Forum

[rustygman]

I am looking for a companion for my 350 bullet. Something I can tour on (with wife) but nothing too expensive or modern (nothing with a chip in it). Running an enfield the last 7 years has been fantastic with the support of Hitchcocks. Plenty of spares and all sorts of upgrades and all available without delay in my experience. Is there any brand of bike that can match this for back up. I would assume Harley, BMW and Triumph could be similar with an equivalent Hitchcocks (Norman Hyde maybe). I won't be spending more than 3-4k so please don't tell me how good the vincent owners club is. I have also found from running old japanese bikes that parts can be available but very expensive and this is a consideration also. Thanks in advance.

[PeteF]

Pre "chip" BMWs are robust, easy to work on and spares are generally available. They are surprisingly cheap as well.

[Alan R]

Why not give the Single-carb Triumph T140 750cc Tiger some thought ?....Same machine as it's famous brother the twin-carb Bonneville but a lot more tractable and easier to set up...Plenty of genuine and pattern parts readily available and good bikes are fairly cheap at the moment.............Here's a Bonneville currently on E-Bay}------ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Bonne ... 43cae5c0ad --------- LP WILLIAMS is a good OE spares source I've found..........

[Midge]

I would say a 500 Bullet would be ideal.

[Ian Martin]

BSA A7 or A10s make good tourers for two up. They are really comfortable,single carbed, easy to start and come with magneto ignition, spares are available and they can be found in your price range. Honda CX500s are also in that price range and there are rafts of spares at reasonable prices on eBay. I would agree that elderly BMWs seem to be good value especially the RT80 and 100s which should come with panniers and very effective fairings fitted. It's like everything else in life it all boils down to what you fancy and can afford. My Bullet currently shares the garage with a Valedero which is used for the big tours (but it does have "chips") and compared to the Bullet is soulless .

[Scalyback]

[center]


Match? Tricky Question...



Here's how I did it...










[center]


[center]











I bought Thunderbolt, the one on the left, some months after that, I found myself buying Tornado, on the right.



Then they gang up on you!







[/center]