Buy old!
After years of owning new BMWS, KTMS and even the odd Harley I was getting bored with biking generally so I bought a pretty poor 1979 BMW RS. It took loads of work, but the result was a beautiful-riding bike that was reliable enough to be daily transport including a bi-monthly commute to the west coast of Scotland. I was so encouraged by this I sold my 2015 BMW RT and bought a Laverda Mirage. Both these bikes are so interesting to ride and the work they require to keep them on the road is largely a pleasure. Recently (for very little money) I bought a ‘new’ winter bike in the form of a PRE-VTEC Honda VFR 800. This cost less than the average deposit on a new bike’s PCP deal and so far this lovely Honda rides like a new bike. Highlight of this summer has to be a mini-tour in the Yorkshire Dales on the Laverda: it’s surprisingly capable two-up and you always get that great sound from the 180º engine and Jota pipes. Happy days! By the way this is a great magazine. Chris Malkin Bertie says: “Chris: you’re spot-on sir! You can’t beat cheap bikes. Your fleet sounds like it gives plenty of fun and bangs for the bucks they cost!”