Advice required from any forum motorcyclists please.

Started by Newportnobby, June 16, 2018, 12:58:31 PM

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Tavora

#30
Honda did do the Africa Twin with a 750cc engine (1990 to 2003) the model is the XRV750T.
You might be able to find one in second hand and in good nick up to £4500 including side panniers.
or like someone suggested the Transalp XL700V which production ended in 2012.

daversmth

I spent 18 months deciding what to change my last bike to and ended up with this in January.



My only justification - I simply wanted one ...

Newportnobby

Quote from: Tavora on June 21, 2018, 04:18:33 PM
Honda did do the Africa Twin with a 750cc engine (1990 to 2003) the model is the XRV750T.
You might be able to find one in second hand and in good nick up to £4500 including side panniers.
or like someone suggested the Transalp XL700V which production ended in 2012.

Thanks, but still too old really. The more test vids I see of it, the Kawasaki Versys 650 GT seems to be coming out on top, including a comparison with the Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and BMW 'equivalents' :hmmm:

Tavora

I had four Kawasaki's in the past and never had any problems with them. Had others like Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Ducati, the one that I least enjoy riding was the Suzuki, maybe was just the model I had. But it's also true that I never went back to own a Suzuki again.
The BMW you will find out that the service and parts are more expensive than any of the japanese bikes, so...  :thumbsdown:

daversmth

 I think it is inappropriate to recommend specific models because its a very personal choice. What suits you wont necessarily suit someone else.

I have to say though that as a general rule my feeling is that  Honda have the edge on build quality, but having said that I now have a Kawasaki as per my earlier post.

I frequently ride out to a "bikers cafe" somewhere and even though there can be 100+ bikes there you can barely see two of the same model. The choice you have is huge.

I dont think anyone makes a bad bike these days. It is just a case of finding what suits you best.

Newportnobby

I've watched several YouTube vids on test rides and IMO the Kwacker comes out best in that it's a 'soft' bike to ride and seems to be recommended to people as their first 'big bike' after passing their test. It all sounds smooth and uncomplicated (and makes a nice noise! :D) A good all rounder, which is what I want for trundling around locally and the odd long run (to TINGS maybe :hmmm:). The comfortable seat might be a little high but you can get a lowering kit, I believe.
I'll be consulting the implant specialists about me on any bike and then start looking at what the insurance is likely to be on an £8500 bike with annual mileage of around 5000 miles.

Newportnobby

Well, for better or worse I have done the deed and paid a deposit on a Kawasaki 650 Versys Tourer. Got a good deal on 0% finance and will start a refresher course next week which may/may not lead to a test. I really thought the killer would be the insurance owing to the health issues in my past but, on recommendation, I tried Hastings Direct and it was far more reasonable than I'd thought. There's quite a bit to be fitted to the bike so target collection date is 3-4 weeks time. Hopefully there'll be some good weather left and I haven't just jinxed it :uneasy:
Thanks to all who got involved in the thread

dannyboy

Quote from: Newportnobby on June 28, 2018, 01:23:31 PM
There's quite a bit to be fitted to the bike so target collection date is 3-4 weeks time.

Stabilisers?  (Sorry).  :)
David.
I used to be indecisive - now I'm not - I don't think.
If a friend seems distant, catch up with them.

Newportnobby

Quote from: dannyboy on June 28, 2018, 01:45:16 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 28, 2018, 01:23:31 PM
There's quite a bit to be fitted to the bike so target collection date is 3-4 weeks time.

Stabilisers?  (Sorry).  :)

I've had them fitted to my legs ever since a replacement hip operation  :nerner:

Lawrence


daffy

Just looked on the Kawasaki site : Looks the part Mick! :thumbsup:

Pictures will be mandatory once you have it so we can see the colour scheme etc 'Covert Green'?  :hmmm:

As for the Refresher course, just take one at a time to make sure you stay safe:



:D
Mike

Sufferin' succotash!

Southerngooner

I'll be interested to hear how you get on. I gave up my cafe race converted CB750 K2 when I got married in 1982, and we used the money to get my wife's Triumph 1500 resprayed. The hurt lingered for a long time and I finally bought an SV650 (my dream bike at the time) off my boss in 2002. I'm not sure whether it was the fact that I had lived in towns before and now lived in the country, with a lot more dodgy road surfaces, or whether the bike was just that much more pokey, but I never felt safe and couldn't get on with it,so sold it after a couple of years.

I now enjoy flying down French hills at 30mph plus clad in lycra on my Orbea, which brings back more of the thrills I experienced in my youth than the SV ever did. I don't necessarily enjoy the climbing up though....

Sometimes I wonder if the thought is better than the deed? Plus wearing thick clothing and a helmet, while totally appropriate, made me feel cut off from reality. When I was younger shorts and T shirts in hot weather were de rigeur, even on bigger bikes. A lack of fear, perhaps? I appreciate I am at risk should I fall off at 30+ on the pushbike, but somehow I feel more in control, perhaps its just the slower overall speed.

Enjoy!
Dave

Builder of "Brickmakers Lane" and member of "James Street" operating team.

Train Waiting

This looks a very good choice, Mick.

I hope you enjoy it.

Stay upright!

John
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Newportnobby

Quote from: Newportnobby on June 28, 2018, 01:23:31 PM
I really thought the killer would be the insurance owing to the health issues in my past but, on recommendation, I tried Hastings Direct and it was far more reasonable than I'd thought.

Any good words about Hastings Direct have now been retracted. Basically, I bought the 650 Versys Tourer and then uprated it to the Grand Tourer spec by adding on extras. Hastings stated they did not have the Grand Tourer model listed, that some of the extras would probably improve the performance and therefore I should seek an alternative insurer. I told the (unhelpful) guy the extras were purely for a bit of luxury/safety and he could check with Kawasaki UK that I wasn't strapping on a turbo or anything but he wouldn't co-operate so I just said "Goodbye" and put the phone down on him. Have found alternative insurance for an extra £50 per year but at least now the bike is insured for full value.

daffy

This is unsurprising to me. Having worked in a Motor Claims Dept for some years in what is a very competitive vehicle insurance market, I am all too aware, as I am sure many here are too, that each insurer has a very closely defined target market. It must also be remembered that those in sales departments are having to follow scripts and tick-boxes, and anything that falls outside their target parameters, no matter how seemingly innocuous it is to we the prospective clients, can lead to the salesperson either refusing to offer suitable cover or placing the client and their vehicle in a category that is probably unjustified. And whenever a 'grey area' is discovered, they will always err on the cautious side, meaning that the risk will be perceived to be greater so a higher premium will be applied.

Sadly it is often nigh on impossible to convince a salesperson (who almost certainly has very little actual insurance underwriting knowledge) that their system is at fault, so going elsewhere is often the best, and sometimes the only recourse.

Glad you finally got an insurer you are happy with Mick.
Mike

Sufferin' succotash!

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