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yes i made the same mistake with a zephyr 550 , i took it to southport came home and put it up for sale , it rode like a gyroscope

What about a Hinckley Triumph Bonneville? Are you looking at a new bike or secondhand? Obviously a new Bonneville will be a bit more than the XSR700, but you may get a decent trade-in. Also, what about the new Kawasaki z650rs? Retro styling in a modern package. Get plenty of test rides in before making any decision.

Well after going to see said xjr1300 which was a 2015 model and comparing it to the condition to my bikes mine are in better condition, so will keep mine instead and just squeeze them into my shed.

I don’t know about the Classic 350. I have the Himalayan and its definitely a sight seeing bike with softish suspension. You’d really have to make sure you’re happy with 20 bhp. I was shocked when I first rode it and thought - its a moped shaped like a motorbike 24.5bhp’s going to be boring but I was wrong. Its an excellent sight seeing bike it just chugs along and goes exactly where you point it leaving you free to look at the scenery. Mr Slowly has a RE continental GT and for whatever reason (slightly lighter and 5bhp more) its much faster. The RE are cheap and that translates into them using cheap parts that dont last as long as you’d expect so if you can accept that and are prepared to do the work/pay a garage then thats dandy. The service interval on the Himalayan is 3000 miles which I think is ridiculous. I thought such an underpowered bike would be awful but I really miss it when its not here, to the extent I’ve put my name down for the new BSA Goldstar, that has a bit more power and the build quality looks better (famous last words), maybe given what you’ve said about looks it might suit you too. I always liked the look of the Kawasaki W800 too. You know what you don’t want and what you’re looking for now so perhaps some test rides and time to cogitate is in order.

Well at the moment it's in bits in my garage as it has broken piston rings and (apparently) excessive wear here, there and everywhere. But it's a 1979 Suzuki GS750. It's big, heavy and was off the road more often than on, with something new going wrong with it right when I wanted to ride. But it was cool and attracted attention wherever it was parked.

I’m hoping that the seat to peg distance is very short and makes it uncomfortable for long legs, then I won’t need one.

Fucking kiss of death right there!

Yep I second the CooperB place. They have a great reputation. Its where my Himalayan originally came from. A mate of mine as a surprise wanted to get me a fitted sheepskin seat cover, CooperB kindly lent him a Himalayan seat to take and have a pattern made so he could keep it keep it a surprise. They didnt have to, didnt know him and didnt even ask for a deposit to ensure its return. Nice.

Having had two Himalayans and not having a single problem with either of them I’d say they’re a great bike. You can potter along, wring it’s neck, take it off road or stick to the twisty tarmac. However, you need to be comfortable with low power and plenty of character. Some owners are unlucky and experience quirks which get in their nerves and they end up selling them. I don’t know where you’re based in the UK @GentlyBentley but if you’re anywhere near Northampton then a good mate of mine is the RE dealer (CooperB Motorcycles) then you should go and have a chat with him and test ride one of his bikes. He’s got a great reputation in the business and an altogether decent bloke……….tell him Ray Skipp sent you

Still working - got about 9 years left hopefully. (of working that is not living!)

No worries. Sounds like a plan. You’ve already lost however much just by riding it out of the showroom (I wouldnt beat yourself up about that, we all make mistakes and this one is easily rectified) my point being you dont have to rush into anything and can take the time to find something that makes those heart strings sing. I’m told the used vehicle market is buoyant at the moment so thats in your favour

I'm assuming you have tried adjustment of the suspension.

Thanks and hi everyone. My username 'GentlyBentley' comes from the result of a "What style rider are you" questionnaire. Well, these days I'm pretty sedate and the answers returned that name which I have now adopted. I think that tells you a little about my motorcycling life (which has been 43 years on bikes so far) but no doubt more will follow.

I think, I'm going to lose my drivers license... and all just because of a stupid police officer... The conversation went like this, when I got pulled over in my car: Officer: "Where are you coming from, I think you are drunk!" Me: "I assure you, I did not drink anything." Officer: "Ok, let's do a little test! Imagine driving in the dark on a motorway at night, when you see two lights in the distance. What is this?" Me: "A car." Officer:"Of course! But which one? A Mercedes, an Audi or a Ford?" Me:"I have no idea!" Officer:"So, you're drunk." Me:"But I didn't drink anything." Officer:"Okay, one more test -- Imagine, you drive in the dark on a country road at night, and there is one light coming at you.What is it? Me:"A motorcycle." Officer:"Of course! But which one? A Honda, a Kawasaki or a Harley?" Me:"I have no idea!" Officer:"As I suspected, you're drunk!" Then I started to get annoyed and asked a counter question. Me:"So..., counter question -- You're driving in the dark on a city street at night and see a woman on the roadside. She wears a mini skirt, fishnet stockings, high heeled shoes and only a bra as a top. What is this?" Officer:"A prostitute of course." Me:"Yes, but which one? Your daughter, your wife or your mother?" Things went downhill from there and now I have a court date to attend...

