First Bike after direct access

First Bike after direct access

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Discussion

IATM

Original Poster:

3,778 posts

146 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
Hi All,

I know this question gets asked A LOT and I have read up on it A LOT. But this is more centered around what bikes would be good potentially as a first bike or maybe after 6 months.

Still deciding if I will potter around in a 250-500cc bike for the first 6 months after doing DAS.

My heart has always been set on an R6 but with near enough everyone saying its a wepon of mass destruction, I think common sense for me is to maybe work up to it. Plus I don't want to ride something I am worried to use and don't know how to use so want to also build up my skill and need a bike that will allow me to do that.

I have read the the street triple is a more forgiving bike as is the ZX6r Ninja.

What are peoples thoughts on these bikes and what would be a good 400-500cc first bike as soon as I pass if these three are too race focused.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

rich_b

694 posts

245 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
That black and white Ninja is lovely.

I did the sensible route after doing DAS and got myself an FZ6 fazer but almost wish I hadn't, got bored pretty quickly and wanted something more sporty.

I'd say just get what you want, but take time to learn to ride it properly. Buy some crash bungs too just in case smile

IATM

Original Poster:

3,778 posts

146 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply guys.
The ninja is rather lovely.

I'm thinking if the ninja is a little more forgiving than the r6 I would happily have it and keep it for a year and then get an r6.

Not so keen on the triumph.


rich_b

694 posts

245 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Purity14 said:
If you have your heart set on the R6, just buy it.
Its not going to be any more dangerous/scary than the ninja you posted.
This. Though personally I'd have the ninja - it looks better and I expect will have more usable power for the road with its extra capacity.

IATM

Original Poster:

3,778 posts

146 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Interesting food for thought.

What are peoples views of the Daytona 675

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Pebbles167

3,417 posts

151 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Just get the R6. You'll only end up selling your starter bike to get one shortly.. after which it will be justas different anyway.

Its not like it will be an uncontrollable machine. The only thing id advise is that sports bikes are generally a lot less comfortable that training bikes.

I've been riding 2 years now and have had (in order)

Gsxr 600
Xjr 1300
Fazer 600
Gsxr 1000

All were different, but all enjoyable and controllable smile

rwyke

7 posts

138 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
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My first bike after direct access at 21 was an R6 - do it, you won't regret it!

My lovely bike before it was stolen frown

mitzy

13,857 posts

196 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
But what you heart wants
Otherwise you will regret it

Better to have a big grin on your face
Than a small one

mitzy

13,857 posts

196 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Buy what you heart wants
Otherwise you will regret it

Better to have a big grin on your face
Than a small one

black-k1

11,886 posts

228 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
mitzy said:
Buy what you heart wants
Otherwise you will regret it

Better to have a big grin on your face
Than a small one
yes

Get what you want. If you don't, you'll always regret it.

bennyboysvuk

3,491 posts

247 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
black-k1 said:
mitzy said:
Buy what you heart wants
Otherwise you will regret it

Better to have a big grin on your face
Than a small one
yes

Get what you want. If you don't, you'll always regret it.
I totally agree with this too. Get the lairy one. You'll be forced to learn even faster on that than a lesser bike.

jackh707

2,126 posts

155 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Or you can do best of both worlds, seeing as winter is coming.
First colder commute this morning.

I'd buy a £1,500-£2,000 reliable 600 semi snotter that you don't care about if you drop/get salty/ do something stupid to.
You'll be much more likely to go out over the coming months as you won't worry about spaying the thing off after every ride.

Then change up for your r6 or whatever you want in March when the good biking starts again, you never know you might even fancy a 1000cc bike the biggrin

And remember what ever bike you buy, it isn't permanent. You can sell it 2 weeks later if you don't like it, and get something different.



Tall_Paul

1,915 posts

226 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
jackh707 said:
Or you can do best of both worlds, seeing as winter is coming.
First colder commute this morning.

I'd buy a £1,500-£2,000 reliable 600 semi snotter that you don't care about if you drop/get salty/ do something stupid to.
You'll be much more likely to go out over the coming months as you won't worry about spaying the thing off after every ride.

Then change up for your r6 or whatever you want in March when the good biking starts again, you never know you might even fancy a 1000cc bike the biggrin

And remember what ever bike you buy, it isn't permanent. You can sell it 2 weeks later if you don't like it, and get something different.
Exactly what I'll be doing if/when I pass my tests in a few weeks. Buy a £1000-1500 winter hack to replace the varadero, run this until April when I get a years NCD and the weather gets better, they buy something nice.

OP - have you spent time on a 125? First time on a bike, on a hardcore supersports machine, in winter? You'll be gutted if/when you drop it wheeling down the drive/putting your foot down on some diesel/ice and those lovely fairings are scratched to buggery.

Also, have you done insurance quotes yet? Anthing relativelt sporty is out for me (33 year old, no accidents/clean licence, 0 NCD, 10k miles pa, new rider just passed test), quotes on a GSXR600 SRAD or a Daytona 675 were £1500-£2000 for the year, whereas a street triple was £500, even a CB1000R was only £750 laugh

Edited by Tall_Paul on Thursday 2nd October 09:07

creampuff

6,511 posts

142 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
jackh707 said:
Or you can do best of both worlds, seeing as winter is coming.
First colder commute this morning.

