First sports bike
Discussion
First post on this forum so, hello!
Now to my questions, apologies if it has been asked over again - I did check but could'nt find anything obvious!
I'm doing my DAS in two weeks, and hopefully all will go well - I'm most concerned about the flippin theory test which is on Tuesday...! Anyway once it is sorted I'm looking to get a bike and I am looking for advice as to what to get.
First up new or used? I'm thinking used as I am bound to drop it at some point and I'd be less gutted (but still gutted!) at dropping a used bike than a brand new one - what do you reckon? If so private or dealer...
Second, what to get? Budget wise I could probably go to 7 grand so that seems to open up a pretty wide range of bikes. I've been and looked at a few. The R6 I thought looked brilliant but was quite small size wise (I'm 6 ft and 12 st) and I'm not sure I could get really comfortable on it. Honda CBR 600F was nice and the dealer was pushing toward the 600RR which also looked and felt nice! What do people think about this as a first bike? I have also been thinking of a RVF400 which gets top reviews but I have yet to go and look at one. This seems to get mentioned as first bike material but I don't want anything that I am going to grow out of quickly... Any advice will be well received!
Insurance... How easy is this to get? I am 34 had a full drivers licence since I was 17 and it is clean etc. The bike will be garaged but I am thinking of using it a lot as I only have a 10 mile run into work through Oxford Traffic. Yamaha were / are offering free TPFT insurance on the R6, I would rather have fully comp but they said pay the difference and no probs...!
Finally I am budgeting a grand for leathers, helmet, gloves, boots etc is this realistic?
Any advice will be trult appreciated! Go easy if soem of these questions are numptie!!!!
Now to my questions, apologies if it has been asked over again - I did check but could'nt find anything obvious!
I'm doing my DAS in two weeks, and hopefully all will go well - I'm most concerned about the flippin theory test which is on Tuesday...! Anyway once it is sorted I'm looking to get a bike and I am looking for advice as to what to get.
First up new or used? I'm thinking used as I am bound to drop it at some point and I'd be less gutted (but still gutted!) at dropping a used bike than a brand new one - what do you reckon? If so private or dealer...
Second, what to get? Budget wise I could probably go to 7 grand so that seems to open up a pretty wide range of bikes. I've been and looked at a few. The R6 I thought looked brilliant but was quite small size wise (I'm 6 ft and 12 st) and I'm not sure I could get really comfortable on it. Honda CBR 600F was nice and the dealer was pushing toward the 600RR which also looked and felt nice! What do people think about this as a first bike? I have also been thinking of a RVF400 which gets top reviews but I have yet to go and look at one. This seems to get mentioned as first bike material but I don't want anything that I am going to grow out of quickly... Any advice will be well received!
Insurance... How easy is this to get? I am 34 had a full drivers licence since I was 17 and it is clean etc. The bike will be garaged but I am thinking of using it a lot as I only have a 10 mile run into work through Oxford Traffic. Yamaha were / are offering free TPFT insurance on the R6, I would rather have fully comp but they said pay the difference and no probs...!
Finally I am budgeting a grand for leathers, helmet, gloves, boots etc is this realistic?
Any advice will be trult appreciated! Go easy if soem of these questions are numptie!!!!
Hi mate,
A grand for gear is realistic.
First bike - well I bought a Bandit 600 - none of that expensive fairing to replace if i drop it, and its nice and easy to learn on, but still quite quick. I would think that an R6 might not be the best first bike? Ill let someone who knows more than I do post a fuller reply.
A grand for gear is realistic.
First bike - well I bought a Bandit 600 - none of that expensive fairing to replace if i drop it, and its nice and easy to learn on, but still quite quick. I would think that an R6 might not be the best first bike? Ill let someone who knows more than I do post a fuller reply.
Hi mate,
You are roughly the doing same As I did around 2 years ago same age etc and experience.
1K for kit is about what I spent.
If you want a sports bike go for it. I bought a GSXR750 as my first bike second hand private sale and loved it.
CBR600. gsxr600. zx6 or 750 is fine for a first bike in my opinion dont get a 1000 though
Thundercat would prbably also be a good choice for a first bike.
I have riden a CBR 6 and can say they are a piece of P*** to ride.
Suzuki sv's always get a good write up as do bandits if you dont want the full race rep.
You are roughly the doing same As I did around 2 years ago same age etc and experience.
1K for kit is about what I spent.
If you want a sports bike go for it. I bought a GSXR750 as my first bike second hand private sale and loved it.
