Too much choice... not enough knowledge
Discussion
I got back onto bikes about 4-5 months ago and bought a Yam TDM 850. Not really my type of bike but it was quite cheap, local, had decent low down pull and was comfortable as well. I knew I wouldn't be keeping it for too long but it did its job in helping me find out if I wanted to get back into biking ( for the 3rd time).
Had it about 3 months and felt like getting something i actually wanted and liked more. So, unusually, decided to actually test ride a few before spending out and regretting it by the time i got home.
In my head I thought a 600 was going to be the TDMs replacement. After testing a Hornet 600, Yam FZ6 and a Fazer 600 quickly decided they're not for me. Wanted more grunt and checked out a CB1000 & 1300, Yam XJR1300 before settling on a ZRX1200.
Thats a long winded way of saying test ride various capacities, styles, riding positions etc as you may decide on something you never even considered.
Had it about 3 months and felt like getting something i actually wanted and liked more. So, unusually, decided to actually test ride a few before spending out and regretting it by the time i got home.
In my head I thought a 600 was going to be the TDMs replacement. After testing a Hornet 600, Yam FZ6 and a Fazer 600 quickly decided they're not for me. Wanted more grunt and checked out a CB1000 & 1300, Yam XJR1300 before settling on a ZRX1200.
Thats a long winded way of saying test ride various capacities, styles, riding positions etc as you may decide on something you never even considered.
Gavia said:
I think you should go for one of these three
BMW GSA
Kawasaki ZZR1400
KTM 390
Why? Because they are three random bikes that I've just thought of, pretty much like most others are doing on here, apart from they're pushing their own bike
So......how many miles have you done on each of those three to form your recommendations?BMW GSA
Kawasaki ZZR1400
KTM 390
Why? Because they are three random bikes that I've just thought of, pretty much like most others are doing on here, apart from they're pushing their own bike
dugsud said:
Gavia said:
I think you should go for one of these three
BMW GSA
Kawasaki ZZR1400
KTM 390
Why? Because they are three random bikes that I've just thought of, pretty much like most others are doing on here, apart from they're pushing their own bike
So......how many miles have you done on each of those three to form your recommendations?BMW GSA
Kawasaki ZZR1400
KTM 390
Why? Because they are three random bikes that I've just thought of, pretty much like most others are doing on here, apart from they're pushing their own bike
Don't worry too much about an SV.
They're fantastic little bikes, but at 17 stone and 6'2, the chances are you might find it a bit small/cramped. Do siton one at a dealers, but don't set your heart on one before hand. I'm only 5'6 and 13 stone, and a short inside leg of iro 30 inches and I find it runs out of puff a bit early, and could almost do with it being an inch or two bigger in every direction. (albeit I right the nekkid Mk1 version). For the smaller new rider though, on fresh tyres they handle well, and would recommend anyone consider throwing some cash at the rather basic suspension to improve on the rather basic oem setup.
They're fantastic little bikes, but at 17 stone and 6'2, the chances are you might find it a bit small/cramped. Do siton one at a dealers, but don't set your heart on one before hand. I'm only 5'6 and 13 stone, and a short inside leg of iro 30 inches and I find it runs out of puff a bit early, and could almost do with it being an inch or two bigger in every direction. (albeit I right the nekkid Mk1 version). For the smaller new rider though, on fresh tyres they handle well, and would recommend anyone consider throwing some cash at the rather basic suspension to improve on the rather basic oem setup.
Gavia said:
dugsud said:
Gavia said:
I think you should go for one of these three
BMW GSA
Kawasaki ZZR1400
KTM 390
Why? Because they are three random bikes that I've just thought of, pretty much like most others are doing on here, apart from they're pushing their own bike
So......how many miles have you done on each of those three to form your recommendations?BMW GSA
Kawasaki ZZR1400
KTM 390
Why? Because they are three random bikes that I've just thought of, pretty much like most others are doing on here, apart from they're pushing their own bike
This happens a lot on here , you shall find Gav.
To all people that having been kind enough to offer advice I greatly appreciate it, I guess it is difficult to choose a bike without sitting on them. The good thing is you guys have given me some very good options and some bikes I have never even heard or though of, I guess that is the beauty of forums.
So far I like the look of (May not like riding them though)
Ducati Monster
MV Agusta brutale
Triumph street triple R
Yamaha MT10
MV Agusta Rivale
Kawazaki z1000
Some odd balls I like;
BMW R nine T
Yamaha XSR900
Ducati Hyermoto
As for below you always get useless comments from people. As a newbie these dont help, but I can understand the frustration for more experienced riders. People are not just plugging bikes they have owned there are also giving me some good options. Thanks for your comment though.....
NoneThe answer was in the post , if he had actually read it and not guessed at what it contained prior to posting haughty question ...!
This happens a lot on here , you shall find Gav.
So far I like the look of (May not like riding them though)
Ducati Monster
MV Agusta brutale
Triumph street triple R
Yamaha MT10
MV Agusta Rivale
Kawazaki z1000
Some odd balls I like;
BMW R nine T
Yamaha XSR900
Ducati Hyermoto
As for below you always get useless comments from people. As a newbie these dont help, but I can understand the frustration for more experienced riders. People are not just plugging bikes they have owned there are also giving me some good options. Thanks for your comment though.....
hebegb said:
Gavia said:
dugsud said:
Gavia said:
I think you should go for one of these three
BMW GSA
Kawasaki ZZR1400
KTM 390
Why? Because they are three random bikes that I've just thought of, pretty much like most others are doing on here, apart from they're pushing their own bike
So......how many miles have you done on each of those three to form your recommendations?BMW GSA
Kawasaki ZZR1400
KTM 390
Why? Because they are three random bikes that I've just thought of, pretty much like most others are doing on here, apart from they're pushing their own bike
This happens a lot on here , you shall find Gav.
