Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: Richard on December 10, 2013, 07:35:54 PM
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Double posting on Faceberk but what the hell.
I am trying to decide whether to buy a new (secondhand) bike.
Current contenders in my mind are the F800S, F800GS and F650GS range from BMW but also considering the Versys and V Strom range.
Having fallen off the MZ recently and being without the time to get the old Beemer back on the road I want something fairly reliable and to a maximum of about £3k. Reasonable running economy and nothing supersporting, capable of most stuff I might get up to.
Waddya reckon chaps ?
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Fix the MZ, much cheaper and your off was not a reliability issue.
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your off was not a reliability issue.
Not with the MZ anyhow and your reliability issue won't change with another bike.
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<<sighs>>
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Go on then get yourself a nice little Sportster.
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I can see him on a sportster 883 with cut off denim
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We is the Black Widders. ;D
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Well you know I lerve the Strom, but there are things to consider. Any newish bike is going to come with lectrickery built in. All fuel injection and puter management systems. Fine when they're working, not so when they're not. Then there's the valve clearances managed by bucket & shims... Easy if your a mechanic, but beyond my abilities to maintain at home.
No real offer of a solution to your puzzle, but just some things to think about before you buy.
Happy hunting.:-)
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want a reliable, carry everything everywhere machine... then consider a superscoot ;)
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Richard
Remember you borrowed one of my GS500 for the Dragon a couple of years ago. You seemed to like it. Think about it - cheap, reliable, good fun and absolutely no street cred. ( A performance MZ really )
It also so happens that the aforementioned GS is probably for sale. A bit of an electrical issue with it at the moment but not a lot of money.
Give me a bell if you're interested
Cheers
OZ
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BMW F800 twins,including the 650 which is 800cc.
Lovely bikes to ride......BUT expensive to maintain. Canbus electrics,need to be plugged in...often......real pain in the arse to do valve clearances.
Need to go to a BMW person/shop to be done properly.
If you want to go modern 650 V-Strom/SV are good bets......older SV with Carbs even better.
Fuel injection is great.....can be a little expensive when it goes wrong.
Example VFR800 Crossdresser.....sorry Cross Tourer....£380 for a CO2 sensor !
Jethro
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Jethro - what do you think of the Versys ?
Apologies to Pat but much prettier than the Suzukis.
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Jethro - what do you think of the Versys ?
Apologies to Pat but much prettier than the Suzukis.
V-Strom verus what????
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want a reliable, carry everything everywhere machine... then consider a superscoot ;)
Oh yes!!
Mr M on a superscoot!!
Hey Richard, ask yourself the question: are you man enough? ;D
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want a reliable, carry everything everywhere machine... then consider a superscoot ;)
Oh yes!!
Mr M on a superscoot!!
Hey Richard, ask yourself the question: are you man enough? ;D
He's ridden an MZ long enough not to worry about street cred. ;D
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Richard,
My Guzzi Breva 750, recently listed on Ebay with a start price of £2900 failed to attract a single bid. If you fancy having a look at it, You would be welcome. 07 model 12/13,000. Heated grips Guzzi screen. Hepco and Becker Panniers.
I did 5,000 trouble free miles round Europe on it this summer. Minor cosmetic damaged caused by a slow speed off in Sofia [ broken gear lever now repaired].
No mechanical problems in the 6,000 miles I have done on it.There is no rush as I shan't be relisting it until spring.
I won't make my phone number public but I can be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/martyn.peters.98
Mart
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Jethro - what do you think of the Versys ?
Apologies to Pat but much prettier than the Suzukis.
Don't know of any particular problems....but being a parallel twin only 2 plugs and 2 camshafts to worry about.
The DL of course V-twin...4 plugs 4 cam shafts.
The Krapasacky bit easier on the major servicing because of this.
Jethro
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Much as I love my weestrom the service intervals will put me off getting another. 3500 mile oil changes if done the Suzuki way with cheap oil, 5000 if done like the yanks with sympathetic oil. Plug and air filter at 7500 is half a day to get the bodywork off.
