So go rid of the Beemer :D re purposing another bike for distance work classics? or a new bike

[adventure steele]

Hi everyone

Finally got rid of the GS 1200 TE adventure a month or so back after a right saga with Bmw,

suffice to say I won't be getting another modern beemer any time soon,

So been thinking currently put my fireblade back on the road, and a few of my classics, spotted the new V-stroms last night really like them but not to sure about running out and buying another bike when I've got other options

Pretty much put every penny over the past 5 years into classics but nothing you would really say is an outright adventure bike.

Suffice to say Im confused haha

Leads me to a few options

my 2011 blade is pretty trick so not something I'd like to abuse daily with the paint job but could be an option if I swapped the bodywork was thinking even a IomTT spec tank for a bigger fuel range.

Norton 650ss - my daily ride at the moment 1967 great bit of kit but some of the bits like mudguards are getting harder to replace

rd 250 lc great bit of kit again but turning into as much as a nightmare as the 350lc to get parts for

Gsx 750 et really like this super smooth gear change beautiful engine, but again could picture it being a pain to get a component for as stuffs running out on the two

LC 250 sort of seems not to bad if strictly road work

One outside possibility I was thinking about was a 70's commando got a Norton Villiers 68 but thats to rare to use and abuse but one thing I have realised you can get everything from Andover next day which is a bit of a revelation for a classic bike easier to restore than the Japanese stuff haha, maybe in a scrambler style trim, just an idea

Ideally something I can work on myself

New option wise would be maybe a V-strom 1000 or 650

What would you do or consider ?

Thanks in advance ^^

[gspod]

Howabout a nice old Guzzi.

Good work horses, look and sound nice - apart from the electrics pretty solid.

[Chasbmw]

I have a 90/6, been all over Europe on it. Wouldn't trust a commando to do that, made that mistake back in 73.

[adventure steele]

Thanks Chas Im 27 so the commandos way before my time ^^ grew up on stories of my uncle racing them so Always had a special place in my heart

Not thought about a 90/6 or a Guzzi shall certainly have a look,

[sprintster]

An early Hinckley Triumph? Solidly built and more reliable than something older but still with a bit of character.

[adventure steele]

That could be a shout was reading a blog about someone going RTW one a pair of those what set me off thinking about maybe doing something on a slightly older bike

[Redmurty]

there has been 2 Tigers put up for sale on here recently (thumbs)

cheers Spud

[92kk k100lt 193214]

My uncle used to race a Norton Atlas that's still going strong.

I also remember lusting after the early 70s Commandos 750 and 850 BUT there were few happy owners of them back then. Whatever about recent BMW stories they are nothing as bad as the early 70s Nortons.

I too am a believer of avoiding new. So, I stick to my K100s and find now I have enough bits in the shed to make another running one. Yes, like all a few issues but well known and therefore easy to sort out. Plenty of parts about too. Now a nice project would be a K75 GS!

[gspod]

Early triumph or K75 - both good shouts

[adventure steele]

Yep he said that haha my 650ss has been really bulletproof to be honest surprised me with the age of it, been re-built right though never rode the Atlas must admit I'm curious what the cc hike feels like in a solidly mounted chassis

hadn't seen the k75 before not to knowledgeable about older Bmw's bar the 1150 GSA but even with me being leggy really teetering when I've sat on one be such a nightmare on a dirt track for me haha, got away with the GSA LC TE with the adjustable seat

must admit I really have enjoyed being able to grab a bike out and not struggle moving it about since the nightmare was sold


anyone rocking a V-strom?