Getting Back on

[MikeG]

I have not had a bike for 30yrs, kids & life just got in the way. Over the past 20yrs I have been itching to get back on and enjoy real freedom.  I know my way around engines generally and am not afraid to strip down and rebuild if needed.  I have been made aware of a 2019 DL650 clean, well looked after with a full service history, however it has 114k on the clock.  I have been told it will go for £450 - £500 which I thought is well worth a punt.  The parts alone my be worth the money but I would really appreciate any advice of what to expect and is it worth buying.

Thanks in advance
Mike

[l0tus]

Hi Mike,

I had a break from riding for over 15 years and go back to riding about 3 years ago and haven't looked back, well apart from the life saver checks of course. You won't regret it.

As far as the bike is concerned, these engines have been around a while and if the bike has been serviced within schedule there is no reason why it shouldn't be happy for a while longer. There is a good post in the for sale section of what to look out for so maybe have a read of that. Its not just the engine but all the other bits and pieces will need a good check over, wheels, bearings, suspension, chain, sprockets etc, and may need parts replacing. Same could be said of any second hand bikes with a lot less miles on too.

Its a good price for a 2019 bike, so not much to lose really. Of course, sell on will be low too. Go for it.

[MikeG]

Thanks L0tus, really appreciate your reply,  I didn't think about, wheels, bearings, suspension, chain, sprockets, very important parts.  Cheers.

I will keep all posted.

[sillyboy]

if you are happy with the bike just go for it. I had a 42 yr gap in my biking now thinking I will be stopping for good next year as I will be 80 and not so fit.

[locksim]

I think your question raises other questions!!

Are you more interested in rebuilding than riding, for example. That's a bargain price but I can imagine, for example, a gearbox rebuild might be necessary. That's a full engine strip with the summer time meaning you might not ride much. The costs of a rebuild would still be reasonable I think but it's the potential loss of riding time at this season.

As for the actual riding... Your local RoSPA group.will offer an assessed ride to chat about anything you might think of working on to improve your skills/chances. I seem to recall it's free apart from maybe buying your assessor a coffee. It's a good way to get back in on the right foot as it were.

Enjoy it - I returned to bikes with a 2018 DL650 which I still have alongside a classic bike. It's a wonderful machine .

[johna6968]

I wouldn't touch it personally but we are all different. It'll be double the price and more if the motor decides to start throwing the towel in. that's providing you do all the work.

[soothsayer]

Well worth a look I think, especially if there is any haggle room. High mileage bikes are shunned in the uk but bargains are there. If you are handy and can work on a bike then you aren't held to fees that make old bikes unrealistic to own. The 650's are capable of some huge miles, 250k is the highest I have seen, with others around 110 to 120k mentioned online are going strong. They are cheap and easy to work on. I think the overall condition is more important than the mileage, check it out carefully and see what is worn. Maybe all the replacable bits have been done, maybe it's all a bit tired.
As you say at that price you could sell it as bits for twice the money, probably more.
Fwiw it's a good bike after a time with no bikes, a bit tall and heavy but great handling and a really nice useable engine that won't get you in trouble all the time.

[Ian P]

G,day all,
I’ll add my ten cents in here as my 2008 wee strom has just clicked over 180,000 km, so not far off the mileage the op is looking at.

These engines will last, and last, and last.

I think the biggest issue would be consumables as others have mentioned, chain and sprockets, brake pads, etc.

Then you also have the BIG issue of a 30 year break in riding.
The strom is quite a top heavy bike and can catch you out moving it around.
I see a lot of “born again” riders over here who yearn for their yoof, want to be a weekend warrior so buy a Harley, then find it's way too much for them.

My suggestion would be at that price, as long as the condition is good, then spend the savings on some rider training.