Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

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Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Rockburner »

So - bit of backstory: I've moved in with a new partner who lives on a main road, no parking, very narrow alley into the back garden (no shed) with an even narrower gate.

With the best will in the world, there's NO WAY the Rockster will get further than half way up the alley (and will block access to the front door if it does). And I'm not selling it. ;) (It's safely tucked away in a garage for now)

But I'm missing riding a bike severely. What's more we both like going out on the bike (she's a tiny little thing so makes very little difference to the bike's loading).

In addition - the location of the house in apparently in a high-risk area, so I actually had to change underwriters when I moved my address here (even with the Rockster being located elsewhere in a much lower risk area).

With all that in mind - recommend me a bike for road-riding days out!

Budget is negotiable, probably max out at £4,500. I'm happy buying older bikes, but I don't have tools here (they're buried under stored furniture in the garage at the moment), so it can't be a project of any sort, or require any form of complex maintenance.

It should be plenty capable of carrying 2. Luggage requirements are minimal.

I rarely use motorways so high speed is not a priority, I'd rather something that's fun on back roads, so performance would be more aimed at lower velocities.

I've got a couple of ideas, but it's a long time since I was looking at the market with a mind to buy. I'd also be open to electrical powered bikes, if they're available 2nd hand (for budget reasons).


I may well not even buy, but I'd like to explore the options and see what there is within that relatively narrow set of constraints.


Additional info:
The back gate opening is 74cm (29") wide. That's the narrowest gap the bike would need to fit through.
Last edited by Rockburner on Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by weeksy »

You've not given us a lot to go on.

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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Rockburner »

weeksy wrote: Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:59 am You've not given us a lot to go on.

Vfr800
What else would you like to know? :)

I'm open to any suggestions - go mad. :D
Last edited by Rockburner on Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Rockburner »

inewham wrote: Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:02 pm Can you get a bike in the front door?
Not going to happen.

(but I like the thought. :D)
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Rockburner »

inewham wrote: Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:58 am In the tradition of recommending what you've got ZZR600
Cheap as chips, Cheap to insure.
Undesirable to scrotes but you wouldn't care if it got nicked.
Proper pillion seat and mine has been utterly reliable despite being used as a winter hack. Comparatively light for an I4 tourer, and lively over 7k but you can pootle round at low revs.
:thumbup:
Too wide.
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by lostboy »

Sprint 1050 - about 200mm narrower than the Rockster.
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Rockburner »

lostboy wrote: Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:08 pm Sprint 1050 - about 200mm narrower than the Rockster.
Hmm - Wiki says it's too wide (See additional info I've just added to the op).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_Sprint_ST
Dimensions W: 750 mm (30 in)
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by weeksy »

Make the gate bigger?
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Rockburner »

weeksy wrote: Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:18 pm Make the gate bigger?
Unfortunately not possible: it's just a very narrow sliver of 'land' on the plot between the house and the neighbouring plot. It's about as wide as it can be. The 'outer' gate post is ON the boundary, (part of the fence) the other one is actually inside the house dimensions: the area behind the gate is about 3 feet wider because it's behind a corner of the building.
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by cheb »

The handlebars/mirrors are likely to be the widest point. My CB900F had sit up and beg clip ons if that makes sense, maybe find or modify something to have bars you can loosen and fold in a bit. It'd only 4 bolts at most I expect and if you folded them back out when parked behind the house it might also help security.
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Skub »

"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Skub »

"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Skub »

"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Rockburner »

What's the insurance difference likely to be between a 600 or thou, and a 350 / 400cc bike?

As I'm looking at the suggestions I've realised that I'm not looking for anything large or heavy (the alleyway up the side of the house is also uphill).

Having said that - I was looking at TDMs, until I remembered all the issues that Beanie has with his.
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Horse »

MZ TS250. One ride on that and she'll be happy to move :)
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Rockburner »

cheb wrote: Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:39 pm The handlebars/mirrors are likely to be the widest point. My CB900F had sit up and beg clip ons if that makes sense, maybe find or modify something to have bars you can loosen and fold in a bit. It'd only 4 bolts at most I expect and if you folded them back out when parked behind the house it might also help security.
'modify' - that's the word that kills that idea.... ;) (no tools here)
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Rockburner »

Horse wrote: Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:54 pm MZ TS250. One ride on that and she'll be happy to move :)
you joke - but I'd be happy with that.... I've ridden one before and apart from the left side kick, loved it. :)
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by Horse »

I borrowed one for 3 months - absolute hoot (as long as it has decent tyres).
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by David »

Obvious really....



LE Velocette...or at a push my Victor 441
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Re: Idle thoughts while stuck in lockdown

Post by David »

Both less than 4k.