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Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:57 pm
by A_morti
It'll soon be time for me to get a bike over here in Malta as our new apartment is 5km from the office and it's too bloody hot to cycle.
I fancy a cb300r, maybe a super soco tsx. But I'd also like a bike that's pretty. Not efficient, not modern, not sharp, but pretty. The fantic caballero 250 might have been in the running if they had a dealer in Malta.
So, what's out there in the <500cc category that I may not have thought about?
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:08 pm
by hilldweller
A_morti wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:57 pm maybe a super soco tsx.
Looks pretty to me. Given your journey and the size of Malta you've got to blag one for a few days. The TC Max has a more fun spec.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:11 pm
by Nobby
C90.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:12 pm
by A_morti
Hmm, seems there is an importer of fantic here after all.
https://www.muturimalta.net/fantic-caballero
But even if it has nice equipment, is it smart to pay the same 6,000€ for a fantic 250 as a honda 300?
Also Mash have some nice looking 250s at under 4,000€.
https://www.muturimalta.net/copy-of-mash-125
China-crap? Or not too bad?
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:12 pm
by KungFooBob
What you want is a Moto Guzzi V7.
It's over 500cc, but it's an A2 bike (48ps).
This is a picture of a man with a beard riding one in Malta. So I assume they're available over there.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:14 pm
by A_morti
inewham wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:05 pm
Kawasaki Estrella
The leccy bike sounds interesting, range should be less of an issue on an island.
The Estrella looks interesting, bit JDM only since 2012.
Range not an issue, top speed also no big deal. Max limit in Malta is 80km/h anyway.
I'd buy one of these in a moment if it came up for sale. Rare as a rare thing though. Honda nc36
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:15 pm
by A_morti
hilldweller wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:08 pm
A_morti wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:57 pm maybe a super soco tsx.
Looks pretty to me. Given your journey and the size of Malta you've got to blag one for a few days. The TC Max has a more fun spec.
It's not ugly, eh. Bit of an appliance though?
The TC max does indeed have a bit more motor. I'm not quite keen on the look though? I'm not sure it works to have a classic styled bike but as an electric bike.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:20 pm
by A_morti
KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:12 pm
What you want is a Moto Guzzi V7.
It's over 500cc, but it's an A2 bike (48ps).
This is a picture of a man with a beard riding one in Malta. So I assume they're available over there.
The idea of <500 is not a license requirement, I just don't feel the need for a bigger bike right now. Guzzi is a pretty thing but I'm thinking of buying something new and 6,000€ is about the pain threshold, as that gets a cb300r.
Yes I know it's £4,700 odd in UK. Bikes are expensive here due to the OTR tax.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:22 pm
by hilldweller
A_morti wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:15 pmI'm not sure it works to have a classic styled bike but as an electric bike.
That's for you to decide but all that torque for a fun daily ride that costs just nothing in fuel might be worth a ride.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:24 pm
by Skub
I spent a week on Malta last year and from what I recall of the roads,you'll not want anything with harsh suspension!
The Homda is quite a pretty bike,in modern style anyway.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB300R ... Sw5lxe7foQ
400 Kawasaki ain't bad either.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAWASAKI-NIN ... SwHk9ekGGM
Or Kawa 300
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-Kawasak ... SwmMBe9t9S
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:29 pm
by G.P
Victoria Nicky 300
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:56 pm
by A_morti
Skub wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:24 pm
I spent a week on Malta last year and from what I recall of the roads,you'll not want anything with harsh suspension!
True story! The fantic seems a good idea for this reason.
The Homda is quite a pretty bike,in modern style anyway.
Agree, I like them. There's a lot of styling cues that take me back to my first big bike, a cb-1.
400 Kawasaki ain't bad either.
Not my cup of tea. Too sharp, too modern, too racing. Probably would have harsh suspension.
Or Kawa 300
Looks like transformers to me, the new model even more so.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:58 pm
by A_morti
G.P wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:29 pm
Victoria Nicky 300
If I could bring myself to buy a scoot, it'd probably want to look like that.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:03 pm
by KungFooBob
Can you get the Mondial HPS300 over there?
https://www.fbmondial.co.uk/new-bikes/b ... hps-300-53
Or the faired Pagani 1948
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:12 pm
by KungFooBob
There's a Mash importer in Malta too...
https://www.terzo-imports.com/mash-five-hundred
Chinese copy of the old Honda RVFC engine from the XBR/GB/XR, designed in Fronch, iirc.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:19 pm
by A_morti
As with any modern bike, they look better with an exhaust and without the whale tail.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:20 pm
by A_morti
KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:03 pm
Can you get the Mondial HPS300 over there?
Not bad that, but somehow a bit busy?
Not fussed on the faired one.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:23 pm
by A_morti
Since the 250's only have 18hp, and since they're cheap, I might stretch the Mash bikes to their 400s.
But then you're only at 1k less than that honda...
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:30 pm
by cheb
I can't really help with suggestions, but I like the buying criteria and the thread title.
Re: Pretty bikes
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 7:12 pm
by G.P
Might be coming over in the Autumn, I've got an indestructible Aunt who is 90 something in a care home in Slima, My sister has POA but I really want to get out to see her before she pops her clogs. Last time I was out there was later '96, last time she was here was about 8 years ago.
Sorry for the derail, but If I get over, will get the beers in
