Which modern classic £8500 budget

[Acuity30]

I've always ridden cruisers. Currently selling my beloved Suzuki C800 I've had for 11 years. Time for something new.
I'm torn between a modern classic with typical feet under torso riding position or another feet forward cruiser position. My requirements are as follows:

More power. Not difficult as the C800 has 45-50hp and 45ftlb of torque and weighs 255kg.
Modern driver aids i.e ABS and traction control
Able to carry enough luggage for short camping trips
Plenty of aftermarket customisation options
Cruise control (essential)
Classic or cruiser styling. Zero interest in sports bikes. May consider a naked modern bike but not really my thing.

My short list basically consists of a T120 or a Speed master. The Speedmaster is a stunning looking bike but I'm not sure I want another cruiser. Budget would allow me to get either bike in the 2016-2020 model era.
Considered a Guzzi V7 but none of them have cruise control, nor do any of the higher powered RE offerings.

Not really sure if anything else out there fits this criteria?
As a side note if anyone is after a C800 mines for sale on eBay currently.
Thanks

[srob]

Or wait til the new Norton deal appears (if it does), put a couple of grand in a pot to pay that off over 3(?) years and write it off as what a second hand bike would depreciate in that time?

[Biker 1]

Kwak z900rs??
I have one & really like the engine, fully adjustable suspension & decent handling. Paint finish is excellent & it's all day comfy. Lots of aftermarket stuff available too...

[FSEngineer]

You should be able to get into a 2021+ BMW R NineT for that budget, the Euro5 models have traction/cruise control (or it's an option anyway). There's a few Pure/Scrambler/Urban GS models kicking about in the region of £7.5-8k with cruise.

[Acuity30]

FSEngineer said:

You should be able to get into a 2021+ BMW R NineT for that budget, the Euro5 models have traction/cruise control (or it's an option anyway). There's a few Pure/Scrambler/Urban GS models kicking about in the region of £7.5-8k with cruise.

Lets be honest that's just a fully modern naked bike. Nothing modern classic about it. Same with the Kwak the other poster mentioned.
Good bikes I'm sure but aesthetically do nothing for me.
I think my ideal two bike combo is a T120 and a Fat Boy. Never owned a Harley but the FB is a dream bike since I was a child. Can't have both currently though so I guess the T120 is my only option.
Apparently there's a new V7 coming out with cruise on it, so that may be an option. But it seems there's nothing else out there

[2ndclasscitizen]

Acuity30 said:

FSEngineer said:

You should be able to get into a 2021+ BMW R NineT for that budget, the Euro5 models have traction/cruise control (or it's an option anyway). There's a few Pure/Scrambler/Urban GS models kicking about in the region of £7.5-8k with cruise.

Lets be honest that's just a fully modern naked bike. Nothing modern classic about it. Same with the Kwak the other poster mentioned.
Good bikes I'm sure but aesthetically do nothing for me.

Would love to know how a T120 is a modern classis but a R Nine T isn't. Hell, the R Nine T runs the old oil cooled lump from 2004 and the T120 has a shiny new water cooled engine from 2016.

[T6 vanman]

Way more power than your looking at but have you considered an Indian FTR?

[Acuity30]

2ndclasscitizen said:

Would love to know how a T120 is a modern classis but a R Nine T isn't. Hell, the R Nine T runs the old oil cooled lump from 2004 and the T120 has a shiny new water cooled engine from 2016.

I'm talking about aesthetics, the sole reason anyone would buy a modern classic, since no actual classic engines would meet Euro 4/5. What looks classic on the R9?

[T6 vanman]

What about one of those Yamaha XSR900's that look like an old RD350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20250311...

[snagzie]

Honda CB1100 RS or non-RS

[Acuity30]

snagzie said:

Honda CB1100 RS or non-RS

Been having a look at those. They seem very undesirable on the market, probably due to the power to weight ratio Vs competitors, but they do look nice at some angles.
It's honestly shocking how many bikes SuperBikeFactory churn out on Autotrader every single day. I've heard so many bad things about them I'll never buy a bike from them. Apparently they will scrutinize a bike you're selling to knock the value down. Then it goes straight on the shop floor without any thorough road testing, so your chance of ending up with a lemon are no better or worse than buying privately.
I visited the MK store last year and they didn't allow test rides or even starting the engine. Ridiculous really.

[FSEngineer]

Acuity30 said:

I'm talking about aesthetics, the sole reason anyone would buy a modern classic, since no actual classic engines would meet Euro 4/5. What looks classic on the R9?

You must wear different glasses to me! I guess things like spoked wheels, classic air cooled engine design, round headlight and all that stuff don't count...

You were after a modern classic with lots of aftermarket support and the R9T objectively ticks every box on your list, but if you don't like it then fair enough.

