Getting back on two wheels after 16 years, what bike?

Ryath · 22-09-2024 11:28pm #1

Coming up on 18 years now since I last rode a bike. I've said many times over the years I'd get back on them. Mainly just family commitments and partly money kept me off them. When I last rode I didn't have car, lived in Dublin and bike was how I got around. Running the bike became a luxury when I moved down the country and had children. Rode daily for 7 years, 125 scooter for a year then got BMW F650 CS which I rode for next 6. Rear shock started leaking just before my daughter was born. Parked it up, said I'd fix it in the summer then that became next summer and 17 summers later it's still in the parents in laws shed. Would cost more than it's worth at this stage to fix and I may just see if I can sell for parts.

Was originally I'd buy second hand but feck me the prices. I knew bikes always kept value well if looked after but it really has gone crazy 80% of RRP for 5 year old bikes!

I've Honda CB500 or NC750X, Tracer 700 are probably main options I was considering of the Japs. Honda do have a €1k of the NC750 at €9699 the moment. Staying with a BMW are very tempting though with their low PCP rates. Means not have to empty out the saving account and wife killing me. Cost of credit of anything else would add way to much to price unless I buy for cash.

The G310 is certainly a very cheap way back on them. The light weight makes them tempting though I'd be worried about I'd very quickly find them underpowered. The F900 may be to much for me starting back though, 17 years ago I'd have had no issue moving up to it. Know my F650 only had 50bhps but 34bhp is a nice bit down on what I was used to. I rode the 650 restricted for a year and it was noticeably livelier after the restrictor fell off!

310's are the sensible option I think I can trade up after a year or two when I have got used to riding again and worked up some no claims. Think I would prefer the R version. It's €1k cheaper but buying a screen and luggage rack will eat up a nice chunk of that. The GS is more practical but I prefer the road biased tyres and position of the R. I had loaner F650 GS a fair few times during service and I always found the upright position and feet forward weird and it handled no where as well as the CS version.

F900XR is the probably the money no object option. RRP starts at the €14200 not the price on finance example so not quite as dear as it looks in that. Though would be hard not to add a few options certainly looking at around €15000. The price on the F900R is very tempting though. With a screen and pannier rack it will do everything I want long term. Biggest issue may be with insurance if I tried to go for it having no No-Claims bonus.

I looked at them yesterday and sat on them. The 310 were a lot easier to manoeuvre and pull out to sit on, I am well out of practice moving them! I'd definitely be far less likely to drop the 310s. Seems to no issue with test riding so I guess I will take the 310R and 310GS out and see how I like them. If I feel comfortable I'll try the F900's. I honestly think I should be okay, I rode almost daily for years and was always a careful and conscientious rider. I did do a bit of training back in the day but a refresher course probably wouldn't be any harm.

I do need to budget for new gear also but think my old gear will do to start and replace later. Need to get out my Dainese leathers from inlaws house, I think they are still okay. I did clean and treat them at some stage in but that may be further back than I think. My boots and gloves are in okay nick but will need to buy a new lid. Might just take a spin up to Cotters to try a few and buy one.

Sorry for image a text dump but helps me get all info in one place!

Mad_Lad · 23-09-2024 12:07am

Any interest on older cheaper bikes like CBF600 or Triumph Bonneville T100/120 ?

I'd be more inclined to go that route than pay so much for a new bike.

con747 · 23-09-2024 12:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058370051/getting-back-on-two-wheels-after-16-years-what-bike

Why not see what the bike in the shed costs to get on the road again first? If stored in a dry shed you could be surprised how little it costs to get on the road again.

Ryath · 23-09-2024 7:05am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122644242#Comment_122644242

I thought about the CBF600 alright does seem like a reasonable option for something reliable that I could chance picking up privately at the 3 to 4k mark. I'd be happier buying from a dealer though for some comeback hope bike is mechanically sound and not going to need money spent on it. Looking at more like 8k for something fresh.

Retro bikes aren't my thing, if you can find me a good price on a Tiger 660 I'd be tempted. Friend has a Speed Triple and it does sound great.