I adore my CB1000R, done 6k on it, even done a 600 mile day on it. Just enough power to scare you when you first get it, but totally useable. Prices are scary cheap for the sheer quality of the bike compared to other marques.
I would opt for ABS if I were you, as it has saved me twice (both cars pulling out in the wet).
It's not the biggest bike in the world (your the same size as me) but it's comfy enough for the time you spend on it, it'll run out of fuel before you get uncomfortable (circa 120 miles to 14ltrs)
Get a tri-colour, they are the fastest
I would opt for ABS if I were you, as it has saved me twice (both cars pulling out in the wet).
It's not the biggest bike in the world (your the same size as me) but it's comfy enough for the time you spend on it, it'll run out of fuel before you get uncomfortable (circa 120 miles to 14ltrs)
Get a tri-colour, they are the fastest
Golgarth said:
I adore my CB1000R, done 6k on it, even done a 600 mile day on it. Just enough power to scare you when you first get it, but totally useable. Prices are scary cheap for the sheer quality of the bike compared to other marques.
I would opt for ABS if I were you, as it has saved me twice (both cars pulling out in the wet).
It's not the biggest bike in the world (your the same size as me) but it's comfy enough for the time you spend on it, it'll run out of fuel before you get uncomfortable (circa 120 miles to 14ltrs)
Get a tri-colour, they are the fastest
+1 on these. Not the flashiest, most equipped, but they are made well, have that typical Honda depth of finish and is great fun.I would opt for ABS if I were you, as it has saved me twice (both cars pulling out in the wet).
It's not the biggest bike in the world (your the same size as me) but it's comfy enough for the time you spend on it, it'll run out of fuel before you get uncomfortable (circa 120 miles to 14ltrs)
Get a tri-colour, they are the fastest
Hyper red and black is best, but I'm biased:
The Akra makes it a little more rorty too.
I have only been riding 4 years but am 6'4" and 16 stone so have had similar riding needs size wise.
So far I have had a Bandit 600 for a first bike a couple of hundred pounds of a colleague. Then a Honda CB1300, big bike but relative gentle giant, with easy torque and relaxed riding position and impressive road presence. The bike I most regret selling!
Triumph Speed Triple 1050 (round headlight 2009 diversion) nice size for the larger rider and lots of power, its a bit heavy and more cramped than the CB1300 but more sporty. Just swapping this for an Yamaha XSR 900 as I fancy a change.
My wife has a Street Triple which is great fun much more nimble than the speed but I find it too small and the Yamaha XSR 700 is a similar size.
I also have a V Strom 1000 as a commuter hack, a big beast but in its fun in its own way and can be leaned further than you would think.
Basically all different sizes and types are fun and will be scary and exhilarating.
So far I have had a Bandit 600 for a first bike a couple of hundred pounds of a colleague. Then a Honda CB1300, big bike but relative gentle giant, with easy torque and relaxed riding position and impressive road presence. The bike I most regret selling!
Triumph Speed Triple 1050 (round headlight 2009 diversion) nice size for the larger rider and lots of power, its a bit heavy and more cramped than the CB1300 but more sporty. Just swapping this for an Yamaha XSR 900 as I fancy a change.
My wife has a Street Triple which is great fun much more nimble than the speed but I find it too small and the Yamaha XSR 700 is a similar size.
I also have a V Strom 1000 as a commuter hack, a big beast but in its fun in its own way and can be leaned further than you would think.
Basically all different sizes and types are fun and will be scary and exhilarating.
As others have said, you'll need to ride a few to work out what sort of bike (naked/super sports/tourer etc) you like and what engine configs float your boat for fun riding. For example a ~650cc ~80bhp parallel/V twin will feel a lot more powerful to a new rider than a 4 cylinder with the same stats all other things being equal as you don't have to rev them as much to get the power. Triple characteristics are somewhere in between.
Personally, as someone who came to bikes late (5 years ago aged 29), I've worked out that while I can chuck a performance/super-car round on road/track with a reasonable amount of talent, I simply don't have the bravery or desire to ride a bike fast on the road on anything other than a straight dual carriageway, preferably in the bone dry. Accordingly I've got a BMW rocketship for my 50 mile commute to work which I adore for how it dispatches miles with massive in gear performance, comfort and electronic toys....and the closest thing Harley make to a real motorbike for pleasure riding where I rarely get above 60 mph and just enjoy the looks, sounds and scraping the odd peg.
I'm 5'11 and 17st for reference
ETA: oh, I'd def get a bike with ABS as well if at all possible
Personally, as someone who came to bikes late (5 years ago aged 29), I've worked out that while I can chuck a performance/super-car round on road/track with a reasonable amount of talent, I simply don't have the bravery or desire to ride a bike fast on the road on anything other than a straight dual carriageway, preferably in the bone dry. Accordingly I've got a BMW rocketship for my 50 mile commute to work which I adore for how it dispatches miles with massive in gear performance, comfort and electronic toys....and the closest thing Harley make to a real motorbike for pleasure riding where I rarely get above 60 mph and just enjoy the looks, sounds and scraping the odd peg.
I'm 5'11 and 17st for reference
ETA: oh, I'd def get a bike with ABS as well if at all possible
Edited by Mario149 on Sunday 25th September 21:13
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