Jim Galbally

ok, now the missus is no more i can finally get a bike

now, what shall i go for?

i dont want anything too powerful, as i need to build up confidence, but i dont really want anything that looks gay and sounds like a lawnmower either.

i'm after a sportsbike type bike, not a harley, or crosswer or tourer etc. dont really wanna spend much cash either.


so, any good first bikes for not much cash?

at the moment i only have a CBT, so presumably need to get the bike test sorted, problem is i NEED mroe practice before doing that as i'm very bad at slow speed balance type stuff

nitelife

raleigh chopper

Jim Galbally

cnut

StuarTurbo

Aprillia RS 125/250 ? depends how big you are i suppose

nitelife

nahhh its called a CBT

Jim Galbally

i'm 5'8 and about 11 stone

those aprillias are more like kid's bikes tho, i'll be embarrased riding one... lol

StuarTurbo

Yeah i always thought they were a bit silly fast for something so small
what about a VFR 400 , nice V4 engine and quite quick , they are quite short wheelbase though

xr4x4rs

iTrader: (5)

well me and my sister passed our cbt a few weeks ago and have just gone halfs on a brand new honda cbr 125r

looks like a baby cbr doesnt sound like a lawnmower as its 4 stroke and looks quite cool i think

ive ben out on it since it got delivered on tuesday and already done 100 miles

im enjoying it more than the cossie

will go get a pic if you like


plus as you only have your cbt you can only have upto a 125 anyhow

Oranoco

Nice one Jim

Soryy to hear about the missus

neilrev

1500 quid will get you a half decent zx-6r or cbr 600. easy enough to ride and fast enough to not get easily bored with.

JjCoDeX75

Honda Goldwing

AndyP

Honda Hornet

Does anyone have any riding tips?

Got my direct access next week and Im worried about the gears etc

YODI

iTrader: (1)

ZX6R


You can get one for £1500

Great bike, quick, nice to ride.

DOnt be put off by the 600cc, remember its only as fast as you want it to be.

Yodi

YODI

iTrader: (1)

Heres a couple

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-KAWASAKI-...QQcmdZViewItem

high miles
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1998-KAWASAKI-...QQcmdZViewItem


Both can be found a little cheaper on car forums

Mr S1

iTrader: (2)

Keep the M3.

xr4x4rs

iTrader: (5)

he only has a cbt so can only have upto a 125

so no point looking at ninjas

Jim Galbally

xr4, yeah but can i go and do one of those week long things with a DAS at the end? are they any good, and how much are they?

AndyP

I'm doing a course next week at Flamingo Park on the A20

£565 all in I think for the week, you need to pass your theory test for a bike first though

xr4x4rs

iTrader: (5)

i think its a week now mate

alls i know is the theroy test is being pushed up from 36 questions to 50 in spetember and the main test is going to be harder next year

thats when ill be doing mine

i carnt believe i eft it this long i knew i should of done it years ago

i think the direct access course is around 400-500 for the week inc theroy

thats a few days riding aswell then the test

Big G

Bought this the other day






Got my thoery on the 3rd Sept, then will do the DA, But still got the height of coolness

neilrev

BIG G

nice gpz, looks mint! used to have one a few years ago, cracking bike

PewteRS

iTrader: (2)

My first bike was a 1200 Suzuki Bandit

I did a direct access course and passed on the friday morning ans was hooning aorund on the Bandit by miday

SAFFYCOSSIE

I have a 2000 Fireblade for sale jim. New shape. £2400 might be a bit quick for a 1st bike though

foreigneRS

don't bother with a small bike - do the direct access now before it gets more difficult next year. expect to pay about £500 for a week with test

budget a lot more than that for clothes and helmet

joel_winders

CBR 400 / VFR 400 by far the best beginner sports bike to get on

S1rst

Id go for a 600 mate. Something like a gixer 600 or ninja. I went for a 2005 GSXR600 for my first bike and i love it.

Whats your budget out of interest mate? I know of a mint gixer 6 with only 2000 miles for just over £4k. If you can afford it mate, go for one as new as you can. Even though the newer ones are much more powerful, they handle and ride so much better, which you would expect i suppose.

As long as you respect the power that you have, you should be fine with a 600 to start out on and get some experience.

benrs2000

THIS IS TRUE MATE I HAD A ZX4R NOT ALOT OF GO AND NOW IV GOT A ZX9R TO MUCH GO SO IM GOING TO GET MY SELF A 6R SOME TIME SOON JUST WAITING 4 THE FUNDS

John Laverick

My first bike was a 2000 ZX6-R, throughly recommend one. Can get a nice one for about £2k ... don't forget to budget for all your gear also which will be another £1k+

COMEDY DAN

Maybe a Honda vision will do just right Jim.

Graceland

Only 100 miles? I've done 3000 since passing my test 3 months ago on my gixxer 600 Absolutely love riding, best feeling ever - no car can compare imho

Rough breakdown of BASIC pices involved of what it cost me - yours may vary a lot or a little :

Suzuki GSXR 600 SRAD - £2200
2 piece leathers - £300
Boots - £60
Gloves - £30
Helmet - £100
Lessons - £75 a day (usually only need about 3 days, I had 2 )
Test - £75 or whatever it costs now
Insurance - £500 (could be more, could be less)
Tax - £50 (12 months)
MOT - £55 (if it aint got test already)

Thats looking at £3595 already and you aint even got on the damn thing

BillyCabrio

iTrader: (1)

Don't spose you know when in Septemeber?

YODI

iTrader: (1)

MOT's are less than £28 mate, car ones are circa £55

GARETH T

i also say buy a 600,,, something like a CBR or the likes

Graceland

My machine had 12 months ticket on it alreaedy so i went for the more expensive option

YODI

iTrader: (1)

I'm confused, more expensive option?

warleydaddy

Jim, CBR 600F all day long!!!

The most fool proof bike ever made!!!! If you can fall off 1 of them,you shouldnt be on a bike!! lolol

Pete..

Big G

Cheers Geezer, just needs refreshing cosmetically and a seat re-trim, mechanics are sound but I aint too keen on the pipe.

The 3rd, the day I have got my theory

graham c

iTrader: (5)

600 all day long you,ll get bored with a 400