Suitable Bike

[Shirley]

I find myself with more time to spare than I have been used to.
I have some skills mechanically as an ex member of a car club.
So I have decided to spend up to about £6,000 on a classic or vintage motorcycle.What would the people on this forum suggest.
I have a garage and am about 1.8 metres in height weighing about average for my height.
I would like a british motorcycle but have heard so many bad things about them so maybe a classic japanese or German.
Thanks for any replies.

[yebbut]

 After reading your post I would say definately go for a japanese classic, after all there is nothing bad about any of them.

[wetdog]

£4000 would get a very nice Bonny oil in frame i think are the best , the single carb tigers are easyer to live with , classic japs can be very expensive to fix but are faster , motorways kill triumphs and rider with  vibration at high speed

[Rex]

If you've got six grand to spare, then the world's your lobster. You can get something nice for that.
"Classic Japanese".... An oxymoron, surely?

Nothing wrong with British bikes either, as long as you accept that it was probably designed 60+ years ago, and needs more maintenance than a Yamakuki thing, but then who wants a consumer durable for a hobby/interest anyway..

[yebbut]

but then who wants a consumer durable for a hobby/interest anyway.. 

OP does


steer him away from decent bikes at all costs,

but have heard so many bad things about them

yeh ok wanna hear my stories of jap  reliability quality [been inthe trade a long time]

classic japanese or German

my first post was tongue in cheek Rex, it is an oxymoron but, hey if he wants advice on  how to spend 6k on a bike there lots out there will sell him a reliable Jap classic.

[Rex]

True

How about a nice CB 500T, or VF750, OP?

[rogerwilko]

Jap wise i'd go for an XS 650 Yamaha for a british sound at least!

[yebbut]

wot?

 rattle rattle bang bang clunk?

no, thats a beemer

[esometisse]

your question is too unspecific to get any really helpful answers.
First of all, I would look around a bit which style of classic or vintage bike you like best. (Shows, magazines and so on).
Then pick a handful models that you really like and come back here. You will get more sensible answers if you suggest five or six options and put these up for discussion.
Cheers

[yebbut]

How does being an

ex member of a car club.

qualify anyone to be involved with older bikes?
What level of mechanical skill does OP have?

would it improve if the car club was rejoined?
what car club?, Trabant or Bently?
its all irrelevant

does OP even have a bike license or even able to ride a bike if so what kind or era?

nothing to help out save a putative price that would buy 3 half decent British bikes.

smells of a wind up or fantasy to me.
Hence flippant answers

[Shirley]

Yes perhaps more specific.I have a licence full one having passed my test on a chinese 125cc.
I have attended 2 years maintenance courses on cars and have done simple work like oil changes and spark plugs.
I have considered a BSA however nothing seems within price or comes with any promise of reliability.
I have attended several motorcycle rallies and would like a bike to ride and not have too many problems.
If we stick to British bikes would that bring more helpfull answers.
Thankyou

[L.A.B.]

If we stick to British bikes would that bring more helpfull answers.

What about a late Triumph 500 Trophy or Daytona twin?
http://classic-motorbikes.net/gallery~triumph-t100-gallery

Reasonably light and compact, simple and reliable (usually) and plenty of spares available, and not as expensive as the late pre-OIF 650s but becoming more sought-after.   

[yebbut]

Thats better.

you will need to learn to ride all over again after learning on one of those chinese heaps.

Car maintenace is not really applicable,

The myth of british bike un-reliability is spread by the sort of half wit bodger we all become familair with after we buy one of his  'restored" bikes,
I have been riding british bikes for 50 years all over Europe, never been let down, and they come back covered with road dirt not oil.

you can get a damn good bike for under 3k but it depends what you want, and what you are able to kick start, no poofy electric starts.


I would suggest a good 350 single, Ariel, B31 Matchless, all have good spares back up and have good owners clubs.

If they look to be too heavy a 350 or 500 Triumph as late as possible, say a 3TA, Tiger 90 or Speed twin might suit.

Personally I dont think modern Triumph spares are as good as they should be which is a drawback.
If you are concerned about style a  1970s Triumph Adventurer will absorb most of your budget
Are you in the UK if so where?

[Shirley]

I live near to St Albans and have recently joined a club for Viragos.
However I want something a bit more classic so will look at your sugestions.
Thank you for your replies I think something around 500 cc will be fine.I have tried a Royal Enfield and found I could kick start it first time.
The man who loaned it to me has said he might sell so I have choices.
I had thought an AJS if I could find a good one however its hard to find some one who really can tell the difference between a good one and rubbish.

[Rex]

None are "rubbish", just that some may need more attention than others...

Isn't there a dealer in Kettering who specialises in AMC stuff?  He should be able to sell you a good one for half your budget.