All the newbie questions - which bike, insurance etc.

[darthdicky]

I know most of the answers will be to do a search and I have spent ages looking through old threads, but some new info might be out there...

Did DAS in August and passed, now looking for a bike. Budget ideally is under £5k but on looking around seems to be stretching itself towards £6k-ish. I like the Triumph Tiger 800 XC and BMW F800GS, have ridden both and liked both, which makes making a decision difficult! The BMWs in my price range are a bit older where I could get a newer Triumph for similar money. BMW servicing may be a bit cheaper? The 12k Triumph one seems quite pricey. BMW also better on fuel although for the amount I'll ride it I don't think that's a huge consideration - it'll be a toy but I want to be able to get out and use it regularly and do some longer trips. Any advice? Hoping that prices are falling as we head for Winter...

Have had a look at insurance which as a new rider is predictably nasty. Any good ones to try? Have tried various comparison sites and the BMW comes out much cheaper with MCE with a massive excess, but most other brokers seem similar at around 550-700 for both bikes. It'll be kept outside on a driveway which seems to bump things up by 20% as opposed to being garaged, but I don't have a garage.

[dukeboy749r]

Does it have to be ether of those and of that price range?

[darthdicky]

No, but I'm fairly sold on that sort of bike for now. Why?

[daimatt]

I'm sure you've read enough posts about this but just in case, the general consensus is to avoid MCE insurance.

[muffinmenace]

daimatt said:

I'm sure you've read enough posts about this but just in case, the general consensus is to avoid MCE insurance.

How come (taken advice on board, just interested)

[ShaunTheSheep]

Don't use the search on here it's fking pointless

I did a search for supermoto - as a newbie I was curious to know how their cornering technique works - it's all threads from 2003 or older!

[darthdicky]

Yes I got the impression that MCE weren't worth the potential saving they may appear to offer! Any others to avoid, or recommend?

Hadn't considered the Transalp, looks like a cheaper option but even the 700 is quite a bit down on power compared to the other two, and possibly heavier too?

I've got all the protective gear now, just the bike left to choose!

[black-k1]

It would be worth getting a quote from your local dealer. I know BMW do their own (branded) insurance and I think Triumph do too. They won't be on the comparison sites but often work out cheaper, especially for new/higher risk riders.

[happyWanderer]

Don't let the servicing on triumph scare you too much, if you buy second hand have a look here:
http://www.muddysump.com/mobile-mechanic/

Guy comes highly recommended from tiger800 forums.