feel like a new bike...but what??? (am keeping the cb500, NB)

Sort of feeling the itch for a new bike. But I really don't know what I fancy. I've got a W650 but don't use it much - lovely bike, yet I the 500's getting *all* the use.

Wondered about a VTR, but don't really like fared bikes much. They're not really me. Quite liked the idea of an old SV (carb'd - cheap as chipes. Also wondered about a strom, if only for comfort (problem is they're fuck ugly afaic, plus I don't feel anything for the entire adventure thing). Had a go on me mate's NC750X thing - nice bike. But eh - somewhat uninvolving. Everything feels a bit...remote somehow. Kind of too civilised, iykwim.

Liked my other mate's buell - globs of torque, but too whacky and a bit crampy due to seat to peg height being a bit short. Tbh it doesn't fit him either and consequently he always heel hangs. I don't like to ride that way - it feels lazy, for one thing.

Sort of thought about an old vfr750 - and if they'd done a naked one I'd probably have bought one. But the lump's a complicated affair and I sort of prefer simpler engines.

Wondered about something vaguely exotic like a monster, but ducati always strike me as too posey somehow. Not quite me.

Also toyed with an MT-03 but the tank / bollocks interface wasn't quite happening. Big single mapping was a bit on-off snatchy on the slow stuff - probably just the character of a 650 single though to be fair.

Here's a kind of list of how I ride, which might help with any suggestions:

I don't commute - ride only for pleasure but having said that I do potter in town a fair bit, so would need to be able to trickle and filter. I love a bike that can be made to sound well easily. Twins are great.

Don't tour much at all - can't really do much more than two hundred in a day as concentration begins to evaporate.

Don't cane it everywhere but do like to enjoy it on the sweepers and twistier roads. I ride all year round, so something that can deal with wintry shite is a plus.

Prefer decent power in the middle - the buell does this really well. Maybe a tuono v twin? Suspension's like a board though. Plus my mate's is a bit gremlin prone.

So - would prefer a twin. Maybe an old TRX850?

I know u said u dont like faired bike  but ive 96 blade its great bike, apprecating classic, and u wont lose money on it,  comfy , powerful low down torque ..  i fit fine on blade i am 5,11 and 15stone  , there classed as sports tourer now!   Good for over 100k. If ur after a twin tl 1000r , flawed but amazing engine , and apprecating classic( fix rear suspension be amazing)

I've had a carbed sv (s model) and its a nice bike, all worked well as a whole but riding position is a bit cramped up though.

A mate of mine has a vfr800 that might be up for sale, if he goes fo it I'll be taking it for a spin, vfr's tick a lot of boxes for my riding...

muttley1

Yeah, TRX850, or what about an SRX600?

I know what ou mean about the nc750. While it's capable in every way, it just feels a bit too sedate. I suspect it has something to do with the jazz engine they chopped in half & put in it having a lower rev limit & no discernible power band. To me it felt alot like a 2 wheeled car.

Since you don't like fairings, theres always the option of going streetfighter with a bike that's otherwise feels perfect. Done right you could even have it so you can retrofit the bits you take off for resale purposes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju5mzfFgT0Q 
Superb engine!

I like the 07 a lot but apparently it's really uncomfortable - the seat's very hard. Or is that the 09. Both, maybe.

I test rode one (and posted about it on here) and didn't notice it being uncomfortable, but of course I was only on it for 40 mins. 


I liked it a lot but actually found the engine less fun in a way. Even though the CB has quite a flat torque curve compared to some bikes, I found that the MT07 was far more so, with much more low end torque right from idle but without the reward for revs that the CB gives: it was just pull, pull, pull, pull, nothing (by about 8k), like a fast diesel car would be. I got a hint of boredom with it by the end of the test ride whereas even after seven years and 175,000 miles on two CBs I still can't get enough of the Honda's engine. 

...however I think the MT09, being a triple, would be more revvy and, I expect, would give one a whale of a time.

jchesshyre wrote:I test rode one (and posted about it on here) and didn't notice it being uncomfortable, but of course I was only on it for 40 mins. 


I liked it a lot but actually found the engine less fun in a way. Even though the CB has quite a flat torque curve compared to some bikes, I found that the MT07 was far more so, with much more low end torque right from idle but without the reward for revs that the CB gives: it was just pull, pull, pull, pull, nothing (by about 8k), like a fast diesel car would be. I got a hint of boredom with it by the end of the test ride whereas even after seven years and 175,000 miles on two CBs I still can't get enough of the Honda's engine. 

Interesting!

Finally bought a replacement for my stolen CRM yesterday - one those new fangled efi'd 4t 250, in the form of the KLX250. £2.2k w/ 3k on the clock - rode it back from Burnley on the motorway to Leeds then Howden. Just sat at 60 for the most part. Asking price was £2.4 but my good mate Phil haggled while I gave it a test ride round the guy's house. Pretty much a new bike cosmetically and mechanically it seems very sound. Tbh it's quite boring - just as you'd expect. Haven't been off-road with it yet, so am hoping it will be more fun then. Very linear, nice brakes and finish - stainless exhaust, alloy rims, steel frame, ally swinger, discs front and rear, usd forks ( ), comfier than it looks, adjustable rear gas shocker thing. Mapping's actually very smooth - no jerks or snatches anywhere. Feels very stable slow and fast so the geometry's a proper job. Needs a pair of proper knobblies, but bar that it's ready to bimble.

