am 6'4" 15 stone (ish) and like the upright riding style of a s'moto, so far I have narrowed down the possibles to the Aprilia Pegaso, the MZ Mastiff (or other) but am open to suggestions.
I am not keen on the Ducati, BMW or Yam MT1 (looks), but would like to hear other suggestions, does anyone have experience of the Suzuki Freewind?
I look forward to replies.
PS. Nice looking site and ethos.
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, please bare with me if I break some etiquette rule but I'm new to this forum stuff!
I'm not sure we have any etiquette!
What sort of performance/use are you looking for? I really liked the XT600E I had, but while the F650/Aprillia puts out about 50 hp and will do motorways, the XT's 44 made it a bit of a drag.
What about CCM? I know they aren't about new anymore , but the engines are ROTAX and should be workable?
Welcome to the club.
Andy
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How about the XT660R, not ridden one but it uses a similiar motor to the SZR660 which went well.
http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/products/motorcycles/street/xt660x.jsp
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TDR250 - wellll maybe drop the stroker engine and bolt a yam single in there? Dont look at the Rotax rto go in the Yam frame - the drive is on the wrong side - as I am finding out.
R
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At 6'4" you may find the Mastiff a bit on the small side but you may like the Baghira Supermoto, basically the same bike but without the suspension drop..
I find the seat gets uncomfy and the tank is too small but it'll do 80 all day on the motorway and BSA Regals parts service is both fast and sensibly priced!
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You could get a nice Honda Dominator for a reasonable price. It puts out around 48hp IIRC and will do a decent job on motorways if pushed but for everything else is great. On the more road-orientated front you might be interested in a Suzuki-engined Sachs 650. 3 grand will get you a nearly hardly used one and it comes with some nice kit, I like them but they didn't sell well.
I've had a look on the BikeTrader website and 3X M/c's in Dorset have 2 in stock with 1 mile in the clock for £2700, but there are also '03's on offer elsewhere with low mileage for around £1800
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Forget singles and get a twin
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Forget singles and get a twin
Thanks for the suggestions so far, the XT is too traily, I did go to a MZ dealer I think in Taunton/Bridgwater? before I bought the TDR but their test bike was on loan to motorcycle sport & leisure, the domi again is traily and the Sachs it bit scarce (spares?), I'm thinking around £1,500 max. No one got anything on the Freewind?
By the way what is IIRC?
thanks.
PS. Where did this guy come from saying get a twin!!?? I thought you were all big bang men!]
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Definitely a couple of Freewind riders on here somewhere...
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/suzuki/first-impression-1997-suzuki-xf650-freewind-16289.htm
Above link might help, but then I guess you've read most of these and need the full SP from an actual UK owner eh?
Welcome to the club mate.
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Steffan is what we call in the trade a "throw back".
Mind you in my more irrational moments twins do look attractive!
but thats another story.
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Mind you in my more irrational moments twins do look attractive!
I thought you were a family man and here you are proposing sexual depravity with twins. Shame on you!
BB
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As they say I may have ordered but i can still look at the menu.
ps I've put the xt up for sale as I may be buying an MZ ( see adverts)
beeman
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PS. Where did this guy come from saying get a twin!!?? I thought you were all big bang men!]
Been breathing too much 2 stroke that's his problem ;) addled the poor lads brain so it has, I mean, Transalp John brought a twin to a tc rally and look what happened to him! :o
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Definitely a couple of Freewind riders on here somewhere...
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/Suzuki/first-impression-1997-Suzuki-CF650-freewind-16289.htm
Above link might help, but then I guess you've read most of these and need the full SP from an actual UK owner eh?
Welcome to the club mate.
thanks MAV for the link but yeah from the horses mouth report would be nice, just seem rare, does anyone remember the Gilera Nordwest?]
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Mind you in my more irrational moments twins do look attractive!
but thats another story.
There some nice twins on Big Brother at the moment....
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Been breathing too much 2 stroke that's his problem ;) addled the poor lads brain so it has, I mean, Transalp John brought a twin to a tc rally and look what happened to him! :o
You're right Smudge he should get a 2T single. Has big John converted his Transalp - fitted an ETZ motor has he?
