New CB650R or other Inline Fours?

[Davey B]

Have you changed your budget upwards? If not...the top 2 are out of bounds and the 3rd one is close to that. Out of those 4 I'd be going for the bottom one in any case...and I'd be buying privately. Turn up at the sellers house...seeing how he goes about his bike care. Clean and tidy garage, other bikes no doubt. Lots of receipts and records of stuff done and getting a feel for how he looks after stuff....and I'd rather pay £3k privately for a mint, properly looked after bike than buy one at the same price from a dealer...who'd no doubt have paid £1500-£2k for it weeks or months earlier.
You have the next 2 to 3 months of winter to find a bargain...they're out there.

 

[DorsetRider]

Have you changed your budget upwards?

Target for a used bike is still £3k I'm just feeling either side of the market.

I'd rather pay £3k privately for a mint

This makes me nervous but you make very good points and recommendations. Thank you.

You have the next 2 to 3 months of winter to find a bargain...they're out there.

You're right. Patience is a virtue and I'll have time to learn more about what's good, bad, or just plain ugly meanwhile.

 

[DorsetRider]

I found this 20 miles from home:

£1,950
2000 Honda cbr600f Ultima light
12 months mot
29k
Very clean example runs and rides excellent
Just been serviced including new battery and KnN panel filter
Front braided brake lines
Pads and tyres have loads of life.

I believe the Ultima Light was essentially just a name and colour way that heralded the aluminium frame, and the last of the G4 before they became fuel injected. I don't think anything special.

I don't suppose there is anyone nearby in Dorset that's able and prepared to give an experienced opinion with me? I know close to nothing and whilst I have a list of things to check, I'm not the most practically, mechanically minded and I won't understand how to properly assess....

 

[richh]

Have a good sit on it. Because if you’ve back issues it’s not gonna be the comfiest.


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[Hustler]

Hi Dorset,
Before I do anything else I would want the registration number so I can check the MOT history.
No reg number shown in the advert means I walk away.
I could ask them of course but they want to sell the bike and if it's all good they should be showing me all the details.
I would still prefer to follow Davey B's advice above and go down the private route.
Far better to have a discussion with the current owner.
Good luck.

 

[DorsetRider]

Have a good sit on it. Because if you’ve back issues it’s not gonna be the comfiest.


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Thanks richh, I thought with this being the F model and sports tourer it was essentially very similar to the naked CB and quite different to the R.

I had a BMW F800GT and that was quite comfortable enough, I wonder how much more aggressive this is. Bear in mind as well that this is a second bike for a couple of hours fun and learning experience at the weekend, not for the distances I cover on my GSA. It's really just a toy.

Maybe the thing for me to do would be to visit a trader and sit on one there instead of wasting any private sellers time.

Thanks again for your input.

 

[DorsetRider]

Hi Dorset,
Before I do anything else I would want the registration number so I can check the MOT history.
No reg number shown in the advert means I walk away.
I could ask them of course but they want to sell the bike and if it's all good they should be showing me all the details.
I would still prefer to follow Davey B's advice above and go down the private route.
Far better to have a discussion with the current owner.
Good luck.

Thanks Hustler, I know some people cover their reg online but I was intending to ask and do the MOT and mileage checks, etc with my vehicle app.

This one is a private sale but there are very few of them anywhere near to me.

 

[Davey B]

You're right. Patience is a virtue .....

Mmm....

I found this 20 miles from home:

£1,950
2000 Honda cbr600f Ultima light
12 months mot
29k
Very clean example runs and rides excellent
Just been serviced including new battery and KnN panel filter
Front braided brake lines
Pads and tyres have loads of life.

It MAY be a belter...but stuff like 10+yr old tyres (they may well be far newer.....asking the seller for the code stamped on the side of the tyres will determine this) will need replacing. If the seller has had it a few years and only bimbled about on it, it may need the suspension sorting...tired rear shock and fork internals. How old is the brake fluid, how worn are chain and sprockets etc etc. The odd £100 here, £250 there and before you know it, a £2k bike may well stand you at £3k +
Make a list of questions pertinent to buying an older bike and ensure you get them all answered.

 

[DorsetRider]

Ah, but research and window shopping has to start somewhere.

Is the V5 present and in your name, and is the bike HPI clear (no finance/write-off/stolen)?
Any faults at all leaks, knocks, warning lights, starting or charging issues?
Has the reg/rectifier ever been upgraded or had any battery/charging problems?
When was the last service and what was done (oil/filter etc)? Any receipts/service history?
How old are the tyres and roughly how much tread is left front/rear? (If you can, the DOT date code would be amazing.)
When were brake pads/fluid last done, and chain/sprockets condition?
Has it ever been dropped or crashed / any repainted panels?
How many keys do you have?
Also, are you happy for me to view it cold (not pre-warmed) to see how the carb performs in both situations.

I think sticking to the GS as a single bike may be a lot easier

 

[Hairnet600]

Used Bikes for Sale - Autotrader UK

www.autotrader.co.uk

ahh ffs hate when it does that - triumph trident seeing you said 3-4000 - haggle haggle

the cat one *might be worth a shot