A complete biker newbie
Discussion
Well just to finish my bit off, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do so contacted another instructor to hire a 125 to have a play on Saturday. After a brief assessment ride with him he mentioned that he had a test booked for Tuesday which someone had just dropped out of (dropped the bike at a standstill and broke his arm unfortunately) and if I was up for it I could probably manage 3 days training and be able to pass, so I went for it! Had a long half day Saturday and all of Sunday 1-1 tuition then half a day Monday afternoon with someone else (had work meetings I couldn't get out of at short notice Monday morning) and a bit of practice before the test 10:00 Tuesday, and thankfully managed to pass! Few minors and nowhere near perfect riding but I think I rode better before without the pressure of being examined.
Have to say I found the 650 Kawasaki much easier to ride with the higher gearing and a bit more power than the 125's.
So now to find a bike to get some more time on. I like the Triumph Tiger 800 but even the older ones are quite pricey so wondering whether to spend 2k-ish on something a bit older that I won't be so worried about dropping whilst I get more used to things. Will have to see...
Thanks for all the advice!
Have to say I found the 650 Kawasaki much easier to ride with the higher gearing and a bit more power than the 125's.
So now to find a bike to get some more time on. I like the Triumph Tiger 800 but even the older ones are quite pricey so wondering whether to spend 2k-ish on something a bit older that I won't be so worried about dropping whilst I get more used to things. Will have to see...
Thanks for all the advice!
darthdicky said:
Well just to finish my bit off, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do so contacted another instructor to hire a 125 to have a play on Saturday. After a brief assessment ride with him he mentioned that he had a test booked for Tuesday which someone had just dropped out of (dropped the bike at a standstill and broke his arm unfortunately) and if I was up for it I could probably manage 3 days training and be able to pass, so I went for it! Had a long half day Saturday and all of Sunday 1-1 tuition then half a day Monday afternoon with someone else (had work meetings I couldn't get out of at short notice Monday morning) and a bit of practice before the test 10:00 Tuesday, and thankfully managed to pass! Few minors and nowhere near perfect riding but I think I rode better before without the pressure of being examined.
Have to say I found the 650 Kawasaki much easier to ride with the higher gearing and a bit more power than the 125's.
So now to find a bike to get some more time on. I like the Triumph Tiger 800 but even the older ones are quite pricey so wondering whether to spend 2k-ish on something a bit older that I won't be so worried about dropping whilst I get more used to things. Will have to see...
Thanks for all the advice!
Good work Have to say I found the 650 Kawasaki much easier to ride with the higher gearing and a bit more power than the 125's.
So now to find a bike to get some more time on. I like the Triumph Tiger 800 but even the older ones are quite pricey so wondering whether to spend 2k-ish on something a bit older that I won't be so worried about dropping whilst I get more used to things. Will have to see...
Thanks for all the advice!
I'd go for something cheap to drop at first. Mostly because I drop every bike I own...
Having said that, a knackered s
tter with no fork oil, worn chain etc is a lot harder to ride & will hold you back as you won't know if it's you or the bike being crap.darthdicky said:
So now to find a bike to get some more time on. I like the Triumph Tiger 800 but even the older ones are quite pricey so wondering whether to spend 2k-ish on something a bit older that I won't be so worried about dropping whilst I get more used to things. Will have to see...
Thanks for all the advice!
I have a tiger 800 as my second bike (first was 500 quids worth of finest jap bike manufactured in Italy - Honda CB500).Thanks for all the advice!
Tiger would make a good first bike IF you're comfortable with the height of it. Chuck a set of crash bars and pannier frames on it and you wont have to be worried about dropping it.
Engine is nice and torquey from low revs so it wouldn't be too much to start with.
Try to get a test ride on a tiger and see how you get on with it.
One of the lads I work with just bought a 2005ish Kawasaki Z750 for £1600 as a first bike. I don't know if he got an amazing deal but it's a tidy one.
As a first bike you're more likely to do something daft and drop it, on fully faired bikes this can be a very expensive lesson. I'd get something like an SV650 or the Z first then get a nicer bike once your confidence is up.
I lasted 8 days before dropping my GPZ in a box junction.
As a first bike you're more likely to do something daft and drop it, on fully faired bikes this can be a very expensive lesson. I'd get something like an SV650 or the Z first then get a nicer bike once your confidence is up.
I lasted 8 days before dropping my GPZ in a box junction.
Training was with Chris and Karen from http://www.mtsridertraining.co.uk/ - very good and highly recommended from me!
Have been looking at the stock in Speed as they seem to have some fairly priced bikes, just can't decide exactly what I want at the moment. Ideally want something with a screen so I can do some longer trips without knackering myself out, but I appreciate the advice about getting something without to start with to keep repair costs down!
Was planning to hire a Tiger 800 for a day from Chris week after next to see if it suits me and is actually what I want. They're still quite a lot to buy straight off but having the bike I want is probably better than any old cheap thing from an enjoyment point of view. Not in any rush to buy just yet so will have a good look around and try a few things out.