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tsk tsk, go and wash your mouth out with Castrol R ;) :D
Or you could always jump on a nice reliable 4 stroke* and come up tomorrow with the others...
*only teasing! mind you, I've never had a 4 stroke "nip up" with no warning!
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BIG BROTHER.
Stuck at work looking at 3 computer screens in ambulance control so no TV allowed, plus a screen on the wall saying we ain't meeting the govs orcon times!
I never said it was a 2 stroke mz although i have been searching ebay, and Richard was selling their virtues whilst on the iom
beeman
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PS SWMBO knows nothing so mums the word.
beeman
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I've recently bought a Pegaso and after a 950km trip to Ireland and back I must say I was very Impressed with it and pegass seem to be comparatively cheap to buy at the moment
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Been breathing too much 2 stroke that's his problem ;) addled the poor lads brain so it has, I mean, Transalp John brought a twin to a tc rally and look what happened to him! :o
You're right Smudge he should get a 2T single. Has big John converted his Transalp - fitted an ETZ motor has he?
You don't want an ETZ motor in special. Personally i've always fancied trying one of those 3-cylinder SAAB motors, but I think I might be odd.
Andy
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What do you mean "might be"
beeman
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[, does anyone remember the Gilera Nordwest?]
There's one in the Classifieds just now mate
a
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I've recently bought a Pegaso and after a 950km trip to Ireland and back I must say I was very Impressed with it and pegass seem to be comparatively cheap to buy at the moment
[Thanks for that, what year is yous? what sort of mpg did you get? I'm 6'4" was it comfy? cheers.]
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IIRC? If I remember correctly
I forgot about the Nordwest, lovely bikes if you can find a good 'un
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My Pegaso is a 2000 model this was the last year Aprilia made the non injection model My bike averaged between 50-60 mpg. My mate (6'1" 10 stone lanky streak of p****) has the injected version and every time we filled up he always put less in his to fill up. I don't Know if the injection models are better on fuel or it was due to the fact my bike had to carry more luggage and a 5'10" 17 stone fat B*****d. Any way it could keep up with a gsx 750 chop off from the lights up to around 80mph as well
ps as comfortable as could be expected with leather jeans on and boiling hot weather
oh and look at this http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/aprilia/first-impression-aprilia-pegaso-650-14757.html
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There was a Rotax 4T/1 MZ on ebay recently. Perthshire I think.
They are generally a good thing, can't speak for that one mind........
Richard
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I've had a 1999 Freewind for about 3 months now. Nice upright riding position and that little fairing keeps a lot of wind off (probably better than my GPZ's fairing). Pulling from below 3,000 rpm is OK so long as you open the throttle gently. At 4,000 it's very smooth (equates to about 55mph in top gear). Took mine up to 95mph and it had a little more left in it - but not much. Does about 60mpg, oil tight, digital display is very clear even in bright sunlight. Built in carrier is excellent and really strong. Stainless steel exhaust lasts forever.
Not so good bits - side stand is poor (bike not very stable), needs a healthy battery to spin the motor, err, can't think of anything else negative. I've heard the finish can go off quick but that seems to be a problem with lots of modern bikes.
I stayed away from the Aprilia and BMW as I didn't want the hassle of liquid cooling. The Honda Dominator has a very tall seat that might be better for a big guy like you.
If you're need Gloucester you're welcome to run mine round the block..
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I've had a 1999 Freewind for about 3 months now. Nice upright riding position and that little fairing keeps a lot of wind off (probably better than my GPZ's fairing). Pulling from below 3,000 rpm is OK so long as you open the throttle gently. At 4,000 it's very smooth (equates to about 55mph in top gear). Took mine up to 95mph and it had a little more left in it - but not much. Does about 60mpg, oil tight, digital display is very clear even in bright sunlight. Built in carrier is excellent and really strong. Stainless steel exhaust lasts forever.