I'd buy a £1,500-£2,000 reliable 600 semi snotter that you don't care about if you drop/get salty/ do something stupid to.
You'll be much more likely to go out over the coming months as you won't worry about spaying the thing off after every ride.

Then change up for your r6 or whatever you want in March when the good biking starts again, you never know you might even fancy a 1000cc bike the biggrin

And remember what ever bike you buy, it isn't permanent. You can sell it 2 weeks later if you don't like it, and get something different.
Yes, this sounds like good advice. If you are going to drop a bike, it often happens in winter so a snotter which can get salt all over it and you won't mind toppling over isn't a bad idea. Then R6 in spring.

Reffro

164 posts

154 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
My first bike after passing my test was and is a Blackbird. That was my dream bike and I jumped straight in with both feet. Admittedly I waited 15 years to buy a bike and OK 165hp, with no TC or ABS doesn't sound that sensible, but as the others have said the throttle goes both ways.

But it was bought cheaply 3 yrs ago (£2k) in the sure and certain knowledge that I would drop it at some point, which I eventually did this year, parking up and getting off the bike without noticing my sidestand had retracted... The point being was I knew this bike would pick up some marks and scuffs as I learn my way and I wouldn't get too precious about it. Seeing as it has a big power and torque, its very easy to ride along in higher gears, just going with the flow and concentrating on the important stuff like the road and other traffic.

I'm at the point now where I'm considering a change of bike, having I think, matured into this biking lark, but I'm also struggling with what to replace it with, because whilst its also my dream bike, it's also damned hard to replace. Damn you Honda with your brilliant build quality and engineering!


IATM

Original Poster:

3,778 posts

146 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Tall_Paul said:
jackh707 said:
Or you can do best of both worlds, seeing as winter is coming.
First colder commute this morning.

I'd buy a £1,500-£2,000 reliable 600 semi snotter that you don't care about if you drop/get salty/ do something stupid to.
You'll be much more likely to go out over the coming months as you won't worry about spaying the thing off after every ride.

Then change up for your r6 or whatever you want in March when the good biking starts again, you never know you might even fancy a 1000cc bike the biggrin

And remember what ever bike you buy, it isn't permanent. You can sell it 2 weeks later if you don't like it, and get something different.
Exactly what I'll be doing if/when I pass my tests in a few weeks. Buy a £1000-1500 winter hack to replace the varadero, run this until April when I get a years NCD and the weather gets better, they buy something nice.

OP - have you spent time on a 125? First time on a bike, on a hardcore supersports machine, in winter? You'll be gutted if/when you drop it wheeling down the drive/putting your foot down on some diesel/ice and those lovely fairings are scratched to buggery.

Also, have you done insurance quotes yet? Anthing relativelt sporty is out for me (33 year old, no accidents/clean licence, 0 NCD, 10k miles pa, new rider just passed test), quotes on a GSXR600 SRAD or a Daytona 675 were £1500-£2000 for the year, whereas a street triple was £500, even a CB1000R was only £750 laugh

Edited by Tall_Paul on Thursday 2nd October 09:07
I done my CBT two years ago but got busy and its expired now.
Insurance seems OK for me in my area. The ninja I linked was 1100 fully comp from MCE and the r6 was cheaper at 761 once again fully comp from MCE. I put down new rider no ncb etc etc I'm 28.

I am happy to buy a snotter for 1500 for the winter but I don't want to buy a crappy one that's not mechanically sound and rides st and it puts me off and doesn't help with my riding experience either. I guess it would be a case of asking for some help from someone who knows bikes to go check them out with me.

Honestly I would be happy with the r6 or the ninja. They are both bloody amazing bikes and stunning to look at.

Would be happy to get one or the other first and then swap after a year or two just to experience both.

creampuff

6,511 posts

142 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Over £300 cheaper to insure an R6 instead on the Ninja would be an instant vote for the R6 imho.

ccr32

1,966 posts

217 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
As has already been said, the throttle goes both ways so pay no attention to anyone who says such-and-such bike is a death machine, etc.

What I would say however is think about the sort of riding you're going to be doing and a bike that suits the task. If you're not really sure about that just yet, get one you like the look of - you can always change it!

Tall_Paul

1,915 posts

226 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Hmm MCE insurance... nono

I tend to ignore any quotes from them, mainly becuase of the high excess (£500+ when everywhere else is £150) and they're not that high regarded for customer service from what I've seen/read. They tended to be quite a bit cheaper than everyone else, but personally I'd rather go with someone else wink

IATM

Original Poster:

3,778 posts

146 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Tall_Paul said:
Hmm MCE insurance... nono

I tend to ignore any quotes from them, mainly becuase of the high excess (£500+ when everywhere else is £150) and they're not that high regarded for customer service from what I've seen/read. They tended to be quite a bit cheaper than everyone else, but personally I'd rather go with someone else wink
lol oh no don't say that - the next quotes jump up to 1400 for both the r6 and ninja lol