Which first big bike?

Which first big bike?

Author
Discussion

digger_R

Original Poster:

1,807 posts

205 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
I'm looking for tips as per the title. I've just got my full license, am 37 yrs old with a fair few car miles behind me. Looking for 2 wheels that are a blend of fun and practical - so sport/touring type bike.
I'll probably be looking for an Enfield of some kind next year but for now I'd like something cheap, reliable and reasonably quick as a first bike to cut my teeth on.
600 -800 cc
somekind of fairing so it's reasonable on the motorway.

I took my test on a Gladius 650 and rode a Suzuki GSF650SA Bandit for the first time today.
I preferred the rumble of the gladius but the Suzuki seemed so much faster when winding up the revs today - though maybe I just didn't get the opportunity to ride the Gladius in that way.
My instructor recommended I try a Honda CBR600 (650?) and the friendly bike shop recommended I try a Yamaha Fazer or a GSF as a first bike.

Please feel free to recommend anything that would be suitable.
I'm looking to spend around 1500 as I've been told I will drop it at some point! At this price point, it also doesn't matter too much if I want to sell it again after 6/12 months to try something different.


Wacky Racer

38,099 posts

246 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
You should be able to get a decent new generation Efi Enfield Bullet for around £3k, they are only 5 new.

I have a new one, they are great fun.

If you want to go Jap, a 600 or 1200 Bandit will be in your price range, again great fun.




digger_R

Original Poster:

1,807 posts

205 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
I tried a Suzuki 650 Bandit (2010) today, which was quick but didn't particularly thrill me.
That CBR looks fantastic for the money - but I'm basing that on looks rather than anything else.

Can anyone help with the main differences between ?
CBR600 vs CB600F Hornet vs 600 Fazer vs Bandit


They seem to be the top bikes that I'm seeing in 'first bike' guides. Please bear in mind I'm looking for £1200 -1500 for my first bike.

castex

4,935 posts

272 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
As I understand it you're only constrained by that budget because you have been told that you will drop it.
Just buy something nice and then don't drop it.
You'll thank me later.

digger_R

Original Poster:

1,807 posts

205 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
castex said:
As I understand it you're only constrained by that budget because you have been told that you will drop it.
Just buy something nice and then don't drop it.
You'll thank me later.
That's pretty much it but I'm happy not to spend that much anyway
This looks more than reasonable for 2k
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/honda...

Mastodon2

13,818 posts

164 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
digger_R said:
That's pretty much it but I'm happy not to spend that much anyway
This looks more than reasonable for 2k
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/honda...
Yes that looks like a very good buy for the money if it checks out properly and is probably going to be more exciting and keep your attention longer than some grey commuter.

Reardy Mister

13,757 posts

221 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
If your upper limit is 2k you could do an awful lot worse than this chap in my opinion. It's where my money would go.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


Synchromesh

2,428 posts

165 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
Faired SV 650?

MikeA3

304 posts

196 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
I paid just over your budget for my first bike, a suzuki sv650s - they're definitely worth considering as an option

f1nn

2,692 posts

191 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
Save time and just go and buy a 1000cc jap sports bike, you'll eventually end up on one anyway, it's inevitable.

In my experience, the 04-07 Fireblade is a good first litre bike, or even the GSXR 1000 k7 onwards.

I use mine for everything, touring, track days, weekly rides out, everything. I can't see what a smaller bike offers over what I have personally.

BobSaunders

3,027 posts

154 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
f1nn said:
Save time and just go and buy a 1000cc jap sports bike, you'll eventually end up on one anyway, it's inevitable.

In my experience, the 04-07 Fireblade is a good first litre bike, or even the GSXR 1000 k7 onwards.

I use mine for everything, touring, track days, weekly rides out, everything. I can't see what a smaller bike offers over what I have personally.
Some truth in this and worth considering - after six months i am now contemplating a litre.

However, insurance cost and skill level determines that i should consider a year on my 600 zx6r.

