Test ride time!
Discussion
Mod 1 and Mod 2 passed today on the schools ER6n, a clean sheet for mod 1 and 2 minors for mod 2. 
f
king ecstatic and relieved it's all done, that feeling of your heart about to pound its way out your chest (at the start of the slalom for me) and then the minute or so of fearing the worst after the mod 2, I am physically shattered now after the tests and riding the bike from 7:30am until 1:30pm today with just a short 30 minute break.
Now though, it's test ride time!
Only have my pass cert at the moment, hopefully DVLA get a move on and I get my full licence back soon as I'm off next Wed/Thurs/Friday, and I have a decent list of bikes to test ride. Only looking for something cheapish at the minute, ideally as a straight swap +/- a few hundred quid for my 125 varadero (under £2k). My commute is 200 miles a week at the moment, that could (should) be changing in the next 3-4 months to anywhere from 5 miles a day to 50 miles a day (shorter is the plan, around 10 miles a day), and I should have a garage too.
F800ST/S
FZ6 Fazer
CB/CBF500
Hornet
CBR600F
SV650
And I may as well test ride a Street triple seeing as the local triumph dealer said they have no problem with me having a test ride only just passing my test.
I did see a nice condition BMW F650CS for £1700 in my local dealer, they're weird as fk looking but heated grips, fuel injection, ABS, 12v power plug, bark busters and god-knows much MPG are very attractive for my current 200 mile a week, all weather commute! 
What's the crack with used (cheap) bike test rides? Find one at a dealer and go and take a look, then ask for a spin on it? I'll have a ride of all the available demo bikes at my local dealers too.
Oh and have to say, anyone looking for a DAS course in the North Kent area, A-Z rider training in Gillingham are awesome, and the cheapest in the area. Steve and Paul are top blokes.
Edit: added SV650
f
king ecstatic and relieved it's all done, that feeling of your heart about to pound its way out your chest (at the start of the slalom for me) and then the minute or so of fearing the worst after the mod 2, I am physically shattered now after the tests and riding the bike from 7:30am until 1:30pm today with just a short 30 minute break.Now though, it's test ride time!
Only have my pass cert at the moment, hopefully DVLA get a move on and I get my full licence back soon as I'm off next Wed/Thurs/Friday, and I have a decent list of bikes to test ride. Only looking for something cheapish at the minute, ideally as a straight swap +/- a few hundred quid for my 125 varadero (under £2k). My commute is 200 miles a week at the moment, that could (should) be changing in the next 3-4 months to anywhere from 5 miles a day to 50 miles a day (shorter is the plan, around 10 miles a day), and I should have a garage too.F800ST/S
FZ6 Fazer
CB/CBF500
Hornet
CBR600F
SV650
And I may as well test ride a Street triple seeing as the local triumph dealer said they have no problem with me having a test ride only just passing my test.
I did see a nice condition BMW F650CS for £1700 in my local dealer, they're weird as f
k looking but heated grips, fuel injection, ABS, 12v power plug, bark busters and god-knows much MPG are very attractive for my current 200 mile a week, all weather commute! What's the crack with used (cheap) bike test rides? Find one at a dealer and go and take a look, then ask for a spin on it? I'll have a ride of all the available demo bikes at my local dealers too.
Oh and have to say, anyone looking for a DAS course in the North Kent area, A-Z rider training in Gillingham are awesome, and the cheapest in the area. Steve and Paul are top blokes.
Edit: added SV650
Edited by Tall_Paul on Wednesday 15th October 16:21
Oh and bear in mind I'm a lanky barsteward, 6ft 3in with long legs. The MT07 felt a little cramped but the MT09 felt nice. NC750 felt cramped too, the ER6N was ok but I wouldn't buy one personally, more buzzy than a very buzzy thing, with with mirrors that are of no use at all over 40-50mph 
And anything faired and not a sports tourer is out due to insurance costs (not for long though hopefully).
And anything faired and not a sports tourer is out due to insurance costs (not for long though hopefully).From that list the CBR600F stands out. Great allrounder
But don't overlook the BM650. A friend had one up in Malawni and it turned out to be nigh on indestructble. would return 350 kms per 16litre tank,was all day comfy at 140 kph, after which it started to run out of puff a bit. But a great little bike and ran faultlessly despite having 170000 kms on the clock. Chuck a pannier or top box on and you've got a great little first bike to start you out on and will not loose much money at all when it comes time to upgrade.
