Misses wants a motorbike

[zippy500]

My Girly has decided she wants to do a bike test and eventually get a 400cc or similar. Now as a non bike person I'm slightly concerned as to whether this is a wise move, she only wants to ride it in the summer on nice days etc. I trust her to be safe, but im worried about the countless oafs out there. Anyone have any thoughts which may ease my mind. She used to ride as a pillion so is used to bike travel, just never been in charge of one.

[Mon Ami Mate]

I've been riding bikes non-stop since I was 16 - that's nearly 19 years. I've ridden across African savannahs, various parts of Europe and the Middle East - I've seen the world from the saddle. I've met amazing people simply because I've been on a bike - the camaraderie is unlike anything else. Yes, I've had a few scrapes - that's life. If none of us were prepared to take a few risks we'd never get out of bed in the mornings. Don't be afraid, bite the bullet and book in for lessons with her. It might turn out to be the best thing you ever do.

[PatHeald]

Where do you live?

London = bad idea.

Anywhere else = good idea.

Get the proper training and equipment and she will never look back.

Hey, why don't you both do it. You'll love it and you will both be better drivers as a result.

Better camaraderie even than those daft enough to buy TVRs or Lotuses.

Do it!

[DennisTheMenace]

As said already both get bikes , once you have ridden you wont look back it jolly good fun

[hertsbiker]

I have had fast bikes, now got a "slow" bike as I can't be trusted on a fast one!!! with enough experience it becomes quite a "safe" business, not quite the "death trap" that scaremongerers would lead you to beleive.

Carl



(slightly changing topic - Denny old bean, just done a fairly relaxed, unscientific 0-60 test, seems to be under 5 seconds on a wet or dry road. Dunnow what it would be if I revved it hard before dumping the clutch!! so much for a "slow" bike huh?)

[zippy500]

Cheers chaps, no way im getting a bike, scares the shit out of me, I will stick to 4 wheels. Now the PH have given their blessing she wants to do it even more.
1 guess as to who will be washing it though.

[DennisTheMenace]

Carl your bike is certainly slightly quicker than me on the 6r (crap pilot )off the line as you proved on saturday as my kwack has a tendency to spin the rear or lift the front on hard acceleration mine shoud do 0-60 in 3.5secs if i can get the clutch control right , your bikes quite intimidating when you were folloewing me look in my mirrors and all i can see is handle bars

>> Edited by DennisTheMenace on Tuesday 18th February 21:21

[DennisTheMenace]

zippy vfr400 is a good little bike to roar around on and well built

[zippy500]

How much are they roughly Dennis

[DennisTheMenace]

should be able to pick a good one for about 1500-2000 folding beer tokens i think its this month they are doing a test on 400cc bikes in ride there are 2 on e bay at the moment http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2403251035&category=9806
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2403869378&category=9806

[bruce fielding]

How safe bikes are depends on how crazy you are. I believe that most accidents involving bikers (but not all) involve riders under 25 - this is because we think we're immortal at that age - which is fine, but scary.

Having ridden every kind of bike over the last 33 years (mostly in London, Ted - and I don't agree with you) I can say that it's the most fun, the most practical and the most thrilling way to get from A to B - or just from A to A the interesting way.

I can't imagine the day when I would ever say 'Bikes? Nah!'

[Ian V]

Slightly of topic, but having riden bikes in the past I think it should be compulsory to ride a bike for say 6 months before being allowed to drive a car. This would hopefully make some of the 'brain dead' motorists look a little more before pulling out of junctions etc.

[zippy500]

She spent last night lookig at info on a VFR. Looks like the favourite at the momnt, however I expect she will get a shock when it comes to insuring the thing. Still not my money. Cheers for the help, much appreciated.

[S2N]

I too decided to get a bike after spending alot of time riding pillion on my ex's Ducati. I did however decide to take my CBT then brought a Vespa for the summer.
Plan was, ride it last summer, get used to being on two wheels (I've driven a car for 10 years and it is no comparrison to riding) THEN do the direct access and buy a bike.....this summer now

[zippy500]

I think thats what she is planning to do. Its all greek to me,in one ear and out of the other, still shes happy and thats the main thing. While shes out crusing I can tinker with and drive my toy without fear of getting blown out of the water for not doing my chores.

[incorrigible]

Zippy,

I agree, although I do reckon you should do at least the CBT

As for the 400, you really need to rev the tits off them to get them to go anywhere. Obviously I don't know your Mrs but they're more suited to a boy racer style of riding

Consider something like an SV650 (I think) or a CBR ZXR 600, they're not that much bigger physicaly (esp the SV, because it's a v-twin) and much less frantic to ride. If she wants something revvy get a 250 two stroke

All IMHO of course

I've been riding for 15 years, can't recommend it highly enough, go on, get your licence

[zippy500]

Im afraid bikes do nothing for me at all. Ill admit some do look very smart, but they have never grabbed my attention like cars do. I have been a pillion on my mates ZXR or whatever it was and I can proudly say it is the most scared I have ever been. That has put me off bike. Im sure it would be different if I was in charge of one. Ill stick with cars. PlusI would rather spend the money for car upgrades etc.

[dave_s13]

A mate at work bought his misses a VFR 400, they're cracking little bikes, just make sure you get a good one.

There's also

Honda VFR400
Honda CBR400 (mini fireblade)
Honda RVF400 (v nice but v expensive)
Kawasaki ZXR400
Suzuki GSXR400

I would go for either the VFR or the ZXR.

Insurance will be steep though.

You could try an old (1989 ish) GSXR750, I had one of these at age 23, 100bhp and 250 quid to insure, maybe a bit big for a beginner though.

Can't wait to get this bloody wedding out the way so I can buy me a new machine

>> Edited by dave_s13 on Wednesday 19th February 11:29

>> Edited by dave_s13 on Wednesday 19th February 11:30

[Spoonman]

When I met my girlfriend she had a Suzuki bandit, which I promptly outdragged very comfortably in my car. Since then she's bought a convertible (an MX-5, but it's okay, honest) and wouldn't touch another bike – she thinks the car has all the advantages (except in traffic) and none of the disadvantages. Has your missus considered a nice sports car?

[zippy500]

Yes, since she was 10 a brand new 911 turbo and nothing else. Unfortunatley her wage wont stretch quite that far.