£3000 ish second bike

[junglie]

Good afternoon,

I have a 2013 BMW R1200RT which I love to do longer rides on, the commute, and touring with friends.

However, I have a hankering for a second bike that I can just sling a leg over and go for a ride for the sake of doing it. I might also use it for the city element of commuting where the RT struggles because it is so wide.

My question is, with a budget of around £3000 (I can add some more to a degree) what exists out of the multitude of bikes that is worth a look?

I have thought about a:

CB1300
CB1000R
CBR600
CB600F Hornet
Triumph 675/1050 (of some description).

I think I am looking for something which makes a good noise, it built well, is reliable and a bit of fun to be out on.

I am in no way a great rider so I don’t need the best bike out there because it will be wasted on me!

There is so much choice out there and essentially having been a Honda man for a long time, I am not up to speed with everything that fits the bill.

Edited by junglie on Friday 9th August 18:11

[PurpleTurtle]

I bought a Triumph Speed Triple for this purpose, great bike (until it holed its radiator, dropped all the coolant and lunched its head gasket, but that's another story)

[Krikkit]

I would look at a Monster 696 as well - great twin engine, very light and comfy, built very well indeed (the opposite to what you might think for an Italian bike)

e.g. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20240703...

[A500leroy]

Don't laugh, but you tube royal Enfield meteor

[Moulder]

Bit of budget creep, but there are cheaper ones.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176496679549?itmmeta=01...

The first two on your list might be a bit too like what you normally ride. Something like this would be a different experience.

With multiple bikes I have found the more different they are, or if they have a niche, they get used more.

[T6 vanman]

So to quote you ...
However, I have a hankering for a second bike that I can just sling a leg over and go for a ride for the sake of doing it. I might also use it for the city element of commuting where the RT struggles because it is so wide.

What you need is https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326184813567?itmmeta=01...

[OutInTheShed]

T6 vanman said:

So to quote you ...
However, I have a hankering for a second bike that I can just sling a leg over and go for a ride for the sake of doing it. I might also use it for the city element of commuting where the RT struggles because it is so wide.

What you need is https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326184813567?itmmeta=01...

That is very nicely done.
One might question its road legal status.

Back in the day, it was easier to be insured for such things, with a 'Rider Policy'

[T6 vanman]

OutInTheShed said:

That is very nicely done.

Username checks out

[OutInTheShed]

T6 vanman said:

OutInTheShed said:

That is very nicely done.

Username checks out

Much worse things in my shed!

I hadn't thought of mating the '90s full sus MTB frame with the CZ 175 engine but now I'm inspired...

:-)

[Moulder]

OutInTheShed said:

T6 vanman said:

So to quote you ...
However, I have a hankering for a second bike that I can just sling a leg over and go for a ride for the sake of doing it. I might also use it for the city element of commuting where the RT struggles because it is so wide.

What you need is https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326184813567?itmmeta=01...

That is very nicely done.
One might question its road legal status.

Back in the day, it was easier to be insured for such things, with a 'Rider Policy'

Registered as a Honda C70. So if the the OP buys it he may get the chance to chat to some other BMW riders.

[junglie]

Whilst certainly fun, I think something with slightly more power would be good!

[snagzie]

XJR1300?

[FNG]

My answer is always Dorsoduro. Mine has never let me down.

And once you go v-twin you’ll forget about all those inline-4 engined bikes.

[Stevemr]

I’m, thinking along the same lines. Something different. Finding myself drawn to 2002-2009 triumph bonnevilles. Seems to be possible £2800-£3500 gets something different.
Never ridden one, so no idea what they are like. But suspect will be a different experience to my gsx1400 or xjr1300!

[junglie]

Agree.

I’ve started looking at Triumph 675 / 1050 and they look good.

Rented a Tiger 1200 a while and it was great.

However, reliability?

That is why I keep going back to Honda.

[robinh73]

I had a Triumph Speed Triple 1050 R and it was magnificent. Admittedly this is over the £3k budget but I had no issues with it whatsoever and honestly think that triple engine is one of the most useable ever made. Just wonderful.

[junglie]

robinh73 said:

I had a Triumph Speed Triple 1050 R and it was magnificent. Admittedly this is over the £3k budget but I had no issues with it whatsoever and honestly think that triple engine is one of the most useable ever made. Just wonderful.

That is fair enough.

I think you are absolutely right; the triple is an emotive engine. Feels and sounds quite ‘mechanical’ but that gives it character and a fabulous real world power plant.