Ideal Beater Bike

[misterprofessionality]

Interesting perspective, 2017EX. Like ferret said, in our area we're getting rain about 1 of every 3 days. That means on average 1 of every 3 weekends. And that means on average 1/3 of the riding season. I don't think I "enjoy" riding in a hard rain any more than the next bloke, but a lot of times rain is light and/or a temporary inconvenience. But, the road remains wet and dirty long after the precipitation stops.

I have this vision of being less concerned about checking my weather app, scouring it in hour-by-hour detail, looking for clear breaks so my nice bikes stay clean. Rather, I could see taking a quick look; if the forecast looks messy then I jump on the beater bike and sally forth. Given that usage scenario, a more modern / reliable / low-maintenance bike would be an asset. Four-stroke, fuel injection, electronic ignition, ABS, tubeless tires in a common size, low-maintenance final drive, etc. Turn a key, push a button, go. No choke, no carb, no points, no inner tubes, no chain lube, no fear of wet-road braking.

The other part of the vision I have is riding back into the garage on a wet / muddy / dusty / gritty / salty bike and parking it without conscience until I feel inclined to hose it off.

i have the answer to each and every one of your criteria my friend

https://www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au/ran...ifications

four stroke, yep

electronic ignition, yep

Fuel Injected, yep

ABS, yep

Tubless tires, yep

Common size tires, yep (for scooters anyway...)

Low maintenance final drive, yep (belt)

great mileage, plentiful used, maneuverable, convenient, awesome in every way. you're welcome.

[LongRanger_imp]

Stichill, sounds like you need an F800GT. Oh wait...

[the Ferret]

that's actually a great choice Mr P

[Stichill_imp]

Interesting perspective, 2017EX. Like ferret said, in our area we're getting rain about 1 of every 3 days. That means on average 1 of every 3 weekends. And that means on average 1/3 of the riding season. I don't think I "enjoy" riding in a hard rain any more than the next bloke, but a lot of times rain is light and/or a temporary inconvenience. But, the road remains wet and dirty long after the precipitation stops.

I have this vision of being less concerned about checking my weather app, scouring it in hour-by-hour detail, looking for clear breaks so my nice bikes stay clean. Rather, I could see taking a quick look; if the forecast looks messy then I jump on the beater bike and sally forth. Given that usage scenario, a more modern / reliable / low-maintenance bike would be an asset. Four-stroke, fuel injection, electronic ignition, ABS, tubeless tires in a common size, low-maintenance final drive, etc. Turn a key, push a button, go. No choke, no carb, no points, no inner tubes, no chain lube, no fear of wet-road braking.

The other part of the vision I have is riding back into the garage on a wet / muddy / dusty / gritty / salty bike and parking it without conscience until I feel inclined to hose it off.

i have the answer to each and every one of your criteria my friend

https://www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au/ran...ifications

four stroke, yep

electronic ignition, yep

Fuel Injected, yep

ABS, yep

Tubless tires, yep

Common size tires, yep (for scooters anyway...)

Low maintenance final drive, yep (belt)

great mileage, plentiful used, maneuverable, convenient, awesome in every way. you're welcome.

I’ve never ridden one of those or anything remotely like it. It’s...weird.

Stichill, sounds like you need an F800GT. Oh wait...

I know, right! I thought of that. I think I’d feel bad about neglecting it that much. It deserves an appreciative owner.

[Lord Popgun]

LR, I always wanted an F800 but that alternator problem scared me off. Did they ever really correct that?

[LongRanger_imp]

The early (2006-2008) F800S and F800ST models had a high incidence of stator failures due to overheating, but this was remedied beginning with the 2009 model year. The F800GT, which wasn't introduced until 2013, doesn't seem to have the issue. I follow this closely on F800riders.org.

I owned two 2007 F800ST's before buying my 2013 F800GT and had no issues, but neither have I experienced any driveshaft failures on my other BMW's, so who knows.

[the Ferret]

Interesting perspective, 2017EX. Like ferret said, in our area we're getting rain about 1 of every 3 days. That means on average 1 of every 3 weekends. And that means on average 1/3 of the riding season. I don't think I "enjoy" riding in a hard rain any more than the next bloke, but a lot of times rain is light and/or a temporary inconvenience. But, the road remains wet and dirty long after the precipitation stops.

