revtothelimit - motorbike forum

450 Guerrilla.

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 8:48 pm Yep, warranty and all that. I did read years ago regarding ktm. If a bike was run in proper, it wouldn't use oil. All my ktms did, new or 2nds.

Sometimes running a bike in too carefully will make it burn oil,as piston rings don't seal effectively. It ain't the thing it used to be,given modern machining/materials,etc,but I was careful-ish with mine until the first service,basically didn't let it labour. Now at 25k+ miles it doesn't use any oil between services.

We can now probably get away with what ever method sounds reasonable to us,there's no definite right or wrong.

As far as buying a demo is concerned,it would depend on the make of bike for me. Anything other than Japanese and it would need to be a hell of a deal to make it worth taking a chance.

I'd buy a bike off Demo,he's a nice chap.

I don't think I'd be worried about an ex demo, they are warranted and unlikely even if thrashed for that to cause issues especially short/medium term.

Having said that, that'd be more mainstream bikes, not sure I'd wanna take on a thrashed unknown quality manufacturer wise.

Had a S1000RR many moons ago, and BMW gave you a key which only allowed the bike to rev to 7500.
At 1000 miles you went back to the dealership and were 'presented' with the full power key!
FYI, 7500 in top was still very, very fast!

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 8:48 pm Yep, warranty and all that. I did read years ago regarding ktm. If a bike was run in proper, it wouldn't use oil. All my ktms did, new or 2nds.

Depends what you mean by 'run in proper'. I didn't baby my Duke 690, spun it up in the lower gears (got the red flashing lights on occasion) but crucially changed the factory supplied oil for running in oil almost as soon as I got it. Mine doesn't use oil between changes (but I do change it at much less than manufacturer's recomended intervals).

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:53 pm450 Guerrilla.

They're cheap as chips anyway, it would have to be a very good deal on the demo.

They're a cracking little bike by all accounts, same go as the 650s with only 40 bhp. Sat on one this week, nice fit, lighter than the 650. Just ain't getting much for mine coz new prices have dropped a lot. We will see.

My R1100S was ex demo, it exploded at 56k miles. I think that was more down to BMW's shit build quality than anything that happened to it as a demo bike.

My VW Caddy was ex demo, I kept it for seven years, no issues at all.

I'd probably not buy an ex demo 125 but would buy a bigger bike.

My second Ovlov was an ex demo....gearbox failed at about 60k but I doubt it was related.

My Dad bought an ex demo 954 Fireblade and used it as his daily commuter for a couple of years. Never missed a beat and still looked pretty much brand new when he sold it. Awesome build quality.

Just got back from a test ride on Guerrilla 450, somewhere near Brierley Hill, west mid. Nice little thing, easy on the eye. Biggest issue was finding a decent road, didn't have a clue where i was,but eventually found a 60 bit of twisty and it was ok. Sat naved back to shop.

Under 4k its in trouble but rev it and it goes well enough. Think I'll take one out of Midwest moto, better roads on the doorstep. I had about 45 minutes out.

The base model (silver) with older clocks he'd take 500 for a swap with gt 650. All others it's a grand. Then it's all the bollox of running in. I not absolutely convinced it's the right move so will see how my thoughts develop over the coming day's and 2nd test.

Thing is, I still like the gt and maybe the GTs looks also, over the 450.There's nothing between them performance wise even with 7 more hosses. The 450 is a comfortable, lighter bike, be good for ragging around the lanes, 80 mpg with an 11L tank.

More thinking required.





things to check in new laptop

When you're thinking of selling a bike, don't go on a sunny day 100 mile ride on it. GTs staying.

KungFooBob wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 7:27 pm

Yorick wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 7:22 pm Bikes don't need running in nowadays.

Then why did the 2024 bike I bought new have running in instructions in the owners manual?

I bought a new GPZ500 in 1997 and it had all sorts of advice regarding running in. I just rode it normally as a DR so plenty of quick aways from the lights, started 49 times a day etc. That bike is still about and running fine with 119k on it now. The only thing I did was to warm it up properly and ride it easy until it warmed up.

Went to Midwest moto yesterday to try the 450 on better roads. Better they were. Some nice lanes, went past Shelsley Walsh Hill climb, cracking little road.

Got the bike to 90 and in fairness it goes well. You do need to rev the bollox off it, but good fun. However, it would feel like a downgrade from the GT, so it's off the list. Just felt like a cheap little bike, the GT definitely feels more premium. No sniggering at the back please.



The bike I probably need is the bear, but I don't want another RE 650. I'd like something different. Might have a ride to Crewe tomorrow and have a look at this Benelli thingy.

Get a ride on the BSA Scrambler!

The 650 single is more characterful than Enfield's 650 twin, imho.

KungFooBob wrote: Fri Aug 15, 2025 7:27 pm Get a ride on the BSA Scrambler!

The 650 single is more characterful than Enfield's 650 twin, imho.

Nice looking bike for sure.

New to me bike coming my way...more to follow.