What to choose on my return?
Discussion
Newbie here, so apologies in advance if I get any of the etiquette wrong 
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After a two year lay off following an accident I'm looking to get back on two wheels. Options that put too much strain on my wrist are out of contention, but I'd still like to get a sports orientated machine. Does anyone have any suggestions?
. After a two year lay off following an accident I'm looking to get back on two wheels. Options that put too much strain on my wrist are out of contention, but I'd still like to get a sports orientated machine. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Some of the more upright machines would suit, then. There's a fair range, you could try anything from the Fazers/Hornets, through factory streetfighters like the Speed Triple/Speed Four/z1000, to sports tourers like the Blackbird. It might even be worth looking at the trail bikes - BMW1100GS, Tiger, Africa Twin and the like.
Can you give us any more clues
Can you give us any more clues
I'll get the hang of how to ask for advice at some point
What lies behind it is that my left arm was pretty much destroyed in the accident and it's taken until now to get some strength back, not to mention the all clear from the consultant to be able to get myself insured.
I've tried an 04 cbr 600rr and 04 r6 for size and they both seemed to place a fair bit of stress on my wrist, although I'm thinking that would be aleviated once on the move?
I'm not so sure confidence wise about too big a machine at this stage, plus the insurance is going to be bit of a bugger, so was leaning toward fazer/hornet 600's? I hadn't considered a trail style machine, having never had the experience of riding one, but I've always liked the look of them.
Not having ridden many different types of bike I suppose I was looking to gauge how other people found their bikes? It's a bugger trying to get test rides and this seemed the perfect place to seek decent opinion and not sales patter.
Part of me needs something that's going to help re-build my confidence. Looking at the bikes I've owned. I loved the VFR, but done that now. The duke did nothing but put a grin on my face and I really enjoyed the way it made its power, especially out of corners, but couldn't consider its riding position now.
Straight line speed is not where I'm at, more of a curves man myself.
I'm happy to consider a different type of ride if it brings me lots of fun?
Thoughts anyone?
What lies behind it is that my left arm was pretty much destroyed in the accident and it's taken until now to get some strength back, not to mention the all clear from the consultant to be able to get myself insured.
I've tried an 04 cbr 600rr and 04 r6 for size and they both seemed to place a fair bit of stress on my wrist, although I'm thinking that would be aleviated once on the move?
I'm not so sure confidence wise about too big a machine at this stage, plus the insurance is going to be bit of a bugger, so was leaning toward fazer/hornet 600's? I hadn't considered a trail style machine, having never had the experience of riding one, but I've always liked the look of them.
Not having ridden many different types of bike I suppose I was looking to gauge how other people found their bikes? It's a bugger trying to get test rides and this seemed the perfect place to seek decent opinion and not sales patter.
Part of me needs something that's going to help re-build my confidence. Looking at the bikes I've owned. I loved the VFR, but done that now. The duke did nothing but put a grin on my face and I really enjoyed the way it made its power, especially out of corners, but couldn't consider its riding position now.
Straight line speed is not where I'm at, more of a curves man myself.
I'm happy to consider a different type of ride if it brings me lots of fun?
Thoughts anyone?
The problem with this sort of thread is that we all have very different ideas about what a bike should look like, perform like and cost.
The best thing you can do is set aside a weekend, line up some dealers and go out and ride as many bikes as possible. You may find that you fall in love with something you otherwise wouldn't even have considered.
The best thing you can do is set aside a weekend, line up some dealers and go out and ride as many bikes as possible. You may find that you fall in love with something you otherwise wouldn't even have considered.
You're quite right - Such a broad question leaves itself open to a lt of subjectivity.
When I can find the time I'll try and get a few weekends when I can get out and about looking seriously for a bike.
I do like the thought of a traily now though, so will spend some time trying to line up some test rides.
cheers - adie
When I can find the time I'll try and get a few weekends when I can get out and about looking seriously for a bike.
I do like the thought of a traily now though, so will spend some time trying to line up some test rides.
cheers - adie
If strength is an issue, it's always worth going for bikes with bars rather than clip-ons. These both elevate your hand position and since they are wider than clip-ons, give you more leverage.
While I'm biased (I have one and love it), i would recommend you put a Speed Triple on your test ride list as it has the straight bars, with the same suspension and handling as the Triumph Daytona sportsbike, and a great-sounding triple engine.
While I'm biased (I have one and love it), i would recommend you put a Speed Triple on your test ride list as it has the straight bars, with the same suspension and handling as the Triumph Daytona sportsbike, and a great-sounding triple engine.
Welcome to PH by the way
I ride a 2001 Y plate bandit 600 S and find the riding position great, good for town riding, ok for the lanes and good for long-ish rides but I'm not bias in any way 
Yep Multistrada but it's 1000 cc, although they plan to release smaller engine version(s) I believe.
If you want something trial like and 600-650'ish, you might try the BMW 650 GS, which will chug along all day at decent speeds. You could also consider a Transalp or Africa-Twin type.
If you want something trial like and 600-650'ish, you might try the BMW 650 GS, which will chug along all day at decent speeds. You could also consider a Transalp or Africa-Twin type.
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