948 Bike choice

Enfield is pretty much still a classic bike hey, don't know a thing about the kwaka but reckon the Trumpet looks the best.

Beg's the qustion why though? as you say allready got a true classic, why not just enjoy riding that and if you feal the need have a cheap and cheerfull modern as backup/winter ride. May I recommend.....wait for it........Honda cb500.

Yes i know not the most lusted after bike with a rep for been learner special/shopping bikes, but small, light, handles well (own race series) plus cheap to run/buy and an ability to show its rear tire to much more expensive metal which is allways a giggle . And naked version does look a proper bike in that classic round headlight,no clutter kind o way.

Sure I can understand the want/need for newer/prettier bikes but this one does it all for peanuts.

Like the Yam buy the way and whats your classic Honda?

The Honda is a CB400F, it was my first bike and knowing a good thing when I see it I've hung on to it. Lovely little bike, but a bit small for me and also a bit fragile for heavy use. Hence I need a machine capable of everyday riding all year round.

500cc class commuter bikes yet again seem a bit small for me, I'm a bit cramped. Think about it - I ride a Super Tenere and am not dwarfed by it

Interesting comment about Triumphs. Most reports I've had about hinckley machines rate them highly. I guess I need to look into it further.

I hadn't even considered the SRX. A bit of research required.

Thats the one above cb500's for the win

just returned from soutbank been up to watch the fireworks, great ride through town with mate on his bandit trying to keep up. They do handle so sweet, even my shonky donkey with 90 odd thou on the clock.

Sounds good too with open pipe, as will the srx (trick blue one looks lovely). mate had a few srx's and they are nice little bikes, light and slim by all accounts handle well.

I,m 6ft and get a flat foot down both side's of the cb which is great for shuffling it about, never felt cramped even long haul.

How about a Ural outfit got one of them too, loads of fun classic looks and feel (especially using the hand shift). sorry i should be in bed by now.

My 2p-

A mate has an Enfield 350 and, while it initially satisfied his craving for a 'classic', it kind of leaves him cold now. He said that, although there is plenty scope for upgrading/customising through Hitchcock's and other Enfield dealers, it's a bit of a dead end for him.

A Ural of 2-3 years old will have had all the quirks and niggles sorted out by now and are actually pretty good as a solo bike as long as you don't expect BMW levels of finish and smoothness. Try Mick Cross at MPC. He's genuine and is a real enthusiast but not blind to the brand's shortcomings.

As for the Kawasaki W650-
They used to produce a W1 and W2 (both 650's) back in the 60's which was a blatant copy of the BSA A65 so what they've made in the W650 is a copy of a copy. The W650 residual values are still high as folk tend to hang on to them longer. They tend to be well looked after too.

The Bonnie-
There are so many different models of Bonnie that there is bound to be one that ticks the boxes for you. 'Accessorising' is big business and the Triumph range of add-ons almost rivals Harley Davidson. The later Bonnie with the larger motor is no slug as I followed a guy on a Thruxton along B roads here in NE Scotland and that bike has no shortage of power-something that the earlier ones (790cc) were critcised for.

SRX600-
Probably one of the best large singles to come out of Japan. Quirky looks (which is something I like in a bike) but a well-proven machine with a loyal following. Handles very well too by all accounts.

CB500-
It's a Honda so won't give much trouble and it'll do all you ask of it(within reason). They'll hustle along at very respectable speedsI had a mate 6'2" and 16 stone and he used to go to rallies all over the UK with little or no trouble. He did all his own maintenance, but was by no means mechanically minded, as the CB was easy to look after.

Something from Leftfield-
Something which seems to be gathering momentum at the moment is sporty learner 125's, like the Cagiva Mito, removing the 2 stroke single and fitting them with a motor from a large capacity 4 stroke trail bike.
Popular choices are the DR350/650 Suzuki, XT600/660 Yamaha and KLR 650 Kawasaki motors.
The standard bike is designed to handle 30-35bhp and speeds up to 110mph so a large 4 stroke single wouldn't trouble the chassis.
We stripped the motor out of a friend's NS125R for engine repairs. Once the motor, airbox etc was removed, we looked over at his dad's old Xt500 then measured up the space in the NS frame and compared it to the XT engine. It would fit relatively easily with the rear engine mount almost perfect. If you're handy with welding/fabrication gear, it might be an idea for a winter project.
I think the thing you'll really miss about the XTZ is the 'prescence' it has on the road. Your one looks well kitted out to do everything you need it to do so the question is-
What will you gain or lose by changing bikes?

My 2p? That was nearly £10's worth

Whatever some idiot will pay for it

I've not completely decided to part with it yet. As I said, I'll give it a go with some good long rideouts to re-acquaint myself with it, see if it still lights the spark. right now it's sans rear wheel or MOT, however that should be fixed RSN.

Tweaked 125? Nice bikes but think about it - I ride a Super Tenere because it's a bike that fits me. Me on a 125 of any description makes it look like a Monkey

don't do the enfield i used to work for an enfield dealer and there pants

<looks at birth certificate/> Damn! Not called Stephane Peterhansel.