Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: OZ on May 21, 2016, 07:50:08 PM
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Just sold my V Max and XT 600e. ( Keeping the TDM ) Plan was to look for a W650 Kwak but I think I fancy another thumper. As is the way I'm thinking of all sorts - possibly a TTR 600, or an MT03 660 maybe an MuZ or BMW 650 Dakar. I want something to ride all year on for rural commuting, fun on the local Welsh roads, an occasional rally and some more of Timbo's goat tracks.
Any ideas or comments welcome - looking at around 2 to 3 thousand for a bike to last me the next 10 years
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Aye Oz,
Yamaha singles, looked after are pretty bomb proof, cheap to run and easy to maintain. The BMW may look alright, but you pay 'fashion' prices for some dubious engineering and cheap jack fastenings behind the stainless externat fasteners and plastic bodywork, not cheap for parts and expensive to fix.
Might I also suggest a wee 'looksee' at a KTM 390 Duke? Light, poky motor (44BHP) and 150Kg weight, with a top speed just over the 'ton' and 60mpg! ;D I have a friend in IoM, who has one and swears that it is the ideal bike for the majority of roads, apart from the "flat to the tank blast over the Mountain", but probably quicker through all the twisty bits than a lot of other bits of kit. Comfort seat option, Akropovic 'silencer', rear tail tidy and removal of the garish 'stickers' recommended along with a pair of 'sticky' tyres. A 2014 model without the ABS and with only 840 miles from new made £3,150 on Ebay. I am tempted, but I'd have to sell before I bought. :-\ Enough of my procrastination, but it may give you another option.
My regards, Bill
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Thanks Bill. I've not considered the smaller Duke - I have thought about the LC4 larger ones. Pokey motor and light weight sounds good. They also look really cool. Not sure about doing a longer trip on one with tent etc. I'll have a look.
Thanks for your ideas
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Aye the MT03 is supposed to be a great bike. Had a mate in our club with one and he absolutely loved it :)
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Enfield. :)
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MT-03 8) I was just about to purchase when a chunk of my wedge was diverted. Apparently, you'll need aftermarket exhausts, preferably the earliest (noisiest) Akroprovics, for it to sound good. All the press seemed to love it and not many about, so you'd stand out from the crowd. The forum (not a patch on this one) is here;
http://www.mt-owners-club.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=50
This was one of my dealer favourites at £2795 without the personalised plate. It's been there a long while, so easy haggling, if you liked it;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-YAMAHA-MT-03-/201588048475?hash=item2eef95825b:g:tuMAAOSw~bFWN1PG
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Mythee - thanks for that - I'll check it out. I'd all ready thought that if I went for one it would have to have Akrapovics on. Cheers. ( Mark - you're having a laugh ! )
The search goes on !
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No he isn't. Enfield, enfield, enfield! I'm off to look at one tomorrow evening, a 1953 Model G2. That's a 500 twin port rigid slogger, the forerunner of the 500 Bullitt :)
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No he isn't. Enfield, enfield, enfield! I'm off to look at one tomorrow evening, a 1953 Model G2. That's a 500 twin port rigid slogger, the forerunner of the 500 Bullitt :)
I've got a nice G2 motor here that I'm not doing anything with. ;)
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Sorry, J2. Doh! G2 is a 350 :-\
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Looking to collect new bike tomorrow !
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You bought a .................... ?
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??????
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I'm sat at home with a large smile, a Jim Beam and a BMW G650 Sertao in the shed. Thought these would be well outside my budget but got this 2012 one owner low mileage one for 3K. Been used as a commuter so not immaculate but good. All I need now is a pipe and slippers and I can join the BMW owners club. Happy days !!
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Congratulations Oz. By all accounts, a great bike. I was chatting to an owner of one, only last weekend, and he had nothing but good to say about it :)
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Thanks. Enjoyed the ride back apart from some torrential storms. Think I'll like it - a bit too tall and a bit too heavy but feels like a big air cooled thumper like the XT and XL but with more sophistication. ( Not really a good thing I know but we'll see )
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Nice one :)
Check out FAQ on the Chaingang website, make sure the VR contacts are really clean and the waterpump breather/drain hole is clear.
You can read my BMW F series experience elsewhere so not going to rain on your parade, the stuff you need to look for is on the CG FAQ :-X
Andy
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Thanks Andy - I'll check it out
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I loved the MT03, except it had the worst seat ever, sore arse after 10 miles. It's the only bike my wife got uncomfy on the back of too. Got an Airhawk inflatable seat which helped lots, but sore back if more than 100 miles, sold it. Original pipes sound fine, say my neighbours, and it was great with centre stand, rack, for short journeys. Expensive fuel if over 65 on mway.
BMW not as Mad Max, but if you want it for ten years...
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Hi Andy M. Can you give me details of The Chaingang website as I can't find it ? Also at the risk of sounding like a complete numpty - what are VR contacts and where do I find my water pump drain hole ? Thanks
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F650.com
The voltage regulator used to live under the seat where is could overheat when running and get wet when parked. The cycle promoted early failure. If its green its seen heat and wet and will eventually leave you with lazy electric gnomes.
The waterpump is on the end of the crank. Its shaft has no bearings only lip seals. The unsupported shaft wears the seals. On mine the engine oil and coolant mixed past the worn seals and the resulting chocolate mess neither lubed no cooled and the head warped. The useless Austro-Bavarian never admit they are wrong, so you dont get bearings you get a second lip seal and a hole in the casing in the dry space between. When (not if) a seal goes it'll **** fluid from the hole and you can fit the pump rebuilt kit. If the hole is blocked with grease from assembly you don't get the warning until you notice the oil level is rising.
As you parade is now rather damp, google F650 fork failures on images too :'( There a couple of massive payouts with gagging clauses. Don't let it worry you, BMW claim it was "misuse" & you'd never do that :-X
Andy
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F650.com
The voltage regulator used to live under the seat where is could overheat when running and get wet when parked. The cycle promoted early failure. If its green its seen heat and wet and will eventually leave you with lazy electric gnomes.
The waterpump is on the end of the crank. Its shaft has no bearings only lip seals. The unsupported shaft wears the seals. On mine the engine oil and coolant mixed past the worn seals and the resulting chocolate mess neither lubed no cooled and the head warped. The useless Austro-Bavarians never admit they are wrong, so you dont get bearings you get a second lip seal and a hole in the casing in the dry space between. When (not if) a seal goes it'll **** fluid from the hole and you can fit the pump rebuilt kit. If the hole is blocked with grease from assembly you don't get the warning until you notice the oil level is rising.
As your parade is now rather damp, google F650 fork failures on images too :'( There were a couple of massive payouts with gagging clauses. Don't let it worry you, BMW claim it was "misuse" & you'd never do that :-X
Andy
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There you go Oz, you've made a sh1te decision.
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We'll see. But if I have, it's not my first one and it won't be my last !
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You Bought A What !!!?????
And the nearest dealer is Where ???
Jethro
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Nearest dealer is you ! How much are your services ? ( I dread to think of the comments !! )