Benni

I am desperate to get a motorbike. Wanted one for a long time now and the only thing that is putting me off is doing 70mph on the motorway and getting a tire blow out. Can this happen or is it highly unlikely?

Also I want a really nice looking bike and would it be possible to start on a powerful bike and just limit the power until I am experienced? That way it saves me buying a new bike when I am more experienced. And what bike would you start off on?


My parents think it's a complete joke that I want a motorbike but it's what I want and I will be getting one.

Cheers, Benni.

Deano

Tyre blow outs on bikes are EXTREMELY RARE to say the least , dont forget these tyres have to be able to cope with silly speeds IE Busa 200mph

And as for the powerful bike , well its just like a powerful car ........... they dont drive themselves you know , your the one controlling the speed via throttle

Stavros

might wanna keep that disabled sticker safe n sound if you get a bike, might need it again soon

GazzaG

i couldent have a motorbike

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

well, ive done 145 on my bike without too much thought it will only do about 160 tops tho, but had that yet.

i drive 35 miles to work each day, 28 miles of that are the m4, and i do about a ton all the way.

worst thing is the wind lol

Physio

Herbie does.

4x4

and KIT

Benni

I keep it 'Safe and Sound' all the time anyway. If only you knew how hard it is to get a replacement. Do you think they will give me a bike instead of a car on the motability?



Deano I was told on a powerful bike engine braking can be very extreme and would throw a rider off if he never knew how to handle the powerful bike in question. Is this true?

What would you lot have as a first bike aswel? Cheers, Benni.

Adam_BlackRS

Have you got a bike licence 1st of all ?

If not, how old are you ?

Phil

iTrader: (1)

Benni
A lot of my mates started out on 400cc bikes, you can get some nice looking sports bikes in that category, and they are still fairly nippy. They will only lift the front wheel if you have hardly any fuel and really try hard, yet when arsing about they would be similar speeds to my old Saph in 1st and 2nd gear in my car - probably because of my traction problems more than anything though as from 3rd on I would blast past like they were standing still

sunny

iTrader: (1)

Dot it! I really wanted a bike as I missed the buzz that my old car gave me whilst I was waiting for the new engine to be built. I started off on a poxy 125cc (as thats the largest capacity engine you can buy to start learning on. Had that for 2 months then done my full test straight away (passed first time round without any minors) then stepped upto the mighty 1000cc R1! I treat it with respect and have never gone out of my comfort zone (well apart from the time I got an indicated 176mph on the speedo). Had a few times when I first brought it when the front wheel would pop up without realising but I kind of feather the power in now LOL. Bikes give you 10 times more of a buzz value for money against cars any day of the week, infact I am turbo-charging mine later on this year.

c0ss1e9i6

and Lightning McQueen!

I've never known of a bike blowout-except during a burnout - the most likely thing that could happen beyond your control is unexpected animals, but obviously these are more likely in isolated spots at night (or built up areas during the day-cats/dogs/kids etc- but then you should be going slow enough for it not to hurt anyway!)

The worst thing to suddenly jump out on me was a Nissan Terrano front door when I was filtering through traffic! Some German geezer dropped his tab in to the car while trying to throw it out of the window and started panicking- opened his door and hit one of my panniers! Luckily I stayed on the bike and managed to miss all the other cars in the queue!

If you keep your wits about you (which you need to by the way!) most things are avoidable-same as in a car! The added bonus is it will improve your car driving and road awareness as well-it did with me anyway!

As for a first bike, if I was passing my test now i'd go for an SV650. Plenty of style and very user friendly but (hopefully) enough poke to keep you from being bored after 5 minutes!

Hope this has helped and in no way put you off! Nothing better than setting off on your first ride alone or finishing your first lap of the Nurburgring!!!

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

i done my DAS in december, bought a yamaha thundercat as its a sports tourer, half decent looking and 100bhp 600cc so goes well.

and the insurance is £220 tpft compared to a sports 600 of about £600

Benni

Adam_BlackRS I'm 20 and don't have a bike license as of yet. Thank's for the input people.

c0ss1e9i6 Never put me off at all mate but it helped alot cheers.

One more thing everyone, I have my heart set on one of these. But it's probably not the best of bikes to start on is it?

http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/bikes/det...ef=gs500f&y=k7

What do you lot think? Benni.

Adam_BlackRS

Ok, 1st of all @ 20... you won't be riding any bike with more than 33bhp

You also won't be able to do you Direct Access test as your not 21.

So this leaves you with the A1 Light licence, Do a theory test, CBT and practical for a A1 light catagory. This will enable you to ride bikes with 33bhp or less. After 2 years, this will automatically turn into a full A1 bike licence.

Or wait untill your 21 and do your Direct Access Test.

HTH

Benni

I think I will wait until I am 21 it's not that long away mate. Then can I ride any bike I want? Cheers, Benni.

Red16

having a blowout on your bike isnt realistically going to happen, the scarey thing is you are far far far more likely to be knocked off by some spacka car driver who doesnt know which way to look when changing direction

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Adam
I think its either 2 years OR as soon as you turn 21 you can ride anything unrestricted?? I'm never sure of that! I dont think you have to sit another test when you turn 21 if it hasn't been 2 years!

ebit

Its 2 years restricted to 33bhp, if you turn 21 before the 2 years are up you need to sit another test to remove the restriction.

@Adam_BlackRS, A1 Light motorcycle is limited to 14.6bhp 125cc after passing your test.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...ons/DG_4022547

Adam_BlackRS

Direct access scheme
Direct access is a scheme which allows a person over the age of 21 to avoid the two year/25 kW restriction by taking a test on a machine of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp). A pass allows you to ride any size of bike. Any instruction given on a machine that exceeds the normal learner motorcycle specification must be supervised at all times by a certified motorcycle instructor who should be in radio contact. You should also wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and follow all other provisional licence restrictions.

Accelerated access
Riders who reach the age of 21, while still within the two year period where they are restricted to maximum 25 kW (33 bhp) machines, but who wish to ride larger bikes need to pass a further test on a motorcycle of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp). They may practise on bikes over 25 kW (33 bhp) under the same practice conditions for direct access riders. You will revert to learner status while practising (on a motorcycle greater than 25 kW (33 bhp)) although test failure will not affect your existing licence.

Adam_BlackRS

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...Ride/index.htm

S1rst

Adam_BlackRS, i assume thats your r6 in your sig? How you finding it mate? Im looking at getting an R6 or gixxer 600 for my first bike over the next month or so.

scottbrown

an R1 or a gsxr1000 would be a good place to start...

ebit

I've ridden a mates k2 gsxr600 & owned a 99 r6, prefered the gsxr felt quicker and handled better.

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Cheers for that Adam that clears that up

RWD_cossie_wil

iTrader: (9)

I want a bike for summer, but I need to buy a house . Soooo tempted by a GSX-R 750/1000, would be a monster first bike like sunnys, but do you recon its better to get somthing like a 600 first? I can just see me getting bored with it thats all, where a 750/1000 would take longer to get used to

Had my licence since I was 17, just never had a bike

Adam_BlackRS

S1rst, I love it mate.... still can't get over the sheer acceleration of the thing !! For a 1st bike, i think its great.... Still scares the crap outta me sometimes !!

Having never riding a GSXR, i can't compare the 2.