How many volvo forum members are motorcycle riders?

[Munro83]

Ok so got my tests coming up, so hopefully will be selling the ybr125 to get something bigger.

Here's my dilemma: any big bike will be a big step up in performance from the 125 but I don't fancy selling in a couple of months because we've outgrown it. I want something with a screen and preferably full or half fairing as it's mainly A roads we will ride. I've been reading reviews/eBay/gumtree at loads of bikes but ultimately will need a shortlist to sit on but what suits me might not suit my wife and vice versa. I'm 5 ft 10 and weigh 14stone and she is 5 ft 3 and is a lot lighter than me.
The other spanner in the works is that we are changing the Volvo in a couple of months so money will be prioritised to that, so my budget after selling the 125 will be £1k-2k. So my options are:




Option A is to spend £2k on one decent bike to share. Pros to this is get a decent bike that we like and won't grow out of it. Cons- we have to share it- but having 2 young kids means that probably won't be a issue too often. Might not suit us both. Chances are we will drop it so might be money wasted etc. Will have to get a 2nd bike eventually

Option B is to buy 2 cheap bikes. Pros- get a bike each that suit us. If one bike brakes/needs serviced there is another one. Being cheap means not a big issue if it's dropped etc. Will be older bikes so may get bargains. Cons- older bikes so may be a gamble. Twice the expense. Will have to wait a couple of years to get what I really want.


Option c is to just spend £1k on a bike to share and gain some more experience without worrying about dropping/scratches etc

So either spend £2k on one decent bike/ two cheaper, older bikes or £1k on one older bike- what would you do? And what bike(s) would you buy?

[Rooster]

Get something about 1k,

Friend is selling his 600 bandit for 1k and its not a bad old bike,

It might even teach you a bit if you have to get your hands dirty and fix it,

[Munro83]

Originally Posted by Rooster

Get something about 1k,

Friend is selling his 600 bandit for 1k and its not a bad old bike,

It might even teach you a bit if you have to get your hands dirty and fix it,

Around the £1k Mark you can pick up good bandits/sv650s/ fazers. We know a lady who has a Yamaha thundercat, bit older but it's a lovely bike

[Rooster]

I spent 3k on my first big bike and was mortified when I dropped it putting it away and dented the fuel tank,

Although not as mortified as when I threw it down road last week after skidding on some diesel after having it 15 months, lucky the crash bungs saved it from any serious damage

[Grimble]

Go for an older big one for about £1k. One that is unlikely ever to gain 'classic' status ,whatever that may be. You will learn a lot by doing the mechanicals (and save a bit as well).

My 1978 Yamaha XS1100 is plenty quick and probably worth about that. Shaft drive and very reliable. May be a bit heavy for your wife though.
The bigger the bike the less you'll feel cramped compared to a 600 say, if as I suspect, you are over 35 or so.

[Munro83]

Would you have a Yamaha thundercat or an older vfr800?

Also I've struggled to figure out what is classed as old in a bike??

[Grimble]

Originally Posted by Munro83

Would you have a Yamaha thundercat or an older vfr800?

Also I've struggled to figure out what is classed as old in a bike??

Both would be ok.
Old is a difficult term to quantify. I'd go off condition, mileage and service history.
Most jap stuff, if looked after reasonably well and oil changed at least as per manual, should last quite well.

Externally my 1978 looks its age, but mechanically its very sound. Always starts a conversation if parked up, compared with something much more superior and modern. If you like chatting to strangers that is!

[reggit]

Originally Posted by Munro83

Ok so got my tests coming up, so hopefully will be selling the ybr125 to get something bigger.

Here's my dilemma: any big bike will be a big step up in performance from the 125 but I don't fancy selling in a couple of months because we've outgrown it. I want something with a screen and preferably full or half fairing as it's mainly A roads we will ride. I've been reading reviews/eBay/gumtree at loads of bikes but ultimately will need a shortlist to sit on but what suits me might not suit my wife and vice versa. I'm 5 ft 10 and weigh 14stone and she is 5 ft 3 and is a lot lighter than me.
The other spanner in the works is that we are changing the Volvo in a couple of months so money will be prioritised to that, so my budget after selling the 125 will be £1k-2k. So my options are:




Option A is to spend £2k on one decent bike to share. Pros to this is get a decent bike that we like and won't grow out of it. Cons- we have to share it- but having 2 young kids means that probably won't be a issue too often. Might not suit us both. Chances are we will drop it so might be money wasted etc. Will have to get a 2nd bike eventually

Option B is to buy 2 cheap bikes. Pros- get a bike each that suit us. If one bike brakes/needs serviced there is another one. Being cheap means not a big issue if it's dropped etc. Will be older bikes so may get bargains. Cons- older bikes so may be a gamble. Twice the expense. Will have to wait a couple of years to get what I really want.


Option c is to just spend £1k on a bike to share and gain some more experience without worrying about dropping/scratches etc

So either spend £2k on one decent bike/ two cheaper, older bikes or £1k on one older bike- what would you do? And what bike(s) would you buy?

I'd definitely look at older bikes in your postion - I still do now tbh and I've been riding 26ish years.

As to what bike, it depends on what position you like, ie 'sit up and beg' or 'head down arse up', if I was looking for a 1st big bike now, I'd consider a bandit or Fazer 600, or ZZR/older CBR600 for a slightly more 'sporty' position.

[Munro83]

Originally Posted by reggit

I'd definitely look at older bikes in your postion - I still do now tbh and I've been riding 26ish years.

As to what bike, it depends on what position you like, ie 'sit up and beg' or 'head down arse up', if I was looking for a 1st big bike now, I'd consider a bandit or Fazer 600, or ZZR/older CBR600 for a slightly more 'sporty' position.

I don't really want the head down bum up position 😆. Starting to really like the Yamaha thundercat- last of them 2003.

I just can't get my head around the age thing- if it was a car I wouldn't consider a 14yr old at all, but bikes don't seam to age the same?

[Prufrock]

Deleted.