Car (or bike) Chat!

[struth]

Different engine but otherwise its mostly cosmetic

[RobbieGong]

It is an MX-5 under the skin.

Now that doesnt surprise me Geoff. I'd have it over the MX5 any day based on looks alone mind you.

[HackneyRF]

This one is available. Nearly twenty years old, but low mileage and not too dear. I'm considering making an offer.



It's a nice looking bike, a sight prettier than the ER-5 and CBF500.

Nice to see you giving in to the temptation Geoff. Not quite an SV1000, but that looks a very tidy example. Very good bikes those 500's

I'm still riding my uber trusty RF600, but ditched my Guzzi 750 restoration project. I realised it was going to cost much more than I really wanted to spend. Actually gave it to my brother who is breaking it up for his own project. Now I'm on the lookout for a Guzzi V11 Lemans. Waiting for the right one whilst prices are at winter levels!

[walpurgis]

Nice to see you giving in to the temptation Geoff. Not quite an SV1000, but that looks a very tidy example. Very good bikes those 500's

I'm still riding my uber trusty RF600, but ditched my Guzzi 750 restoration project. I realised it was going to cost much more than I really wanted to spend. Actually gave it to my brother who is breaking it up for his own project. Now I'm on the lookout for a Guzzi V11 Lemans. Waiting for the right one whilst prices are at winter levels!

Much as I still lust after an SV1000S, I have to be realistic. I'm likely to cover less than a thousand miles a year on whatever I may get, so a reasonable middleweight should do. I'll probably do more miles on the 125 Innova!

I had the RF600's ugly cousin, the GSX 600F. Didn't rate it too much. It was ridiculously heavy for a 600, not particularly quick and got into weaves once the needle hit 130mph regardless of suspension setup. I had far more fun on my little 400 Honda CB-1 which went like stink and handled great.

I like Guzzi's (and Morini's), but parts are steep and they tend to get through some. I seem to recall bigger Guzzi's using a Fiat starter motor and replacements being four times the Fiat price from a Guzzi dealer.

[Ninanina]

I owned one Guzzi.. it was the Nevada 750 and was only a couple of years old when I purchased it

You kind of rode it like you 'stole' it... it was a complete hoot to ride and had so much character

Ultimately I sold it and got my second Hornet which was a more complete package but I loved my time with the hooligan Guzzi

[walpurgis]

I owned one Guzzi.. it was the Nevada 750 and was only a couple of years old when I purchased it

I quite fancied one of those. I was looking around some years ago and couldn't find a decent one within easy reach.

I ended up buying a Yamaha SZR 660 instead. That was an interesting bike. TZR 250 frame with the XTZ 660 engine. I think that was quite possibly the quickest four stroke single ever sold in this country. Certainly felt quicker than any of the old British big singles.

[Ninanina]

I quite fancied one of those. I was looking around some years ago and couldn't find a decent one within easy reach.

I ended up buying a Yamaha SZR 660 instead. That was an interesting bike. TZR 250 frame with the XTZ 660 engine. I think that was quite possibly the quickest four stroke single ever sold in this country. Certainly felt quicker than any of the old British big singles.

Yes the Guzzi was an amazing machine and if you want character it has it in spades however that Suzuki GS500 you showed does look lovely though and at just £1,400 it looks a complete bargain to me... have you put an offer in yet ?

The only problem with any Guzzi is getting spares for it. The one I purchased had to have new drive shaft fitted before I purchased it and it took literally weeks for it to come in from Guzzi....

[walpurgis]

at just £1,400 it looks a complete bargain.

Ah. You found it then?

[Ninanina]

Ah. You found it then?

Indeed I did.... it looks like new and it's a 20 year old bike...

Make an offer on it Geoff... you know you want to...

All this talk of bikes has got me thinking I really should get another bike for myself...

[walpurgis]

Indeed I did.... it looks like new and it's a 20 year old bike...

Make an offer on it Geoff... you know you want to...

All this talk of bikes has got me thinking I really should get another bike for myself...

I'm tempted, but I'm not making offers without having a look over and a try out and I'm not taking any bike out in the cold until my current bad chest clears up (bloody colds ). To be honest, It's dear for the year really (trade value is £400/£500), but it looks unusually nice for its age. If the dealer threw in delivery at the asking price, I'd probably go for it.