Have been looking at the stock in Speed as they seem to have some fairly priced bikes, just can't decide exactly what I want at the moment. Ideally want something with a screen so I can do some longer trips without knackering myself out, but I appreciate the advice about getting something without to start with to keep repair costs down!
Was planning to hire a Tiger 800 for a day from Chris week after next to see if it suits me and is actually what I want. They're still quite a lot to buy straight off but having the bike I want is probably better than any old cheap thing from an enjoyment point of view. Not in any rush to buy just yet so will have a good look around and try a few things out.
darthdicky said:
Training was with Chris and Karen from http://www.mtsridertraining.co.uk/ - very good and highly recommended from me!
Have been looking at the stock in Speed as they seem to have some fairly priced bikes, just can't decide exactly what I want at the moment. Ideally want something with a screen so I can do some longer trips without knackering myself out, but I appreciate the advice about getting something without to start with to keep repair costs down!
Was planning to hire a Tiger 800 for a day from Chris week after next to see if it suits me and is actually what I want. They're still quite a lot to buy straight off but having the bike I want is probably better than any old cheap thing from an enjoyment point of view. Not in any rush to buy just yet so will have a good look around and try a few things out.
Congratulations on getting sorted DD Have been looking at the stock in Speed as they seem to have some fairly priced bikes, just can't decide exactly what I want at the moment. Ideally want something with a screen so I can do some longer trips without knackering myself out, but I appreciate the advice about getting something without to start with to keep repair costs down!
Was planning to hire a Tiger 800 for a day from Chris week after next to see if it suits me and is actually what I want. They're still quite a lot to buy straight off but having the bike I want is probably better than any old cheap thing from an enjoyment point of view. Not in any rush to buy just yet so will have a good look around and try a few things out.
I did my test on a naked and the trip from Hereford to Newport down the DC wasn't too bad without a screen. It's easy enough to bold a screen on to most bikes though (my GS500 has a little aftermarket screen).
Something without fairing will be cheaper to insure, I've been running around on the aforementioned GS and the insurance is under £150 FC for a 26yo with 1years NCB and 5k miles pa. Might not be the most thrilling thing on the road but it's been a great bike to start out on.
The friend I took my CBT with last year brought his 125 over tonight (I'm taking it for MOT in the morning) and I jokingly suggested taking him back on my bike as he had his lid with him. Was my first time taking a pillion and it was certainly different, not as unpleasant as I was expecting but I see why they suggest extra pressure in the tyre and fiddling with the rear suspension preload!
darthdicky said:
Training was with Chris and Karen from http://www.mtsridertraining.co.uk/ - very good and highly recommended from me!
Have been looking at the stock in Speed as they seem to have some fairly priced bikes, just can't decide exactly what I want at the moment. Ideally want something with a screen so I can do some longer trips without knackering myself out, but I appreciate the advice about getting something without to start with to keep repair costs down!
Was planning to hire a Tiger 800 for a day from Chris week after next to see if it suits me and is actually what I want. They're still quite a lot to buy straight off but having the bike I want is probably better than any old cheap thing from an enjoyment point of view. Not in any rush to buy just yet so will have a good look around and try a few things out.
Chris is absolutely spot on - I also did my DAS with him. I went straight to the bike I wanted (Triumph Sprint ST1050) after doing my test, not regretted doing so at all. However, I also kept my Varadero 125 just for fun - I still enjoy riding it and it makes me appreciate the 1050 that little bit more. I went straight to a big bike because I'm too big for most of the sport/tourer 600's - the Thundercat and ZZR-600 would have been ok for pottering around on but the ST is much more comfortable for me.Have been looking at the stock in Speed as they seem to have some fairly priced bikes, just can't decide exactly what I want at the moment. Ideally want something with a screen so I can do some longer trips without knackering myself out, but I appreciate the advice about getting something without to start with to keep repair costs down!
Was planning to hire a Tiger 800 for a day from Chris week after next to see if it suits me and is actually what I want. They're still quite a lot to buy straight off but having the bike I want is probably better than any old cheap thing from an enjoyment point of view. Not in any rush to buy just yet so will have a good look around and try a few things out.
Also, have a look at SP Motorcyles near Bridge Motorcycles - I was in there yesterday and they've got some fairly reasonably priced machines upstairs.
Is it specifically an adventure-style machine you're after like a Tiger? Do you have any specific needs such as height?
It's not size really, it's core & neck muscles.
Mind you height can affect it. My missus has a GSX14 as well, with a small screen. She really likes it as the wind just hits the top of her lid. I hate the screen as it seems to direct all the wind into my face & makes my head rattle in the turbulence. We're not even that different in height really, it's more likely that she leans forward more due to having shorter arms.
Mind you height can affect it. My missus has a GSX14 as well, with a small screen. She really likes it as the wind just hits the top of her lid. I hate the screen as it seems to direct all the wind into my face & makes my head rattle in the turbulence. We're not even that different in height really, it's more likely that she leans forward more due to having shorter arms.
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