Back to biking £2000 budget

[BlondieBoy]

Hello all, long time lurker but recent real member of the forum.

So. Having finally paid off the ex wife and the bank, I'm looking at getting back on two wheels at the grand old age of 30. My last bike was 95 cbr900rr which I regrettably sold in 2017. By July I should have about £2k to play with so long as I can source some new leathers etc. for a decent price. However I have noticed that £1500 doesn't provide quite the range of choices when I bought my last bike in 2012, hence the slightly increased budget. But I am desperate to spend at least part of this summer getting up to mischief on the back roads.

It's mainly going to be used for fair weather commuting (about 30 mins) and lots of weekend fun. I would like to do some longer journeys, maybe around Scotland, when the world reopens. I had no issues doing 2 hours on the motorway on my blade at 6'1" so I don't need a proper armchair.

I'd been looking at the cbr600f (preferably the f4 onwards) and potentially a Thundercat. But I'm also tempted by the zx6r or gsxr600, although I know quality pickings are slim at this price. In an ideal world I'd jump back on a blade, but that might have to wait till I can afford to drop 2.5+ on a bike.
I'd discounted the usual 'first big bikes' like the fazer and bandit as I just don't think they're going to keep me interested for very long, even though the cheaper insurance is tempting.

Any thoughts on something fun to break my dry spell?

[Jazoli]

There's still a bit of choice although bike values have increased

SV1000 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Suzuki-SV1000-V-Tw...

VFR800 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-Honda-VFR800-781cc...

Firestorm https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-VTR100-fire-storm...

Falco https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aprilia-Falco/254659970...

Daytona 955i https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-TRIUMPH-T595-DAYTO...

all found in 2 mins on ebay, plus Fazer 1000's, ZX9's etc etc there is plenty of interesting stuff to be had, you have to buy carefully at this price, a mint Firestorm is better than a scruffy ZX9 for example

[TT1138]

Bluntly, at the £2k mark it’s about finding the best condition, best maintained, newest bike you can find. Used bike prices have gone mental this year, especially at the lower end of the market.

Aprilia Falco would be a good bet, as would a well maintained R1100S.

[FSEngineer]

TT1138 said:

a well maintained R1100S.

If you go down this route, I'd recommend looking for an earlier non-ABS model as the later ones with servo assisted ABS are a total ballache if (when) they go wrong

[KTMsm]

Jazoli has pretty much covered my list !

I'd add if you want a CBR600 F4i they are available at £2k if you look (I recently bought a 25k one with a scuff for £1600)

I'd suggest scouring ebay / AT / FB within your area and see what comes up really

[Gixer968CS]

I'd look at a Kawaski ZX9R. I had a 2000 E model for 18 years and did c90,000 miles on it. Fast and comfortable. Commuted 60 miles a day in to central London, rode it to Italy, Switzerland, Scottish Highlands (from Kent) and loads of other touring. Went through a phase of track days where it was a hoot if not the most nimble bike. A really versatile and very reliable, good looking bike and I think £2k should get you a decent one (C or E model) if you take your time. If you've been on a blade I think a 600 might not work for you for very long. I'd still have my Zx9r if I hadn't fatally crashed it!

[ritch]

You can still get a decent blade for your budget. I have a 2000 RRX (918) blade for £2.2K. £2k for a fellow PH'er

[BlondieBoy]

zx9r seems like a good shout. I know there's a small selection of f4/f4i within my budget if I look about. I've never had a proper sports 600 before as my 'first big bike' was a gpz500s then I got the blade. So I was curious what a more flickable bike would be like, though I did like the torque of the bigger engine.

If you're still selling that 918 once I've saved my pennies up Ritch, I might have to take you up on that

[snagzie]

Commiserations btw, been in your place a few years ago.

I know they're not around at the right price at the mo, but a trusty gen 1 Tuono might appear and snap it up if you do like I did - smiles-a-plenty!

Or a falco as mentioned, same engine but diff bike.

[hiccy18]

TT1138 said:

Bluntly, at the £2k mark it’s about finding the best condition, best maintained, newest bike you can find. Used bike prices have gone mental this year, especially at the lower end of the market.

I'd echo this, I'm looking at the £3k market and there isn't a great choice yet stick another £1-2k and there are plenty of options. Weird.

[KTMsm]

hiccy18 said:

TT1138 said:

Bluntly, at the £2k mark it’s about finding the best condition, best maintained, newest bike you can find. Used bike prices have gone mental this year, especially at the lower end of the market.

I'd echo this, I'm looking at the £3k market and there isn't a great choice yet stick another £1-2k and there are plenty of options. Weird.

I've been shocked how relatively speaking a small amount of money (eg £500) can get a much better bike.

Ie it wouldn't be possible to get the cheaper bike to the same standard of you spent £1000 on it.

[anonymous-user]

Gixer968CS said:

I'd look at a Kawaski ZX9R. I had a 2000 E model for 18 years and did c90,000 miles on it. Fast and comfortable. Commuted 60 miles a day in to central London, rode it to Italy, Switzerland, Scottish Highlands (from Kent) and loads of other touring. Went through a phase of track days where it was a hoot if not the most nimble bike. A really versatile and very reliable, good looking bike and I think £2k should get you a decent one (C or E model) if you take your time. If you've been on a blade I think a 600 might not work for you for very long. I'd still have my Zx9r if I hadn't fatally crashed it!

I had a C2 which was a good bike but a bit dull. Bought it to replace my Yamaha Thunderace which I crashed. Love the Thunderace so that’s what I’d be looking at. Or a 955i Speed Triple which I also liked very much.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-Thunderace-YZF10...

I watched Gus Scott race one at the IOM TT back in 1997.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 30th March 20:05

[snagzie]

£1500 Thunderace here

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-thunderace/32454...

[croyde]

Will you be commuting into Central London?

I would love an older bike, much like I rode in the 90s but the Central Emission zone and this October's expansion to most of London will mean only 2007 bikes or younger won't have to pay the charge or suffer a fine.

Which is great as London insurance is crazy, thefts are when not if, so the last thing you want to do is ride a modern bike into town.

[Jazoli]

snagzie said:

£1500 Thunderace here

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-thunderace/32454...

They've not aged well have they? try finding a set of exup cables in stock anywhere now, they don't run well at all without them.

This CBR600 looks really nice for the money.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-cbr-600-f-sport/2...

[snagzie]

Jazoli said:

snagzie said:

£1500 Thunderace here

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-thunderace/32454...

They've not aged well have they? try finding a set of exup cables in stock anywhere now, they don't run well at all without them.

This CBR600 looks really nice for the money.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-cbr-600-f-sport/2...

Yeah that looks much better for the money spent. Don't know much about EXUP myself tbh, but thats prob why the ace is cheap too

[Stuart Fordyce]

croyde said:

Will you be commuting into Central London?

I would love an older bike, much like I rode in the 90s but the Central Emission zone and this October's expansion to most of London will mean only 2007 bikes or younger won't have to pay the charge or suffer a fine.

Which is great as London insurance is crazy, thefts are when not if, so the last thing you want to do is ride a modern bike into town.

There are some older bikes that meet the criteria. Part of me is thinking about an Aprilia RSVR which does.

[poo at Paul's]

T595 / 509, Srad 750 would be my choices. All great bikes to ride and you'll not lose a penny on them if you buy right and look after them.