Too much choice... not enough knowledge
Discussion
Hello!
I am looking for my first bike, but there is too much choice out there with different reviews ETC... So a bit of back ground;
I am a 29 year old with a lovley wife and son, I have been into cars my entire life and done many track days/race days. Got the bike itch and passed my test 2 years ago, now its finally time for me to buy a bike. Now I am not keen on getting a superbike, purely because I know I will scare myself silly on one... So I have a few requirements for a bike;
Comfort - I am 6.2ft and 17 stone
Speed - Still needs to "thrill me"but not be warp speed
Looks - I want something that looks nice and sounds good
My thoughts so far - Norton Commando, Honda CB1000R, Yamaha mt01, Triumph triple, Ducati monster/hypomoto
Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated - Budget around 7K
Matt
I am looking for my first bike, but there is too much choice out there with different reviews ETC... So a bit of back ground;
I am a 29 year old with a lovley wife and son, I have been into cars my entire life and done many track days/race days. Got the bike itch and passed my test 2 years ago, now its finally time for me to buy a bike. Now I am not keen on getting a superbike, purely because I know I will scare myself silly on one... So I have a few requirements for a bike;
Comfort - I am 6.2ft and 17 stone
Speed - Still needs to "thrill me"but not be warp speed
Looks - I want something that looks nice and sounds good
My thoughts so far - Norton Commando, Honda CB1000R, Yamaha mt01, Triumph triple, Ducati monster/hypomoto
Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated - Budget around 7K
Matt
I bought my first bike (v-strom 1000) 4 years ago when I knew nothing about bikes (I only know a little now)
I think the biggest tip is make a list of all the bikes you like within your budget and just go and sit on them.
Some bikes will be uncomfortable, not the right riding position or too short. This will eliminate about 2/3rd's of your list.
When you narrow the list down to 2 or three arrange test rides back to back so you can do an active compare.
It is nice to read the reviews but they had no basis for me for the way I ride. When I was choosing between a new v-strom or verssys in March I rode them back to back and I just prefered the versys.
The v-strom had a better dashboard and high end grunt. The versys just put a smile on my face and the dealer did a good deal so bought one....
I think the biggest tip is make a list of all the bikes you like within your budget and just go and sit on them.
Some bikes will be uncomfortable, not the right riding position or too short. This will eliminate about 2/3rd's of your list.
When you narrow the list down to 2 or three arrange test rides back to back so you can do an active compare.
It is nice to read the reviews but they had no basis for me for the way I ride. When I was choosing between a new v-strom or verssys in March I rode them back to back and I just prefered the versys.
The v-strom had a better dashboard and high end grunt. The versys just put a smile on my face and the dealer did a good deal so bought one....
Agreed - go and sit on a few and see what fits you.
What sort of riding do you plan on doing? Do you just want to bimble around? Any two up riding? Track days? Touring? Or weekend fun rideouts? The answers to those will drive a style of bike and will narrow your list. Otherwise you'll get suggestions as diverse as a Harley, a Royal Enfield, a Bandit or a BMW GS. Very different bikes with very different strengths.
What sort of riding do you plan on doing? Do you just want to bimble around? Any two up riding? Track days? Touring? Or weekend fun rideouts? The answers to those will drive a style of bike and will narrow your list. Otherwise you'll get suggestions as diverse as a Harley, a Royal Enfield, a Bandit or a BMW GS. Very different bikes with very different strengths.
The best advice I can give is that, whatever you choose, you’re unlikely to get it right, but you’re also unlikely to get it wrong.
Any bike has the capability to scare you so don’t think that a superbike is not the right bike for you if that’s what you want. Larger engine bikes are easier to ride in almost all situations as you can take advantage of the lazy torque they offer. Whatever you buy will be more capable than you for quite some time so don’t worry that a superbike is very much more capable than you if that’s the bike you want.
All that said, because pretty much any bike will be more capable than you for quite some time, you may be better off getting something that isn’t a superbike in order to gain in areas such as comfort, luggage capacity, fuel range, general usability. As the performance restriction of any bike will be you, the alternative will be just as fast as a superbike!
Go and try a number of different makes, models, styles and engine sizes. Find what works for you both in the way it delivers and how it makes you feel. You’ll then know what bike you want next!
Any bike has the capability to scare you so don’t think that a superbike is not the right bike for you if that’s what you want. Larger engine bikes are easier to ride in almost all situations as you can take advantage of the lazy torque they offer. Whatever you buy will be more capable than you for quite some time so don’t worry that a superbike is very much more capable than you if that’s the bike you want.
All that said, because pretty much any bike will be more capable than you for quite some time, you may be better off getting something that isn’t a superbike in order to gain in areas such as comfort, luggage capacity, fuel range, general usability. As the performance restriction of any bike will be you, the alternative will be just as fast as a superbike!
