BARGAIN ALL-ROUNDERS FROM £2000
Sports tourers are as happy doing major miles as they are sporty Sunday blasts. Here are some you might want to consider
PRICE RANGE: £2000-£4000
According to some, the Honda VFR800I produced between 1998 and 2001 was the ultimate version of one of the greatest bikes of all time. And now you can have one for as little as £1600. The VFR, in all its forms, has always been a brilliant all-rounder, capable of setting a decent pace on trackdays and offering the kind of comfortable riding position and ergonomics to get you to the Alps and back without crippling your wrists or back. The peachy V-four motor is a joy but beware of rectifier issues that can cause batteries to boil. The easiest fix is to buy an unofficial replacement rectifier.
Another contender for best all-round bike is Yamaha’s FZS1000 Fazer that was produced between 2000 and 2005. Despite having a hugely powerful R1 engine, this is a civilised bike that you can commute on, thrash hard on trackdays or even tour on — but you’ll want to fit a taller screen if you’re touring. Build quality is good but corrosion can be an issue so look any model over closely. Expect to pay between £2400 and £3500.
If you’re on a budget but still want a great all-round bike then Triumph’s Sprint ST is a good option. Ranging in price from £1600 to £2700, the bikes were produced from 1998-2004 and the three-cylinder motor makes a nice change in the four-pot market. The pre-2002 versions were a lower state of tune (108bhp as opposed to 118bhp) so if you want more grunt, go for a later one.
Though it looks a bit bland, the 2006-2009 Honda CBF1000 is a lot of motorbike for not a lot of cash (between £2400 and £5000). It houses a detuned 2006 Fireblade engine with 97bhp, handles beautifully and is comfortable too. The CBF is a bit of a forgotten gem but that’s great news for buyers because it means you can pick one up for a song.