After my recent trip to Wales it has become apparent to me that I can no longer handle my GT550 - it's very sad as we've had such good times together, but I had a very nasty moment turning it round on a gravelly hill. I know these moments happen but they're getting to be a regular thing and the thought of them is putting me off doing what I enjoy so I have to be practical.

The problem is, what do I look at now? It has to be lower and lighter than the GT, yet big enough for comfortable touring with all my camping gear. It will also have to be not very expensibve as I won't have much more to spend than the GT sells for.

I've always said I wouldn't ride a cruiser but it seems I may have to reconsider if I want to go on riding - AND I DO!
But I will never never never NEVER ride a Virago!

My current plan is to get the 400 Superdream on the road this winter so that I'm not bikeless, then advertise the GT in the spring, and when it's sold I'll look around for something else. I'm fairly confident that something will 'turn up' but has anyone got any suggestions?

Not more than about 10 years old, neutral riding position as the knees aren't a lot better than the wrists, possibly a twin or sngle s the engine would be lighter than a four........

How's about a CB500, seems to fit the bill.

That sounds like a good shout Ian.

As I was ranting about the other day, there seems to be a distinct lack of range in the bike sector below 600cc. I can't think of anything off the top of my head at this time of the morning but I'll keep a look out for something that fits the bill.

Incidently, my brother had the 400 superdream and that was a big old beast as well. Or it seemed that way at the time. Hope you get something that suits you.

The Superdream is one of those bikes that seems enormous when you're just graduating to bigger bikes, but it's a doddle to handle compared with the GT - it's actually about 60lb lighter than the GT, though more inclined to be top-heavy.
However it's not a practical proposition for my main bike as it's getting rather elderly, I just want to be sure I have something to ride in the meantime!

What about one of the Honda 400 superfours or whatever they're called. They look pretty good but know how old they are and they're imports.

Honda 500 SS (for supersport) is an import - UBG says it only wieghs 350lb which sounds encouraging but I'm not sure if it's right. Made for the Jap home market, they do like to produce goodies for themselves! Deffo worth a look.

It's a bit sad to think of parting with Gertie but it's fun looking at the possibilities!

BG, the CB 500 or 500 S (top faired model)will quite happily tour all over the place-return a good mpg & have enough oomph to get you into trouble if you want it.
the Suzuki gs 500 is v similar but not as good a finish & smaller peeps tend to get away with it better than the Honda
Kawasaki er 500-similar vain but not as gutsy as the other 2.
its not for nothing they all get used as training school bikes-i'd go for the honda myself-spares back up & loads of them about, & reliable.
HTH

a friend of mine had a 400/4 supa sport and he loved it, he suffers from some nasty war wounds from a few crashes and his age now and the 400 suited him just fine, he was able to put higher bars on it, a big windshield to stop the draft, another mates dad has a BSA 650 comb, he's packed in ridding it this year, 70+ years young! and he still works! he's owned the bike since 1958, his bro owned it before him, but alas old betsy is pain to start ( nearly put me into orbit! ), she takes some dragging about, and the chair is about the same size as a plastic pig so i doubt it wouldn't fit anything smaller, i'd like the bike, minus the chair tho, its not the nicest bike in the world, but its been used every year since 1955 how many jap bikes would last that long?