Ebonycossie4x4

iTrader: (4)

Hi Guys.

would like some advice if possible. I am currently going through my test and would like to get some sort of sports bike once i have passed.

Im confused as to what would be best for me, I am 6ft1/2 and at the moment 17.5 stone but will be about 16stone hopefully by the time im ready.

anyway i keep thinking of getting something small and a bit classic like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CBR2...3D331597394543

just to get used to things.

Then i look at 600s Kawasaki 636, GSXR600, R6 etc....

It all gets a bit confusing. What would you guys recommend and considering i know nothing about bikes any pointers and examples would be great.

I dont want to go falling off in the first year etc so nothing to mad please.

Ebonycossie4x4

iTrader: (4)

What are these like?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=281752775019&globalID=EB AY-GB

Caddyshack

I think an R6 or the like is pretty extreme as a first bike. As a big bloke I bet a 400 trail style bike would make a lot of sense until you are ready for a big bike in sports style.

Ebonycossie4x4

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the advice but the whole reason for doing the test is to get more of a sports bike that a trial bike etc. I would much rather just get a classic less powerful sportier bike

Rst tyrone

iTrader: (4)

Just get a 1000cc bike r1 s1000rr blade etc then there's no need to upgrade next year plus being a big lad you won't notice it on a 1000cc where as you have to rev the tits off a 600

Ebonycossie4x4

iTrader: (4)

the fact is it will never be ridden in anything less than perfect weather etc, it really will be just a bit of a toy so maybe you are right.

what 1000 would you recommend? would the insurance be high considering it would be my first bike?

Rst tyrone

iTrader: (4)

Insurance roughly on a 1000cc bike having just passed is probably around the 1k mark

I would recommend a s1000rr or a blade I have Had various bike 1000cc v twins gsxr Etc but had my current bike a 20th anniversary blade For 3years and love it lightweight good midrange power

DAN@ADRIAN FLUX

Hi,
If you need any help with insurance or would like a bike insurance quotation then please feel free to drop me a line. I'd be happy to arrange for one our Bikesure team to give you a call back.
Regards,
Dan.

Ebonycossie4x4

iTrader: (4)

This is a bit of me but seems way over he top and a bit dangerous for a first bike!

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=221833832974&globalID=EB AY-GB

Rst tyrone

iTrader: (4)

Nice mate

Heres mine

Caddyshack

My point is to learn how to handle a quick bike before getting on something that is likely to get you in to trouble. I have ridden trials bikes from age 5, motor cross in my teens, 50cc on road at 16, 125s at 17 and then I tried a 600cc low power tourer and was quite shocked but then got on a cbr6 and realised just how easily you can approach corners way above your talent. 6 months to a year on a 400 or 600 non sports bike may just save some very painful lessons. I guess it depends on how fast you can get on a sports bike or how long term you want to stay on and enjoy it. Whatever you do take care on it.

I would recommend joining a group of advanced motorists for some proper training if you do get something fast. Reading the road and appropriate speed for the road and conditions is the key.

Ebonycossie4x4

iTrader: (4)

Thanks caddy shack that's good advice.

The whole reason for this thread is advice, I have no idea what's best but if the general consensus is get a 400 tourer etc then that's what I'll do.

Best to be safe than sorry

Ebonycossie4x4

iTrader: (4)

Lovely bike Tyrone

Rst tyrone

iTrader: (4)

Thanks mate had it a while but have an itch for a s1000rr so will probably change it in few months

Caddyshack

Cool, I guess it is like giving a teenager that has just passed the keys to your Bentley, it feels like a pussy cat to you but it would probably not make it past 1000 miles with a newly passed 17 yr old in it.

STeve

iTrader: (11)

for a first bike something like a 600 bandit is a fair shout, these are my sons bikes and his bandit on the left, good bike to find your feet on and put some miles down before going for a heavy hitter

ajamesc

Good move your not regret it as long as you don't think your Rossi and end up hurting yourself lol. 636 ninjas are good first bikes same as r6's. I've a gsxr1000 husky 610 supermoto and a Honda c90

CosworthGuy

My first " Big bike " when i passed my test about 9 years ago was a yamaha yzf600r thundercat. I still own it to this day. Im 6ft2 and a big lump and when I was looking for a bike i looked at cbr 6's and looked like an elephant on a kids bike lol. The thundercat it about one of the biggest 600s ive seen. Very comfy and when a double bubble screen added makes for a great bike. Mine handles well and ive seen 150mph on the clocks so plenty fast enough.

Ebonycossie4x4

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for all the points guys I'm taking them all on board!

So done my theory today and passed Woop Woop! 48/50 with next to no practice.

Anyway so now on to booking a course of some sort.

I'm open to more suggestions on bikes, at the moment I cannot stop looking at triumph 675. In any colour really but I particularly like the white and blue ones. Or black and gold.

Anyone know anything about them.

Thanks PD I can see exactly what your saying and maybe a bike like that would be better to find my feet with, I imagine they are not particularly expensive?

And no lol I don't think I'm Rossi at all, I have 3 kids so I will be going easy and it will only ever be out in perfect weather.

lacey

I done the 50cc/125cc then test then 750cc
Now a 1000cc over 20 years
But if I was to do it again
The first thing I would do once passing the test is
Get a 750cc and before using it on the road get on a track day or two
You will learn so much more about how to ride you bike fast
You can see people come on leaps and bounds by track time

Also on the things like a r6 , they are good bikes but you need to ride them hard to get the best out of it and by that time your already going fast
So my may aswell go to a 750cc first

You can have a bad crash on any size bike so just be carefull

Ebonycossie4x4

iTrader: (4)

So CBT is booked for Saturday the 8th, i think you have to be a complete doughnut not to pass one of them so that should be in the bag. then the next stage.