2 year old for 78% of new price in a dealer.

https://thmotorcycles.ie/listings/2022-bmw-g310gs-rallye/

5 year old NC750X for €8k for a bike that currently is 9.7k new!

https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/2019-honda-nc750x/37369156

At those prices paying 12k for the F900 R seems like a good deal for a bike with 0 miles, 3 years warranty and can be certain was never dropped, crashed or abused. 1.9% PCP makes spreading the cost over 3 years much more palatable as the cost of credit is so low. 12k spread over 3 years is easier get buy wife than taking 9k out my savings now!

The pricing on the G310R makes it especially affordable. Biggest question with the 310 it enough bike for me for 2 years. Test ride will give me a good indication that. I live in country side a lot of the roads I'm going to be on have an 80 limit, I won't be doing motorways and if I do decide to do some touring it will be the scenic route. It's a very light bike and I only weigh 70kg so 34 bhp may actually be okay for a bit.

I think I could trade up then at a reasonable cost after 2 or 3 years and with some no claims discount worked up. I'll just save some extra over the 3 years so I have the money in a pot to pay off the GMV or put into trading up.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122644263#Comment_122644263

Did consider that but in I'd be looking at the guts of 2k I'd say. Rear shock is about 400 and a pig of a job so labour will be expensive. Drive Belt is around €300. Going to need a lot of other parts also tyres, brake lines etc. Front Shocks will probably need work also. I moved it two years ago when they were doing work in shed and it was in poor enough nick. Any rubber on it was pretty perished. They had thrown a plastic sheet over it which I didn't know about for years which I wouldn't say helped with corrosion. With a good clean though maybe it's not as bad as I think.

If I had the space and time to tackle the more basic jobs maybe I could do it but I really don't have the free time or energy to tackle it. I can service it and do easier jobs like brake pads but in reality there's not much on the bike that doesn't need replacing/repair and it needs to be fully stripped and rebuilt. Easier just scrap for parts or as a project for someone who can do it themselves. The engine actually has less than 10k km on it as I had a good will warranty replacement on it at 4 years old.

galwaytt · 23-09-2024 10:26am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058370051/getting-back-on-two-wheels-after-16-years-what-bike

well, my SO was in a similar boat a while back. She had ridden F650s back in the day - when she went back on bikes she started on an SV650 which is an excellent bike. Simple, comfortable, torquey.

She then had an 800cc F-GS and whilst it was great, it wasn't perfect, and something always niggled about it. On the + side, is was light, factory lowered, nice torquey engine and very economical.

We looked at the GS310 and ruled that out straight away: just too, too small (powerwise), and not that refined. A Honda CB500F would be a better bet for similar money (used).

Then one day at a bike event, she got a chance to see a Honda NC750S, and she ended up with one of those and loves it. She finds it much better (for her) than the BMW was. Ironically, she didn't even notice the extra 39kg in weight……..which she always assumed is what was putting her off 'big' bikes. It's not, it's C.o.G., balance, and the easy-going nature of the NC that made it a winner. The only NC on sale now is the NC750X, but that too is a great bike.

My son, after his stint on a 125, got a 2017 Honda CB500F and I have to say, that's a brilliant bike as well. Comes as a CB500X as well, which is equally brilliant, and I do see there's an end-of-season offer from Honda on their range atmo.

My last 2 bikes, both coincidentally also Honda's, were bought at end-of-season too (2018 & 2021). For reasons of commerce, sales targets, bonuses and clearing out stock that would otherwise sit in the showroom 'til the spring (tying up capital… ), end of Sept is a good time to buy imho.

I've had good experiences with BMW's generally, but in terms of residual value and bulletproof reliability, hard to beat a Honda imho, and that's where I'd be going, but I do like several of the Suzuki's as well, and they're often even better value.

[edit] I've just realised that after decades of no Honda's, we seem to have got an awful lot of them in the last 5 years (5 in fact) - that wasn't deliberate, so it must say something about them.

For balance (sic), I have a H-D for the last 18 years as well….

Ryath · 23-09-2024 9:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122644844#Comment_122644844

We looked at the GS310 and ruled that out straight away: just too, too small (powerwise), and not that refined. A Honda CB500F would be a better bet for similar money (used).