The versus is a pig to get a centrestand for and doesn't have the wees brilliant lights.
buy on price and miles, both do the job.
Andy
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Buy new for that money and get a Jawa 350 they even do a retro one now - so you will feel like you're back in the seventies -
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I still love bikes and still have my XBR but I can't get my leg over and have bought a Gilera Fuoco 500 ( is this eligible for the Thumper Club?) It is pretty quick, is very economical, has lots of stowage and in many ways is a match for a proper bike. It keeps me on the road so I'm happy.
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If we going down this road how about one of these.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Much as I love my weestrom the service intervals will put me off getting another. 3500 mile oil changes if done the Suzuki way with cheap oil, 5000 if done like the yanks with sympathetic oil. Plug and air filter at 7500 is half a day to get the bodywork off.
The versus is a pig to get a centrestand for and doesn't have the wees brilliant lights.
buy on price and miles, both do the job.
Andy
Got to be honest, I wouldn't buy another... If I do get a new bike in the near future, I've be having a look at a snapacacki W800
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Got to be honest, I wouldn't buy another... If I do get a new bike in the near future, I've be having a look at a snapacacki W800
Rode one yesterday !
Didn't go very far...but seemed nice enough.
Vibrated a bit...not a problem. Seat nice soft and squidgy. Went reasonably well. Handling OK....ish. Seemed a bit soft to me
Would need a longer run to see......but I think I prefer a Bonneville.
I am a little biased as I am on my second.
Jethro
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How about a nice Honda VFR one of the last 750s with carbs should get a nice one for £1500 best bike ever made!
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if you like the beemers then why not consider the airhead boxer. my 1150gs cost me 3k and is probably the best bike ive ever ridden, it starts on the button and goes like a train, it can potter or bend swing with the best of em. and it goes like the clappers if you wind it up. its also never missed a beat, like my old beemer k series which never missed a beat despite being 27 years old. and the build quality is just a level above most of the jap stuff.
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if you like the beemers then why not consider the airhead boxer. my 1150gs cost me 3k and is probably the best bike ive ever ridden, it starts on the button and goes like a train, it can potter or bend swing with the best of em. and it goes like the clappers if you wind it up.
Just the crank won't turn in it's solidified oil when it gets cold. :) Always carry a petrol stove with you during the winter trips.
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How about a nice Honda VFR one of the last 750s with carbs should get a nice one for £1500 best bike ever made!
I would agree on that one.I have had two,although home maintenance can be a bit awkward.How about a Triumph Tiger?,I am no taller than you and get on fine with mine.
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Andy
Got to be honest, I wouldn't buy another... If I do get a new bike in the near future, I've be having a look at a snapacacki W800
They are 3rd on my list of bikes to go look at. Guzzi v7 wins at the pre-see one in the flesh stage for having a 22 litre tank . Next is the sr400 which looks fun but is probably too small.
Triumph hacked me off with their attitude to swapping the Bonneville for a tiger, lack of attention to detail like the coil position, BMW like attitude to warranty and the weight. The Guzzi and Kawa have higher power to weight ratios and the journos report they feel like it. Still in 4th place.
If we get the same bike again people will talk!
Andy
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1150GS - too tall and heavy for me being on the short side. I already have an airhead - thought the 1150 was an oilhead ?
VFR - nice bikes but I'm not generally keen on fours and the servicing looks like a pain.
Read some discouraging things about the early F800 engines which is kind of putting me off, especially as they are the ones I could afford. That and the servicing problem with living where I do - no access to BMW servicing stuff, computers etc.
Guzzi Breva - oh so tempting, so pretty, but sort of similar in concept to the airhead I have been running about on for years now.
Suzuki V/D Stroms etc. Lovely engine, appalling service intervals and a bit ugly (sorry).
So right now I am leaning towards the Versys for fun and practicality.
