Failed MOD 1

[Benjy911]

Finally I can join the thread! MOD2 passed yesterday, MOD1 earlier in April so now I'm on the hunt for a bike...

A Z650RS in green is tempting me, but I'm also wondering, like the suggestion above, whether or not I'd be better off on something cheaper for the first year or so. I learnt on a Z650, didn't think it was anything special but the feel/engine seems to suit the RS better based on a short ride. I can't get on with the looks of a street triple so that's off the list, an MT07 feels a bit generic which leaves the only other one tempting me being a CB650R...decisions decisions!

[ghibbett]

Benjy911 said:

Finally I can join the thread! MOD2 passed yesterday, MOD1 earlier in April so now I'm on the hunt for a bike...

A Z650RS in green is tempting me, but I'm also wondering, like the suggestion above, whether or not I'd be better off on something cheaper for the first year or so. I learnt on a Z650, didn't think it was anything special but the feel/engine seems to suit the RS better based on a short ride. I can't get on with the looks of a street triple so that's off the list, an MT07 feels a bit generic which leaves the only other one tempting me being a CB650R...decisions decisions!

Firstly, congrats on your Mod 2 pass

Other options:
Triumph Trident
Honda Hornet
Suzuki SV650 or the new GSX-8S

[grotty]

black-k1 thank you for the advice, I agree with everything you said. I would be much better off getting something cheap until I know bikes better.
However I shall be buying something expensive and regretting it.

Congrats Benjy911! The RS is gooooorgeous, I've also looked at them.

[black-k1]

grotty said:

black-k1 thank you for the advice, I agree with everything you said. I would be much better off getting something cheap until I know bikes better.
However I shall be buying something expensive and regretting it.

Congrats Benjy911! The RS is gooooorgeous, I've also looked at them.

Good for you!

Ride safe and enjoy!

[saintsteve]

Benjy911 said:

Finally I can join the thread! MOD2 passed yesterday, MOD1 earlier in April so now I'm on the hunt for a bike...

A Z650RS in green is tempting me, but I'm also wondering, like the suggestion above, whether or not I'd be better off on something cheaper for the first year or so. I learnt on a Z650, didn't think it was anything special but the feel/engine seems to suit the RS better based on a short ride. I can't get on with the looks of a street triple so that's off the list, an MT07 feels a bit generic which leaves the only other one tempting me being a CB650R...decisions decisions!

If it helps I bought the Z900RS SE as my first bike after passing my MOD2 in March. Don’t be afraid of trying the larger capacity bikes if you can. I learned on the MT07 which was a good bike but didn’t excite me. If you are sensible and ride within your means, you’ll be fine on a bigger bike. Personally, I’m glad I went for the bigger bike it feels a step up from what I learned on but it’s not a 200bhp rocket ship either!

[Benjy911]

So yesterday I picked up my first bike, a Z650 RS in green...as much as I'd have loved a 900 I thought for my first I'd stick with something a bit smaller/manageable.

I did 130 miles on Kermit yesterday after picking him up, lovely to get an average of 67 mpg vs the TVRs 20! Rides really nicely and feels great to have got rid of the high vis and the L plates. Gave him a good polish when I'd finished playing, there seems to be a lot of oil fling from the chain on the rear wheel - I'm guessing they put too much on? Given it'll just be dry riding for now, I assume like my pedal bike a dry lube is best?





And most importantly he fits in the garage!

[saintsteve]

Benjy911 said:

So yesterday I picked up my first bike, a Z650 RS in green...as much as I'd have loved a 900 I thought for my first I'd stick with something a bit smaller/manageable.

I did 130 miles on Kermit yesterday after picking him up, lovely to get an average of 67 mpg vs the TVRs 20! Rides really nicely and feels great to have got rid of the high vis and the L plates. Gave him a good polish when I'd finished playing, there seems to be a lot of oil fling from the chain on the rear wheel - I'm guessing they put too much on? Given it'll just be dry riding for now, I assume like my pedal bike a dry lube is best?





And most importantly he fits in the garage!

That’s a lovely looking bike. Congratulations!

[HybridTheory]

Cool bike !

[Markgenesis]

Benjy911 said:

Gave him a good polish when I'd finished playing, there seems to be a lot of oil fling from the chain on the rear wheel - I'm guessing they put too much on? Given it'll just be dry riding for now, I assume like my pedal bike a dry lube is best?

Congratulations, that's a gorgeous bike.

Yes, fling flam from the chain is pretty common, just need to keep cleaning it off till it's gone, bicycle lube will be fine, all i've used (past test three years ago) is GT85 on the chain which i used on my pedal bikes, i'll clean the chain with WD40 then spray with GT85 has worked for me, no fancy Motorcycle specific ones. Helps if you can get the back wheel in the air on a stand and rotate the chain through a rag.

