Fingers crossed race bike sold and hoping next week gone, and want to get on and ride something over the winter while my leg etc improves. Been thinking about an enduro type bike but not sure if the Dr 400 etc would keep me involved enough even on winter wet roads...but I need something a little more upright as its unlikley I will be ale to bend my knee that far for some time. Do fancy a bit of greenlaning while we still can but physically not really an option so going bit bigger Any suggestions or experience? Short list is DR 600/650, KLE 600/650, Hornet, 1200 bandit (not sure of last 2 think may be a little leg bendy). Want to keep the right side of £1500 so reliable not beautiful in mind
I'd have thought the Bandit 1200 might be a little too sidewaysey for winter. what about a BMW R1100 or K100RT? the factory heated grips would be a nice thing to have in winter.
Wouldn't the R1100/1150 be a bit heavy? If you don't have full strength in your knee you might do more damage with a BMW. I found the 1100 I had to be a real pig to move around, it was fine on the move but parking it up/ getting it of the drive was a real b@@@@rd. I've got a bad back which leaves me with pain and a feeling of weakness in my right leg, I also couldn't actually get a really comfortable riding position on any of the seat positions.
How about one of the spine framed Triumph Sprint Paul ? Its very upright, side AND mainstand, reliability, 3 cylinder grunt, and they fall into your price range nicely.....
DR 600 well underrated but a good one hard to find now. If you wanted to keep it in the family then I cannot recommend a 750 Elefant more highly apart from also scarce now. I have a damaged knee and above has kept me mobile when bad.
Triumph Sprint? Bit left field there Dave...reliability? Probably bit more fun too... Had the latest iteration beemer GS and tbh loved it but even the old ones would be out of my price range and agree may be a little heavy. Even looked at a KTM SM 640 and a CCM as an option...be fun if nothing else!
But you wont get one of those for £1500 Paul...I bought a Sprint recently and its a great pillion hack too.....
+1 on the old trumpets My old fella stuck 50k on his old 1995 tiger, His 2004 955 tiger has 40k at the moment and no problems with both so far.
Honda 600 Hornet, no question. The 900's are good too, but a bit of a disappointment performance-wise considering the ex-fireblade lump.
Too cramped legs tbh think anything other than SM or enduro will be, had ST 2 which was fun but gave me symptoms of tennis elbow
Soulless, and with bad low-speed judder from clutch. I hated mine. You'd be better off with the 650. Finish is awful on both. Good shout. 750 Brevas go for under 2 grand and are reliable and full of character, but slightly ugly.
Do fancy the 950 SM a mate has one and probably something I would keep post winter but outside budget And I have a nice car already thanks
