Lonely Blackbird

The blackbird is looking a tad lonely now the garage is void of crap. So
what would make a good winter/bad weather hack?

The problem I have in choosing a bike is leg length. e.g., Blackbird,
GS550M and Bandit 1200 are fine, but ER5, Gixxer thou and Busa are not. The
shops around here don't have much variety for me to try.

I was thinking of a Bandit 400, but then realised this would be smaller than
the 1200, so probably no use. I suppose I could get a 1200, but really
wanted something lighter. So any suggestions for a naked bike with
reasonable power (i.e., over 50bhp) suitable for a 6'3" fat bastard with
long legs? Looking to spend ~£1k (or up to £2k if SWMBO doesn't find out).

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Drew.H

You ****!

I've now got:

#High on a hill
#was a lonely blackbird...

stuck in my head.

So I thought I'd share the joy.

#Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee

 

<wipes tea from keyboard and monitor>
Bugger.

 

Utter, utter ****.

 

Speed Triple, but be tight on that budget.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

****.

Bloody crying now.



--
Paul - xxx

'96/'97 Landrover Discovery 300 Tdi 'Big and Butch'
'98 Suzuki DR 200 Djebel 'Small but perfectly formed'
Dyna Tech Cro-Mo comp "When I feel fit enough'

 

TDM850 is good for tall people - Verdigris had one

You should be able to get a tidy X plate for £2k, which has the better
engine. £1k will get you one of the earlier models with the slightly less
grunty engine.

 

Oh thank you so fucking much. Now *I'VE* got it rattling around too.

btw, did you ever get a fuel tank and side covers?


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Beav

Wel.....come. My pleasure,

They're chez Bonwick. I have to get over this weekend to collect them.

 

I think many owners are keeping hold of them in the same way as the Africa
Twin. Neither bike sold well so demand on the used market is strong as they
are excellent general purpose bikes.

 

I *hated* the early one I rode.

 

(The Older Gentleman) wrote in

The suspension was a bit soft on the first ones. The 1996 revamp got FZR600
brakes and a much better, dual spring rear suspension.

 

Elly is coming over tomorrow, are they easier to pick up from there?

I'll be passing yours on Monday if someone is around at 9am/6.30pm.
--
Adie
(replace spam with nickname to reply)

UKRM FAQ: http://www.ukrm.net/faq/
keeper of the ukrm faq for my sins

YZF-R1 : ZX9R E1 : GPz 750 turbo

MRO#11 BOTAFOF#7 BOTAFOT#130 DIAABTCOD#17 MIB#24 YTC#16 BOB#15 ex-UKRMMA#22 BOMB#11

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Adie

Ooh, yes please, if you (and Elly) don't mind.

 

See my Ebay auction for a silver Commando tank and side panels.

 

The engine was nasty. Just felt insubstantial. The gearbox was chronic.

Oddly, I'd like to try a 900, because I think they might have it sorted
with that ine.

 

(The Older Gentleman) wrote in

Hence the revamp of the crank. I found the new unit worked well on the
terrain I ride in: mainly the mountains of Mid Wales.

I never had an issue with the gearbox. It needed a firm boot but no worse
than the R1150GS I ride today.

Me too. I was quite tempted by this:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139669

Just in case you can't see it without registering:

TDM900, 8 months old. Lots of extras inc. Givi luggage. Asking price of
£4600 as the owner has decided to get an F800GS.

 

You'll get **** all for 'em


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Yup. I tried the 270 degree engine in SteveH's old TRX850 and the engine
was about the only thing I liked. Much better. Shame the rest of that
bike was such crap. It could have been great if Yamaha had bothered to
give it decent forks, decent front brakes, a decent rear shock and a
decent seat. But the engine was OK. And the frame.

Heh. "OK by BMW standards" is no recommendation for a gearbox.

<Nods>

That's a damn good price for what looks like a good bike.