CBR600. gsxr600. zx6 or 750 is fine for a first bike in my opinion dont get a 1000 though
Thundercat would prbably also be a good choice for a first bike. I have riden a CBR 6 and can say they are a piece of P*** to ride.
Suzuki sv's always get a good write up as do bandits if you dont want the full race rep.
What about a Hyabusa?
But seriously, get a 600. They are flexible enough to grow with your skill and fast as feck once you know what you're doing.
Just test ride a few and bear in mind that with the exception of the 600RR which seems to demand premium money, you can get any of the 600 sports pack for around £6k brand new.
I'd suggest a two year old Kawasaki ZX-6R. Fast as any of the others but comfortable and easy to ride. Should set you back less than £4K.
BTW When you've been camping, have you ever got up in the middle of the night and forgotten your tent is on top of the Landdie?
But seriously, get a 600. They are flexible enough to grow with your skill and fast as feck once you know what you're doing.
Just test ride a few and bear in mind that with the exception of the 600RR which seems to demand premium money, you can get any of the 600 sports pack for around £6k brand new.
I'd suggest a two year old Kawasaki ZX-6R. Fast as any of the others but comfortable and easy to ride. Should set you back less than £4K.
BTW When you've been camping, have you ever got up in the middle of the night and forgotten your tent is on top of the Landdie?
Well on kit £1k should be enough - good helmet between £200-300, Boots £100-150, Gloves £50-100 and two piece leathers - £350-500. Clearly you can spend up to £2k if you want with custom fit leathers from BKS for £1250, but at this stage I would just get basic leathers with EC approved armour that fit ok but don't skimp on the helmet, boots and gloves.
As for the bike I'd think about that after you've done DAS. Buying second hand from a dealer may give you most peace of mind but having said that I rode away on a brand new VFR 750 after I passed my test. First thing is to find a bike you like riding.
With the benefit of hindsight the first thing I'd do after passing my test is go and get advanced training. DAS just tells you how to pass your test. It doesn't make you into a fully aware biker. A cheap way to do it is to sign on with your local IAM group - for 1 to 1 tuition and the test you pay £85 all in. Contrary to popular belief there are sportsbike riders in the IAM and they don't all smoke pipes and ride Beemers. they do tend to be a bit strict about observing the 30, 40 and 50 limits (probably a good idea in any case for licence preservation purposes) but do exercise their discretion in the NSLs (but without going stupid). For a link to the IAM click on:
www.iam.org.uk
If you want serious advanced training then look no further than:
www.rapidtraining.co.uk
Finally when you get your bike try a few track days - you will get a far clearer idea about the capabilities of your bike than you ever will on the road, and in much safer conditions.
As for the bike I'd think about that after you've done DAS. Buying second hand from a dealer may give you most peace of mind but having said that I rode away on a brand new VFR 750 after I passed my test. First thing is to find a bike you like riding.
With the benefit of hindsight the first thing I'd do after passing my test is go and get advanced training. DAS just tells you how to pass your test. It doesn't make you into a fully aware biker. A cheap way to do it is to sign on with your local IAM group - for 1 to 1 tuition and the test you pay £85 all in. Contrary to popular belief there are sportsbike riders in the IAM and they don't all smoke pipes and ride Beemers. they do tend to be a bit strict about observing the 30, 40 and 50 limits (probably a good idea in any case for licence preservation purposes) but do exercise their discretion in the NSLs (but without going stupid). For a link to the IAM click on:
www.iam.org.uk
If you want serious advanced training then look no further than:
www.rapidtraining.co.uk
Finally when you get your bike try a few track days - you will get a far clearer idea about the capabilities of your bike than you ever will on the road, and in much safer conditions.
just one more thing.
Sports bikes are nothing like the thing you learnt/learning to ride on.
The first time I got on my first bike and tried to turn a corner I went strieght on they dont turn or handle anything like a gs500 or whatever your taking the test on. so be careful It will feel very very odd.
oh and read about target fixation and counter steering have fun.
Sports bikes are nothing like the thing you learnt/learning to ride on.
The first time I got on my first bike and tried to turn a corner I went strieght on
they dont turn or handle anything like a gs500 or whatever your taking the test on. so be careful It will feel very very odd. oh and read about target fixation and counter steering have fun.
And buy Roadcraft from HMSO - this is the Police Motorcycle handbook and although written in a rather stilted manner it does contain lots of useful tips. Also this months Bike amgazine has a very good article by Gary Baldwin from Rapid Training (he's a serving Police Officer and biker who is into accident investigation) which analyses all the typical biker accidents with good tips on how to avoid getting into the same predicament.
about - go for it!Cheers guys, all good stuff! I guess get the test passed and then go for it! Track day would be nice, done plenty in cars - not the landy! But would be interesting on a bike!!!!