That is my biggest worry that I'll just find it underpowered. Did you actually test ride it? The performance figures seem just about acceptable. Torque is way lower though and obviously will have to be worked hard to get those figures. I used to absolutely ring the neck of the 650CS as I was well used to the limits. I know the 310 will feel brisk enough at first but I'm sure I won't be long feeling like I really have to work it. Won't help that it sounds a bit like a lawnmower. 🤣

Tempted to just go with the F900, bit worried it will cost too much insure initially though or even have issues getting insurance. Must look for some quotes.

CB500 and NC750 are very much on short list as you said they can't be bet for reliability. While CB500 is tempting price wise think I would stretch still to NC750. Has that bit extra power that I'll be happier on it long term and as you said it does seem from reviews to hide it's weight very well with low centre of gravity. Cubby in tank space is extremely handy also. I had the hard tank case for the 650CS and it was really handy to keep wet gear and my chain and locks in it at all times. Only thing even at the discounted rate @ €9700 its will end up costing more than an F900R with the higher APR. I can't throw all my savings in, wife will kill me and still need to pay insurance, buy helmet and replace most of my protective gear.

Not chasing 0-60 times! Just want enough power for motorways and comfortable over taking.

johnml · 24-09-2024 1:42am

I'm probably going off topic slightly, but if you buy a new BMW on PCP do your monthly repayments stay the same or increase if you opt to trade the bike in for a new one (same model) at the end of the term?

galwaytt · 24-09-2024 10:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122647589#Comment_122647589

Yes, we both rode the GS310 - if you've ever ridden a bigger bike it's a climbdown. Maybe coming up from a 125 you'd appreciate it more.

If as you say, motorways and overtaking is part of the need you have, the bigger bikes will be far better at that, and more comfortable at it as well.

The torque figues of the NC tell you all you want to know: most torque, lowest rpm = easy peasy to ride.

Apart from that the Honda's (any of them) are far more refined to ride. I think you'll find the Honda's will hold their values better too - we sold our 500 recently after 2 years and it only lost €500 in 2 years. Can't see any BMW doing that.

I think any of the 500's are good value and will be very reasonable to insure as they are A2 legal. The NC tank storage is a major boon imho and again is a low-rise insurance bike.

Banzai600 · 24-09-2024 1:21pm

couple of things….

if off bikes for a while do some refresher training, will do you no harm, and gain confidence. i couldnt class the nc as a heavy bike like you alluded to, weight is down low. any large-ish cc bike will have weight in it.

if you're going finance, try go elsewhere rather than giving dealers and finance houses even more money.

ive been around the block, 310 gs is mad money when you compare to whats out there. id have the honda CB300R over it by miles.

go for a twin engine, like the larger NC750 you mentioned. loads of torque, smooth, and economical with good handling. Shop around, most dealers are inflating used bike prices to a ridiculous degree, id rather walk than pay the prices some of them are selling at. If buying used, dont stick to Dublin, do your research.

The tracer 700 gets remarkable reviews and that engine itself is a peach. Go to Yamaha direct to see what they have in stock.i think yamaha are on the cusp of releasing a fleet of models wit their new Y-AMT automatic system, id say announcements to what models for next year will be within the next month or so.

shop around !! Dont get railed into purchasing, make sure you're 100% happy.

Acquiescence · 27-09-2024 10:05pm

Everyone that I've spoken to that has an NC750 mentions the little boot thing and the fuel consumption.

They're the mid-2000s Toyota Corolla of motorbiking and Jesus Christ life is simultaneously too short and too long to be voluntarily inflicting that on yourself for reasons other than commuting.

Mad_Lad · 29-09-2024 1:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122644411#Comment_122644411

To be honest I'd rather the CBF600 with matching panniers and top box so I could do a bit of touring and have some storage. I know they're a bit long in the tooth but a mint condition one that's been looked after with low enough mileage should last years. I'm still considering a Deauville 700 in good condition.

The NC750x 5 year old at that price is mental alright, so I'd rather buy an old bike, a good condition CBF600 or deauville are known to go for well over 100,000 miles. Some XCP rust protector clear coat to keep the bike rust free should be mint for decades.

I'm more interested in saving money now same with cars, I won't buy new ever again especially considering the cost the manufacturers are charging a fortune for eco boxes, no thanks, not getting into debt again so big companies can line their pockets.

I'd even have the engine rebuilt in an older bike before I'd buy a new one if the bike was in good condition otherwise.

The GS310R has only 11 litre fuel tank, though if it's economical enough it should offer decent range.

Banzai600 · 30-09-2024 1:16pm

The last of the CBF600 fuel injected from 2009/2010 have a big tank. I was getting really good range when i had one back then, 350 kms i think. Engine is strong, the suspension could do with a rear shock and front internals, but they are a solid bike, and will go and go.

the NC, you will find a cheap one up north , they do come up. the engine is not a as boring as ppl say in the latter years. A good solid twin engine and good bike. But like most rear shocks, the manufacturers cut corners, and a rear shock makes a big difference to a "budget" bike.

galwaytt · 30-09-2024 1:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122661427#Comment_122661427

clearly you've not experience ring a Dullville in either 650 or 700 forms then…. nor an NC (any), either….

Mad_Lad · 30-09-2024 10:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122668495#Comment_122668495

The CBF600s don't last long, they are a very sought after bike so is the deauville 700. I had several in my donedeal favourites and they are now sold.

Mad_Lad · 30-09-2024 10:57pm

What's the problem with them ?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122668524#Comment_122668524

What's the problem with them ? the Deauville was a very successful bike hardly boring to it's owners, a lot of people loved those bikes.

extra-ordinary_ · 30-09-2024 11:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122670399#Comment_122670399

They loved them for their build quality, low maintenance, fairly bulletproof motor/reliability, measly on fuel, and comfortable enough riding position. They are a basic twin, so torque not hp, - equates to boring in some people's eyes. I find one great around Dublin, though wouldn't fancy it for any distance work.

Mad_Lad · 30-09-2024 11:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122670469#Comment_122670469

I ride a Tmax 500 now ffs, not the fastest of bikes but plenty fast for some fun, I can bet a deauville is more exiting than that lol.

galwaytt · 01-10-2024 8:53am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122670522#Comment_122670522

jeez, I dunno. We currently have 3 x NT700's in our Blood Bike fleet and whilst they are indesctructible, they are truly…gutless. Nice thing to fling around traffic though : nimble.

Yes, immensely practical, sensible, frugal. Quality of finishes is not great - paint on metal parts in particular (basically because it wasn't made in Japan…….ahem…. ).

I would wager the TMax is more fun, and certainly got more torque at low rpm, because the NT's have none.

Mad_Lad · 01-10-2024 9:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122670886#Comment_122670886

The Tmax is fun but on poorer road surfaces it's very harsh, I don't like that buzzing the CVT causes and at 60 Mph it would be over 6000 revs if I remember correctly. A different exhaust would be nice.

The Tmax has 40 Hp and 45.8 Nm of torque @5500 revs vs NT700 65 Hp and 66.2 Nm @6500 revs

So those figures show the NT700 being notably more powerful but I suppose if you're used to high power bikes everything else is a come down.

The NC750x by comparison has 57.8 hp and Max Torque. 69 Nm @ 4750 rpm much lower down than the NC700 and Tmax 500 and probably where most people want it too.

Yes I've seen some NT700s fairly corroded alright but I presume none of them were using ACF50 or the much superior XCP rust blocker clear coat. I assume the ones that are looking pretty good did get some ACF at least. Maybe not, hard to know, might have been kept in a dry shed most of it's life and also possibly treated with ACF50 seems to be the more popular one.

Esel · 01-10-2024 10:39am

60 Mph it would be over 6000 revs if I remember correctly.

That's mad, Ted. 😯

Is the gearbox OK?

Banzai600 · 01-10-2024 10:48am

IMO, the tmax are ok for a maxi scooter, but they are VERY expensive for what they are. There are some on DD not shifting…so if you used it for a ibt then wanted to move on to try something else, you'd have trouble shifting ? Id have a forza 750 over it without question….but horses for courses.

Mad_Lad · 01-10-2024 11:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122671221#Comment_122671221

Yeah it's fine, I think that's just the nature of the CVT on that bike vs manual box with taller top gear , probably no comparison, I always hated CVT in cars anyway and they're usually unreliable but at least on a scooter it's easy replace the parts vs car CVT.

A different set of rollers might help the revs at higher speeds.

See the forza 750 below, while it might be dressed up to look like a scooter this is no real scooter.

If I were to have an auto again it would be DCT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdWE92kBCxs

Mad_Lad · 01-10-2024 11:14am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122671259#Comment_122671259

Oh yeah absolutely, new price is an absolute joke, I would never pay anywhere close to the price of even a 4 or 5 year old Tmax. I got mine cheap because it's old !

I wouldn't pay new price for forza 750 either but absolutely if I had to make the choice it would be the forza 750 any day over CVT tmax.

In fairness to it it really helped me get used to riding to pass the test , taking bends, roundabouts is a lot harder on the bike than a sport bike so it gave me great experience.

I used the instructors bike to pass the A test.

I wouldn't buy any bike with a CVT transmission again but I can see the convenience if someone is commuting and doing a lot of town riding.

A big issue for me is not being able to flat foot the tmax and am on my toes in traffic and it can become very uncomfortable.

Mine is up for sale but probably never get rid of it but I will keep it a while longer to get value out of the new tyres, pads, disks, plugs, oil, filter, brake fluid change. It doesn't look the best due to cracked plastic bits but it rides well no issues.

I can't wait to get a normal bike with gears but probably have to wait now to see if I can sell the tmax.

Mad_Lad · 01-10-2024 6:45pm

I went out for a spin today,, did around 90 miles but the revs are just over 5000 at 60mph not 6000.

Esel · 01-10-2024 10:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122673388#Comment_122673388

What does it redline at? What is the top speed?

Mad_Lad · 01-10-2024 10:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122674236#Comment_122674236

Redline around 8500 rpm.

The specs for the tmax 500 say 100 Mph is the top speed.

galwaytt · 03-10-2024 3:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122673388#Comment_122673388

Just out of curiousity: was the CVT belt ever done ? The reason I ask (and I've a Vespa with same system) is that as CVT belt wears, it gets narrow and you see some revving/drop in road speed over time. Not huge, mind.

Mad_Lad · 03-10-2024 4:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122680510#Comment_122680510

At the last service the mechanic said it looked fine, when it was last replaced I don't know.

ideally the belt needs to come off and ththe thickness measured in 3 spospots and go with the minimum measurement based on the manufacturer's recommendation.

always go genuine belts, I've read many stories about people stranded because they cheaped out on belts.

I won't get cvt again on a bike I'd say I'd even prefer the semi auto box on the cub 125 before I'd get cvt again 😀

Cienciano · 07-10-2024 10:20am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122670399#Comment_122670399

On paper it's the perfect bike for 90% of people. Not too big, commuter, tourer, all rounder. But in reality there's just something about them. I dunno, just couldn't ever get one. I know people who love theirs. But it's like getting a base model vauxhall astra. Just something incredibly unexciting about it.

galwaytt · 07-10-2024 5:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122692694#Comment_122692694

that and the fact that the newest one you'll find is now 12+years old…

Mad_Lad · 07-10-2024 7:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122692694#Comment_122692694

Yeah sure, I'd love a Triumph Bonneville T100 , or Royal Enfield Super meteor or they have a classic 650 coming out soon looks lovely.

The Deauville offers factory luggage which I like vs aftermarket panniers and decent weather protection.

I had my eye on a CBF 600 with the factory panniers too and to be honest it's easier to find the CBF 600 in good condition probably because their owners took better care of them.

I love the dash of the deauville and the CBF 600 I just love the analogue dials and really don't like this all TFT thing Honda have going on at the moment, it's TFT or nothing so I guess I won't be buying a modern Honda any time soon so this leaves me with CBF 600, Deauville, the triumps is kind of out of my range at the moment even 2nd hand they go for 8k or more.

Not sure what I'd make of a naked bike, I suppose I won't me more than 2-3 hrs on the saddle so not sure if I'd miss the extra weather protection of the tmax on another bike. I rode the CBF600 instructors but didn't go above 80 Km/h much.

I just think manufacturers have kind of lost the run of themselves , the focus now just seems to be tech and not practicality like the deaubille, they seem to sell reasonably fast on donedeal too along with the CBF600s. Admittedly the CBF600 looks better but the deauville looks like it has better weather protection. I'm still new enough to bikes so pretty much any bike is exciting to me at this stage especially going from the tmax to a normal bike with gears, I can't wait.

Cienciano · 07-10-2024 10:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122694409#Comment_122694409

My bike is going to be vintage tax next year

Getting back on two wheels after 16 years, what bike?

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