bil_trilton Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Hi All - New member here. Appreciate any insight into the slightly odd question I am going to ask. Before I begin, go easy on me and run with my train of thought. Context: I am currently in the process of moving back to the UK from North America. I have been working out in the US and Canada over the last 3 years. Been lucky to ride a few bikes over these years without having to purchase my own. Lots of dirt-bikes and Harley's! On my return to London I plan to purchase another bike of my own. Having previously lived in London I've owned a few bikes - I'm 29. These have Include: 2008 Aprilia SX50, 2003 CBR600rr, 2013 Triumph Street Triple and 2015 Triumph Daytona. I have been blessed to own these bikes. I've loved everyone of them. I think I am over the sports bike thing.. I've matured, I have more responsibility and I value my freedom.. lol Ideally, I'd get a Triumph Thurxton 900, Street Twin, Scrambler, Royal Enfield 650 Twin, Kawasaki W800, etc. You get the picture with what I want to get. Something with a bit more sophistication. (I'm over speed I think!). My last bike (Daytona 675) was stolen in broad daylight outside a hospital while I was visiting my cousin. Locks, chains all cut. Moped gang, angle grinder, broken steering lock, you know the drill. I am still wary of bike theft in London, and I am aware that I will become subject to it again if I purchase another bike. This angers me, but I will have to learn to accept it. Bike theft would only decrease if the UK criminal justice system came down hard on these thieves, which they won't. We are too soft these days. OK.. now here comes the curveball. With this in mind, does it make sense to get a cheap and cheerful Chinese bike to run around London? I'm tempted by the Mash TT40? The engine (from what I've read) is basically as 1980s Honda XBR500, it looks nice, will be cheap to insure and I won't loose any (as much) sleep if it gets nicked! I mean I would be far more upset if my prized Triumph were to stolen, by scum, over a Chinese bike. What do you guys think? Any suggestions? Vintage bikes of the same capacity are out of the question due to the new ULEZ laws, so I feel I am only left with this option. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 I can see your thinking. I enjoy having old cars and an older bike that I don't worry about. It is liberating. It is why I keep a 2006 CBF500 as my workhorse. If you want something you don't have to worry about would you consider an older, perhaps more mundane, Japanese bike? Less likely to be stolen but more likely to be reliable and you'll have better access to parts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Will you love it? It might be a trade off a bike you love vs a bike that makes sense on paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAYK47 Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 i think its about the primary use of the bike. Is it a commuter, weekend fun or both? also if you have a garage or secure storage facility (home and work). - commuter then definitely something cheap and small displacement to zip between traffic and have less worries while its parked. - if its fun and you have secure storage then get the Thruxton - if its both then a run of the mill Japanese bike that you see hundreds of, hopefully merge into the background and not be bothered by the scroats. I am not an expert but whatever you choose, good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackholesun Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Depends...Hounslow or hackney.... Kingston or Knightsbridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozzie Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 It's the big question at the moment, Chinese made motorcycles... Are they any good? Historically, they've been bad across the board, especially the larger displacement bikes. There's a reason they stuck to 50/125cc the way they have. But this being said, they've come leaps and bounds in the last 10 years. Lexmoto for example seem to have sorted out a lot of their offerings, although the price has also shot up. What is stopping you buy a CB500, and getting a cafe racer company to make you up a cool seat/headlight unit to swap onto it. You'd then have 50BHP, Japanese reliability, and the look you are after. Probably for the same money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bil_trilton Posted February 8, 2022 Author Share Posted February 8, 2022 1 hour ago, Blackholesun said: Depends...Hounslow or hackney.... Kingston or Knightsbridge Haha you'd be surprised! Almost any area is at risk in London. It's often the more expensive areas that are hit by bike thieves the hardest. Thats where my Daytona was taken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorky Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Easy solution is move anywhere but London Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bil_trilton Posted February 8, 2022 Author Share Posted February 8, 2022 (edited) All great advice. Thank you. Still lots to think about. In an ideal world I'd have a workhorse for the week (zipping around/commuting) and something nice for the weekend rides/trips. This is the goal I am working towards. So within a couple of years (maybe sooner) this will be a reality - although finding secure storage space in London my be tricky.. I think for the short term I am looking for something that ticks all the boxes: commuting and fun. Hence, why my thought process went to the Mash TT40. I would have gone down the older Japanese route in a heartbeat (get something made up, cut subframe, new seat, new headlight, wiring, bars etc). But I believe Sadiq Khan has basically put a stop to all of that with this new ULEZ thing. Apparently bikes older than 2008 have to pay 10 quid a day to be in London.. I have also thought, just spend a bit extra and get the bike I want, Thruxton/650 Twin/W800 and not let the thieves win the mental game, roll the dice and watch my insurance premium go up haha. You have to play to play with almost anything in life. I am always on classified so if you think of anything that could tick the boxes, let me know! Appreciate the help everyone. I will keep you updated on what I actually end up getting Many thanks Will Edited February 8, 2022 by bil_trilton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bil_trilton Posted February 8, 2022 Author Share Posted February 8, 2022 3 minutes ago, Yorky said: Easy solution is move anywhere but London You are not wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonio Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 I'd say get an old hack, a CBR600F or an older ER6F or something similar. If needs be, service the suspension so it handles well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozzie Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 The ULEZ won't be an issue in most cases, though you sometimes need an exemption certificate. My 1998 Blackbird doesn't produce enough NOx to get into trouble, so would expect smaller bikes to do better. The NOx rules mostly impact on diesels. Storage is a big one, the best is a block of garages with those bolt locks installed on the door. So it looks unsuspecting but has some proper bolt locks holding it jam shut. There's safety in numbers, but I remember shaking the tail of a few vans that seemed to stalk me through the residential streets I lived in Sutton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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