What bike should I buy?

[MrLongbeard]

Left field choices definitely welcome

Well in that case, let's get totally out of the box;

https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/

[Slenver]

Now, some may disagree here, but going back to an old bike just isn't the same when you've had the toys, when you've had refined... it's like going back to B/W telly... it's just not what you remember...

Yep, I completely agree with that, there's a big danger there. Still, it might be good

[Slenver]

I'm in love with the Guzzi V85TT.

But IMHO (and to contradict Weeksy) if you want to buy a bike that will do everything brilliantly and probably result in you never buying another bike again because it's so good, then get a steelie CBR600, throw a grand at suspension and sit back. The one I bought off Couchie has ruined me, it's dirty under the fairing, it's chipped and dented over the fairing and it's cheap and nasty looking in places, but it's about as good a motorcycle as you're ever likely to need once you're riding it.

The only reason to buy another bike is vanity or I want something new to look at.
Everyone here that has ridden it thinks there is some weird trickery going on because it's just so good. They all get off and start walking around it looking at the suspension and asking what's been done.

Don't go 60s retro, if you want an old bike then get an old bike, and enjoy it for what it is.

Yeah, I borrowed my missus's lowered F4 for a year or so while my 10R was out of action and then later when stolen, and really liked it. Felt slow to start with of course but then as I adjusted to it it just felt right. Sold it a few years ago for a grand as she's stopped riding and I had other things, but we regularly agree that we shouldn't have got rid of it.

And I agree - anything above that is mainly a combination of greed/ego/technolust etc. But I have those things

I think I'm out of the Triumph retro thing currently too. If I get something retro it'll probably be an Enfield as discussed above. Not retro as such, just old yet still being made. And I have fond memories and like them.

[Slenver]

Left field choices definitely welcome

Well in that case, let's get totally out of the box;

https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/

Yeah, I absolutely wouldn't discount one of those. Maybe not now but at some point.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I'm in love with the Guzzi V85TT.

But IMHO (and to contradict Weeksy) if you want to buy a bike that will do everything brilliantly and probably result in you never buying another bike again because it's so good, then get a steelie CBR600, throw a grand at suspension and sit back. The one I bought off Couchie has ruined me, it's dirty under the fairing, it's chipped and dented over the fairing and it's cheap and nasty looking in places, but it's about as good a motorcycle as you're ever likely to need once you're riding it.

The only reason to buy another bike is vanity or I want something new to look at.
Everyone here that has ridden it thinks there is some weird trickery going on because it's just so good. They all get off and start walking around it looking at the suspension and asking what's been done.

Don't go 60s retro, if you want an old bike then get an old bike, and enjoy it for what it is.

Steelie CBRs are very good bikes, but there's something about them I don't like (I have ridden one), personally I'd go for the FZR600R or the Thundercat if going for an old 600, they're better bikes than the CBR.

[rodbargee]

If you want fun and practicality I loved riding this Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport 4v it handles and goes well is easier on the wrists than the Kwak alternative relatively frugal and is a hoot.
I dont even have one! There is of course the "My" bike recommendation, so a nice low miles ZZR 1400 continent eating monster that behaves really well Handles and always makes me smile too.

[Tricky]

I'm in love with the Guzzi V85TT.

But IMHO (and to contradict Weeksy) if you want to buy a bike that will do everything brilliantly and probably result in you never buying another bike again because it's so good, then get a steelie CBR600, throw a grand at suspension and sit back. The one I bought off Couchie has ruined me, it's dirty under the fairing, it's chipped and dented over the fairing and it's cheap and nasty looking in places, but it's about as good a motorcycle as you're ever likely to need once you're riding it.

The only reason to buy another bike is vanity or I want something new to look at.
Everyone here that has ridden it thinks there is some weird trickery going on because it's just so good. They all get off and start walking around it looking at the suspension and asking what's been done.

Don't go 60s retro, if you want an old bike then get an old bike, and enjoy it for what it is.

You've been riding too many old snotters for too long or more likely have just got old I reckon- a 90s CBR whilst competant and generally pleasant enough is unremarkable in almost every way - certainly not what Id call as good a motorcycle as I'd ever need

[Skub]

There's a distinct lack of Kawasaki mentions. I are disgustapated.

I chopped the ten in for one of these,arrival imminent.

[Dodgy69]

Well, you could get one of these, tick plenty of boxes..



or go over the top with one of these..



but whatever you do, don't........

[Slenver]

There's a distinct lack of Kawasaki mentions. I are disgustapated.

I chopped the ten in for one of these,arrival imminent.

You did it then? I'm impressed!

[KungFooBob]

Tuono V4.

Older 1000cc ones can be had for £6k.

I will own one one day.

[Slenver]

Tuono V4.

Older 1000cc ones can be had for £6k.

I will own one one day.

Yep, another one I wouldn't mind. And the older V2 too.. though I've heard they're pretty tall and I'm not a fan of overly-tall bikes.

[KungFooBob]

I also quite like the idea of the Ducati Scrambler, the Desert Sled looks aces, but I wouldn't mind the council spec 'Icon' either.

[Skub]

There's a distinct lack of Kawasaki mentions. I are disgustapated.

I chopped the ten in for one of these,arrival imminent.

You did it then? I'm impressed!

I hope I am too.

[Slenver]

There's a distinct lack of Kawasaki mentions. I are disgustapated.

I chopped the ten in for one of these,arrival imminent.

You did it then? I'm impressed!

I hope I am too.

Did they actually give you any money for your ancient 10?

And why the change? What has the new one got?

[Skub]

Did they actually give you any money for your ancient 10?

And why the change? What has the new one got?

Ha!

Yeah,they treated me well. I was prepared to sell the 10 privately,but the dealer came close enough to sway me away from the potential ballache of dealing with punters in the current climate.

I have 2 esoteric reasons for choosing the Z1000.

1. I like the looks

2. Couchy hinted it may allow me to win at inters.

[Slenver]

Did they actually give you any money for your ancient 10?

And why the change? What has the new one got?

Ha!

Yeah,they treated me well. I was prepared to sell the 10 privately,but the dealer came close enough to sway me away from the potential ballache of dealing with punters in the current climate.

I have 2 esoteric reasons for choosing the Z1000.

1. I like the looks

2. Couchy hinted it may allow me to win at inters.

Sounds good. Will be very interested to hear your opinions of it.

[irie]

Tuono V4.

Older 1000cc ones can be had for £6k.

I will own one one day.

Just what I was going to suggest.

I had a black '04 Tuono, lovely wheelie machine.

[cheb]

A quick skim read suggests you've not owned nor ridden a 2T. You probably should, tolerably modern ones are available in most styles from race rep to supermoto. Buy well and you'll not lose too much money when you come to sell it.

Impractical yes, but then bikes in general are unless you are commuting.

[Tricky]

There's a distinct lack of Kawasaki mentions. I are disgustapated.

I chopped the ten in for one of these,arrival imminent.

Nice, I reckon that's gonna be a lot of fun

I shared a garage with a bloke at Almeria last time I was there with a then pretty new Z100-, I never knew until a year or two later when I bumped into him again at Donington, but he's one of Couchy's mates , but anyway, he was a top bloke , zed and MT were very well matched up the straight.
He had a real good Garmin camera set up, this is him following me on my first MT10 - I feel I should point out that I have been around there 10 secs a lap qucker on my 10R-C2 , but having said that, it was 10 years or so ago though and the 10 was on on much better tyres and had more power and importantly much more ground clearance
(they are my main excuses anyway )