Did think about the Bandit as am a big Suzuki fan but went for the SV650S.  Similar performance but much lighter which siuts me better with my dodgy knee.

I had an sv too!

Loved it tbh. Tough decision selling it, i knew id never find one in that condition again, but yanno how it is, fancy a change n that.

Great fun on twisty roads though. If i had another (which i might well do one day) id upgrade the suspension for sure

I had an sv too!

Loved it tbh. Tough decision selling it, i knew id never find one in that condition again, but yanno how it is, fancy a change n that.

Great fun on twisty roads though. If i had another (which i might well do one day) id upgrade the suspension for sure

 

Absolutely one of the greatest bikes of the last 20 years.

 

Had about 25 bikes over the last near 4 decades, many two strokes as thats what we rod in the seventies and in two the 80s, ie six T250/GT250 twin cylinder two strokes, tuned with expansion chambers, skimmed heads, ported rejetted etc etc. Then a GT380 and then a Kawasaki H1.

 

Then lots of Yamaha 4 stocke inline 4s, XJ550s, XJ600s, a TR1 ie 1000 v-twin,  a CB900, bit of a lemon and wish I had gone fro the GS1000.

 

Looking at the MT09 to eventually replace the SV650S, perhaps the new MT09 Tracer....

 

http://youtu.be/UHPV70y3tb4

Absolutely one of the greatest bikes of the last 20 years.

Had about 25 bikes over the last near 4 decades, many two strokes as thats what we rod in the seventies and in two the 80s, ie six T250/GT250 twin cylinder two strokes, tuned with expansion chambers, skimmed heads, ported rejetted etc etc. Then a GT380 and then a Kawasaki H1.

Then lots of Yamaha 4 stocke inline 4s, XJ550s, XJ600s, a TR1 ie 1000 v-twin, a CB900, bit of a lemon and wish I had gone fro the GS1000.

Looking at the MT09 to eventually replace the SV650S, perhaps the new MT09 Tracer....

Its a very understated bike isnt it. Just needs that suspension sorting n itd be brilliant.

I went abit more touring orientated to with the vfr800 vtec. Its brilliant, i really like it, but the engine doesnt have the character that a big twin has.

The mt09 tracers look nice. Theyre a triple arent they? Quite like a triple...

Got up on Saturday morning and had a ride over to Nottingham from Warrington for a bacon sarnie nice little ride out

Spotted this little beauty at the cafe



Anyone up for a binble to the Ponderosa soon, or somewhere over towards the peaks to make it easier for those of us with smaller bikes?

I had a test ride on a tracer 2 weeks ago on the dealers first demo bike, it's looking likely to be my next purchase sometime in 2016 to replace the GS. Ticked all the boxes and the triple motor is an absolute peach. It's priced perfectly as well, my GS in TE spec was 6k more than a new Tracer, it's not 6k better by a long shot.

Get another year out out of the GS to soak up a bit of depreciation and then a Tracer next year and then start a search for a 2 stroke classic to relive my yoof

Agreed! Nout wrong with a bandit at all. Good bikes!

Are you on a restricted licence then, or did you do direct access?

 

Nah i did my direct access over the course of a week,

 

I do enjoy it, its just everytime I pass a Bike shop theres something always catching my eye...

Nah i did my direct access over the course of a week,

I do enjoy it, its just everytime I pass a Bike shop theres something always catching my eye...

Well done! I feel sorry for the new riders that have to do the restricted test now. It looks a right ballache.

Doesnt matter what you ride though, something always catches your eye! Haha

As soon as I've got a new bike im looking at what to get next

Wheels sorted!

8 spoker off a 3rd gen 1990 VFR

Both wheels powdercoated.

Im happy with the results tbh!

Wheels sorted!

8 spoker off a 3rd gen 1990 VFR

Both wheels powdercoated.

Im happy with the results tbh!

Looks great  :sun:

Looks great :sun:

Cheers!

Its a strange colour. Its sort of white where it catches the light

I'm looking around at what to move up to, the Vox is struggling with my bulk and I hate being tailgated by trucks up hills.

 

I quite like the look of the new Sinnis 250s at around £2000

 

http://sinnismotorcycles.com/motorcycle.php?motorcycle=Sinnis%20Retrostar%20250

I'm looking around at what to move up to, the Vox is struggling with my bulk and I hate being tailgated by trucks up hills.

