Yet another MT newbie!

[FZ1]

Hi Folks,

I'm undecided, but thinking of getting a 350 as a commuter/winter-hack, so joined to do the usual research, etc. If I get one, it'll probably be a tatty one that I can "do up" a bit

I'm in the Cambridgeshire Fens, I have a couple of other bikes but no car, and I have been riding since I was about 16....when bikes were still steam powered

Apologies in advance for the dumb questions......and here's the first one! I'm a bit of a porker (17 stone), so will the 350 have enough poke to move me around at 60 MPH? Or is that asking a bit much of it?

Cheers,

Jon

[Wirralman]

Welcome Jon
A standard MT350 doesn't have much power. In standard trim 60 mph is fine for a well maintained bike but don't expect to reach that speed swiftly and don't expect to have much extra ( my MT350s in standard trim topped out at an indicated 74 ish mph)

For commuting, you will be left for dead at traffic lights

If you just want to ride on the road, buy a Honda.

[FZ1]

Thanks for the advice Wirralman, much appreciated.

Jon

P.S. I've got two Hondas at the mo, so need something a bit more agricultural to offset them!

[hounddog]

350cc will move me around at 60mph ok on flat roads at 17st .

[Wirralman]

P.S. I've got two Hondas at the mo, so need something a bit more agricultural to offset them!

I would have thought that bike shops , local papers and auction sites etc would be awash with suitable machines, more agricultural but designed for road use only

People do fit larger Rotax engines in MT350s but you then have to consider upping the brakes, wind deflector, perhaps carrying spare fuel as a 13 litre tank doesn't go far etc

An MT350 might fit the bill but try one before you buy.

[MTBrown]

To be honest, an MT is probably more for people with an unhealthy liking for ex-army bikes who are prepared to live with their obvious limitations: the MT350 is very unpowered while the MT500 has a marginal front brake for road use and is a pig to start with a left-hand kickstart. For the same price as an MT350 you can buy a 2000-2007 BMW F650GS which has a water cooled Rotax single cylinder 650cc engine, disk brakes, an electric start and will do 250 miles on a tank of fuel! An ideal commuter bike!

[FZ1]

Thanks for all the info & advice folks; very helpful.

MTB - I had the predecessor of the F650GS for a couple of years (called the “Funduro” - awful name!) and as you say, an excellent commuter.

Jon

[Force Motorcycles]

Welcome to the forum!

Good luck on your search for an MT.

Force

[Minter]

Welcome to the forum Jon,

Good luck with your search.. We do a 405cc big bore kit for the 350 which effectively doubles the HP and capable of speeds up to 100mph if in Germany..!!

Gary
Sportax Racing

[P.I.STAKER]

Hi and welcome aboard

not to far from you, if you want to test a 500.





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