Go and try a number of different makes, models, styles and engine sizes. Find what works for you both in the way it delivers and how it makes you feel. You’ll then know what bike you want next!
If its your first bike dont drop 7k on at as you maybe droping 7k. Also you will know second time around what you would like so the time to spend the cash.
Get some thing like a Hornet 600 (I would for ABS) for about 3K and have some fun.
In a year or so then go out a get what you really want now you know your self and what you what from a bike. If there as been a few bumps between then not so much loss. Just MHO.
Get some thing like a Hornet 600 (I would for ABS) for about 3K and have some fun.
In a year or so then go out a get what you really want now you know your self and what you what from a bike. If there as been a few bumps between then not so much loss. Just MHO.
mgv8 said:
If its your first bike dont drop 7k on at as you maybe droping 7k. Also you will know second time around what you would like so the time to spend the cash.
Get some thing like a Hornet 600 (I would for ABS) for about 3K and have some fun.
In a year or so then go out a get what you really want now you know your self and what you what from a bike. If there as been a few bumps between then not so much loss. Just MHO.
I'm 6ft 2, ride a Hornet as my first "big" bike. Recommended also.Get some thing like a Hornet 600 (I would for ABS) for about 3K and have some fun.
In a year or so then go out a get what you really want now you know your self and what you what from a bike. If there as been a few bumps between then not so much loss. Just MHO.
Ecksloon said:
Hello!
Sooooo I'm pretty sure you are me.....- I am a 29 year old
- I have been into cars my entire life and done many track days/race days.
- Got the bike itch and passed my test
- Now I am not keen on getting a superbike, purely because I know I will scare myself silly on one... So I have a few requirements for a bike;
- Comfort - I am 6.2ft and 17 stone
- Speed - Still needs to "thrill me"but not be warp speed
- Looks - I want something that looks nice and sounds good
- Budget around 7K
I had an almost identical requirement list about 18 months ago (even the age, size, history are matches).
I bought this:
M.V. Agusta Brutale 910.
Goes like stink, without being hyperspeed.
Looks gorgeous and gets the attention.
Sounds awesome with an arrow midpipe.
Can be had for around £5-6k (A newer triple engine equiv. is also available for the same cost with a few more miles)
It's f
king Italian!Pretty comfy for the larger gentlemen (not race bike ergos, but not adventure upright either).
I bloody love mine. They aren't bulletproof like the Jap or German bikes, but you can deal with most things if you know how a spanner works.
Personally, I'd get a cheapy to cut your teeth on, and then get the dream bike in a year or twos time. I went for a CBR600F as my first bike, it was £2k. I low sided it on a roundabout in France when someone decided to change lanes on me and I grabbed a handful of front brake due to inexperience. It was cheap to fix, I didn't cry.
I'm also glad I learnt to ride on a 600, I genuinely believe it taught me more. You can't afford to be lazy like you can on a bigger bike. A 600 sports bike will blow you away as a new rider. I then went CBR1000RR and now have an S1000R.
I'm also glad I learnt to ride on a 600, I genuinely believe it taught me more. You can't afford to be lazy like you can on a bigger bike. A 600 sports bike will blow you away as a new rider. I then went CBR1000RR and now have an S1000R.
OP: Do you want a sport bike or are you open minded I would go for a naked bike to learn the skills?
I would say if you have a decent budget go for:
Triumph Street Triple
Yamaha MT07
Yamaha MT09
Kawasaki Z800
Ducati Monster 821
MV Augusta Brutale 800 (triple)
Suzuki GSR750
Suzuki Sv650
Honda CBR600F
I would think those were worth a look and will help you learn the ropes. Remember to invest in decent kit and a Back protector, but you probably know that.
Best of luck.
I would say if you have a decent budget go for:
Triumph Street Triple
Yamaha MT07
Yamaha MT09
Kawasaki Z800
Ducati Monster 821
MV Augusta Brutale 800 (triple)
Suzuki GSR750
Suzuki Sv650
Honda CBR600F
I would think those were worth a look and will help you learn the ropes. Remember to invest in decent kit and a Back protector, but you probably know that.
Best of luck.
Similar size to you OP. Riding a Bandit 1250s as I need it for commuting but it's brilliant.
Fast enough to whip anything on 4 wheels but not quick quick like a 1000cc sports bike. Which is why I bought it frankly.
Torque makes it incredibly useful developing its peak at 3500 rpm so for general riding its excellent.
Fast enough to whip anything on 4 wheels but not quick quick like a 1000cc sports bike. Which is why I bought it frankly.
Torque makes it incredibly useful developing its peak at 3500 rpm so for general riding its excellent.
