I would think a Triumph 865 would be a good starter bike, only issue might be the weight, they are not exactly light. If you are going to ride i through winter just do the sensible thing and coat it in AC50 or whatever, also a cast wheel one will be easier to keep clean. Servicing on an 865 is cheap if you avoid Triumph dealers and go independent. Basic servicing is easy for a home mechanic. Having said that, just depends on what you want out of it, an sv650 or something would be better, but a Triumph is easily capable of being a year round bike, might decay a bit more but would it still give you more pride of ownership?
A nice enclosed cheap scooter or Honda Cub for commuting and a nice new Triumph in the garage sounds good to me
IMO if you cover it with FS365 or ACF50 with focus on the wheels and it should be as good as any of the bikes on the market.
Lol i bought a street cup but have kept my little cb125f for back n forth to work as i only live a few miles from work. Thing runs on fresh air, the cup will only come out in dry weather and stay in the garage locked away through the winter. Missus cant understand how i cant sell my 125cc bike considering i said itll sell easy
Andrew Harris Good on you nice bikes. Some of the gentler sex just don't understand. Nor do so many bods that stand there a grin. Ever tried to tell some of them what it is between you and your machines. They just never get it. I live for my bikes and do know as long as they are there and ready to perform I'm happy. If I am away say on a family holiday I itch to get back just to look at them. Regards & Ride Free Joe.