Ok, all you knowledgable people out there I am sitting here going through bike sites and mags as I am thinking of getting another bike. Thing is I seem to be changing my mind each time I look at different one!
Before I retired I had my BMW R1200ST which was brilliant for getting to my work and doing any runs that I needed to do, but when I finished up I found I wasn't using it as I should, not only that but it was a bit of a bulbous bike which could be ponderous when moving it about, especially as I have a metal plate in my left arm which at that time could be sore, so I sold it then bought an FX Harley but didn't keep it long , then a Triumph Speed Triple, brilliant but mental!!!!!, which I let go as I was told there was work abroad for me for 2 years, (turns out there wasn't), anyway I have now decided to look about and see about getting something else.
I have done the big bike thing, I have done the fast bike thing, so it doesn't need to be the biggest brashest thing on the planet, I have looked at a number of bikes but each ticks some boxes but not others, this is where you lot come in!, you all have opinions, yes I know some more forthright than others, so please give me your opinions, I know someone's ideal bike will be someone else's nightmare but it all helps.
At present I have my Mk3 Commando and my A65 L/Clubman, and I like something that is slightly different , something that I can just jump on and ride and will be good for some decent journeys, not too the the ends of the earth, a few hundred miles at a go.
So far I've looked a Triumph Sprint ST, the Street Triple, the Thruxton,( good price for '09 bike, and you don't see many about), the Scrambler, also a Moto Guzzi Griso, I also like the Buells and the BMW F 800R, I also know there is a good Ducati 2004 ST3 going at present. I was wondering if the Thuxton and Scrambler, being twin cylinder bikes, were too much like what I have at the moment.
Opinions and experiences on the bikes, and any I've not mentioned, very welcome and could make my decision a bit easier.... now where are the roadtest mags???
Thanks
Robert

The New Bonnie variants are worlds apart from old Britbikes, other than the first-glance looks.

They are very good bikes for the money, ESPECIALLY lightly used examples. (Accessorised low-mileage modern bikes for the same price as tired old leaking kickers)

I bought a low mileage 03 Bonneville last year and it quickly became my favorite ride through the summer. Nice maneuverable size, easy to personalize to your riding tastes but doesn't demand a lot of attention if you don't want to get involved. They don't have the viseral feel of the Meridian machines, are much easier to deal with day to day. The motors have very little vibration thanks to a counter balancer and I made a number of all day rides this past summer with little fatigue. As GP suggested, they're really worth a look and it's a good time of the year to find a bargain!

Get ready to boo me, for "getting on it and going away" and "ease of use/user-friendliness" the hands-down winner in my world is the Suzuki DRZ-400 (not the Motard, the standard).

Electric start, HUGE aftermarket, great mileage, upright riding position, relatively lightweight, cheap(ish) NEW!, goes anywhere, stone-reliable, cheap to insure and the list goes on.

Unclviny

Unclviny wrote:Get ready to boo me, for "getting on it and going away" and "ease of use/user-friendliness" the hands-down winner in my world is the Suzuki DRZ-400 (not the Motard, the standard).

Electric start, HUGE aftermarket, great mileage, upright riding position, relatively lightweight, cheap(ish) NEW!, goes anywhere, stone-reliable, cheap to insure and the list goes on.

Unclviny

Not even going to dignify that with a boo.

How about a XL Harley? Thin, relatively light, nimble,good gas milage, plenty of accessories available. If you don't ride far on a regular basis, one of these might serve your purpose quite well. I still have an old '79 that I don't use much but it is still fun to take on a spirited afternoon ride. It's not as comfortable as my FLH but somehow I can't seem to part with it.

Tom

TJKII wrote:How about a XL Harley? Thin, relatively light, nimble,good gas milage, plenty of accessories available. If you don't ride far on a regular basis, one of these might serve your purpose quite well. I still have an old '79 that I don't use much but it is still fun to take on a spirited afternoon ride. It's not as comfortable as my FLH but somehow I can't seem to part with it.

Tom

I must admit I like the Sportster, but I think for me it would need to be an ironhead, also the tank capacity is a wee bit small for what I'm looking for.
Have also got my eye on a 2004 BMW Rockster Edition 80, nice looking machine, comes with panniers, abs etc., and only done 4000 miles, it's close to my home and hopefully might get it for a good price, just waiting on seller getting in touch so I can go and have a look.

Rockster Ed 80 - they are a good bike, had one before my Multistrada - i might still have been riding mine if it weren't for a moment of brain fade