[milu]

Benjy911 said:

So yesterday I picked up my first bike, a Z650 RS in green...as much as I'd have loved a 900 I thought for my first I'd stick with something a bit smaller/manageable.

I did 130 miles on Kermit yesterday after picking him up, lovely to get an average of 67 mpg vs the TVRs 20! Rides really nicely and feels great to have got rid of the high vis and the L plates. Gave him a good polish when I'd finished playing, there seems to be a lot of oil fling from the chain on the rear wheel - I'm guessing they put too much on? Given it'll just be dry riding for now, I assume like my pedal bike a dry lube is best?





And most importantly he fits in the garage!

Congrats. Looks great. Nice colour scheme.

[Caddyshack]

[PT1984]

Started my DAS today. Z650 but only around the car park doing MOD1 type training. We are hitting the roads on the next session which unfortunately is a fortnight away as I can only do weekends atm. They are getting some new MT07 at the end of the month which works well as it gives me experience on different bikes. The clutch on the K felt horrible, but it has had a particularly hard life…..

[Caddyshack]

PT1984 said:

Started my DAS today. Z650 but only around the car park doing MOD1 type training. We are hitting the roads on the next session which unfortunately is a fortnight away as I can only do weekends atm. They are getting some new MT07 at the end of the month which works well as it gives me experience on different bikes. The clutch on the K felt horrible, but it has had a particularly hard life…..

Enjoy it and take the time to pass well as opposed to scrape through as they are good skills. Worth taking a couple of days holiday to also do a bit more.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

PT1984 said:

Started my DAS today. Z650 but only around the car park doing MOD1 type training. We are hitting the roads on the next session which unfortunately is a fortnight away as I can only do weekends atm. They are getting some new MT07 at the end of the month which works well as it gives me experience on different bikes. The clutch on the K felt horrible, but it has had a particularly hard life…..

They gave us the crap version of the SV650. I can't remember then name but they were 2012s and utter nails.

Then on test - they gave me a nearly new SV650. It felt awesome. Maybe that was the point.

Enjoy! The MT07 should be awesome

[deebs]

Benjy911 said:

So yesterday I picked up my first bike, a Z650 RS in green...as much as I'd have loved a 900 I thought for my first I'd stick with something a bit smaller/manageable.

I did 130 miles on Kermit yesterday after picking him up, lovely to get an average of 67 mpg vs the TVRs 20! Rides really nicely and feels great to have got rid of the high vis and the L plates. Gave him a good polish when I'd finished playing, there seems to be a lot of oil fling from the chain on the rear wheel - I'm guessing they put too much on? Given it'll just be dry riding for now, I assume like my pedal bike a dry lube is best?





And most importantly he fits in the garage!

I have to put my bike in the garage in the same fashion which involves a fair bit of manipulation. How is it to handle to get into that position?

[Benjy911]

deebs said:

I have to put my bike in the garage in the same fashion which involves a fair bit of manipulation. How is it to handle to get into that position?

It wasn't too bad, provided it went in with the back wheel first, then it's just a bit of backwards and forwards.

What I did find though is the lean of the bike and it's rather large mirrors meant the car had to be back further for the bike to clear the door, so I bought https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

Great for maintenance and it also means now, if I go in forwards, I can lift the back up and slide it round.

[Caddyshack]

Benjy911 said:

deebs said:

I have to put my bike in the garage in the same fashion which involves a fair bit of manipulation. How is it to handle to get into that position?

It wasn't too bad, provided it went in with the back wheel first, then it's just a bit of backwards and forwards.

What I did find though is the lean of the bike and it's rather large mirrors meant the car had to be back further for the bike to clear the door, so I bought https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

Great for maintenance and it also means now, if I go in forwards, I can lift the back up and slide it round.

That looks a brilliant idea.

[Bungleaio]

HybridTheory said:

Try to pass both first time as it's a bit of a money pit otherwise!

It's not cheap after you pass either

[Caddyshack]

Bungleaio said:

HybridTheory said:

Try to pass both first time as it's a bit of a money pit otherwise!

It's not cheap after you pass either

I have always tried to pass every test first time….I imagine everyone does?

[Bairn]

Finally can join this thread....
Failed my MOD1 first time around, but passed it yesterday.
Now looking onto MOD2 and finally chosing a bike.
Honda Hornet looking like a favorite at the moment suppose just a bit concerned that I get the Hornet and after a few months get bored with it.... time will tell. I have never bought anything brand new, but bike prices holding as well as they do and a manufacturer warranty with a new bike it kind of makes sense to go new........ I think.