As for the tent on the roof... Not fallen out yet but it is amazing - people route past you in camp sites to look at it - mad!
As for the tent on the roof... Not fallen out yet but it is amazing - people route past you in camp sites to look at it - mad!
only kidding great Bikes and very similiar with the CBR6 can be forgiving to Beginners. I was in exactly the same situation as you about 2 years ago too.
First, I'd be tempted to say pay for as good a quality helmet as possible. (Can't remember who said it, but "go buy a 10 dollar hat if you've only gota 10 dollar head".) I went down the Arai RX7 - didn't know what one was at the time, but everyone told me it was the best lid to get (and one of the most immediately recognisable too!)
Second, don't go over the top with your first leathers/kit. Chances are after your first season, you'll have a different perspective of what you want - 1 piece against 2 piece etc. Just make sure it's got all the armour in all the right places.
Third, bike choice is totally up to you as its all down to subjective preferences. CBR6's are bullet proof, but R6's have a bit more panache and both are pretty equally matched. (Haven't driven anything else in that bracket).
Based on your budget, I would recommend buying your first bike second hand from a dealer. 5k will get you a reasonably recent model. Chances are you'll do exactly what I did and graduate upto a brand new 1 litre bike before your first 12 months are up.
I was so nervous about driving my own first bike off the forecourt. I shouldn't have been, it was far easier to ride then anything I'd ridden on my direct access course.
Hope this has helped, all the above are my own opinions.
First, I'd be tempted to say pay for as good a quality helmet as possible. (Can't remember who said it, but "go buy a 10 dollar hat if you've only gota 10 dollar head".) I went down the Arai RX7 - didn't know what one was at the time, but everyone told me it was the best lid to get (and one of the most immediately recognisable too!)
Second, don't go over the top with your first leathers/kit. Chances are after your first season, you'll have a different perspective of what you want - 1 piece against 2 piece etc. Just make sure it's got all the armour in all the right places.
Third, bike choice is totally up to you as its all down to subjective preferences. CBR6's are bullet proof, but R6's have a bit more panache and both are pretty equally matched. (Haven't driven anything else in that bracket).
Based on your budget, I would recommend buying your first bike second hand from a dealer. 5k will get you a reasonably recent model. Chances are you'll do exactly what I did and graduate upto a brand new 1 litre bike before your first 12 months are up.
I was so nervous about driving my own first bike off the forecourt. I shouldn't have been, it was far easier to ride then anything I'd ridden on my direct access course.
Hope this has helped, all the above are my own opinions.
For kit, get yourself down to Hein Gericke - i paid;
2 piece leathers - £300
Gloves £70
AGV Helmet £150
Gaerne boots £140
Hiprotec back protector £60
If you don't fancy the power ranger look, www.hoodjeans.co.uk (i think) do normal jeans with kevlar lining and Knox armour in the knees and hips.
2 piece leathers - £300
Gloves £70
AGV Helmet £150
Gaerne boots £140
Hiprotec back protector £60
If you don't fancy the power ranger look, www.hoodjeans.co.uk (i think) do normal jeans with kevlar lining and Knox armour in the knees and hips.
Yep! Got it and very useful!
Currently still mid training... Passed the CBT on Friday which was cool. First time ever on a bike and it seemed a pretty steep learning curve but I was there-ish by the end! I need to practice clutch control and slow control more mind you!
But I have a problem... I keep failing the theory test! Sounds stupid but it is the second hazard perception bit I have a problem with. I have got 35 out of 35 on the first bit twice but have failed the next bit twice. I have had someone watch me do dummy tests who says I am spotting the hazards too early !?! and my clicks are not registering! Got it again on Friday but it is getting a bit annoying...
Hopefully if that goes well I have my DAS course on next Tuesday through to Friday.
Currently still mid training... Passed the CBT on Friday which was cool. First time ever on a bike and it seemed a pretty steep learning curve but I was there-ish by the end! I need to practice clutch control and slow control more mind you!
But I have a problem... I keep failing the theory test! Sounds stupid but it is the second hazard perception bit I have a problem with. I have got 35 out of 35 on the first bit twice but have failed the next bit twice. I have had someone watch me do dummy tests who says I am spotting the hazards too early !?! and my clicks are not registering! Got it again on Friday but it is getting a bit annoying...
Hopefully if that goes well I have my DAS course on next Tuesday through to Friday.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff