Best 500cc bike - NOT for a N00b!

**MrFiction** · 08-08-12, 13:08

Due to a work relocation I'm soon to be commuting by bike (because I can park for free!).

My ZX9R is far too shiny to leave chained in a city centre all day every day, and whatever security I have on it, eventually a van will turn up with some bolt-cropper mongs and have it away.

So I want something cheap to buy, cheap to tax and insure, that isn't too nickable, but doesn't bore me to bloody death! And easy to work on and get parts may be an advantage.

I'm looking at the 500cc bikes, and ideally I'll be paying around £600 so I can kill it and sell it on for the same in a few years.

GS500's seem to be plentiful around here and cheap, but I hear bad things about build quality and leaky tanks. I don't care about looks, but don't want to be having to do fork seals and buy new tanks every 2 months.

CB500? The seem popular for first bikes because they're 'easy' - remember I don't give a kippers dick about that, because I'm used to 270 times the horsepower and a riding position like a a gay lover after overindulging in Special Brew for the night.

ER500? They seem to beat the GS but not the CB...

FZR500? They have a bit of poke, but are they moer likely to explode and stuff?

What are they really like? To live with? To thrape? To scrape your knees on?

**Two Coats** · 08-08-12, 13:12

Get a shaftie for commuting.

**Milky82** · 08-08-12, 13:14

BikePics - 1990 Yamaha FZR 500

You'll be lucky to find an FZR500, I don't think they were sold over here.

**Gedge** · 08-08-12, 13:17

an old CBR600F would do the job albeit with +100cc's

**MrFiction** · 08-08-12, 13:27

Originally Posted by Milky82

BikePics - 1990 Yamaha FZR 500

You'll be lucky to find an FZR500, I don't think they were sold over here.

Oops - I meant GPZ, of course...

**pussyhorse** · 08-08-12, 13:28

NTV Revere thingie.

**MrFiction** · 08-08-12, 13:29

Originally Posted by Gedge

an old CBR600F would do the job albeit with +100cc's

More tax and more nickable, though. And more insurance. Possibly more maintenance needed?

I talked myself into them thinking I could track it as well, but have since got my sensible hat on and am going to get something more suited. For once in my life.

**Gedge** · 08-08-12, 13:34

Originally Posted by MrFiction

More tax and more nickable, though. And more insurance. Possibly more maintenance needed?

I talked myself into them thinking I could track it as well, but have since got my sensible hat on and am going to get something more suited. For once in my life.

whats the tax difference ? 401 to 600ccs are both £55 ,,.... the old 600F has long ceased to be desirable and is no more nickable than any other bike in this category..tracking one wouldn't be high on my reasons to own one...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-HONDA...8#ht_500wt_949

**Lostboy** · 08-08-12, 13:34

I thought the Zanx thread had established that the best 500cc commuting bike was actually a turbocharged Bandit?!

**LondonDRZ** · 08-08-12, 13:38

Here you go...

**Milky82** · 08-08-12, 13:39

An old CBR6F would suit you, failing that a CB500 is by far the best of the 500 bunch, they are a little more expensive to buy though

I put 75,000 on a CB500, only problem I had was a wonky rear disk.

**inewham** · 08-08-12, 14:07

My standard reply is Gpz500 (but go for the later post 94 'D' model); ER5s are detuned and dull but the little Gpz is great fun, like a four stroke LC. I rode mine like an absolute tool.

Cheap to buy, screw and locknut valve adjustments so cheap DIY servicing, a fairing thats really effective, decent mpg if you take it steady, sits at 80~90 quite happily.. but it also revs to 14K and the handlings not bad so you can have some fun on it too.

**oldboy** · 08-08-12, 14:22

Not particularly economical or easy to maintain but a TMax is a fun commuter with good weather protection and as a bonus you have storage space for the extra helmet for when you offer Dawn from accounts a 'ride' home.

**Screwdriver** · 08-08-12, 14:27

The best bike will reveal itself as you search for it. You just want a cheap hack so you'll be searching all the obvious places and sooner or later one will simply pop up. At the sort of price range you're looking at, you can't afford to narrow the search for a particular model. Just keep an open mind...

Screwd.

**TRXnMe** · 08-08-12, 14:37

Originally Posted by Screwdriver

The best bike will reveal itself as you search for it. You just want a cheap hack so you'll be searching all the obvious places and sooner or later one will simply pop up. At the sort of price range you're looking at, you can't afford to narrow the search for a particular model. Just keep an open mind...

Screwd.

What he said ^^

I'd also consider a Kwak GT550 just for commuting, if you can find one that's not already been despatched to death. They replaced the CX500 in the hearts of the DR and held the position for a decade or more. Not entirely evil in the handling department either.