sensible or mad option?

[d8mok]

I passed my DAS on 1/8/08 and i'm stuck to as what to do.

Having never really had alot to do with bikes before now (apart from a fireblade kitcar) i'mk unsure what to buy and when.

Ideally i'd like to wait until jan/feb and buy a new ninja or cbr600rr, but i'm concerned about having such a thing as my first bike.

Or maybe i might buy a naked 600 for 1000 quid or so now, ride it through until march and sell it on, then buy a ninja etc?

or wait til jan and buy a used ninja 05 plate or something?

Confused and need advice??

I dont really want a naked bike through the summer as i dont like the looks and dont feel i'd want to use it if i didnt love it.

[steven182]

Do what you love! I passed the same day as you and got a CBR 600 =D bloody love it. perhaps buy an older one if you are worried about costs right now and unless you bin it I doubt it would depreciate much.

[PolarExpress]

Get a bike... any bike - between now and Jan to develop your rider skills. So at least when you get the new CBR it won't fire you down the road or into a hedge from not having had the seat time.

[lawrence567]

Dont get the new ZX6 (ninja).

I test rode it and it was ste!

[Glade]

If i had my time again I'd get a £1000 bike, even if just for 6 months. That will let you get some experience before getting a nice bike. even a naked 600 will be rapid and competent, and it will help you decide what you really want to spend £1000's on, and then keep.

I dropped a brand spanking new bike, (stationary in a car park) 3 days after i got it... if i'd had some time on a crap bike to get used to wheeling a big bike about, being careful under trees with leaves/mud etc I wouldn't have scratched up my new baby!

[mattcullum]

Buy something, anything and get some experience, perhaps an older CBR600f? Thats
what I bought as my first bike fantastic do-all bikes.

It'll give you some very valauble expereince and will also enable you to get some
test rides on a few other bikes when you think you want a new one.

Think about doing your Advanced as well I found this very usefull AND good fun.

Matt

p.s I personally find my zx6 pretty awesome, try and few and find what YOU like.

[lawrence567]

I got a thundercat for 4 months then got a brand new k8 gsxr

[d8mok]

ok guys. i'm thinking now of having a 1500 quid GSXR or ninja. Get some miles done and sell it in march or something.

[Graham]

I ended up with a new bike. I was initially looking for something 2nd hand but with the vat advantages ( company bike) a 2 year old bike wasnt actually any cheaper, and going new I got the advantage of 2 year warranty and knowing the history of the bike..


also being new I had to run it in, so no jumping on it and giving it large on the way back from the dealer... so that realed me in a bit.

I didnt need to worry about tyres, brakes, engine, suspension, chain wear etc as it was all new.

Also being new I think im being extra extra careful with it, with a 1k junker i might be more inclined to chuck it around a bit, and not look after it..

as it is its cosseted and cleaned almost daily... I do take it out in the rain though as i feel i need the experience. cleaning it after is a pita though...

I've still not ridden in the dark yet though !!!

It is difficult to know what to get... I'd had a clear Idea of the bike I wanted well before I even thought about taking the test so that was easy for me... and so far im 110% satisfied i made the right choice..

I would get something now though and get some miles under your belt, im doing that at every opportunity. Just keep it the right way up

cheers

G

[John Laverick]

As others have said ... just get something. Doesn’t matter what, once you’re on it you’ll either love it or hate but at least you’ll know what to do next.

My suggestion would be either:

a) If you want a naked get a Honda Hornet
b) If you want a faired bike get a J1 Model Kawasaki ZX6-R

Both are extremely competent bikes that will more than satisfy a newbie [and the majority of experienced bikers], if you buy within the next month and sell next March/April you may find you even make some money!!!

[d8mok]

yeh the ninja seems the way to go as the insurance is the least and they seem to reasonably priced for a j1.

[Tyrant]

What about a 400 Ninja before moving onto a new ZX6R? That's my plan, the baby ninja taxed tested and insured has cost pennies!

[John Laverick]

d8mok said:

yeh the ninja seems the way to go as the insurance is the least and they seem to reasonably priced for a j1.

I had a J1 Ninja for my first bike and it was excellent [especially if you're slightly taller].

I paid £2250 for mine in January 2006 [9000 miles] it was unfortunately written off by a numpty driver but I got a pay out of £2800 I think!

Edited by John Laverick on Thursday 21st August 14:37

[d8mok]

so the next question is, does anyone know of a nice ninja for around 1500 quid ish?

[steven182]

John Laverick said:

Do you ride it from room to room?

[trumpet600]

[quote=John Laverick]
I paid £2250 for mine in January 2006 [9000 miles] it was unfortunately written off by a numpty driver but I got a pay out of £2800 I think!



Your milk will go off if you don't put it back in the fridge

[W66OCH]

I just bought one for the same money for my first bike

Smile per £ are pretty good at the mo... and it doesnt matter if I drop it or ding it (OK, maybe I'd be a little gutted)

Edited by W66OCH on Thursday 21st August 16:44

[d8mok]

has anyone got any tips on problem areas etc on them??

Might go earlier than a j1, cos i only wanna spend minimul money to start with.


Will a old zx6r feel quick?

[RizzoTheRat]

d8mok said:

Will a old zx6r feel quick?

Yes, because it is. True it's not going to be as fast as a brand new 600 supersports but then you're not going to be able to use all the potential of a new bike anyway, and the older one will feel like lightening compared to whatever you did your test on and pretty much any car you're likely to have driven.

[W66OCH]

steven182 said:

John Laverick said:

Do you ride it from room to room?

Bet your missus loves you