Iano

an attractive and iconic type bike full of character, however you would think that they would get the clutch operation, front brake, starter and all the other small issues sorted wouldn't you, it is nearly 40 yrs old no idea how collectable.

back ages bought a suzuki kettle off a friend and there was an opportunity to go up to the speed limit and it wasn't that pleasant with the sail in the wind upright riding postion and an open helmet, ended up forced back on the seat and being strangled with the chin strap. then a big chauffeur type car overtook with some old ladies chatting in the back like they were round a fireside, meanwhile outside their window being buffetted about a near death experience was taking place. That suzuki is top heavy and fairly unstable, bazzer sheen must have rebuilt his .

When I was younger comfort was never an issue, now it seems like I can't go 5 miles down the road without back, bum or bo**ock issues i'm not alone then on that last point hoping breathable motorcycle trousers will help.

yes the xjr is a nice looking bike and surprisingly not too heavy either, guess we are talking sub 40 mpg there, massively powerful - good for pulling trees out I should think. fat rear tyre/twin shockers.

ignorant me B6 = Kawasaki 550 zephyr? B12 Suzuzi Bandit 1200? sounds like generally heavier/bigger bikes are considered more comfortable - presumably they sit on the road better, fatter back tyres. not sure whether two shocks old style is better than mono comfortwise. Apologies for all this, been on my mind looking at future machine second hand and comfort would be a big factor, the xj900 is supposed to be a comfy bike but too heavy for me. thanks for your comments/choices

what is the most comfortable bike you have owned please?

good thoughts/advice there - thanks all.

different - like it

Anybody any experience of these please? Do they make a difference/last forever?

thanks all, arranged to go over and view the goods - seems like racks and topboxes have come along way since my earlier years on bikes. Not a big fan of boxes aesthetically or practically (climbing on and off) but hey ho sometimes you have to cart things to work and elsewhere without them being soaked or mangled.

thanks - yes it's all a bit sight unseen, something of a hike to get to vendors too.

Got an XJ600n naked yamaha four cylinder 1999, an old dog but I like it. enough of that! Been offerred a givi rack for £60 with fittings and Monokey box for £50. Good buy you reckon? It's a guy selling on the Yamaha divesion club site.

yes that is my impression the bike seems to run better didn't think about the mpg aspect - cheers

Is it the Persibo effect or does premium grade pertol make bikes go slightly better? Any experience? Think it makes my bike a litle bit more revvy and responsive but not sure could be imagination.

there's something in that, you see bicycle riders lit up like christmas trees but think strobe lights are illegal for motorbikes, a flashing blue light on top of helmets might help us be seen.

the cost of a gallon must be getting close to around £6.50 in old terms now which makes you wince a bit when its put like that. My bike does 50mpg yet I'm saving for a bike that does 40mpg, am I mad?

good post

thanks guys

you're not old

can't believe all these fab geets - much appreciated am i the oldest on here? good to see a few of you are in your 50's albeit early 50's

not today but last thurs - that nice warm day as it turned out - went to evesham and back from thame (15 miles east of oxford) about 120 miles, in fact got too hot as set out dressed for winter but overheated when I stopped to help this old chap who fell over in chipping norton. He went over a cropper, didn't even manage to stick his arm/hand out. Rang the ambulance and waited with him, I'm sure all the motorists squeezing by thought I must have hit him with the bike, reckon he broke/fractured his hip as he couldn't stand or move to walk when me and a passing woman (looked like victor meldrew's wife) tried to lift him. spent today trying to seal round the bath and sink before water starts arriving in the living room below - power showers seem to force water in any area not belt and braces able to resist.

been reading about riders who thoroughly clean their bike chains, isn't it good enough just to keep it well oiled and tensioned as per manual, not talking about a performance bike here. Dare I admit to owning an MZ in the past, there done it - terrible boneshaker but the chain was enclosed, fantastic, virtually no worries with that.

thanks guys - well better than sleeping on the beach. Estimate away from home three nights, don't really fancy lugging masses of gear about. advice conjures up a mental picture of me sneaking the bike up close to a travelodge window, Ie the room in question where as you would hope a b&b could offer secure parking. Odd I didn't think of travelodges - once stayed in one with the family, we had one bedroom at the front and one at the back, hot weather, mrs and girls were kept awake by the traffic at the front and me and the boy were woken by seemingly endless deliveries during in the night at the back.

thanks all!

well despite what i said above you can hardly go wrong with that kind of low price, it does run doesn't it? Check for that smoke matey. I'd take a look and try not to fall in love with it immediately but as you identify faults put that into the quation re price, easier to say than do.