But don't overlook the BM650. A friend had one up in Malawni and it turned out to be nigh on indestructble. would return 350 kms per 16litre tank,was all day comfy at 140 kph, after which it started to run out of puff a bit. But a great little bike and ran faultlessly despite having 170000 kms on the clock. Chuck a pannier or top box on and you've got a great little first bike to start you out on and will not loose much money at all when it comes time to upgrade.
Just to add to this mix, have you considered Yamaha Thundercat. I run one of these 5 days a week for commuting (130 miles) and its comfy enough, and I get 200 miles from 7 days worth of commuting (no fuel light on at this point) prob push it to 220/230. Also these are cheap to pick up and insure, I got mine for 1400 and insured it for £300 as a new rider this April.
Dannaz said:
Just to add to this mix, have you considered Yamaha Thundercat. I run one of these 5 days a week for commuting (130 miles) and its comfy enough, and I get 200 miles from 7 days worth of commuting (no fuel light on at this point) prob push it to 220/230. Also these are cheap to pick up and insure, I got mine for 1400 and insured it for £300 as a new rider this April.
Dammit, forgot about the thundercat. Another to add to the list, and yeah I've noticed you can pick them up very cheaply. 
Tall_Paul said:
Dammit, forgot about the thundercat. Another to add to the list, and yeah I've noticed you can pick them up very cheaply.
As a first big bike post DAS, its been great easy to ride, plenty for the novice, but plenty power there for when confidence is up and want to give it some stick. It's rather tame compared to the GAS GAS EC 300 I used to own.Good luck with the buy and Congrats on the pass.
Mrs Powerstans passed her DAS on the 30th Sept and licence came through the door 10th October,
We are starting the same test ride process and at 6' she is looking at the same range as you.
As its commuting use she is after we are also considering the Suzuki DL 650 and Versys 650. Versys might be a bit out of your range but the DL is just creeping down there.
Bandit is another option as you are a bigger rider you might like the size of it, though its a design showing its age.
In Bristol all the dealers are offering test rides except the biggest one who are notorious for not giving rides till you have had your licence a year.
The only limitation usually is no 1 litre supersports (which you can kind of understand).
We are starting the same test ride process and at 6' she is looking at the same range as you.
As its commuting use she is after we are also considering the Suzuki DL 650 and Versys 650. Versys might be a bit out of your range but the DL is just creeping down there.
Bandit is another option as you are a bigger rider you might like the size of it, though its a design showing its age.
In Bristol all the dealers are offering test rides except the biggest one who are notorious for not giving rides till you have had your licence a year.
The only limitation usually is no 1 litre supersports (which you can kind of understand).
Well done!
The Street Triple will be too cramped for your height / commute, sadly.
The older F650 singles would be perfect for the job, if a little utilitarian. I'd probably go for one of these, don't wash it all winter and get something more fun for the summer.
You'll probably want to swap / change bikes pretty regularly for now anyway. Enjoy.
The Street Triple will be too cramped for your height / commute, sadly.
The older F650 singles would be perfect for the job, if a little utilitarian. I'd probably go for one of these, don't wash it all winter and get something more fun for the summer.
You'll probably want to swap / change bikes pretty regularly for now anyway. Enjoy.
abarber said:
Well done!
The Street Triple will be too cramped for your height / commute, sadly.
The older F650 singles would be perfect for the job, if a little utilitarian. I'd probably go for one of these, don't wash it all winter and get something more fun for the summer.
You'll probably want to swap / change bikes pretty regularly for now anyway. Enjoy.
Thanks! I did sit on a street triple R and it was ok, nore more cramped then the ER6n. But riding might be a different story. I wouldn't be doing 200 miles a week on a street triple anyway, it would be a nice weather/2nd bike if I had my current commute, or an only bike if I can get my commute down to half or less.The Street Triple will be too cramped for your height / commute, sadly.
The older F650 singles would be perfect for the job, if a little utilitarian. I'd probably go for one of these, don't wash it all winter and get something more fun for the summer.
You'll probably want to swap / change bikes pretty regularly for now anyway. Enjoy.
powerstans said:
Mrs Powerstans passed her DAS on the 30th Sept and licence came through the door 10th October,
We are starting the same test ride process and at 6' she is looking at the same range as you.
As its commuting use she is after we are also considering the Suzuki DL 650 and Versys 650. Versys might be a bit out of your range but the DL is just creeping down there.
Bandit is another option as you are a bigger rider you might like the size of it, though its a design showing its age.
In Bristol all the dealers are offering test rides except the biggest one who are notorious for not giving rides till you have had your licence a year.
The only limitation usually is no 1 litre supersports (which you can kind of understand).
Yeah the bandit is a possibility, but I do have a love for lightweight bikes, and the bandit is not! We are starting the same test ride process and at 6' she is looking at the same range as you.
