Cheap(ish) middleweight options for a returning biker

[Ecosseven]

Morning all,

I’m keen to get back on to 2 wheels after a 15 year gap and considering options for my next bike. I’ve previously owned a Honda Hornet and an SV650 and I will be looking at a similar style of bike again. I like the idea of a new or nearly new bike and given the endless focus on reducing speed limits, increased traffic congestion, and increasing prices I’m wondering if a lower powered, cheaper machine might be the way forward. Anyone got an experience of the CB500F or the Royal Enfield Interceptor? There are still some bargains to be had on pre-red SV650’s and I really like the engine and the traditional round headlight. I'm just concerned that whilst I'm not looking for a huge performance would I get bored of 47bhp after a while.

Thanks in advance.

[the-norseman]

I've currently got a 650 Kawasaki (ER6-N) they did a faired version (ER6-F) and a cruiser (Vulcan) have a look at them, can be got cheapish.

[LuS1fer]

Personally, I would aim for the 70 plus bhp of the SV650 which is light, has great handling and a great engine. I had the S but found it uncomfortable.

That said, I remember many eons ago, having a ride on a humble CX500 and thinking it was incredibly fast but you know you get used to things. A 500 is going to be just fine in modern traffic.

[Google [bot]]

I think you will get bored. I had a ride on a CB500 and thought it was great, but feel I’d tire of it.

I’d get a 2000-or so era I4 600 due to the power delivery, like your Hornet.It keeps you reasonable but still has the psycho power up top should you fancy it. But then I always crap on about this stuff.

[black-k1]

LuS1fer said:

Personally, I would aim for the 70 plus bhp of the SV650 which is light, has great handling and a great engine. I had the S but found it uncomfortable.

That said, I remember many eons ago, having a ride on a humble CX500 and thinking it was incredibly fast but you know you get used to things. A 500 is going to be just fine in modern traffic.

This ^^^. While I also remember my time on my "balisticly fast" CX500 I think around 70bhp is a good target to aim for. Yes, lesser powered bikes will keep up with (and ahead of) most traffic but they are harder work and will have little to nothing left in reserve should circumstances require a little more.

[Sycamore]

I'm a very much new biker rather than returning, but over the weekend I picked up a Kawasaki ER6-F.
650cc Parallel twin, 75-ish BHP I think.

I had my eyes set on an SV650S, though this came up locally and couldn't really say no.
No complaints from me

There's also the naked version (ER6-N) for an alternative.

2010, ABS, change from £2k.
You can always upgrade to something newer further down the line.

[KurtFlew]

People will suggest everything under the sun but the answer is a Street Triple.

[the-norseman]

Sycamore said:

I'm a very much new biker rather than returning, but over the weekend I picked up a Kawasaki ER6-F.
650cc Parallel twin, 75-ish BHP I think.

I had my eyes set on an SV650S, though this came up locally and couldn't really say no.
No complaints from me

There's also the naked version (ER6-N) for an alternative.

2010, ABS, change from £2k.
You can always upgrade to something newer further down the line.

Here's my "N" 2007 model so a slightly different shape to yours.



Think they are peak 69-71bhp.

I'm actually looking to part ex mine currently for a Triumph Bobber.

[SteveKTMer]

My ex had an ER-6f, I think 2008 model with ABS, and she was very happy with it. I rode it a few times and it was good fun, quite chuckable.

[Rick448]

CBR600F

[cpszx]

KurtFlew said:

People will suggest everything under the sun but the answer is a Street Triple.

yup

[Nick928]

KTM 790/890 Duke or Triumph Street Triple.
Perfect first ‘big’ bike with enough oomph that you won’t get bored in six months.

[trickywoo]

cpszx said:

KurtFlew said:

People will suggest everything under the sun but the answer is a Street Triple.

yup

OP wants new or nearly new - cheap(ish). The Street Triple lists at £9,495.

[cpszx]

trickywoo said:

cpszx said:

KurtFlew said:

People will suggest everything under the sun but the answer is a Street Triple.

yup

OP wants new or nearly new - cheap(ish). The Street Triple lists at £9,495.

sorry trickywoo, just to add context then

Ecosseven said:

II’m wondering if a lower powered, cheaper machine might be the way forward.(...)
I'm just concerned that whilst I'm not looking for a huge performance would I get bored of 47bhp after a while.

no*
yes**

• there are still plenty of very low mileage older model street triples around for sale (and round headlamped as you also note preference on SV)

• depending on whether you still have a bit of thrill seeking in you Ecosseven

my 2011 STR is a keeper, even at 94k miles, and other bikes just come and go around it.