I quite like the look of the new Sinnis 250s at around £2000

http://sinnismotorcycles.com/motorcycle.php?motorcycle=Sinnis%20Retrostar%20250

Not tempted for a 500 or something?

The choice of 250s is really lacking IMO.

Wheels sorted!

8 spoker off a 3rd gen 1990 VFR

Both wheels powdercoated.

Im happy with the results tbh!

 

Nice! It looks kinda like that grey primer colour you can get the new Fabias in? I like it. 

 

This happened this week.....

 

No, not mine, my brother has bought one. So after loving not seeing another CB1000R anywhere I'm going to end up seeing another every bloody weekend. 

Nice! It looks kinda like that grey primer colour you can get the new Fabias in? I like it.

This happened this week.....

No, not mine, my brother has bought one. So after loving not seeing another CB1000R anywhere I'm going to end up seeing another every bloody weekend.

Cheers!

The photo doesnt give the colour justice tbh, it looks more pearly when it catches the light.

Ahaha. He likes yours that much? Looks nice!

Just need an 8 spoke wheel for it aha

Not tempted for a 500 or something?

The choice of 250s is really lacking IMO.

I've done the big bikes and now have a family-and rely on my licence.

 

I got away with speed for many years, now I want to have the freedom and low costs of a small bike without the responsibility and the worry for the family of a big bike.

 

What I'd have ideally is a in my mind something like Bandit 250 in a large frame (for my size) with a small fairing, heated grips, luggage and preferably a covered chain or shaft drive.

Something that will 60ish uphill on the A roads, but do 100mpg and fit through a narrow gate.  I can (could?!) ride quite well and embarrass Sunday Ninjas even on an MZ on decent tyres, I don't want power but reliability and enjoyment.

 

I'm looking at maybe:

1/ Sinnis 250 Retrostar (or HMC equiv.)

2/ Daelim 250

3/ Suzuki Inazuma

 

I'm tempted to buy a Daelim Roadsport, strip the panels off and spray it in custom satin stealth grey paint with one-off graphics and carbon rear end as it will be unique and around £2000 all in.  That will do most of what I want, I guess.

Not sure if I'll fit on it, though and dealers are miles away.

I've done the big bikes and now have a family-and rely on my licence.

I got away with speed for many years, now I want to have the freedom and low costs of a small bike without the responsibility and the worry for the family of a big bike.

What I'd have ideally is a in my mind something like Bandit 250 in a large frame (for my size) with a small fairing, heated grips, luggage and preferably a covered chain or shaft drive.

Something that will 60ish uphill on the A roads, but do 100mpg and fit through a narrow gate. I can (could?!) ride quite well and embarrass Sunday Ninjas even on an MZ on decent tyres, I don't want power but reliability and enjoyment.

I'm looking at maybe:

1/ Sinnis 250 Retrostar (or HMC equiv.)

2/ Daelim 250

3/ Suzuki Inazuma

I'm tempted to buy a Daelim Roadsport, strip the panels off and spray it in custom satin stealth grey paint with one-off graphics and carbon rear end as it will be unique and around £2000 all in. That will do most of what I want, I guess.

Not sure if I'll fit on it, though and dealers are miles away.

Fair shout mate. I cant actually think of many other 250's available. There really isnt many is there.

Honda do (did?) a Cbf 250. Single cylinder. Kinda like a bigger cg125

Cheers!

The photo doesnt give the colour justice tbh, it looks more pearly when it catches the light.

Ahaha. He likes yours that much? Looks nice!

Just need an 8 spoke wheel for it aha

 

He wanted a CB before I got mine to be fair lol, it just sealed the deal for him. I'm fond of my twisty weird 4 spoke wheel for now lol

 

I've done the big bikes and now have a family-and rely on my licence.

 

I got away with speed for many years, now I want to have the freedom and low costs of a small bike without the responsibility and the worry for the family of a big bike.

 

What I'd have ideally is a in my mind something like Bandit 250 in a large frame (for my size) with a small fairing, heated grips, luggage and preferably a covered chain or shaft drive.

Something that will 60ish uphill on the A roads, but do 100mpg and fit through a narrow gate.  I can (could?!) ride quite well and embarrass Sunday Ninjas even on an MZ on decent tyres, I don't want power but reliability and enjoyment.

 

Describes my old CB500 to a T. Pennies to run, reliable, and quick enough to get you up to a reasonable speed on a flat but needs working to get there. No licence looser at all and after riding my dads banding and getting back on the 500, it felt like a 125, so light and nimble. 

