TEMPTATION

These days a grand gets you a lot of motorcycle.

£995 HONDACBR600F

Don’t roll your eyes at the predictability. Take a moment to think just how reliable, well made, easy to ride, flexible and brisk Honda’s legendary 599cc inline four is. Take another moment to look at this 1997 bike’s clean overall condition, history, modest 39,000 miles and recent genuine Honda service items. And then remind yourself that it’s a grand. There are plenty of CBRS around for £1000, give or take. There are various modelyear differences and colours, but they all offer dependable two-wheel enjoyment for the price of an Akrapovic end-can for a BMW S1000RR.

£1000 Suzukigsx750f

Genuine all-day comfort. Utter reliability from the oil-cooled Gsx-r-based engine. Steadfast roadholding. The aesthetic appeal of a jellyfish in bottle-bottom glasses. Ah well, you can’t have everything, and at this price point the abilities of the second-generation ‘teapot’ easily outway the dubious styling. This one has been in the same family from new, with a full history, recent carb and brake overhaul, long MOT, and has averaged less than 1600 miles a year. Stop worrying about fashion, and embrace the value.

£900 Triumph sprint 900

It’s a little worn around the edges and would never be your pride and joy. But 1990s Triumphs were engineered to survive a nuclear attack and so this Sprint promises years of cheap, straightforward service. Recently hauled out of a shed, it’s only done 29,000 miles and has nd had the carbs cleaned, brakes overhauled and passed a fresh MOT. Comfortable, robust and with a deep growly charm to its three-cylinder engine, it’s the sort of bike that could sit in the garage for yonks then be pushed into active duty as required.

£1080 Hondavtr1000

Why are 20-odd-year-old Hondas so damn cheap? CBRS, VFRS and NTVS are so affordable it’s ridiculous, and now the VTR1000 Firestorm is in the same position. It might not be a Ducati 916 in terms of style or sportiness, but the big V-twin is a brilliant road bike with friendly thudding drive, easy handling and a riding position that won’t knacker your wrists. This is especially true of this bike, as it’s got slightly higher VFR clip-on ’bars (originals included). Sure, it’s got 60,000 miles on the odometer, but a VTR should easily do the same again. Best-value big twin you can buy.

£900 Suzukigsx-r600

I had one of these back in the late 1990s. Its short, tall, stiff chassis taught me about corner speed and lean angle, and the peaky inline four was a lesson in using all the revs and rebuilding gearboxes. That GSX-R really got under my skin – and the seller of this one must be the same, as he’s owned this example twice. Blue wheels are a matter of taste, it’s been sat for the best part of a year so probably needs a carb clean and freshen up, and there’ll be the expected age-related wear. But performance bikes don’t get cheaper than an SRAD – especially as the seller is inviting offers.

£1150 GASGASTXT280

º Nothing teaches control like a trials bike. You’ll need to be on first-name terms with a farmer or join the local club to ride it, but the actual bikes themselves are way more affordable than you think (this bike busts the budget but offers are invited). This 2002 model has a 272cc single-cylinder two-stroke, only weighs 69kg (yes, as in six-nine kilos) and will have you romping over neighbours’ cars while whistling the Kickstart theme in no time. And if all you do is keep falling off, just park it in the lounge and oggle the pretty polished frame.

£950 Yamahaxj600n

As exciting as cold cabbage soup and as stylish as a corduroy cardigan. But a cheap and trustworthy two-wheeled workhorse doesn’t get cheaper or more trustworthy than a Diversion (or the naked 600N version). And this one’s good: described as immaculate, the thrashable and understressed 599cc four has only done 19,000 miles, with a full service history plus recent tyres, chain and sprockets, brake pads and battery. New exhaust too. With offers invited, this could be cheery transport for the rest of your working life for £850.

£995 Hondafireblade

This is a 918cc example of the CBR900RR from 1999. So that means a bulletproof 126bhp engine, a standing-start quarter mile in 10.7 sec (same as the new 15-grand Ducati Panigale V2) and the potential to nudge 175mph in favourable conditions. This example has toppled off its sidestand, busting an indicator and bending the front brake lever, and has a slight grubbiness from 21 years of use. But it’s also got both original keys, loads of receipts to reflect its history, and best of all is under a thousand pounds. Let’s stress that point: a Fireblade for under a grand.