Sub-£1500 first 400-600ish cc machine for a 6' 6" biker?

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I'm looking to do my DAS in the next few months, I currently ride a Varadero 125 which I find very comfortable, if a little slow in corners (though it doesn't have the best tyres fitted).

Ideally I'd like something like a Triumph Sprint ST, but I suspect for insurance reasons I'd be better to have a year on something with a smaller engine.

So really, what I'm looking for is:
Sub-£1500 budget (don't mind doing some work myself)
Suitable for a 6' 6" rider
Ideally road-orientated
Reasonable to insure

Any ideas?

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Thanks for the advice folks, I suppose some of my thinking was also along the lines of whether it would be best to get experience on a 600 before going for something bigger. That said, early Sprint 955s seem to produce only slightly more power than some of the 600's suggested. I actually prefer the looks of naked bikes, but I do a regular 180-mile round trip and even the Varadero's screen and fairings make a huge difference to how comfortable it is.

I went through a few insurance quotes - very pleasantly surprised to find a 955 could be insured for sub-£250, less if I fit some decent security. I honestly thought something like a near-litre faired bike would be near-impossible to insure for an inexperienced rider.

I looked at the VFR750 and found that a few early VFR800's are dropping into budget - as much as I like the Triumph I do have to say that the Vara has been all that I expect of a Honda - total reliability, no dramas. A VFR would be more of the same I guess?

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Pothole said:

ndeed. Bit bland, perhaps, but a good starting point. Make sure there's not an expensive VTEC service due soon if you do decide on a VFR800 (unless you're looking at the very early Fi models of course)

Looking at the very early Fi models - VTEC machines aren't in budget yet. Didn't realise the VTECs need a specific service, good to know if one does become available.

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I like the look of the TT600 but the MCN review does make a point about legroom being a bit of an issue for taller riders. I also can't find any 02 bikes for less than £2200

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I don't start work till late tomorrow so I'm heading into the local bike shop for a look at what they've got. Looking on their website they have a few older sport/tourer models for sale, so should be interesting.

Thanks for all the advice so far!

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Tried a few bikes this morning, including a CBF1000, Sprint 1050, ZZR600, Thundercat and Sprint 885.

The Sprint 1050 was by a long way the most comfortable bike there - plenty of room, pedals easy to get to. Admittedly a 1050 is out of budget, but if the 955 is anything like as comfy, I'll be very happy. Controls all seemed to be in just the right places, and it felt like a quality bit of kit.

CBF1000 - bit of a wild card, wasn't expecting it. Surprised to find an 8 year old bike nearly in budget, though it had around 40k on the clock. More of an upright riding position, though my knees were close to the fairings. Only real issue was that I had to get my left foot almost vertical to get under the gear shifter - the arm seemed very short. Not an insurmountable issue, and apart from that I found it more to my taste styling-wise, being half-faired rather than full.

ZZR600 - way too small, felt like a monkey bike.

Thundercat - same again.

Sprint 885 - didn't try it for size, the styling is just too dated. I don't much like the looks and on that alone it's not something I'd buy.

Really I need to find a VFR at a local dealer before I make my mind up.

Looked online at a Deauville, but to be honest they look too much like a two-wheeled armchair. Undoubtedly a good reliable machine, and it does seem to tick several boxes, but it just looks too lazy to me.

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A Blackbird is a possibility, as is an FJR.

Ducati Hypermotard is way outside of my budget and the Aprilia too much of a trail bike, as well as being over budget again.

Pan-European makes a lot of sense, but I don't have the white flip-front helmet and hi-viz coat that all Pan-Euro riders need.

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defblade said:

The Shiver is nothing like a trial bike (I may be biased ) but possibly not the easiest first bike to get on with. Too much "character", possibly, an IL4 UJM probably a better bet. It suits me well as the third big bike I've had. Did feel tall for the first few miles, but soon got used to it.

Sorry, I meant the Aprilia SXV - just checked up on the Shiver and while it looks cracking, it's way over budget for me

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Doing some more insurance quotes, a Blackbird is nearly £600 to insure, whilst the CBF1000 and VFR800Fi are more reasonable at £320. The lowest quote was for a 2001 Bandit 600, £165. However, all of them had higher compulsory excesses than the Sprint ST (in the case of the CBF a £650 compulsory excess!).

Looked into FJRs and they're a bit out of my price range.