Slow Sellers

[JustOneSausage]

Hi Folks

 

I'm getting old now - mid 60s.  I have just sold my R1200 GS Adventure as I struggled with the weight and height as I have got older.  I have rarely been without a bike over the years, so I am wondering what to buy next.  The bike doesn't need to be popular.  I am looking for something <=500cc.  Ideally it will be one of the slow sellers that are not shifting from dealer's floors and are getting big discounts.  No race reps.  The bike needs to be comfortable.  No baggers or cruisers.  Happy to consider anything else.  It needs to be happy doing 70mph on the motorways.  New or used considered.

 

What would you suggest?

[Bender]

New ?

 

Honda Nx500

 

Could also go dct and have easy riding auto changes.,

[Capt Sisko]

Slightly bigger in terms of cc, but the 650 Royal Enfield Interceptor might tick a lot of boxes. Loads of fair weather & low miles used examples are out there as well. 

[JustOneSausage]

Thanks for the responses.

 

NX500 might be too tall for me, but I will get some specs later today.

RE Interceptor - I can see it being a good idea price-wise, but I am only getter weaker as I age!

 

I have just come across the Honda GB350s, which looks good, although none sufficiently depreciated yet.

 

To give you an idea of the bikes that I have owned so far - just don't laugh at the first few: -

 

• NSU Quickly
• Raleigh Wisp
• Raleigh Runabout
• Lambretta 100
• Mobylette?
• Honda CB250G5
• Suzuki TS250R
• Beamish Suzuki 250 Trials
• Montesa Cota 250
• Husqvarna CR500
• Honda CX500
• Kawasaki GT750
• Kawasaki KLR650
• Honda Pan European ST1100
• Honda Goldwing GL1500
• Honda XRV750
• Gilera Runner SP180
• Suzuki Hayabusa 1300
• BMW R1200GS Adventure

There may be others, but the memory is failing too!

Edited Sunday at 14:26 by JustOneSausage

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

The new Triumph 400s are very popular with those who have them. But I doubt they tick the discounted box. 

[bud]

The new Honda GB350 might be a good shout for you. Great build quality as it built in japan.

only 178kg curb weight. And under £4,000 brand new.

I'm sure it would be easy to get a text ride at the moment.

[Throttled]

21 hours ago, JustOneSausage said:

Thanks for the responses.

 

NX500 might be too tall for me, but I will get some specs later today.

RE Interceptor - I can see it being a good idea price-wise, but I am only getter weaker as I age!

 

I have just come across the Honda GB350s, which looks good, although none sufficiently depreciated yet.

 

To give you an idea of the bikes that I have owned so far - just don't laugh at the first few: -

 

• NSU Quickly
• Raleigh Wisp
• Raleigh Runabout
• Lambretta 100
• Mobylette?
• Honda CB250G5
• Suzuki TS250R
• Beamish Suzuki 250 Trials
• Montesa Cota 250
• Husqvarna CR500
• Honda CX500
• Kawasaki GT750
• Kawasaki KLR650
• Honda Pan European ST1100
• Honda Goldwing GL1500
• Honda XRV750
• Gilera Runner SP180
• Suzuki Hayabusa 1300
• BMW R1200GS Adventure

There may be others, but the memory is failing too!

 

Which one would you buy back? Get the nearest equivalent to it.

[RideWithStyles]

As bud says Cb350 wouldn’t be a bad shout?

If left field -what about around 350cc modern scooter?

[Mawsley]

Love the Interceptor - but I doubt anyone has ever claimed the original seat is "comfortable".

[RideWithStyles]

Looked at them before, Great bike in general though a few things put me off.

Agree the seat is a below than expected.

Not great welds and little things stood out that once seen I couldn't un see them again.

the other thing was it weighs more than I thought it should of done as it quoted at 217kg kerb, would that be a problem?

[JustOneSausage]

Thanks for the responses.

 

Triumph 400?  Reported to be much better in many ways than the GB350S, other than price!

 

I am looking (online) at a GB350S at the moment.

 

The one that I would buy back?  The best of the bunch was the Gilera SP180.  Fast two-stroke scooter, and a scream to ride.  I don't think there is anything similar enough.

 

Modern scooter?  I have been looking at Suzuki Burgman in different engine sizes for many years.  A review I read said that the weight of one of them was 250Kg.  That's the same as my GS Adventure.  I have also looked at the Yamaha T-Max

 

Intercepter saddle?  Yes I have a problem there.  I part-ex'd my Pan European because I found the seat uncomfortable.  The dealer said that there was only one bike with a better seat - the Goldwing, hence buying that.