What are you going to do with the bike?
If it's the odd blast on the weekend then it doesn't need to be as comfortable as a commuting journey would be and different ergonomics will affect which bikes you fit - you need to pick a bike in budget that you like the look of, find one and sit on it.
I'd echo the above in that any 'big' bike will be capable of scaring you, the type and size just mean it'll scare you quicker...
If it's the odd blast on the weekend then it doesn't need to be as comfortable as a commuting journey would be and different ergonomics will affect which bikes you fit - you need to pick a bike in budget that you like the look of, find one and sit on it.
I'd echo the above in that any 'big' bike will be capable of scaring you, the type and size just mean it'll scare you quicker...
It's probably worth having a think about what skrt of riding you want to do and slimming your choices down from that before you start looking at bikes in person.
If you plan on doing weeks away in Europe seeing the sights, you may fancy a Pan Euro or even a ZZR1400 or K1300S if you want something sportier for the trip. If you just plan on blasting around tight little back lanes, the above bikes would be overkill. Something like a Street Triple would be ideal for that, but not for crossing Europe.
Ultimately though, a large part of the choice will come down to what you feel comfortable on. Sadly, I don't think this is as easy to discern as simply sitting on a bike. Although that can give you an idea of things like the knee angle and 'crouch', some of the ergonomic vagaries only become apparent once you've been riding for a while. Sitty-down ergo tests also don't favour sports bikes as you'll still be straightening out your leaning leg which means you'll straighten your back and put weight on your arms, something which you won't do when you're riding them.
As it happens though, you'll probably spend money on your first bike and spend some time living with it before you learn what you do and don't like about it and that'll inform your subsequent choices where you can really refine what it is you like. Although you may strike lucky and buy a bike that you love in every way as your first.
If you plan on doing weeks away in Europe seeing the sights, you may fancy a Pan Euro or even a ZZR1400 or K1300S if you want something sportier for the trip. If you just plan on blasting around tight little back lanes, the above bikes would be overkill. Something like a Street Triple would be ideal for that, but not for crossing Europe.
Ultimately though, a large part of the choice will come down to what you feel comfortable on. Sadly, I don't think this is as easy to discern as simply sitting on a bike. Although that can give you an idea of things like the knee angle and 'crouch', some of the ergonomic vagaries only become apparent once you've been riding for a while. Sitty-down ergo tests also don't favour sports bikes as you'll still be straightening out your leaning leg which means you'll straighten your back and put weight on your arms, something which you won't do when you're riding them.
As it happens though, you'll probably spend money on your first bike and spend some time living with it before you learn what you do and don't like about it and that'll inform your subsequent choices where you can really refine what it is you like. Although you may strike lucky and buy a bike that you love in every way as your first.
Gents,
Fantastic, thank you all for your feed back;
In answer to a few questions - It will just be a bike as a toy, weekend blasts, maybe a track day once I feel comfortable to do so. I do like the look of a naked bike, the MV Augusta looks amazing! I learned to ride on a Honda CBF600, I felt it was a great little bike, just not for me, I felt it was too small.
Interesting about the NEC Show, I may look into that as I dont live to far away!!
Fantastic, thank you all for your feed back;
In answer to a few questions - It will just be a bike as a toy, weekend blasts, maybe a track day once I feel comfortable to do so. I do like the look of a naked bike, the MV Augusta looks amazing! I learned to ride on a Honda CBF600, I felt it was a great little bike, just not for me, I felt it was too small.
Interesting about the NEC Show, I may look into that as I dont live to far away!!
Ecksloon said:
Gents,
Fantastic, thank you all for your feed back;
In answer to a few questions - It will just be a bike as a toy, weekend blasts, maybe a track day once I feel comfortable to do so. I do like the look of a naked bike, the MV Augusta looks amazing! I learned to ride on a Honda CBF600, I felt it was a great little bike, just not for me, I felt it was too small.
Interesting about the NEC Show, I may look into that as I dont live to far away!!
Also learnt on a CBF600 and completely agree. They are quite small and, no offence to any owners, but a little dull.Fantastic, thank you all for your feed back;
In answer to a few questions - It will just be a bike as a toy, weekend blasts, maybe a track day once I feel comfortable to do so. I do like the look of a naked bike, the MV Augusta looks amazing! I learned to ride on a Honda CBF600, I felt it was a great little bike, just not for me, I felt it was too small.
Interesting about the NEC Show, I may look into that as I dont live to far away!!
If you don't live too far from the NEC then you are more than welcome to pop over and have a perch on my MV. I'm only in Bromsgrove.
MT09 is also an interesting shout; I consider one before the MV. Great bikes (if a little cheap on the suspension) and the prices are dropping with the new MT10 coming out.
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