Time to get another bike

[Somerset]

Hi. As you can see I'm new here so hello everyone and ride safe. Moved to Spain a couple of years ago and enjoy it here. Lots of space and not too many cars here in Galicia. Might be in line for another bike so ideas are welcome. Dispatch rider in London 1990's Kawasaki Z250, Suzuki GT500, Yamaha AS3 triple two stroke, couple of BMWs and a 1200 v-twin which sparkled in the sun and was also a highly tuned rocketship. So I liked the v-twin a lot, I also liked the BMW R1100RS until it became expensive, but the ex-police BMW K100 had too many electrical problems. I'm tempted by all sorts of machines nowadays including Royal Enfield Himalayan but it's probably a little slow, the BMW R1100S is calling me and perhaps another Harley too. Some time ago I could have read that excellent magazine Used Motorcycle Guide but its no longer going. Wonderful stories about taking bikes apart in the living room etc. I'm no speed freak but I do like interesting engines (no electronics if possible). Any suggestions gratefully received.

[Bender]

33 minutes ago, Somerset said:

Hi. As you can see I'm new here so hello everyone and ride safe. Moved to Spain a couple of years ago and enjoy it here. Lots of space and not too many cars here in Galicia. Might be in line for another bike so ideas are welcome. Dispatch rider in London 1990's Kawasaki Z250, Suzuki GT500, Yamaha AS3 triple two stroke, couple of BMWs and a 1200 v-twin which sparkled in the sun and was also a highly tuned rocketship. So I liked the v-twin a lot, I also liked the BMW R1100RS until it became expensive, but the ex-police BMW K100 had too many electrical problems. I'm tempted by all sorts of machines nowadays including Royal Enfield Himalayan but it's probably a little slow, the BMW R1100S is calling me and perhaps another Harley too. Some time ago I could have read that excellent magazine Used Motorcycle Guide but its no longer going. Wonderful stories about taking bikes apart in the living room etc. I'm no speed freak but I do like interesting engines (no electronics if possible). Any suggestions gratefully received.

I think you need to narrow your criteria down a bit that or expect to change bike every 3 months, what's roads like around you, I know some of Spain's roads can be a bit post apocalyptic. 

[Somerset]

Yeah thanks for that. Life is not long enough to sample every bike. So I'm quite experienced and now four years bikeless. Not afraid to try something different. Japanese inline fours are a bit samey but I'm open to suggestions. Used Bike Guide put me on to my first ex-police BMW and I didnt regret taking the hint and the bike took me from London to Portugal only breaking down once but it got me home again. Probably most important is to find something I can afford, low maintenance, low insurance but also something friendly. For me 500cc is probably sufficient and I've had most fun on smaller bikes. In my experience a Harley Sportster is mechanically simple, not much electronics and easy to ride. Honda CB500X seems quite appealing. I want to be able to ride off to Barcelona (400 miles) for the weekend but still potter around the smaller roads here in Galicia. Also important I live at the top of a very very steep hill so I want something that is not too much of a brute at low speeds. Some local roads are 1930's era but roads between towns are excellent. Spain is wonderful territory for motorcycling.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

It depends whether you want a modern bike which is bound to have some electronics or are looking for something older with carbs and less electronics.

 

For my work bike I looked at the new CB500 range but found that the build quality in terms of corrosion resistance isn't as good as their older bikes. Hence I have a 2006 CBF500 for work. But I suspect corrosion isn't a huge problem for you.

 

It's light enough for the rural lanes where I live but will happily cover longer trips at motorway speeds so it's a handy all rounder. 

 

In terms of build quality most Japanese bikes from the last year's of carbs are pretty good.

[Bender]

Harley fits most of those over to @fastbob

 

I've travelled Spain a fair bit barca should be a good 500milrs even from the border of galicia has Spain shrunk  

[Guest]

How about a guzzi? 

[DR1]

Hi. Welcome. You’ve mentioned the bike that I would have suggested. Go and book a test ride on a CB500X. Great value, very economical with a range of 500km, comfortable and a bike that’s great on the back roads but capable of long journeys. 

[MikeHorton]

On the cb500x note take a look at the nc750x as well or maybe even a suzuki vstrom 650?

[geofferz]

R1

[Breezin]

RE Interceptor 650. Not a rocket but great for bimbling and likes hills. Not too bad on motorway long haul either.

Edited January 12, 2022 by Breezin

[onesea]

Tdm 850 older bike, few electronics, TDM 900 newer but electronics.

Said to be plenty of them in Europe.

My TDM900 will do 200 miles to a tank.