Which first big bike?

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I'm looking for tips as per the title. I've just got my full license, am 37 yrs old with a fair few car miles behind me. Looking for 2 wheels that are a blend of fun and practical - so sport/touring type bike.
I'll probably be looking for an Enfield of some kind next year but for now I'd like something cheap, reliable and reasonably quick as a first bike to cut my teeth on.
600 -800 cc
somekind of fairing so it's reasonable on the motorway.

I took my test on a Gladius 650 and rode a Suzuki GSF650SA Bandit for the first time today.
I preferred the rumble of the gladius but the Suzuki seemed so much faster when winding up the revs today - though maybe I just didn't get the opportunity to ride the Gladius in that way.
My instructor recommended I try a Honda CBR600 (650?) and the friendly bike shop recommended I try a Yamaha Fazer or a GSF as a first bike.

Please feel free to recommend anything that would be suitable.
I'm looking to spend around 1500 as I've been told I will drop it at some point! At this price point, it also doesn't matter too much if I want to sell it again after 6/12 months to try something different.

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I tried a Suzuki 650 Bandit (2010) today, which was quick but didn't particularly thrill me.
That CBR looks fantastic for the money - but I'm basing that on looks rather than anything else.

Can anyone help with the main differences between ?
CBR600 vs CB600F Hornet vs 600 Fazer vs Bandit


They seem to be the top bikes that I'm seeing in 'first bike' guides. Please bear in mind I'm looking for £1200 -1500 for my first bike.

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castex said:

As I understand it you're only constrained by that budget because you have been told that you will drop it.
Just buy something nice and then don't drop it.
You'll thank me later.

That's pretty much it but I'm happy not to spend that much anyway
This looks more than reasonable for 2k
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/honda...

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Thanks for all the replies.
I wasn't blown away by the Bandit I rode - my gut is pulling me towards a Honda of some sort - I had a few VTEC cars in the past and have always had a soft spot for them as a manufacturer.
Which beings me to the

(circa 2002) Hornet vs (2000-02 ?)CBR 600 (F) vs (?) VFR 800

The bike should be motorway worthy and it should be comfortable enough to handle a 100 mile motorway journey without deafening me.

I don't want to go to the 1000cc category just yet.

Given that I'm looking at £1200-1500, can anyone tell me what the main differences will be in riding style/experience.

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Rosscow said:

100 mile motorway journey?

VFR800. I'm also someone that had a Hornet for their first big bike, and as brilliant as it was, if you're doing lots of motorway miles it's not the bike for you.

I won't be doing lots of motorway miles but it shouldn't be out of the question for the bike.
Do any of you have any experience of 2/3 of these bikes? Just looking for some kind of more direct comparison of each

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Yoda400 said:

That looks pretty good, wish it was further north. I'd be open to further training after my break from biking, in the absence of being able to do trackdays.
In answer to the OP, can you try test riding different types of bike, such as faired vs naked, V4 vs straight 4, etc see what feels right for you?

That's pretty much what I'm planning - though I don't see much point in riding another bike without a fairing as it's not really for me.
I want to try the hornet, CBR and a VFR and try and decide from those I think

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Well I got bored of waiting this morning - I just bought this (unseen). seller seems nice enough on the phone.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301760165349?_trksid=p20...

being delivered tomorrow - I hope I haven't done something very silly....
comments welcome

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And does 317 gbp fully comp insurance sound reasonable for a first bike? It's with MCE via the MCN website

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are there any good comparison sites you'd recommend?

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Next best is coming in at 440 !