Use.Why are you buying a bike? Bikes are like women. You get women built for speed or comfort. Tempramental or reliable.Would you spend 1,000 on a diamond engagement ring for a girl you hardly knew,just because she was a good looker?

I like to know what purpose I am committing my money to. For me, I needed to pass my bike test before any options I wanted were open to me. That cost me 700! Now, budget providing, the motorbike world is my oyster. I am an older biker in my early fifties. When I was a teenager, I had a Suzuki 250cc two stroke, GT250. It was fast on accelleration, and reliable, but smokey and poor fuel consumption.I had a few more 250cc bikes, then the law changed to 125cc max, and I had a 100cc Yamaha two stroke. I wanted to go a bit further and faster so passed my car test, and motorbikes went out of my life for many years.

After I passed my test in September 07, I wanted a small bike to get used to a bike again, and also give me time to save. I don't like to have credit sale, or hire-purchase agreements.My son came across a Chinese enduro bike. It is a single cylinder 4 stroke, with a tall build, and big spoked wheels. It is one year old and cost just 250! They are only a thousand brand new!I was suspicious of it's cheap tag, but bought it, thinking I could probably get my money back easily.It has proved to be a cheaply made, but average bike, that is value for money, with electric start, a pillion seat, back rack, and good looks.It is not very powerful and struggles to do 70 mph. The headlamp is tungsten and needs halogen, as I can hardly see any distance in front, riding at night on unlit roads. I wouldn't buy another, but I am not disapointed with it.I knew what I was buying.

I am now in the process of buying a bigger bike. I need to find out what my needs are.
First, I need it to go to work on, so I need reliability. I want reasonable economy. I need comfort. Due to arthritis, I cannot ride a sports bike, as the leg bend is too severe, and the riding angle hurts me all over. I want a fairing to keep off the weather, as I intend to be an all weather rider.Finally, I want to go distances on holiday with my wife.Oh one more thing, I'm poor!

I was filling up, and met a policeman on an old Honda Pan European 1100cc. He said it was for sale for 1200 which is very cheap. It was super comfortable compared to the Chinese bike, wasn't bad on fuel, and had a full fairing and screen, luggage box, and was covered in leather.This is perfect for me, and I am struggling to raise funds.Of course, I checked all the mechanics, it needs tyres, and a couple of other bits, but I can do all the stuff myself.

I did some research too. The Pan has got gear driven valves, and is ultra reliable in every test and review I read.You need to fit your needs with a solid reliable bike.

Learn more about this author, Andy Cutler.
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