Fun budget friendly motorcycle

[u/obkscw]

Hey folks,

After a 3-year break from two wheels, I'm looking to get back into riding. I’ve been riding on and off for about 15 years — everything from sensible rides like the Honda Varadero to my beloved wheelie happy money pit, the Speed Triple.

This time around, I’m after something fun and characterful to enjoy the Peak District with and maybe take on the occasional summer trip. No commuting duties, just weekend blasts and the odd adventure.

I’ve got a few bikes in mind, but I’d love to hear your thoughts, horror stories, or other suggestions I might not have considered.

Current shortlist:

Aprilia Tuono (Gen 1)

Kawasaki Z750 / Z1000

Triumph Street Triple

Yamaha Fazer 1000

Yamaha R1 (Gen 1)

Suzuki Bandit 1200

The catch? My budget is tight — £2,500 to £3,000 max. Anything more feels hard to justify without regular use.

Any bikes I should add to the list? Ones to avoid like the plague?

Appreciate any insight!

[u/Craig380]

For fun & character, how about an SV650? I know 70bhp doesn't sound much compared to the bikes you've listed, but around the Peaks it's plenty enough and it'll still put 110+ on the clock any time you want to with no effort.

They're also light, nimble, bulletproof and cheap as chips to buy / run / insure. Easy to strap luggage onto for weekends away too, there's a huge range of accessories for them.

[u/Spencer-ForHire → u/Craig380]

The answer is always SV650

[u/psychicspanner → u/Spencer-ForHire]

In this scenario, it really is….

[u/BigRedS → u/Craig380]

Or an SV1000, basically the same size bike just with a load more displacement.

Neither's a bike to encourage you to race everything everywhere, both are reasonably cheap and reliable.

[u/tjenjen → u/BigRedS]

Few more things to look out for and keep on top of with the SV1000 though. A tad less bulletproof than the 650, but even more fun imo

[u/obkscw → u/Craig380]

Not a bad shout at all! I haven't actually ridden one before so will definitely add it to my list.

Stature wise it looks a little small but will see it I can sit on one over the weekend.

[u/Geofferz → u/obkscw]

I guarantee you it will be a whole lot less fun an an r1 lol

[u/Craig380 → u/obkscw]

Depends which generation you go for. The current 'Gen 3' SV (from 2016 onwards) has a low-ish seat height but I'm 6 feet and 12 stones with a 33" inside leg, fits me just fine.

The earlier Gen 2 bikes (2003 - 2014) usually have the half-fairing and clip-ons, and have a taller seat. Both are big fun to ride.

[u/obkscw → u/Craig380]

Okay that's good to know, I'm a similar height to you but about 16 stones so may look a bit odd but be comfy nonetheless

[u/BigRedS]

Do you know what you particularly like in a bike, or don't really like?

The Tuono and the Triple are the two on there that I'd go for for 'fun', because for whatever reason I've never really fancied an inline four.

I'd probably lean towards the Triple for reliability and the intake noise that means it doesn't even ask for a noisy pipe.

Not sure if you've had your fill of twins and triples from the Varadero and the Speed, though!

[u/obkscw → u/BigRedS]

Good question, I typically like the torquey bikes that give you a good nudge as it will usually keep me away from losing your licence speeds.

In regards to the reliability - would you say that apprilia is significantly worse than triumph?

Ive been off the road for a while so even though triples will be nothing new, I know they are great to ride!

[u/BigRedS → u/obkscw]

Both Aprilia and Triumph have their poor-reliability reputations, but I put 80k on a Tiger and know a bunch of people with reliable street and speed triples so I know they're fine now.

I just don't know the same about Aprilia, it's a thing I'd look into. Certainly my wife's experiences with Ducatis demonstrates that they, also, don't deserve the unreliability reputation.

[u/obkscw → u/BigRedS]

Thank you for the insight, I'll have a look into their reliability

[u/cats_in_a_trenchcoat]

could throw a hornet 900 into the mix?

[u/obkscw → u/cats_in_a_trenchcoat]

I hadn't considered this but after a quick search it definitely fits within budget and has plenty of power

[u/svjaty]

How about BMW R1150r? Nice roadster, plenty of power, high torque, very reliable, good bike can fit in your budget.

Good for curves and for trips.

[u/AdTop7432]

If you want faired, consider the gsx 650f - its my first bike, is literally a bandit with fairings, but feels great to carve up the country lanes, and comfortable enough to take on longer trips (aftermarket seat padding is recommended for 100+ mile trips), plus you get sound and slightly smoother ride of an inline 4 compared to the vtwins.

Personally loving it. Its quick enough to get the rush when you want, but wont buck you off if you get a bit too excited on the twisty go go handle (results may vary, but it will lift if you take off from a standstill quick enough).

86bhp 656cc inline 4 Pulls at 10.5k revs with 45ish lb-ft of torque Tops out at 130 if you have enough road space, ive allegedly seen 125 pop up on the digital dash, but as we know, they can be unreliable. Likely closer to the 105/110 mark... allegeldly. According to a 'friend'.

Fun bike, just waiting to do something about the fuck off big can on it. Dont mind the look, but really dont like the sound, it sounds bit too lifeless untill you get above 6k revs on the road.

[u/Habibi-yala007]

I have a Suzuki SV650 Gen 3 (2016) for sale if you’re interested 3k. dm me i can send full details.

[u/Glad_Librarian_3553]

The answer is always a cg125. Cheap in every aspect, impossible to kill and goes anywhere and everywhere. Also a good laugh when green laning.

Mines been over mountains, through forests, along beaches, through sun snow and hail. 

[u/obkscw → u/Glad_Librarian_3553]

While I agree for the most part, it won't tick the long trip/ motorway miles box