they dont have corners in america and on the 7th day god made harley davidson well what do you expect for a rush job.............
Was the 7th day a Friday then? AL In the early 80s, I borrowed a 1000 Sportster Harley.......that was a better bike, despite the oil leaks, stuff falling off every mile and the press button indicator switches, one on each side of the bars.......
Depending on what the "hack to work" consists of road wise and distance, or the size of the pillion, but a Yamaha WR250X is a most excellent bike. About 31 bhp (28 or so at the rear wheel), routine maintenance is pretty simple, 70+ mpg, 302lbs soaking wet, good handling, stonking brakes, more than fast enough in traffic and very imble but runs out of steam at around 84.34 mph. Upright seating position gives great visibility over traffic although seat tends to "lift and separate" on a long trip. Ideal for local use but not the best for long trips on dual carriageways. Good enough to carry a pillion on normal journeys but a lot depends on how big the passenger is. It's a bike with a sensible power to weight ratio, which may not be the case for a larger bike that has been restricted?. A hoot of a bike that you'll probably want to borrow if you have some twisty roads nearby. And no - I don't work for Yamaha...
We need some more information to make an informed opinion Char. Are we talking new bike, nearly new, or old clunker? Sportsbike, naked, trail or tassled jacket? Tall bloke, fat kid or mincer..?
Nearly new - under 10k miles - under £4k Upright/commuter/adventure Not sportsbike (his mates are unemployed with pregnant girlfriends or babies so can afford cars) Daily commute to work (15 mile round trip lanes/town riding) he's a chef so unsociable/late nights He is 17, 5'10 and as skinny as Girlfriend 16, 5'0 and average build He will not be doing any long trips or motorway riding - furthest is picking girlfriend up from college A/B roads 40 mile round trip He did a lot of BMXing and I know takes his current hack off the road (either that or he keeps going through hedges and doesnt tell me ) Current ride is a 125 Derbi Terra
Here's my off-curve suggestion - late model electric start Yamaha SRX400 (single), or Honda Bros 400 (V-twin). Both fun, light bikes, can handle the occasional passenger, crash well, and a minter is under a grand. Plus they're already under 33bhp. The Honda is the stronger engine, but the Yamaha will last with regular oil changes. I've owned both an early SRX400 (kick start) and a Hondo Bros 650 (still my current daily ride).
I'm confused now - he still has to keep to 32bhp , 47 bhp A2 licence rules dont apply as he's not 21 So either needs to be already under 33 or it needs to be easily restricted Going to lie down with a cold flannel over my head
Going to Fowlers in Bristol on Thursday for their open evening They have most of these for sale so he can try a few for size BMW looks nice BMW G650 650 cc G650 GS
It'll have to be restricted of course, but you'll find that the dealer may throw this in for nowt in order to secure a sale.
There's an older G450X if you can find one, I seem to remember it fell within the 33bhp limit, and it was well liked by the bike press.
MT03 is my shout still, he needs something which requires zero garage time And there's a local dealer nearby too lol
The beemer engine is the last word in reliability, it'll literally run forever. Worth a look I reckon.