 

Welds etc.?  I get the feeling without even seeing them that the quality won't be up there with the Japanese bikes.

 

Weight?  The lower the better!

 

I live on a remote island now, so don't need or want something huge, but something the carry my partner on would be useful.  My age, previous no claims and location mean that my insurance in cheap.  I think it was about £140 fully comp on the GS last time.  Maybe a few £££s less.

 

Until recently I was considering a bike and sidecar.  I missed a very nice BMW K75RT with a Squire RX4 chair on it for what seemed like a very good price.  I am still kicking myself about that.

Edited Monday at 16:35 by JustOneSausage
Added detail

[JustOneSausage]

I contacted the Honda dealer that had one in used (10 miles!!) £3,800 with £750 of extras.  I asked what the extras were, and how much to ship up to Aberdeen (for the ferry north).  Had a response to say that it sold this morning.  Oh well, that's life.  I will continue to take into mind the advice here whilst looking around for possibles.

[Steve_M]

On 29/03/2025 at 23:52, JustOneSausage said:

Hi Folks

 

I'm getting old now - mid 60s.  I have just sold my R1200 GS Adventure as I struggled with the weight and height as I have got older.  I have rarely been without a bike over the years, so I am wondering what to buy next.  The bike doesn't need to be popular.  I am looking for something <=500cc.  Ideally it will be one of the slow sellers that are not shifting from dealer's floors and are getting big discounts.  No race reps.  The bike needs to be comfortable.  No baggers or cruisers.  Happy to consider anything else.  It needs to be happy doing 70mph on the motorways.  New or used considered.

 

What would you suggest?

Mid 60’s. Old? Get away with you. I’m 72 and still enjoying riding my GS and expect to continue for a few years yet.

[JustOneSausage]

I bet you are tall with a good inside leg measurement!!

 

Long may you ride safely.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

I'm 64, and ride a Triumph Bobber. Very low ride so would suit someone not enjoying larger bikes. 

[RideWithStyles]

The really big burgmans (800?)do weigh a bit but it’s a flagship with big engine, good cvt and loaded luxury, so look a the smaller ones and below 200kg is easy.

Weight of forza 350 was about 180, a bit more than a 125 manual but way less than my previous 500cc manual A2.

 

Edited Tuesday at 07:06 by RideWithStyles

[bonio]

Guzzi Breva 750. Quite a few out there in good condition at bargain prices. 

Low seat and the weight is very manageable. Torques like a GS. Will do 70 on the motorway and still have loads spare to get you out of trouble.  Shaft drive too. And character in spades.

 

[Terry Came]

What about one of the smaller Royal Enfields? The Meteor, Classic, Hunter or Bullet seem to get good reviews and, from what I have heard the quality has improver significantly recently. Used ones with very little mileage seem to be coming up regularly for not too much.

[RideWithStyles]

I did think of that before at first but I remembered something about it and their own details confirmed:

20ish hp, max speed is 70mph, achieved in forth gear….

So fifth is an over gear as in normal Indian likes and so inputted into their design.

Realistic your 50 cruise and pushing it to 60 let alone 70 so this fails for required stats of the OP.

Edited Tuesday at 10:41 by RideWithStyles
Auto correct

[S-Westerly]

I'm 67 with an inside leg of 31 inches. I did find that occasionally was a handicap on the Multistrada but the Guzzi which is 5kg heavier is a doddle. I'm not planning on giving up bike until I'm DOA.

[RideWithStyles]

Dead Or Alive? 
 Id like to see you ride it when you’re dead, Maybe even the Irish police might attempt at arresting you?

[S-Westerly]

Dead on arrival.

[RideWithStyles]

Ahhhh

[JustOneSausage]

My GS was kicked over by a drunk one night.  I just couldn't lift it back upright on my own and had to get my featherweight partner to help me.  Even then we both struggled.  The weight of the bike is very important to me, although we have little vandalism up here there will always be the drunken morons to consider.  Mine wasn't the only bike kicked over that night.

 

A smaller Burgman might be a good idea.  I have looked at the RE Hunter, and it looks reasonable.

 

Due to personal reasons I am now going to put off this purchase until next year, unless something changes in the meantime.

 

Thanks once again for all of the input.