[podman]

Shameless plug, I have a very nice 2001 CBR600 , 23k, for sale with some useful extras and lowish miles...not the usual corroded mess and well maintained

Drop me a PM if your interested.

Good luck with your return to biking anyway...
....

[Ecosseven]

Thanks for all the replies which pretty much confirmed my own thinking. 47bhp or thereabouts is probably all I need for getting about but not all I would likely want, particularly when the bike is a weekend toy. Approx. 70 bhp would be enough I think.

I'm looking for an upright riding position so no clip-ons. I rode a mates ZX6-R years ago and my back and knees ached within an hour. I also like the appeal of short gearing so that I can enjoy revving it out in 1st and 2nd gear and still keep roughly within the speed limit. I like decent torque at sensible revs so twins and triples are probably more suited than IL4.

The shortlist includes

- SV650 (pretty much perfect apart from the slightly hard seat although this can be fixed relatively cheaply. Proven reliability. Had one before in 2003 so perhaps I should try something different).
- Triumph Trident (probably the best all round bike but a bit more expensive than the SV650).
- Z650 (Ticks all the boxes but for some reason I'm just now keen on it)
- Z650RS (lovely but more expensive that the Trident and quite a bit more than the SV650).
- XSR700 (not keen on the looks or the riding position)
- MT-07 (Really don't like the looks or the riding position)
- CB650R (Love the looks and the build quality, just not sure about having an IL4 but I will definitely test ride one. Similar price to the Trident).

The Street Triple is a fantastic bike but offers more power and speed than I think I'll use. Also costs a lot more and I'm not sold on the looks either.

Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated.

[Ecosseven]

podman said:

Shameless plug, I have a very nice 2001 CBR600 , 23k, for sale with some useful extras and lowish miles...not the usual corroded mess and well maintained

Drop me a PM if your interested.

Good luck with your return to biking anyway...
....

Thanks for the heads up Podman. No doubt a great bike but not what I'm looking for. Good luck with the sale!

[LuS1fer]

Ecosseven said:

- SV650 (pretty much perfect apart from the slightly hard seat although this can be fixed relatively cheaply. Proven reliability. Had one before in 2003 so perhaps I should try something different).

- CB650R (Love the looks and the build quality, just not sure about having an IL4 but I will definitely test ride one. Similar price to the Trident).

While I am sure the Honda is built adequately, it is built in Thailand, the quality of which, following a 3 year ownership of a Honda MTX125, I have to conclude is " nothing like it used to be". Whether the bigger bike is better, I can't say but the 125 was sub-par for the brand.

By contrast, the 2016 SV650S I had seemed very well built and I seem to recall was still built in Japan.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Honda VFR 800. Still a great used buy.

[hiccy18]

Ecosseven said:

Thanks for all the replies which pretty much confirmed my own thinking. 47bhp or thereabouts is probably all I need for getting about but not all I would likely want, particularly when the bike is a weekend toy. Approx. 70 bhp would be enough I think.

I'm looking for an upright riding position so no clip-ons. I rode a mates ZX6-R years ago and my back and knees ached within an hour. I also like the appeal of short gearing so that I can enjoy revving it out in 1st and 2nd gear and still keep roughly within the speed limit. I like decent torque at sensible revs so twins and triples are probably more suited than IL4.

The shortlist includes

- SV650 (pretty much perfect apart from the slightly hard seat although this can be fixed relatively cheaply. Proven reliability. Had one before in 2003 so perhaps I should try something different).
- Triumph Trident (probably the best all round bike but a bit more expensive than the SV650).
- Z650 (Ticks all the boxes but for some reason I'm just now keen on it)
- Z650RS (lovely but more expensive that the Trident and quite a bit more than the SV650).
- XSR700 (not keen on the looks or the riding position)
- MT-07 (Really don't like the looks or the riding position)
- CB650R (Love the looks and the build quality, just not sure about having an IL4 but I will definitely test ride one. Similar price to the Trident).

The Street Triple is a fantastic bike but offers more power and speed than I think I'll use. Also costs a lot more and I'm not sold on the looks either.

Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated.

When I was in a similar position asking "what does the extra get me?" left me looking at the SV650 and realising it gave me everything I needed. I went for a PCP so the combination of low price and competitive finance widened the gap to the others. If you're paying cash now then the pre-reg deals on the SV will save you about £1k up front and the depreciation over a couple of years looks similar to the Trident and Honda. Fuel economy is an SV strength as well, try as I might I could never get below 60mpg and on more relaxed days could see over 80mpg.

For pootling about any of these bikes has enough power to have fun on, especially if you value curves over blasting along the straights.