Probably still in shock at the sight of bikes like that ! Sorry Nigel .....didn't mean any harm .....
You could try this... had something similar when I was a kid, great for just nipping out... Honda classic... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223089802155
I had a ktm625smc best bike I've ridden in bad weather! Loads of fun, literally owned it for one winter, then swapped for an r6 when weather got hot again would of kept it as a second bike if finances allowed at the time though.
Thanks, OB65. I actually bought one back in about February as a project, but sold it to make room for my NS. You're right in respect of their 'nipping about' ability, but I wouldn't fancy a trip to Land's End (from West Midlands) on it.
No props, although I'm not so old that I don't appreciate the talent and work put into some of those bikes. I might have started the trend some years ago when I actually had a 'rat wife'. She had the dishevelled look, metal ware on the teeth, piercings EVERYWHERE, and was aesthetically down and dirty. A bit hard on the suspension, but all in all, not a bad ride. Eventually failed her MoT so was, in the words of employers, 'let go'.
Yeah, but not necessarily for permanent nesting! (Think we're getting close to crossing the boundary of Political Correctness.)
This has been covered previously, but there are many types of motorcycle (and car) owners. We have the full spectrum on this forum. There are those who choose a bike as a form of transport and weekend jaunts and have no 'emotional' tie to the bike. There are others (and I include myself) who own bikes for the pride of ownership; they might still use them for commuting and weekend jaunts, BUT have a heavy emotional tie to the bike(s) mirroring a possessive trait. We might replace a rusty nut, bolt or screw, and we might replace a scratched fairing, and we might even replace a wheel that has been damaged by a tyre lever. If I changed chain and sprockets because they were dirty, I would hope that didn't make me any less an enthusiast than one who chooses to clean their bike, say, twice a year. The bond of motorcyclists is glued by ALL types.