Never gonna be the CRM but I was getting really fed up trying to find a decent CRM, KDX200 or Pampera so had to cave to these new "dual purpose" 4t 250s. Ah well. Garage is well rammed now though and due to get unmanageable when I get my repaired cb500 back in the next week or two. Vanvan and W650 will probably have to go tbh.

What about the weirdo Yamaha SZR660? It's semi-faired but its 48hp 5-valve liquid-cooled single in a bike weighing 159kg sounds like enormous B-road fun. I've lusted after one for a while.

...or, if you can find a good one, a Honda NT650 Bros. Naked, 6-valve V-twin, 165kg, 56hp, single-sided swingarm...

I'll have a look at those. Thanks for the suggestions.

Had bike simular klx 250. It was honda xlr 250 baja 4valve 4stroke single grey import, had it for 4 yrs it was a great bike , it was so tall u see over roofs of cars.it sipped petrol , was quick enough for single, i came off it one day doing over 60 , it was fine but i wrecked my wrist and hand ,  sold it after got my full licence

Sh*tting hell, I've just been researching some 250cc two-strokes as this thread got me thinking about what I might get if I take the plunge and invest in a second set of wheels, and along with all the race rep 250s (NSR, TZR, RGV...), which I do like the look of, there's also something called a Yamaha R1-Z which is a naked version of the TZR250. 133kg and 45bhp? I WANT ONE. Is anyone familiar with these?

E.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-R1-Z-250-YPVS-RIDE-OR-LIGHT-RESTORATION-/191616804515?hash=item2c9d4066a3

I am not too familliar with them last time i saw one in bike shop was behind big stairs covered in dust no one wanted it never popular  and it was (grey import ) this was 08 simular to tzr 250 engine but there differences not as powerful, unless cheap u be better of with tzr 250 parallel twin there couple versions of tzr 250 (parallel twin  reliable) (reverse cylinder expensive ) (v twin  expensive ) ,   tdr be bike to get if u can find one.( i had 89 tzr 250 it was great bike wish it was stil here) no two strokes are cheap now unless there . Suzuki rgv 250 be better bet but u wont get one cheap a friend had rgv250 sp was amazing bike

I am not too familliar with them last time i saw one in bike shop was behind big stairs covered in dust no one wanted it never popular  and it was (grey import ) this was 08 simular to tzr 250 engine but there differences not as powerful, unless cheap u be better of with tzr 250 parallel twin there couple versions of tzr 250 (parallel twin  reliable) (reverse cylinder expensive ) (v twin  expensive ) ,   tdr be bike to get if u can find one.( i had 89 tzr 250 it was great bike wish it was stil here) no two strokes are cheap now unless there scrap. Suzuki rgv 250 be better bet but u wont get one cheap a friend had rgv250 sp was amazing bike
If your lookin at tzr 250, uk( version 2ma code) grey jap import 1kt code. Remember u cant use cheap two stroke oil in these bikes its fully synthetic all way or be asking for trouble and pistons rings every 8000 miles .

Interesting...I'm not so fond of the faired look, but that said you don't see it once you're on it really and it'd be so fun to have a little race replica two-stroke. 


Something else that caught my eye was the Yamaha SDR200, another Japanese import. Dry weight 105kg and 33bhp, with a cool trellis frame.

https://www.bikepics.com/pics/2009\01\05\bikepics-1530695-full.jpg

Sorry trevor machine, I've slightly hi-jacked the thread with my current bate of two-stroke lust, but perhaps these bikes might be of interest to you, hence my reason for posting!

My mate owned both an r1-z and an sdr, both great little bikes.   The nearest comparison I can make to both are that the r1-z is a 2ma (or possibly a 2xt with the nikasil bores) tzr250 engine in a trellis frame.  In many respects they are an updated Rd lc with better suspension and brakes.
The sdr engine I believe is shared with the dt200r,  using the running gear from the tzr125.   They are tiny little things, but great fun around town. 

I would love one of of either as they are rare and unusual but as they share many components with other yamaha's, parts are not too much of an issue.

jchesshyre wrote:Sh*tting hell, I've just been researching some 250cc two-strokes as this thread got me thinking about what I might get if I take the plunge and invest in a second set of wheels, and along with all the race rep 250s (NSR, TZR, RGV...), which I do like the look of, there's also something called a Yamaha R1-Z which is a naked version of the TZR250. 133kg and 45bhp? I WANT ONE. Is anyone familiar with these?

E.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-R1-Z-250-YPVS-RIDE-OR-LIGHT-RESTORATION-/191616804515?hash=item2c9d4066a3

Well, I'm not exactly familiar with them but when I've searched eBay for TZRs, they have occasionally come up at that importers in Shepherds Bush.

I love TZRs - my mate bought a new one back in '88. Blue and yellow. I used to go on the back of that and my other mate's 350 valve. Great, great bikes - both of them. I always thought that if I ever got a bike it would have to be a Yamaha (or Suzuki cos of sheene). Honda seemed so unbelievably dull. However, this other mate I had - separate from the 2t kids - and who I used to smoke bongs with - told me strokers sucked and that Honda 4t engines were actually much better.

Just like now, I knew shit about shit. But I said well okay, but really - those 2t bikes go like fuck. He didn't really have much of an answer to that and just mumbled something about torque and low down power that didn't cut much ice.

So yeah - the TZR has always been a bike I've loved. My only thing is, apart from having to pay large for a decenty, I'm a pie-befriender and would struggle to fit on one. Which is also why I always talk myself out of the vfr400s. I do love the lusty, free revving power of 2ts though - and got a bit of taste of it from my CRM.