Keep em coming guys :-)
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if you like the beemers then why not consider the airhead boxer. my 1150gs cost me 3k and is probably the best bike ive ever ridden, it starts on the button and goes like a train, it can potter or bend swing with the best of em. and it goes like the clappers if you wind it up. its also never missed a beat, like my old beemer k series which never missed a beat despite being 27 years old. and the build quality is just a level above most of the jap stuff.
Wasn't the 1150 an oilhead?
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Guzzi Breva - oh so tempting, so pretty, but sort of similar in concept to the airhead I have been running about on for years now.
The running about on for years statement is the concept, how long has poor bastard of a machine been in the garage? It would be cheaper to get it fixed properly once and for all.
And why did the Jawa not get a mention?
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in this club its probably best not to go on about how much time various bikes spend in the garage, glass houses and all ..........................................
Ho Hum, time to go to work anyway :-(
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Jawa. Honestly :o
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;D
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1150 Beemer is an Oil Head.
Jawa....MMmmmmmm....Had one as a sidecar tug and it did very well.
Wouldn't stop though ! Jawa/Cz drum brakes not always the best ;-)
My CZ 350 was a fine motorcycle.
New bikes have a disc of course....and as you are getting older Richard they have electric start ;D
Jethro
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When did the Bavarian B*****D's go to CAN? Bussed up electrics and servo brakes are ahead of air con and ashtrays in a list of things you don't want IMHO.
I think the new Jawas are frozen the day the wall came down so do have a disc at one end.
Andy
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Tim sold a nice little Jawa outfit the other day, Rotax 650 powered with big disc brakes. :o
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Guzzi v7 wins at the pre-see one in the flesh stage for having a 22 litre tank .
I have a mate (yes really) selling a Guzzi V7 if anyone is interested.
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Guzzi v7 wins at the pre-see one in the flesh stage for having a 22 litre tank .
I have a mate (yes really) selling a Guzzi V7 if anyone is interested.
Is this it http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moto-Guzzi-V7-700-Ex-Police-Classic-Bike-like-V7-Special-Eldorado-850GT-/181270330445?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2a348dbc4d
Ideal for Richard, it'll look right at home in the lean-to, next to the BMW. ;D
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Bit of Solvol,that will soon polish out ;D
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Is this it http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moto-Guzzi-V7-700-Ex-Police-Classic-Bike-like-V7-Special-Eldorado-850GT-/181270330445?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2a348dbc4d
Ideal for Richard, it'll look right at home in the lean-to, next to the BMW. ;D
The thing I really like about this bike is that it is not mine :-\
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Bonnie. Had mine for twelve years now.
Does everything I want it to do ( and a few I wish it wouldn't)......
Oh and riding it allows you to go to the seaside, kick over scooters, fight with mods and have a bag of chips after...
Rob
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Bonnie. Had mine for twelve years now.
Does everything I want it to do ( and a few I wish it wouldn't)......
Oh and riding it allows you to go to the seaside, kick over scooters, fight with mods and have a bag of chips after...
Rob
And fit a sidecar ;)
Jethro
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Bonnie. Had mine for twelve years now.
Does everything I want it to do ( and a few I wish it wouldn't)......
Oh and riding it allows you to go to the seaside, kick over scooters, fight with mods and have a bag of chips after...
Rob
And fit a sidecar ;)
Jethro
When you get old.
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if you like the beemers then why not consider the airhead boxer. my 1150gs cost me 3k and is probably the best bike ive ever ridden, it starts on the button and goes like a train, it can potter or bend swing with the best of em. and it goes like the clappers if you wind it up. its also never missed a beat, like my old beemer k series which never missed a beat despite being 27 years old. and the build quality is just a level above most of the jap stuff.
Wasn't the 1150 an oilhead?
sorry, my mistake, i meant to say oilhead, yes they are, ive had many beemers, mainly airheads but had a couple of k series and now have the 1150gs, its by far the best of the lot.