Bike buying dilemma

Well, it's coming to the end of the financial year, and I have to make
a nice capital expenditure to keep down my tax liability. There are
three 'big' things the taxman lets me write down: computers, camera
and motorcycles.

There are, at the last count, five Macs rattling round the Chateau and
I don't think I need another. Besides, last year's 'spend' was on
pooters. The one before that was on Nikons.

So that leaves bikes. Oh, goody.

I can't really think of a better tourer than the K (at least, not for
around £6k). So I'm keeping that.

The Ducati? I'll just run that until something fundamental breaks and
then scrap it. And there's nothing at all in the current Ducati range
that really appeals (ie: a relatively basic, cheap near entry-level
sports bike). It's all Monsters (nice, but...), or super-costly
missiles, or the Hypermotard. Nothing seems to have the practicality
of my 750SS. So I'm keeping that, too.

And obviously the 400 Four stays.

I *do* have this yen for big singles, and medium-to-big dirt(ish)
bikes. I've owned a couple of Yamaha XT600Es and, most recently, of
course, the 660 Ténéré. So some sort of replacement for that?
Something I can commute on as well: something not necessarily very
powerful, but fun.

A modern Yam Ténéré is definitely on the cards, but they didn't bring
in many and they're a bit scarce. The other option is a Triumph
Scrambler. The third is a 650 V-Strom. Arranging a test ride on the
Scrambler (I'm prepared to be underwhelmed, actually). Anyone here own
the 'Strom?

CAn't really think of anything else in that sort of mould. Open to
suggestions, though. Oh, not a TransAlp.

 

Well, it's coming to the end of the financial year, and I have to make
a nice capital expenditure to keep down my tax liability. There are
three 'big' things the taxman lets me write down: computers, camera
and motorcycles.

There are, at the last count, five Macs rattling round the Chateau and
I don't think I need another. Besides, last year's 'spend' was on
pooters. The one before that was on Nikons.

So that leaves bikes. Oh, goody.

KLX650s are fun round town/A-roads and surprisingly good offroad manners
too. A Superten' XTZ750 is another I enjoyed riding.

JB

 

these are 3 completely different bikes. hardly a reasonable set to
compare.

 

Yes, I know. All slightly offbeat, but all with some slight pretension
to off-road use.

 

I presume TOG needs to buy new.

 

well then, in the great tradition of recommending what you own, what
about a KTM?

 

Nice idea, but the big'un is too big, and I'm not sure about (a) the
comfort (b) the reliability and (c) the fuel range of the singles.
Your experience?

 

New Goldstar.

http://www.goldstarbsa.com/bikesforsale.htm YKIMS.

CIHAGM?

 

I have an '02 LC4 SM, with the "touring tank" fitted. The comfort
isn't bad at all - the seat's quite wide for a supermoto (it's way
more comfortable than my old CCM R30). I can't really comment on
reliability, but it's been fine for me. Fuel range on mine outstrips
the amount of time you'd want to ride it (not sure exactly, but it's
at least 150 miles).

 

Elefant?

In a slight twist to the usual "recommend what you own" approach: the
750 is considered by many to be the better bike, but I've never tried one.

 

He didn't really make that clear, from his original post.

He didn't even say what colour it should be, FFS!

 

Hm. Thanks for that. I've just been to the webshite, and the biggest
tank I can see is only 13.5 litres, or three gallons, which may not be
enough, given that I ride considerably faster than you and will thus
use more fuel.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Simon Wilson

Nnnnnnnnngh

 

or whether it should have a small truck bed on the back.

 

Len Haggis has been around building those forever. I've no idea where he
continues to get the parts from, nor if they are any good.

I do know that there are more 'Goldstars' in circulation than were ever
originally built.

 

not forgetting your inability to do basic maths when it comes to fuel.

 

oooooOOOOOoooooo!

 

well, he certainly implied it, unless you're aware of some way of
writing off purchase of second hand bikes against tax liability.

 

Well, yes, I thought about that later. We don't do all that high-finance
stuff up here in the North, we just pay for our whippets using HP.

 

YHM.