Mechnically sound touring motorcycle under £1000

[56G80S]

Put this title just to excite the adverts police!

Linda, amazingly, has agreed that I can't face a summer without a motorcycle. I've been working two jobs over winter and no time to put a spanner to the broken Matchless. Working on three houses hasn't helped either (be aware, assets aren't revenue, still have all three kids at home and none fully employed). The catch is my budget is limited to £1k or less.

Dullville, NTV 600 Revere, Triumph TT600? Appearance and cosmetics mean nothing, mechanical soundness and carrying capacity for long journeys everything. I'm suggesting that 350cc upwards is esential and 500cc really the best starting point.

Suggestions please before Spring comes and prices go up! I might get to Slovenia yet.

Johnny B

PS lower the seat height the better, long body, short legs.

[clive]

Johnny instead of getting a new and possibly unreliable bike spend it on getting the Matchless sorted! Plenty of specialists with experience advertising in the trade and services section of our magazine.

[Rangy65]

I decided that i needed some more modern back up in case on any given great riding day either my Model 31 or G3 wouldn't start i would buy a 'modern bike'.

Like yourself i limited my budget and in my case went for £1500.

I have always liked Hinckley Triumphs so ended up buying a really nice Trident Sprint 93 model for £1400 spent @£100 on servicing plugs filter oil & battery and other sundries.

Its done 22k from new had two owners and whilst it is heavy the engine is terrific and it stops well.

The early Triumphs were over engineered so apart from starter sprag clutch issues there doesn't seem to be many problems.

I think the TT600 might be a bargain too - however the riding position is a bit to sporty for me.

Hope your search goes well.

IMG_0686.JPG

[alanjennings]

Plenty of oldish but reliable Japanese fours about, John ,my CBR cost me £1200 and does everything I want! Hope to see you maybe at the Scottish rally!? Alan j ( regards to Linda)

[56G80S]

Rangy - good call but weight is a factor as I do want to be able to pick it up if (when) I let it fall over. Carpal tunnel in wrist doesn't help. I thought maybe I could change the bars height on a TT600. I don't think the Transalp at Kettering would meet the seat height issue either.

Clive - It's time that's the issue, I have little, it's already March and a lovely day outside. I can do the spannering and could probably get the timing side bush line reamed but once I'm in I'll start thinking that maybe I should get the big end done as a lot of miles covered since it last was and there's more lateral play than I'd like (but none vertically), swap the Burman back in (but need to review the CP clutch on GB box botch up I was using) so I can strip the tired but working AMC and overhaul it and then.................................................

Johnny B

[56G80S]

Cheers, Alan. Our posts crossed over, just in from work.

I'd hope to get there and you're welcome to stay en route. We've knocked the place about a bit more since your last visit.

Johnny B

[56G80S]

Checking up, the Transalp isn't heavier than the Matchless when the rigid panniers fited, sure the Matchy about 410lbs wet and not panniers. Could get the seat base cut to reduce height.

A bit over budget.

hmmm.

Johnny B

[dave16mct]

I'd go for a ER 500 Kawasaki or CB500 Honda. 500 twins, cheap to buy and run, not too big either.
Dave.

[ajscomboman]

I'd go for a ER 500 Kawasaki or CB500 Honda. 500 twins, cheap to buy and run, not too big either.
Dave.

Or a good GS500 Suzy, more basic than the ER and cheaper than either, doddle to service and unburstable, that's why they are the training school favourite bike for learners etc.

[G15 Roy]

This for sale at Kettering

http://www.kettering-classics.com/store ... duct=24160