Time for a change

[OZ]

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

[themoudie]

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! 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

[OZ]

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

[timbo]

Aye the MT03 is supposed to be a great bike. Had a mate in our club with one and he absolutely loved it 

[Mark]

Enfield.

[mthee]

MT-03  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

[OZ]

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 !

[timbo]

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   

[Mark]

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.

[timbo]

Sorry, J2. Doh! G2 is a 350 

[OZ]

Looking to collect new bike tomorrow !

[Richard]

You bought a .................... ?

[timbo]

[OZ]

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 !!

[timbo]

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