I have this vision of being less concerned about checking my weather app, scouring it in hour-by-hour detail, looking for clear breaks so my nice bikes stay clean. Rather, I could see taking a quick look; if the forecast looks messy then I jump on the beater bike and sally forth. Given that usage scenario, a more modern / reliable / low-maintenance bike would be an asset. Four-stroke, fuel injection, electronic ignition, ABS, tubeless tires in a common size, low-maintenance final drive, etc. Turn a key, push a button, go. No choke, no carb, no points, no inner tubes, no chain lube, no fear of wet-road braking.

The other part of the vision I have is riding back into the garage on a wet / muddy / dusty / gritty / salty bike and parking it without conscience until I feel inclined to hose it off.

i have the answer to each and every one of your criteria my friend

https://www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au/ran...ifications

four stroke, yep

electronic ignition, yep

Fuel Injected, yep

ABS, yep

Tubless tires, yep

Common size tires, yep (for scooters anyway...)

Low maintenance final drive, yep (belt)

great mileage, plentiful used, maneuverable, convenient, awesome in every way. you're welcome.

I’ve never ridden one of those or anything remotely like it. It’s...weird.

Stichill, sounds like you need an F800GT. Oh wait...

I know, right! I thought of that. I think I’d feel bad about neglecting it that much. It deserves an appreciative owner.

I know, right! I thought of that. I think I’d feel bad about neglecting it that much. It deserves an appreciative owner.

Well if you are selling it in the $3500 or less price range, I wouldn't mind neglecting it that much

[GoldOxide_imp]

Interesting perspective, 2017EX. Like ferret said, in our area we're getting rain about 1 of every 3 days. That means on average 1 of every 3 weekends. And that means on average 1/3 of the riding season. I don't think I "enjoy" riding in a hard rain any more than the next bloke, but a lot of times rain is light and/or a temporary inconvenience. But, the road remains wet and dirty long after the precipitation stops.

I have this vision of being less concerned about checking my weather app, scouring it in hour-by-hour detail, looking for clear breaks so my nice bikes stay clean. Rather, I could see taking a quick look; if the forecast looks messy then I jump on the beater bike and sally forth. Given that usage scenario, a more modern / reliable / low-maintenance bike would be an asset. Four-stroke, fuel injection, electronic ignition, ABS, tubeless tires in a common size, low-maintenance final drive, etc. Turn a key, push a button, go. No choke, no carb, no points, no inner tubes, no chain lube, no fear of wet-road braking.

The other part of the vision I have is riding back into the garage on a wet / muddy / dusty / gritty / salty bike and parking it without conscience until I feel inclined to hose it off.

i have the answer to each and every one of your criteria my friend

https://www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au/ran...ifications

four stroke, yep

electronic ignition, yep

Fuel Injected, yep

ABS, yep

Tubless tires, yep

Common size tires, yep (for scooters anyway...)

Low maintenance final drive, yep (belt)

great mileage, plentiful used, maneuverable, convenient, awesome in every way. you're welcome.

I’ve never ridden one of those or anything remotely like it. It’s...weird.

Stichill, sounds like you need an F800GT. Oh wait...

I know, right! I thought of that. I think I’d feel bad about neglecting it that much. It deserves an appreciative owner.

I’ve never ridden one of those or anything remotely like it. It’s...weird.
I knew a retired couple who rode two-up in full gear and side+rear bags on a Yamaha Majesty 400 scooter across Canada and back, as well as into central U.S. Talk about a beater. The 400 cc scooter was not new. They kept up with the group (all motorcycles), but did struggle a little bit on long mountain highway climbs. Nevertheless, we never lost them and they usually set the pace that was unexpectedly spritely.

[Stichill_imp]

Intellectually I'm OK with scooters. I shouldn't throw shade at a vehicle I haven't ridden. I do see a scooter in my future, maybe when I'm less limber and more urban.

In the meantime, when I think of myself riding a scooter, this guy pops into my head.

[the Ferret]

I loved my Majesty 400 ...however I didn't like where the air cleaners were situated and how much they cost