Not so good bits - side stand is poor (bike not very stable), needs a healthy battery to spin the motor, err, can't think of anything else negative. I've heard the finish can go off quick but that seems to be a problem with lots of modern bikes.
I stayed away from the Aprilia and BMW as I didn't want the hassle of liquid cooling. The Honda Dominator has a very tall seat that might be better for a big guy like you.
If you're need Gloucester you're welcome to run mine round the block..
[/Hi and thanks for the offer, you are the first Freewind owner I have come across! now it has come down to the Peg and the Wind, probably the older Peg (KISS). Thanks to all for their input. Just like to say nice bunch of folk, nice site, nice attitude.
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Aye Richard,
If it's the known one (MZ 4T/1) then it's had a gentle life.
BMW F650 early type are good but be aware of the fixings and hidden corrosion that maybe about. Thin plastic coating over impure aluminium alloys can prove to be a pain. My 1994 model would do 50 - 60mpg and thrum away all day at 70 - 80mph. Tourance radial tyres were good with 11K from the rear and about 12 - 13K from the front, with good grip wet or dry. I'm 6' 2" and 15 stone. Best mod I made was to fabricate two bars to bring the footrests back about 1" from the standard position which put the feet behind the nose of the saddle and made me less like a sail in the wind. Also removed a taller screen and fitted the standard one as the wind buffeting above 60mph was horrendous, blurred vision and noise. Good and roomy with a pillion. Ready supply of 2nd hand bits from Motorworks or MotoBins and dedicated club at : http://www.bmwf650.co.uk/ also the http://www.chaingang.com/ in the USA.
Cheers, off to kip before the 'RollOut' tomorrow and its thundering, lightning and raining hard! Bill
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Aye Richard,
If it's the known one (MZ 4T/1) then it's had a gentle life.
BMW F650 early type are good but be aware of the fixings and hidden corrosion that maybe about. Thin plastic coating over impure aluminium alloys can prove to be a pain. My 1994 model would do 50 - 60mpg and thrum away all day at 70 - 80mph. Tourance radial tyres were good with 11K from the rear and about 12 - 13K from the front, with good grip wet or dry. I'm 6' 2" and 15 stone. Best mod I made was to fabricate two bars to bring the footrests back about 1" from the standard position which put the feet behind the nose of the saddle and made me less like a sail in the wind. Also removed a taller screen and fitted the standard one as the wind buffeting above 60mph was horrendous, blurred vision and noise. Good and roomy with a pillion. Ready supply of 2nd hand bits from Motorworks or MotoBins and dedicated club at : http://www.bmwf650.co.uk/ also the http://www.chaingang.com/ in the USA.
Cheers, off to kip before the 'RollOut' tomorrow and its thundering, lightning and raining hard! Bill
As many here will be sick of hearing, I loved by carbed F650 right up to the point the water pump and head gasket went in Morocco. If you look at these bikes dip the oil. Any hint of chocolate brown and the seal that is the water pumps only support is leaking coolant into the engine oil. Rotax should shoot somebody for this **** bit of design. It's an hours work to replace the seal, but ride with the leak and by the time the light comes on the head is warped and you are talking major cash to fix it. Motorworks and Motobins had a waiting list for second hand heads!
FI bikes are better for two reasons. First the fuel consumpion of an already efficient bike (I got 75 mpg for one bit in Norway) gets better. Second, it's idiot proof on a single, the only things that can go wrong are the fuse and relay. You've none of that grit in jets/ floats that don't associated with two carbs. If the fuel is bad the electronics sort it. The downside is that if things are that bad you are stuck, but you can do that with carbs too.
Andy
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Here's the bike for you...............irresistable.............going on Ebay next week.........lusted over at the isle of man 3 weeks ago......posting pics to steveH.(look for Number4).......Beeman can vouch for her beauty.....and all round desirability.
pip pip
Steve
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where???
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patience young man......SteveH has got to vet them and post them in members pics yet :-)
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Certainly can it looks and sounds the buisiness.
beeman
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There you go....SteveH has done the business (thanks Steve) pics are up already...it all comes to those who wait (so my granny said)