Running a new sportsbike through another UK winter

Or not, as the case may be.

Reading with some interest Black Mikes thread up ^ there, along with
the sub threads concerning buying new zx10r's and scary resale / trade
in values of ratty, high mileage, lovingly abused, owned by racer
headcase(s) gixxer thou's.

Now I've always been firmly in the camp of "buy (new) last years model
as cheap as poss, run it all year round for 3 or 4 years then chop it
in". If it's worth **** all at the end of the term then so be it. Take
the depreciation hit, get what you can on a trade in and start all
over again. It's a bloody expensive way of biking but lots more fun
than being stuck in a car. It's only money at the end of the day after
all. I know lots of people who lose more cash running new cars than I
have running new bikes over a 3 or 4 year period.

This time around I was lured by a "current" model (partly because I
couldn't find a new K4 gixxer when I was looking to change).
Consequently, I laid out *way* more up front cash than I normally
would for a new bike. 5k miles in and I really love this gixxer.
Without doubt it is the best bike I have ever owned and it addresses
all of the shortcomings of my previous zx9r, and then some. It's worth
the extra outlay because I'm enjoying it so much.

Here's the rub. Buying this years model I feel I am going to flush far
more cash down the pan if I take my usual approach of running up the
miles all year round and then chopping it in a few years down the
line. I honestly feel that I could happily keep this bike from here on
in. So, I am considering (for the first time ever) laying the bike up
for the winter and buying a shitter to see me through the salty months
commute.

What say the FOAK? Is this really the way to go in terms of more
economical biking? The way I see it, if I buy a cheap (£1200 - £1500
ish) bike and can keep it going for 3 or 4 winters I'll have a decent
condition 20K miles gixxer thou instead of a knackered, corroded 40K
plus miles gixxer at the end of the day. I was never much of a one for
maths but if I plan on keeping the gixxer long term this must be the
way to go? No?

What kind of winter shitter can I expect for a £1500 outlay? I need
reasonable weather protection, fair comfort and some fun. I do a 70
mile daily commute on fast A roads - motorway alternative if the
weather is really crap. Don't fancy anything under 600cc really.
Oldish ZZR600, maybe? Or possibly a Suzuki SV650s. Original B12 would
be nice but I guess the chances of finding a straight one at £1.5K are
slim. I'm no mechanic but can do the basics - oil / filter change,
strip brake calipers etc to keep the running costs down. I draw the
line at valve clearances though.

Alternatives? Enlighten me, please.

 

Yes. A winter hack actially pays for itself/

Don't forget the cheaper running costs of a WH as well. More miles per
tyre, chain, pad, gallon...

To be honest, I think a winter hack has to be something small and
cheapish. A B12 will also dissolve in winter, and not provide much of a
saving.

Sir wants a mid-range air-cooled Jap four, Sir does.

To point to my GPz550 ---> well under 600 quid including tax and ticket,
runs beautifully, does over 120mph and 60mpg (not together, obviously),
is still fun.... Ask Lady Nina or Timo, who both saw it today, and
nodded in approval.

Mine Dew, me thinks it'll need a head gasket soonish. Oh well - that'll
give me the chance to re-shim it, as well.

 

Yup, that'd do nicely.

 

I was going to suggest a Divvy 900. But that doesn't qualify as they're
dull as ditchwater.

IMHO, they're the perfect year round commuting hack, though. My first
Divvy 6 took all sorts of abuse in it's 70k miles in my hands - it never
went wrong and cost pennies to run.

 

The Older Gentleman says...

You're having a fucking laugh, surely.

 

On Sun, 25 Sep 2005 22:01:24 +0100,

<notes down as possible replacement if ER-5 dies this winter>

Does it have an old style black/silver registration plate?

 

Ah, nice one. I ran a pre divvie XJ600 for three year at uni. It was a
great bike. Especially considering the lack of care it got during its
time with me.

Divvie 6/900 now on the list.

 

Hmmm..., exactly how SO a BMW can I expect within my budget?
Something that will run for 3 / 4 winters without needing a shed load
spending on it?

 

It just so happens that someone I know wants to sell her 1200 Bandit
(faired version) for not a great deal more than your £1500. I'm sure
she'll post something along with photos tomorrow or soon after.

 

BMWs need continuous low-level expenditure once they achieve SO status. I
just slipped a new loom into mine before tea this evening...

 

in message :
:
: <snip>
:
: To be honest, I think a winter hack has to be something small and
: cheapish. A B12 will also dissolve in winter, and not provide much of a
: saving.
:
Mine is used all year round, currently has 47,000 miles on it and looks
better than some with 10k (2001 model).

I have found copious quantities of FS365 and ACF 50 have worked
wonders................

Mark

 

Does anyone make an after market exhaust for the Divvy 900 yet? A mate
ran one year round a while back and buying genuine Yam exhausts was a
real PITA as there was no alternative.

 

Well, that's put the mockers on that idea then. "Slipping a new loom
in" is definitely beyond my limited spannering capabilities.

"Slipping a length" OTOH ....

 

Dunno, but I do know that I never needed to replace the exhaust on my
Divvy 6, which is odd, 'cos I've seen loads with aftermarket systems.
Can't remember what I did to mine to stop them rotting, other than not
cleaning it all winter.....

 

Bear says...

It just so happens that I know of a cheap CB250RS going spare.

 

Motad appear to.

 

It's not really that difficult - less so, in fact, than the "getting arse in
gear" bit.

Heh.

 

Please, someone take it, I need the space in the garage.

 

Lady Nina says...

I wish I had the space here, I'd take it back.

 

Champ says...

I had a whale of a time commuting 50 miles each way on my 250RS.