These are 40ft trees growing in an abandoned sludge tank that shit must be good

Bloody knew something like that was coming

There's shed limitations imposed in the Old Folks Home!

Get a bigger shed.

The way we were......1979. Best bike I had in the 70's.......and I had a lot of them!

Welcome from the colonies.

I'm under 60 myself but not by much and appreciate the input of all ages.

Thanks, that was a really thoughtful response with lots of useful insights. I'm going to chat to the dealer when I take the bike in for its first service. It won't hurt to sound them out about my options.

Afternoon Gently. We’re not quite all ancient here but the ancient ones behave like ancient ones do and think the anyone under 60 doesn’t count, bloody boomers

@Slowlycatchymonkey, @Skippy, and @Grasshopper's Ride can tell you about RE's.......they're not my sort of thing. I know I'm a bit biased but you should take a look at a Honda CB500X. I went down in size to get one and I find it great! 80+ mpg!

I love you @Six30 , you called me a boy

I may have recently made an expensive mistake. I took a Yamaha XSR700 for a test ride after the demise of my old classic 750 made me feel the need for a reliable bike that will last. On the test ride it put a smile on my face, it had more power and poke than my old classic and had the advantage of new tech and the promise of reliability. I made the decision straight after the test ride to buy it and it was ready for collection inside a week. So it all happened really quickly. But three weeks in and I’m not so keen. Being used to classics I thought the modern retro take might grow on me…but it hasn’t. I find the suspension very jarring - every bump and road seam goes right through my spine making most rides quite uncomfortable - apparently all modern bikes have firmer suspension (is that true?). Also, a very strange thing, despite the kerb weight being a full 60kg lighter than my old classic, the new bike feels heavy, lumpy and awkward. Riding it seems to have sapped my riding confidence too. Very odd and difficult to describe exactly. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with the bike, I’m just not gelling with it. Now, because I bought it new I’m obviously going to lose money whatever I do (and yes I only have myself to blame). I’d like to trade it in for something smaller, lighter and softer. It’s just a few weeks old, has done fewer than 800 miles so what’s the best way forward? Sell it back to the dealer for (a lot less) cash or trade it in for a new but cheaper bike I have my eye on at another dealer (they do up or down trade with cash adjustment either way if needed). Advice gratefully received.

Yes, the door is on the 10ft end. Not on the 8ft end as I wanted.......cannot get the scoot in straight, have to put it in from nearly corner to corner.

When I ordered my shed as asked for a 8ftx10ft...........bastids delivered a 10ftx8ft.....did not realize till all the parts and brackets were laid out on the lawn and I looked at the paperwork.

Xjr1300 72.3@6500 revs fazer 71@7500 @Tango

I think the Fazer is faster in all gears if you can keep the wheel down, I just meant it would have power to replace what I lost if trading the Fazer.

Good call , sounds like a good choice for the OP

A real person?

Bit gay there Bob … easy tiger

Did someone say “vest”?

A little wander on a tiny bit of the Heritage Coast, Nash Point to Monknash

Weather looked a bit shitty leaving site tonight looking out towards the river Dee

I have a large planter full of tomato plants if anyone wants any when their ripe your welcome to them as I don't like tomatoes.

The 50th anniversary model in the Z1A colours looks brilliant!

That z650rs looks the business in the flesh.

Many a true word etc etc………..

It's ok now, but I had to alter the base that I had already laid out for it to stand on.

Thats annoying. Had exactly the same thing with the shed I ordered to put the recycling bins in. The cart was suppose to just wheel in and out but cos they delivered one with the door on the long side it won’t Heyho if the parts for the cabinet turn up I’ll consider that a win otherwise I have an expensive large useless U shaped piece of metal stuck in my garage

I saw it years ago on Facebook I think. Possibly from the MCN page. Sorry I can't be more help. I only remember it because it amused me that my riding habits afforded me such a title.

you Cube boys are a bad to the bone .

I used to fish not far from there @Cupid Stunt at Fontygary and the old Aberthaw power station

I guess he/she is hoping to defeat speed cameras ??

Fantastic sky

The bike almost sounds too good to be true. I predict that Ducati will sell shed loads of them , depending on the price .