I've done the big bikes and now have a family-and rely on my licence.

 

I got away with speed for many years, now I want to have the freedom and low costs of a small bike without the responsibility and the worry for the family of a big bike.

 

What I'd have ideally is a in my mind something like Bandit 250 in a large frame (for my size) with a small fairing, heated grips, luggage and preferably a covered chain or shaft drive.

Something that will 60ish uphill on the A roads, but do 100mpg and fit through a narrow gate.  I can (could?!) ride quite well and embarrass Sunday Ninjas even on an MZ on decent tyres, I don't want power but reliability and enjoyment.

 

I'm looking at maybe:

1/ Sinnis 250 Retrostar (or HMC equiv.)

2/ Daelim 250

3/ Suzuki Inazuma

 

I'm tempted to buy a Daelim Roadsport, strip the panels off and spray it in custom satin stealth grey paint with one-off graphics and carbon rear end as it will be unique and around £2000 all in.  That will do most of what I want, I guess.

Not sure if I'll fit on it, though and dealers are miles away.

Yamaha do a YBR250

Yamaha do a YBR250

I've been taking a closer look and there are a few things about, this looks interesting:

 

 

The new WK400 at around £3000 due this month in showrooms....

 

I'll take a look at a YBR, cheers

My 2015 bike plans have taken a change of direction.

Was going to buy a used sportbike and a used tourer but am seriously considering a brand new 

Z1000SX right now. I think they look great, plenty of power and the new OE panniers are great too.

Pic for reference. 

 

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorcycle_manufacturers/kawasaki/10339791/Kawasaki-Z1000SX-review.html

My 2015 bike plans have taken a change of direction.

Was going to buy a used sportbike and a used tourer but am seriously considering a brand new

Z1000SX right now. I think they look great, plenty of power and the new OE panniers are great too.

Pic for reference.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorcycle_manufacturers/kawasaki/10339791/Kawasaki-Z1000SX-review.html

Do we know how much room there is in those panniers? They dont look very big?

Discussing luggage today with a mate and we both rate it as one of the most important factors in choosing a bike.

 

I can't understand why the bikes are not designed in an egg shape with fairing to the front, loads of luggage to the rear and the gap in-between for the rider and passenger.

Personally I would have a light small bike with one seat, no pillion and better loading provision than is currently available.

 

I know there are courier and post bikes, as well as full luggage tourers, but nothing seems to make the best use of the space and weight capacity.

I'd loses the rear seat to have an integrated double length box with more capacity and streamlining.

 

It is an area that needs revolutionising as they seem to design the bike then awkwardly bolt on the luggage often with 5kg capacity or similar which is pointless.

 

A nice big framed 250 4 stroke with loads of integrated luggage, integrated sat-nav, heated grips and seat and shaft drive would suit me best.  I've had the BMW R1100RT, 1150RT and 1200RT and don't need the weight and power.

Large enough to carry a full face helmet in each according to the link. Looks very nice! 

My 2015 bike plans have taken a change of direction.

Was going to buy a used sportbike and a used tourer but am seriously considering a brand new 

Z1000SX right now. I think they look great, plenty of power and the new OE panniers are great too.

Pic for reference. 

 

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorcycle_manufacturers/kawasaki/10339791/Kawasaki-Z1000SX-review.html

Don't scroll back for FUBAR's review on the one I bought new in 2012, "big moped" :p 2014- model had a host of improvements listed which on the face of it made it look like a much better suited bike for it's position and what it should have been to start with (a mate and I who both bought 2012 ones both chopped them in after seeing the new speced ones, feeling ripped off. He got another new one, I didn't due to house buying etc). But for me it lacked a slipper clutch and a steering damper epically and the fuel tank is far too small for it's crap mpg for a detuned 1043cc engine. Riding it across Europe was just a blurr of petrol stations and before 2013/2014 there wasn't even a frigging onboard computer to show mpg and all the fun gadgety stuff, there is now thank christ! Despite not having a gear change indicator (in this day and age on a by no means cheap bike) this was not a problem as all gears felt the same with the nice constant torque.  

 

Do we know how much room there is in those panniers? They dont look very big?

They are actually pretty decent, although I liked the older ones I had for design more. 

I have the older ones on my ER6 and it makes it VERY wide at the back.

Reminds me of the Starship enterprise.

 

 

The new ones are more tapered and don't need all the ugly racks to clip them to.