SRX is nice and pure the way it is and would be ruined with bigger bars
I agree (after all I have one
) but it was just to help the OP.
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Big single cylinder motorbikes
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I agree (after all I have one ) but it was just to help the OP.
Posted 2 years ago # -
big version of a CG125
A possible design brief for a CG125;
*simple
*single cylinder
*looks don't offend people
*cheep
*reliable
*nice neutral handlingAdd;
*some power
*trail (style) bike, but not essential to fit this bit
*biggerAnd you get what I'm after, the 500cc, single cylinder equivelent of a cyclocross bike with panniers.
Posted 2 years ago # -
You really are looking for smoething that does not exist IMO. the nearest would be a transalp or a BMW funduro
Posted 2 years ago # -
Are you just looking to be über-niche?
There is a reason why not many big singles are produced
The CB500, ER5, GS500, Bandit 600 etc. etc. etc. all fit the bill, but don't have the (arbitrary) engine configuration that you demand.
It sounds as if virtually any non-'sports' motorbike would do you.
I'd look at the TDM850
(simple and with carbs. The 900 is too complex).
They do everything fairly well. The handling is on the soft side as standard, but can be fettled.
-They're vastly under-rated.ps. If you want an enduro bike then a 250/350 is what you want, not a 650.
Posted 2 years ago # -
How about a Norton Commander or F1 lol
Wankel engine fun 85bhp 9000rpm or 95 for the F1
Though as its twin rotor it is kind ok twin cylinder lol
Cheers Steve
Posted 2 years ago # -
My first bike pictured below:
Was fantastic fun - with some knobblies on it could tackle green lanes, although was a bit of a challenge to get out from underneath when trapped in a ditch
Decent amount of speed (certainly up to speed limits) fantastic noise (after I fitted a new silencer) comfortable for long distances.
Can't comment on whether it's looks offend
Broke down once which was due to water getting into the spark plug, and the exhaust succumbed to tin worm, apart from that, was ace.
Wish I'd never sold it
Cheers, Rich
Posted 2 years ago # -
What are those KTM dukes like? Quite fancy one for messing around on and I'm after getting rid of the CBR6
They are ****ing awesome, but anything older than a 690 (basically anything that isnt the Duke III) requires a ridiculous amount of love to keep running. If you don't fancy the money pit, buy a 950 or 990SM instead... and anyway, ~65HP gets boring quickly
TINAS - the 690 is still the nearest you're going to get to your requirements IMO. stock seat is a little firm, but nothing £100 can't sort out with a gel seat. KTM dealers are always happy to give a test ride, and KTM's insurance does not require you to have a license for a certain amount of time or have a minimum age limit or anything like that.
Posted 2 years ago # -
A doctor Big, brilliant bike
OP you seem conflicted on what you want.
Posted 2 years ago # -
A bit random but I bought a worksop manual off a bloke from Barry who does offroad guiding around the valleys...anyway when I met him he was on his way to Spain on his DR350, well loaded up too. Its possible but I wouldnt recommend it.
If you want to do touring then you need something big like a 650, it'll just be so much mroe relaxed, however big thumper offroad (UK kind wet muddy narrow) is bad and takes a lot of fitness. Big thumpers are for McGregor/Boorman type offroad.
I ride a KLX250, it is fantastic offroad, but is not good onroad.
Posted 2 years ago # -
turboferret has the right idea!
DR Big duly added to bikes to go and sit on
And whats wrong with picking an arbitary engine configuration? It's not like I asked for 1/5bhp, 1 gear and 29" wheels, now that would just make a stupid bike...............
Whats conflicting?
Big single (preferable, I did mention moto guzzis in the OP)
Touring/long distances at motorway speed (needs a screen of some sort, but thats easy enough to fit aftermarket)
Preferably capable of light off roading occasionaly (not essential)
Reasnobly proportioned so I'm not banging my knees on the bars.Are you just looking to be über-niche?
YES!
Posted 2 years ago # -
TINAS
A bike for proper off road use will be rubbish on road. Low gearing, high seat, knobbly tyres, small tank. tolerable for short distances only on road.
A tourer will be rubbish offroad. Too heavy and wrong tyres steering and suspension
A single will not be much use as a tourer. Too slow and vibratory
Many "trail styled" bikes are not offroaders but offroad styled bikes
You need to decide what you want and get a suitable bike
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hah! I was just going to suggest one of these:
A mate had one and it was a whole lot of fun.
Suzuki DR 800 BIG
Posted 2 years ago # -
There are about 5 bikes that fit your wish list but you dont seem to like any of them. Tenere 3aj model, Honda XL600 P-D, TT600 with Acerbis tank, DR600, KLR 600.
Regular bike shops arent going to stock thse kind of bikes you will really have to hunt for them.
Posted 2 years ago # -
we're getting somewhere
cheers pigface, I'll go research those, I've been using the internet to find bikes for sale as I'm shoping outside stuff from the last 5-6 years which seems to be all dealers have.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Aprilia Pegaso. Loved mine when I had it, loved the thumping when you wound it on from low revs (had 12 points on my license for a while so needed low speed thrills). Went all over on it and could occasionally feel my hands and feet on arrival as well!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've had a couple of thumper trail bikes in the past - a Yamaha XT600E and a Suzuki DR350SE. I quite liked the DR but I wasn't a fan of the XT, however I preferred 2-stroke off-roaders so didn't keep either for long.
Earlier this year I got an old Honda XBR500 as a play-bike and it's a lovely little thing:
It's economical, reliable and has an entertaingly punchy engine. It's not that fast (it'll break 100mph but not by much) but has decent mid-range acceleration and fun handling. I wouldn't want to do 500 mile days on it, but messing about on A and B roads or in town it's great.Posted 2 years ago # -
Moto Guzzi Quota - two big single cylinders one either side of the engine & limited off road capability, what more could you want?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Forget to had BMW F650...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Had a couple of these in my youth, a red one and a beautiful metallic blue one:
CB250RS.
You don't need a huge single cylinder bike to have fun, this is one of the best Honda's ever made - revs higher than a big 'un, minimal vibes, great handling, easy to fix and cheap.
Almost as fast as an FT/SRX/XB too, and much more fun IMO.None left now though - cam ran directly in the head, and by the time I could afford a really nice one, they were mostly all dead.
Posted 2 years ago # -
OMG is this still going.
TINAS: Are you female?Tandem Jeremey idea of a Transalp is sensible idea, as is say an Africa Twin. TJ is hitting the nail on the head.
If you want a single, then go XT600 for a good old round compromise (main prob would be motorway stuff: transalp, africa twin etc better at this). If you want smaller more offraodable get a DR350, if you can find one in rght cond for money.
I'd be dubious of a single any bigger than a 660cc. DR600's were ok, but you'd get a much newer XT (in whatever guise)for the money. Dan Walsh from bike rode XT round the world. I know of a group who took DR350's round the world.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I see Yamaha now do a re born Tenere.
Posted 2 years ago # -
No photo of a Dominator?
Here's mine. Bought while my wife was away and I was drunk. £100 on ebay in a vaguely bolted together painted with a stick kind of state. A few days and a couple of hundred £s later...
It was a bit of fun but I got bored of it fairly quickly.
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
This topic has been closed to new replies.
