What type of Bike should I buy???

[kiwixport]

Hello all,

New to the forum and just sold a truck and want to buy a bike.

I live in Canterbury and need a bike that can say do 5000km per year in 50km trips.

Ideally I want something especially efficient, reliable and easy, cost effective to maintain.

Have very basic riding skills (can ride - but not very experienced or yet licensed) and have no need of anything sleak or flashy...just cheap and reliable to run. Id happily go 80-100km/hr so no speed demon devices needed either....

Oh also ideally can do some time on gravel roads as I live rural but likely to be much more road time....

What do guys recommend??? I was thinking of a farm bike but not sure of those are best for 50km trips....

Cheers

Gary

[F5 Dave]

WWell, if you go to the top of page and click new posts, someone is selling a KX500.

[pete376403]

How tall are you? KLR650 would work well but they are a bit tall. LAMs approved

[husaberg]

if you want something road legal and can trail ride
WR250R


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ey83EOuvaU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x64prHAsCiQ

[jellywrestler]

royal enfieled 500 single

[jim.cox]

DR-Z400 or DL650 - do everything (well) bikes

[miles]

2015 Suzuki LS650 20500Km @ $4000
Royal Enfield 500 Bullet 2016 40000km @ 3500
Honda CBR 500 2021 22000km @ 4000
Honda Vt750 2007 33000km @ 4800
Yamaha Virago 1994 23000 @ 1500
Hyosung gt 650 PL 2015 30000km @ 2500
Hyosung GV650C 2013 21000km @ 4300

Any Advice ?

Craig

[F5 Dave]

Sure. There aren't many Hyosung left. That should be a warning.
The cruisers are severely compromised by trying to look like a hardley-ableson. If you really must the Honda will suck the least.
The bullet if you really want something that looks and is old fashioned.
The CBR is the only one left on your list. Should be reliable and do everything the best for that price range.

[HenryDorsetCase]

The bullet if you really want something that looks and is old fashioned.
The CBR is the only one left on your list. Should be reliable and do everything the best for that price range.

I have inferred your budget is $5k not including riding gear. You need good gear. Proper pants and a jacket. Even if you compromise on those (and I totally understand the risk/convenience tradeoff) your must haves are proper motorcycle boots, proper motorcycle gloves, and a new helmet. Dont be tempted by that helmet you bought ten years ago that has been sitting in the back of the shed. Now is your time to buy - most of the dealers are sitting on a ton of stock and its the middle of winter so they're hurting. Also Tracktion and Trevor Pierce have just moved their shops and so will be trying to defray the massive costs associated with that.... so yeah.

Your five grand might buy you a Royal Enfield 650 (twin) - in every way a better motorcycle than the single cylinder 500. You would also pick up a second hand Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 for under five. (or the Vitpilen) but the Svatpilen probably fits your mission spec better (I am biased in that I own one but the mission is the same as yours - sunday arvo rides within about 50 miles of my house incorporating shingle roads on the Peninsula (I am in Christchurch). Also worth a look - the sister brand KTM. (KTM 390 is the same powertrain as the Husky 401) 390 ADV or something.

[nzspokes]

Hayabusa is always the answer.