[snagzie]

Acuity30 said:

snagzie said:

Honda CB1100 RS or non-RS

Been having a look at those. They seem very undesirable on the market, probably due to the power to weight ratio Vs competitors, but they do look nice at some angles.

Like most Hondas tbh.

I had a 2015 EX version. I loved it, but ultimately got rid in Jan25 as I hated cleaning the spokes (non issue on a RS) and the header pipes, plus needed something a bit more practical for work. Nippier than you'd think up to 60/70mph.

No cruise though, only thing it has is C-ABS. Doesn't need TC.

Easily the best made bike I've had.

I'll buy an RS in the future for sure

[slopes]

T6 vanman said:

What about one of those Yamaha XSR900's that look like an old RD350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20250311...

Now that i like, reminds me of my old 350 LC

[KTMsm]

Acuity30 said:

Been having a look at those. They seem very undesirable on the market, probably due to the power to weight ratio Vs competitors, but they do look nice at some angles.
It's honestly shocking how many bikes SuperBikeFactory churn out on Autotrader every single day. I've heard so many bad things about them I'll never buy a bike from them. Apparently they will scrutinize a bike you're selling to knock the value down. Then it goes straight on the shop floor without any thorough road testing, so your chance of ending up with a lemon are no better or worse than buying privately.
I visited the MK store last year and they didn't allow test rides or even starting the engine. Ridiculous really.

I'm certainly not defending them but you do have your statutory rights, so if you buy as a distance sale, you have 14 days to return it for a refund

You also get a statutory 3/6 month warranty (everyone argues about it and I CBA going into it) for major faults


I'm not sure if they still charge the administration fee - that was a way of keeping some money for people who return bikes

I'd also check their terms and conditions for any hidden charges

[Fitz666]

VMax?

[petrolhead888]

Your all going to be prejudice when I mention this I reckon but I went to the Bike show at the NEC in November and looked at a load of bikes to replace my Suzuki Marauder 800 Cruiser and one which caught my eye was the new Morbidelli C1002V cruiser.

Comes with Traction Control, ABS, Cruice Control and to my eyes looks like a bike Batman would ride!

Such a cool looking bike and the surprise for me was the quality of the thing, all the fitments are top notch.

I have a Yamaha Tracer 900 that I`m keeping but this is just for cruising about and after being offered someone I know selling a 2001 900 Mile Harley V-Rod

I realised that for £9500 there was nothing to beat this Morbidelli.

These were designed in Italy and built in China but honestly guys it is up there with anything at all for quality.

I gave in and ordered mine in January for a March Delivery and it arrived on a 25 Plate on March 10th and I honestly do not regret buying this a single inch!

What is more there is a deal on them so you can get one for £8500 so even better value!

I have fitted a windscreen and rear cissy etc and it is the coolest cruiser I've seen in a long time.

I would honestly advise anyone to go and see one of these in the metal, they are stunning!

Volvo is Chinese, Jaguar has been bought by the Chinese, Lotus is Chinese and honestly some of the stuff coming out of here is top quality.

I don't give a crap about anything political, I just know a good bit of kit when I see one!

[Acuity30]

petrolhead888 said:

Your all going to be prejudice when I mention this I reckon but I went to the Bike show at the NEC in November and looked at a load of bikes to replace my Suzuki Marauder 800 Cruiser and one which caught my eye was the new Morbidelli C1002V cruiser.

Comes with Traction Control, ABS, Cruice Control and to my eyes looks like a bike Batman would ride!

Such a cool looking bike and the surprise for me was the quality of the thing, all the fitments are top notch.

I have a Yamaha Tracer 900 that I`m keeping but this is just for cruising about and after being offered someone I know selling a 2001 900 Mile Harley V-Rod

I realised that for £9500 there was nothing to beat this Morbidelli.

These were designed in Italy and built in China but honestly guys it is up there with anything at all for quality.

I gave in and ordered mine in January for a March Delivery and it arrived on a 25 Plate on March 10th and I honestly do not regret buying this a single inch!

What is more there is a deal on them so you can get one for £8500 so even better value!

I have fitted a windscreen and rear cissy etc and it is the coolest cruiser I've seen in a long time.

I would honestly advise anyone to go and see one of these in the metal, they are stunning!

Volvo is Chinese, Jaguar has been bought by the Chinese, Lotus is Chinese and honestly some of the stuff coming out of here is top quality.

I don't give a crap about anything political, I just know a good bit of kit when I see one!

Very left field. Never heard of it, will do some research. Not something I'd go for though, I think I'm done with cruisers for now as that's all I've ever had.

[Spevs]

slopes said:

T6 vanman said:

What about one of those Yamaha XSR900's that look like an old RD350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20250311...

Now that i like, reminds me of my old 350 LC

I agree looks fab, bit salty on price for a 9 year old bike with so many owners.....?