As its commuting use she is after we are also considering the Suzuki DL 650 and Versys 650. Versys might be a bit out of your range but the DL is just creeping down there.
Bandit is another option as you are a bigger rider you might like the size of it, though its a design showing its age.
In Bristol all the dealers are offering test rides except the biggest one who are notorious for not giving rides till you have had your licence a year.
The only limitation usually is no 1 litre supersports (which you can kind of understand).
I'm guessing the dealer is question are the very large one 5 minutes from Temple Meads station
I looked round there before I moved away from Bristol and sat on a few bikes, they have a decent range in the showroom but I believe they have earned their nickname Did you sit on a new Street? The 2013 onwards ones have a little more space and don't put yer nuts into the tank, quite so much
If you do test ride one, try a non-R. I rode a new R last winter on some smaller A roads / B roads. It was skipping all over the place, no fun at all. The non-R was super stable and compliant in comparison.
SVs have a lovely engine, but billy basic suspension and finish.
If you do test ride one, try a non-R. I rode a new R last winter on some smaller A roads / B roads. It was skipping all over the place, no fun at all. The non-R was super stable and compliant in comparison.
SVs have a lovely engine, but billy basic suspension and finish.
morebeanz said:
I'm 6'4" and 110kgs and been riding a Street Triple for the last 3+ years (16k miles). It may not suit all taller folks, but I definitely wouldn't write it off...
fk me, built like a brick sthouse then? Me and my 12 and a bit stone should do just fine then, although I am going up about a lb a week, so will hopefully be around 13-14 stone come next spring.abarber said:
Did you sit on a new Street? The 2013 onwards ones have a little more space and don't put yer nuts into the tank, quite so much
If you do test ride one, try a non-R. I rode a new R last winter on some smaller A roads / B roads. It was skipping all over the place, no fun at all. The non-R was super stable and compliant in comparison.
SVs have a lovely engine, but billy basic suspension and finish.
It was a new 2014 R that I sat on, I'll have to try and test ride a standard version, they have slightly lower seats though don't they.If you do test ride one, try a non-R. I rode a new R last winter on some smaller A roads / B roads. It was skipping all over the place, no fun at all. The non-R was super stable and compliant in comparison.
SVs have a lovely engine, but billy basic suspension and finish.
Edited by Tall_Paul on Wednesday 15th October 17:28
Re reading your list and being 6'4" I would suggest you may find the SV650, F800 and Hornet all a bit small, though others may well disagree with me and to be honest my impression is gained from only having sat on and not ridden the hornet and sv650. I have ridden the F800 sport and found this un nerving as my nose felt like it was wat out in front of the windshield.
2 months post DAS I'm really enjoying my 2003 CBR600F bought 2 days after I passed my test for exactly £2000. Not only is it a very forgiving, yet thrilling bike to ride the quality and finnish is a real stand out when I compare it with the multitude of different bikes also parked up at work
jcelee said:
2 months post DAS I'm really enjoying my 2003 CBR600F bought 2 days after I passed my test for exactly £2000. Not only is it a very forgiving, yet thrilling bike to ride the quality and finnish is a real stand out when I compare it with the multitude of different bikes also parked up at work
Yeah there is just something really nice about them, they look modern, especially in the sport version in white, and the digital speed/analogue tach combination is by far my favorite combo.
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
If you test ride a Street Triple you'll probably buy one. Just so you're forewarned! They'll find a way to make it affordable and painless... Just go with it.
when I went into Ashford triumph and said I was just looking, then got into a conversation about budget, they did mention the finance unfortunately any sort of finance/loan is out the question, I'm happy to work my way up the bike ladder.Tall_Paul said:
Oh and bear in mind I'm a lanky barsteward, 6ft 3in with long legs. The MT07 felt a little cramped but the MT09 felt nice. NC750 felt cramped too, the ER6N was ok but I wouldn't buy one personally, more buzzy than a very buzzy thing, with with mirrors that are of no use at all over 40-50mph And anything faired and not a sports tourer is out due to insurance costs (not for long though hopefully).
I was going to wax lyrical about the Street Triple as I still own one 5 years after a quick test ride but then I saw your height. I have to say that my one criticism is that it's a tad small for me at 5' 11.5" (Just gutted I never made 6 foot). And anything faired and not a sports tourer is out due to insurance costs (not for long though hopefully).Great for around town but a bigger bike is needed to be comfy on long, fast runs.
I remember test riding a Harley Sportster thinking I must look bad ass until I saw myself in a shop window. It looked like I'd stolen a kid's bike
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