Newbie saying HI! and after advice!

[lonerider]

Hi all, just thought I would say hi and ask for some advice....
I sold my Pegaso cube a year ago, never really got into it, bit too bells and whistles.
Now I'm looking for a nice simple naked single 350-600cc for the country lanes/commuting/fun. I like to the look of the Honda FT500, XBR500, Yamaha SRX600, is there anything else I should look at/avoid? I would re style the bike along flat track lines. I have reasonable mechanical ability.  No more than a grand to spend on the bike. Not too hot on this forum stuff so I hope I'm on the right page?
PS. Just like to say the site has a bit of the early BIKE magazine feel to it (compliment!).     

[beeman]

"Just like to say the site has a bit of the early BIKE magazine feel to it"

Thats probably because we are old enough to have been there

[guest833]

Hi to you!!

I think you should look at the Honda XBR 500- though i am a little biased!

I am a little mad (generally) on them and have 3 to sell in varying conditions

Let me know by personal message if you are interested

John   

[SteveC#222]

Hi Lonerider, welcome to the madhouse  

Don't bother with the FT500, not one of Honda's best efforts, handling probs, engine probs, underpowered...just don't go there.

Like Simmo, I'm bias here as I have an XBR500 - loads around priced from cheap ( but a bit iffy) to ridiculous. Spares are easy ( mostly), handles and goes well, reliable, loads in the club for advice etc. ( I'm sounding like a salesman here!)

That said the SRX is also a good bike and there are a lot in the club, not quite so easy to find though.

A grand would get you a nice clean XBR, apart from the usuals the main things to look for are clattery top ends - they are fixable but can be a bit pricey and there are lots of bikes to choose from - exhausts/downpipes need to either be originals in good nick or a decent aftermarket system - original silencers/ downpipes are unobtainable and aftermarket systems are expensive.  Finally if you can get a test ride apply the back brake while slowing down and check if it pulses through the brake pedal. If it does your rear drum is knackered - don't let anyone tell you it just needs skimming - the distortion is caused by corrosion between the alloy hub and the steel liner - it is very expensive to fix and good rear wheels are hard to find.
Just ask if you need any advice.

Where are you?

[pete]

Hi! from Devon lonerider,gotta say i agree with the XBR clan.After many high maintenance bikes that were a nightmare to keep running,the XBR 500 has been relatively old school easy spanner wielding affair.

[Ian]

I prefer the SRX ..but then..Im biased also

Ian

[Steffan]

MZ Skorpions are worth a look

Steffan

[Steve H]

If you are looking to re-style along flat tracker lines and simplicity then an SR500/XT500 might be a good starting point.  www.kedo.com are a good source for parts.

[SteveC#222]

....or maybe 650 dominator powered.....



....very nice......( not sure about the seat though! )

[Sprunghub]

To late now....but this looked to be a seriously good buy....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300419149254&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching#ht_500wt_1182

I opted for an FT500......as an anti-establishment statement ......I love it, it thumps .....all my mates love it, one of them is waiting intently for the next one to come up so he can buy one, if I don't buy a second.  It cost me £450, low miles, well maintained, excellent riding position, not at all 'tall', but nicely sat up, it thumps , I've done the vital roller bearing conversion on the 'working' starter, & serviced the solenoid, which is equally vital & it starts first touch with no gremlins, it thumps , it's light, comfortable, plenty fast enough for 'Cotswold rideouts' & run's, parts are plentiful in the States & Germany....including quite a bit of NOS stuff.  You can even spend serious money tweaking them to go fast if so inclined.   

It "thumps" , I have noticed no steering issues......I propose, because it has no value , to do a paint job on it this Autumn a la the FTR250 in Honda colours ....cos no one loves them & everyone slags them off - except the people on the Ascot Enthusiasts Site who luuurve them to bit's    

I wouldn't discount one as an option, as long as the starter is working ......the necessary "rescue" fix on the Ascot site is straightforward ( & very cheap) to make sure it stays that way.

[pigafetta]

I always thought the FT was a nice looking bike. I am aware of their slightly dodgy reputation, but never ridden one. Not many around though - what's the parts availability like?
I've had an XBR for about 5 years now and it still makes me smile. It was off the road for a bit of work over the past few weeks so I've been riding an old CB900f. Got the XBR up and running again last weekend - didn't realise how much i'd missed it, it's an absolute joy to ride in comparison and it's been very tolerant of abuse over the past few years.
The SRX is probably the prettiest of the bunch but there doesn't seem to be many around (certainly none on the North Wales coast as far as I'm aware). I'd love one though.

Those CCM cafe-style thingies and flat trackers with the liquid cooled Suzuki 400 motor look interesting, don't know much about them, mind. Suzuki Goose looks quite appealing too but again, not too common.

I'm getting an XL600 on the weekend. Doesn't have anything to do with this thread really, I'm just dead excited and had to tell someone 

Dave B

[guest868]

Nice one, I like a bit of flat track. Have you been to watch any of the UK Short Track meetings?
As for the FTR250 paint job. Get it done. 

[Sprunghub]

As for the FTR250 paint job. Get it done. 

In the Autumn.....probably re-jig the front end at the same time......certainly the headlamp assy for a nice round one, apart from a personal dislike of the rectangular headlamp.....& that's purely aesthetics, I think she's a great bike.  On another forum frequented by a few TC participants the mere mention of the FT500 has them screaming derision & howling at the moon !! .......which is part of the reason I fancied trying one    The prices are seriously deflated due to the glitches with the starter & their bad reputation, but if you don't give a toss about 'kudos' & posing , there are some real bargains about.

I've just picked up a BNOS OEM rear brake disc for 'pennies' from the States, also a BNOS OEM starter solenoid for "if & when", BNOS fuel tanks & carb's come up, top end components are about, same as they are for the XBR's, exhausts are an issue....but good ones come up in the States, including the odd NOS part.  Seats are about, swinging arms two a penny from Europe & the US, switch gear, plastics, chains, sprocket.  Uk breakers get the odd one, Ebay lists the odd complete but ratty bike & the very odd tidy one.  Tyres are 'easy' sizes.....wheels don't have XBR issues.  Ok...so they don't go 'fast'.....but for distance work there are two generic easy sprocket fixes, well sorted, by the US owners to make them easier to ride at 70 mph on the "Freeway".  We ain't got no free-ways up on the hills.....just loads of lazy bends & she likes them.

Riding position is very much like the Transalp, the difference being that when you 'stop'.....you can put both feet down comfortably.

They do have a reputation for engine wear....but I guess that if you treat it "like" a racer, there's a chance you'll wear out any bike ? especially one from that era....if it's treated like a 'thumper', & given a bit of  tlc, which this one appears to have thus far in it's 27 year, 40k life, I reckon it'll last me a while

Oh....& they go 'thump'....... thump, thump, thump, thump ......but they're cr*p really, so leave them alone.
 

[guest40]

Hi, welcome to this errr  errr site,  I agree with Steffan.. look at the Skorpions, bullet proof and SIMPLE to maintain  

[Richard]

Skorpions are great, having ridden Steffans many times now.  If you are committed to a flat tracker then why not start with an XT600 or 660 ?  All the bulletproof mechanical advantages of the Skorpion.

Richard