what bike? Transalp/Dullsville?

[chunkolini]

I should be getting my licence back in December after an enforced break due to a medical issue see this post for more info if you are interested
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=33268

My current bike is a Honda Pan european, a great mile muncher but perhaps a bit overkillish for everyday use. Ie any hint of ice or frost it stays in bed and I cycle into work. It is just on 50k miles and will need a full service eventually and I dont fancy doing the valves myself let alone the cam belts.

I love the mega torque and feeling of elastic band power when I wind it up but it does seem a but pointless 95% of the time. I cant justify having two bikes. My last bike was R1100 Beemer, great but lots of stupid little things went wrong with it and changing the clutch one onf them looks a nightmare and they go at about 60k.
I want something simple that I can service myself. I dont fancy a four, it has to be a twin, why? Because. I should have a budget of 2-2.5k if I get a reasonable price for the Pan.

Choice has boiled itself down to either a Transalp 650 or a Deauville. Both a bit sluggish, but all my older bikes were japanese singles. Thought of a TDM or VStrom but dont like the idea of all those valves and bucket and shim services. Dont want an old Guzzi, I am after simple forget about it reliability. No I dont want a CX you at the back
I will mainly be going to work once a week; planning on sticking to the cycling, and the odd day trip with Mrs C to the seaside or whatever and maybe an occasional short tour two up or on my own.

Anybody got any experience of either of these bikes.

It is a massive gap in the market, middleweight do anything bikes. Ok Triumph and BMW have just started the perfect bikes for me with their 800's. Maybe I should wait a while.

 

[tigler]

I know just the bike for you, it has to be a Sanglas 500 V5 !!

 

[cumbriasteve]

A classic Triumph or BSA? cheap insurance, no road tax, easy to maintain, nostalgia and with luck worth a fair bit more in 10 years time than what you paid.

I had an old A10 650cc that was used and abused for 8 years, never let me down...just don't park them on a nice clean driveway.

 

[CRB]

I know just the bike for you, it has to be a Sanglas 500 V5 !!

Very nice, but you have sullied the fraternity Tigler.

A little MZ 125/150/250 will suit you fine, Chunkolini. Light, quick enough and the rear chain is covered, so no cleaning and lubrication issues

The cunningly designed front brake is guaranteed not to lock and leave you on the floor in icky weather. The TS250 rear is another matter though.

I do not think you appreciate stokers so perhaps an XT or a Baghira/Black Panther.

 

[Scamp]

I will second the suggestion of an MuZ 660 single.

Had a Skorpion Sport and a Baggi. The Sport killed my wrists in town and in hind sight I should have gone for a Tour or Traveller.

The Baggi was a total hoot on B roads with BT21's fitted but also man enough for a 30 mile commute on the M1. All parts are readily available as most are Yamaha and the suspension is White Power.

If it has to be a twin then the Kwaka ER-6 / Versys is supposed to be a good buy.

What about a Hinckley Bonnie?

 

[Windy Miller]

Honda CB500. I've had one for about 3 years now and it's a proper hoot. I ride it more than my Blackbird and have more fun on it. Paid £500 for it and I've never washed it. Oil & filters, new chain & sprockets, and a couple of tyres. Owes me nothing but it's worth it's weight in gold. Not sure on 2 up though. Always use the 'Bird for that.

 

[chunkolini]

TDM850? have been considering them, but I want simple maintenance, and a quiet life.
An old classic? nope, I like my bikes to behave themselves.
People seem to expect me to ride customs or classics.
Cruisers? you can keep them. A cassic would be a nice pet for sunny days.
Sanglas goes in that bracket.
if I was single it would possible be an MZ Skorpion.
But no it has to be ok two up, I have also come to like sitting upright.
Versys? a bit pricy. Hinckley Bonnie similar. I also have come to like fairings and hard luggage.

 

[pedrobedro]

I did a bit of welding on a Transalp exhaust last week and it's a very nice comfortable ride.

 

[ronan]

What about a sports bike ? i had a gsxr 600 that i paid very little for, it was great and very common so easy to get bits for. loads of them out there. Big singles like the yamaha sr's and srx's are gone expensive because of the cafe racer craze.

 

[Pete.]

You won't find a much more comptent and reliable bike than the Dullville. Just that no other biker (bar Dullville riders) will ever talk to you again for fear of being bored to death.

 

[chunkolini]

I have a test ride on a Transalp booked today, there is a 650 for sale just up the road.
I also have to see if wifey can hop on it or is too tall for her.
Dullville? I think it would suit me, I see bikes as enjoyable transport not fussed about image and all that nonsense.

 

[F.J.]

I your only ging to use it once a week then your service issues won't come around for ages and you could get any bike you wanted surely?

On the back of that I would go for the Vstrom as the power and torque of that motor will bring a smile to your face every time you ride it. I used to own a TLR until I wrote it off up the cat and fiddle!!! The engines are phenomenal, Suzuki are also planning on a new Vstrom to with the engine stayin pretty much the same unjust wish they would make another twin sports bike

 

[chunkolini]

Do about 6000 miles a year, nipping to work and trotting off on various missions.
Dont want another litre bike, a middleweight should be fine. Sevicing on the 650 strom is about the 6k mark I think. Four camshafts to play about with just turns me right off. Otherwise that would do the job.
A sports bike would do my back and **** in, let alone Mrs C and her well upholstered sit upon.

 

[geoff 1]

The transalp is a solid bike,or maybe an africa twin?

 

[julianthegypsy]

I had a dullsville and sold it eventually because it was so...dull. and I saw a gorgeous zx9r for sensible money. I wish I still had the dullard, it was dead comfy and really kept the elements at bay, even in the middle of winter. I also had to watch my speed two up on the motorway. It's biggest deficiency was lack of that mad overtaking power that you have on your pan. I'd go for anything cheap with that engine.
I sold the ninja after a few months, it was wonderfully mental but horrendously uncomfortable and left me in agony in my wrists and throttle shoulder after a 20 mile run...

 

[stuvy]

The transalp is a solid bike,or maybe an africa twin?

both of them will be a solid superb bike chunko

dont buy the dullsville, my dad had one and when my blade was awaiting parts i used the dullsville to commute on, it didnt feel planted on the road at all perhaps julian had the same experience?

For me itd be the CB500, CBR600RR (03) or a blade again

 

[Shox Dr]

I've had an N reg AT for the last 4 yrs. Bought it off a mate as I have always liked them, he found it in a feild and bought it back off the insurance Co. So it's a bit of a rat. But I can't stop riding it

It's bullet proof. I've been all over on it, going to The Shetlands via west Scotland and southern Ireland via Pembroke. Just this yr

A 2000ish one (RD07a) in very good nick can be had for around 2.5-3.5k

Worth a look they will never go down it price

 

[Jester]

Look into justifying having 2 bikes - I have three, that I admit I don't get to ride as often as I'd like
Extra costs are the MOTs & Tax - multibike insurance for 2 bikes was same cost as I was paying for 1 ....... and only went up £10 when I added the 3rd - new Suzuki GSX1250
If costs worked out, you could keep your bike and buy a cheap bike suitable for all weather riding

 

[stuvy]

nice collection arthur, my missus winges at me with 2 MT500's and 6 cycles!!

how did the test ride go chunko?

 

[chunkolini]

He couldn't get it started, flat battery.
Berk.
Maybe tomorrow. I wont be buying this one as it has been down the road but a quick blat about will help me make up my dithersome mind.