Zebrs

461 posts

191 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
I'm in almost the same situation. I passed my test a couple of weeks ago and am considering whether to buy something over winter or hold out until spring. Also considering whether to drop 2k on a bike or just up the budget and spend 5k on something bigger to avoid inevitable trade up. Current contenders are a Triumph Street Triple R or a CB1000R, not sure if I'm crazy to be considering a litre bike as a first however. Considering limited experience, no no claims etc, insurance is very reasonable circa 300 which surprised me.

BobSaunders

3,027 posts

154 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
Zebrs said:
I'm in almost the same situation. I passed my test a couple of weeks ago and am considering whether to buy something over winter or hold out until spring. Also considering whether to drop 2k on a bike or just up the budget and spend 5k on something bigger to avoid inevitable trade up. Current contenders are a Triumph Street Triple R or a CB1000R, not sure if I'm crazy to be considering a litre bike as a first however. Considering limited experience, no no claims etc, insurance is very reasonable circa 300 which surprised me.
TPFT? MCE?

mygoldfishbowl

3,691 posts

142 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
If it helps I was also in this position recently & looked at all sorts including a 07, 09, Triumph triple etc. In the end I bought an FJR with panniers because I figured the same as has already been said, I was always going to end up with a tourer at some stage so why not now?

As it turns out it's great and the only thing I underestimated was the physical weight of the thing. Just turning it around on foot outside my garage on a gravel drive took a bit of getting used to but not the end of the world. Insurance was £134 although I don't think they're probably the best company in the world so I'll only give the first letter of their three letter name M**

At some stage though, probably next year, I'm also going to get an enduro type bike for weekend messing about on.

Super Slo Mo

5,368 posts

197 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
I got an old vfr800. Does everything I need of it at the moment, although it took me a little while to get used to the weight and slightly slower steering compared to the street triple I'd been borrowing for a few months. Mind you, I think most bikes are heavier and slower to turn than a Street smile.

To be honest, as a novice, any of the options you are considering will do for the first year or so, it's all about learning to ride at this stage.

Zebrs

461 posts

191 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
BobSaunders said:
TPFT? MCE?
No, fully comp. Wasn't MCE, it was Devitt (never heard of) however post office were about 15 quid more, MCE around the same mark also.

AdamIndy

1,661 posts

103 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
I cant recommend a Honda hornet enough. I had one as my first big bike and it was brilliant. It did everything fairly well. I sold that and bought an R6 but to be fair, although not as fast and didn't handle anywhere near as well, I think I had more fun on the little hornet. Honda reliability, Honda build quality what more do you want? The only thing I felt it needed was a fuel gauge. They didn't even give you a fuel light!

Mine was an early model with a 16" front wheel. If you are looking to buy one then get a later one with a 17" wheel. Decent tyres are a lot easier to come by.

I bought mine for £1500 used it for 3 years then sold it for £1600!

Here she is. Well its a hornet, it has to be yellow!


digger_R

Original Poster:

1,807 posts

205 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies.
I wasn't blown away by the Bandit I rode - my gut is pulling me towards a Honda of some sort - I had a few VTEC cars in the past and have always had a soft spot for them as a manufacturer.
Which beings me to the

(circa 2002) Hornet vs (2000-02 ?)CBR 600 (F) vs (?) VFR 800

The bike should be motorway worthy and it should be comfortable enough to handle a 100 mile motorway journey without deafening me.

I don't want to go to the 1000cc category just yet.

Given that I'm looking at £1200-1500, can anyone tell me what the main differences will be in riding style/experience.

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
100 mile motorway journey?

VFR800. I'm also someone that had a Hornet for their first big bike, and as brilliant as it was, if you're doing lots of motorway miles it's not the bike for you.

digger_R

Original Poster:

1,807 posts

205 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
Rosscow said:
100 mile motorway journey?

VFR800. I'm also someone that had a Hornet for their first big bike, and as brilliant as it was, if you're doing lots of motorway miles it's not the bike for you.
I won't be doing lots of motorway miles but it shouldn't be out of the question for the bike.
Do any of you have any experience of 2/3 of these bikes? Just looking for some kind of more direct comparison of each