Farmer Giles

What sort of budget do you have for the bike ?

I would not recommend an BMW s1000 as a first bike.. One of the most powerful road bikes ever built ?? I don't think so..

I'd be looking at the larger engined '600s' TBH. Any of the 636 ZX6R or the daytona 675..

plenty fast enough for the road and will teach you how to ride rather than just surfing round on a 1000cc in one gear.. I've never had an issue keeping up with bigger bikes on my 'little' one..

As already mentioned, R6 are pretty hard edged sports bikes.. What about a lightly older GSXR 750.. Cheaper to buy, run and insure for a first timer..

There are loads of bikes out there and TBH if you can sit on a few and find the one that's fits you best it's not gonna be a crap bike...

Others will say that a bike will only go as fast as you make it but on corner exit on a 1000cc you could easiler spin p the rear and have an off.. On a 600 you are way less likely to that unless you are being a total clown..

that's my 2p and 100 people will give you a hundred different opinions..

STeve

iTrader: (11)

a decent bandit like my sons is only around 1500 gets you used to weight and handling and general feel for a big bike and is no slouch either, then once you have got some mileage under your belt and a bit of experience kick it up a notch to something more to the style of bike you really want, but thats common sense talking lol

foreigneRS

i would recommend a bike without an engine - it'll help reach that 16 stone target and then some more

if you're a mature man, just buy the bike that you want to end up with and slowly build up the speed on it as you gain the necessary skill.

Davemurphy007

I went through this dilemma this time last year. The recommendations I was getting for a 'first big bike' (which is actually a middleweight in the grand scheme of things) were along the same lines - Suzuki Bandut, Honda Hornet, Yamaha Diversion, Honda CB500 etc etc.

I ended up getting a Suzuki SV650S and absolutely love it.

IMAG1654_zpsf9vniaaf.jpg

Some pointers though - you WILL drop your first bike as, no matter how hard you try not to, there will come a time when the weight will catch you out either manoeuvring the bike around or riding at slow speeds - so a cheaper bike would be best to have your first scrapes and spills on instead of a financed 15k superbike. I also noticed that the insurance costs on 'sports' bikes is significantly higher than a less sporty bike. Mine costs me Ł12 a month Fully comp with EVERY option (ride other bikes, leathers cover, European travel, breakdown, legal etc) whereas a 600cc sports bike (Gixxer, R6, CBR600RR, Ninja) were almost the same cost as the litre bikes and approaching 1k! I get between 150 and 180 miles to a tank of fuel (Ł18 of super unleaded - about 42mpg) but mine's an older carb model so a later fuel injected one should get slightly better.

My bike is only 67bhp but will easily thrash away from the lights and fly up to 100mph (joining a motorway for instance) but if you want to go much faster than that you REALLY have to be trying, means you're less likely to be travelling at licence losing speeds unawares - on a litre bike you will be doing 80mph plus in 1st gear, likely with the front wheel off the deck. Not saying new licence holders can't control that but it's VERY easy to get caught out when you're not expecting it. Mine will only wheelie if I provoke it (being a torquey V-twin).

And my 'little sports tourer' was an absolute riot when I pushed its abilities at a track day recently. It was a GREAT tool to learn about body positioning and weight transfer on. In a novice group I even managed to corner around the outside of some fool on a Repsol Fireblade who was only capable of holding on for dear life while going fast in a straight line.

_NNN1774_zpsl7ztbqzv.jpg

Welcome to the two-wheeled club. I wish I'd done my bike licence YEARS ago.

foreigneRS

at poole I see my mrs has an sv650s, the later angular one and it's great fun. plenty fast enough most of the time and a real do it all bike.

only if you're one of those plonkers that doesn't use the back brake - if you do, low speed riding is perfectly stable. it's the weight transfer on the front brake that makes the forks dive and throws you off balance that will have you off at slow speed, nothing else.

ajamesc

I don't ever use my back brake and I've never dropped a bike touch wood lol on the road a back Brake dose fook all to slow you down

foreigneRS

righto, you keep touching wood instead of learning to ride better then

ajamesc

Ride better lol if using your front brake at low speeds put you off balance I'd say your to heavy handed with it only time you need to use a rear brake is to stop the front lifting or if you need to slow in or before a corner as you have miss judged it lol

Davemurphy007

I 'put my bike down' manoeuvring it around the garage from the wrong side (opposite side to the stand), which was also what I was referring to. The couple of biking forums I use everybody seems to have ended up with their first bikes on their sides somehow, whether they were riding it at the time or not. Hence I mentioned it - I wasn't looking to start an argument about it.

foreigneRS

if you have misjudged a corner, you need to learn to ride better

you obviously think you're a great rider with all of the skill that you need, so good luck to you

no arguing with you Dave. dropping a bike whilst manoeuvring it around on foot is easily done. R&G bungs everywhere can help limit the damage when you do find yourself in that awful split second when the weight just gets away from you and it lays down in slow motion

ajamesc

i don't misjudge was just trying to rack my brain as to why you would need to use it other than de glazing it for mot lol

jameswrx

My advice is to go for a 1000cc bike.

My first proper bike was an R6 and I went to an R1 after that. The R1 was so much easier to ride slowly. The R6 had an awful short 1st gear and was horrible turning right into junctions and stuff in the wet. Most sporty 600's are the same really except the Kawasaki zx6r I had which was the c1h under seat model, that had a usable 1st gear.

Best bike I ever had was my zx10r.

People say you're mad getting a 1000 for a first bike but the only hairy moments I had were manoeuvring on my R6, just felt tricky at slow speeds. It always felt like the centre of gravity was really high. The bigger bikes just feel much easier to manoeuvre on to me, much better having that torque rather than the twitchy low 1st and that extra weight of the engine makes them feel a lot nicer.