Winter bike/commuter

[Clive795]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes:

I need to replace the bike I use daily/all year, for commuting - about 300 miles a week.

I am currently using a Yamaha 600 Diversion but this is on its last legs and is going to die soon.

I have about 3K to spend but can't decide what will be the best option.

1 : buy an older GS

2 : Buy a newer 650 CS ( I know that I definately do not want chain drive again but belt drive seems a possibility)

3 : Buy a very old/cheap shaft drive off e bay - Kawasaki GT550's for example go for around £500, and hope it runs for a year then buy another.

Sensible advice welcome !

Clive

 

[MikeP]

Buy my 650GS, have heated grips and ABS for the winter commute, save £500 that you can invest and use for chain maintainance!

 

[Clive795]

Thanks for the offer ! but the last three years of chain adjustment/replacement, sprocket wear and all the sh1t thrown off the chain after lubing have put me right off.
Thats the only thing i am certain about at the moment.

Clive

 

[Bigtwin]

3 : Buy a very old/cheap shaft drive off e bay - Kawasaki GT550's for example go for around £500, and hope it runs for a year then buy another.

Sensible advice welcome !

Clive

I'd do this - cheap and reliable - all those year-round couriers can't be wrong. And even if it does go wrong, you can get bits for next to nowt.

 

[Humbug]

Buy one of these. Fantastic comfort and weather protection. Fitted with heated grips and all that lovely warm engine air blowing over your feet it's the ideal winter bike! Prices range from £500 upwards.

Andy

PS My brother's thinking of selling his!

 

[Clive795]

Humbug,
I would be seriously interested in an old RT if the price was right.
If your brother decides to sell get in touch - theres an e mail address on my profile.


Clive

 

[~Stef~]

Gt550 gets my vote , change its oil every now and then and it'll last you years. I know a bloke that just gave one away, he never services or washes his bikes just runs them untill something breaks (hence giving them away there so knackered no one will buy them) and the little Kwak lasted him 3 years. Worryingly he's just bought a Katana 1100 waste of a iconic bike

 

[Humbug]

Clive,

I'll put it to him and tell him to get in touch if he decides to sell.

Andy

PS It's one of the last ones - 1994 so I don't know what the price will be!

 

[Shep]

K75/K100 cheap as chips, and seem to be bullet proof, tough machines

 

[ianran]

I'd do this - cheap and reliable - all those year-round couriers can't be wrong. And even if it does go wrong, you can get bits for next to nowt.

Just make sur the courrier didnt get there first, mate of mine tried this and is now an excellent mechanic