First big bike help
Discussion
Good Evening all
Looking to get my first road bike.
Little bit of info - I have had crossers/trials bikes for year and I'm now the ripe ole age of 33.
All my mates have always had bikes and I have been well into my cars so Escort Cossy, M3s, Evos, Imprezas, Caterham, A class AMG, Porsches etc now I'm settled with the Porsche in the garage and the wife has a 2016 RR Sport in white.
Done my theory last week, CBT today and doing some lessons and have been advised I will be good for my test next month
Anyway I am wanting a bike now for when I pass and have it narrowed down to
KTM Duke 690 (2008 654)
Honda Hornet (2008)
Suzuki Gladius 650
Kawasaki Z750
Kawasaki ER6N
I really like how the Duke looks and have sat on one and it seems good. And for my first road bike I don't want to spend over £3-4k
I did have my heart set on a CBR600RR but after having a wee sit on one it's not for me.
1 thing I learnt today was you feel so much more vunerable than been in the car or even on the road legal quad, but I really enjoyed it even tho I was on a wee 125.
I live up in the Black Isle just north of Inverness so have loads of nice roads to ride on.
Thanks in advance
Looking to get my first road bike.
Little bit of info - I have had crossers/trials bikes for year and I'm now the ripe ole age of 33.
All my mates have always had bikes and I have been well into my cars so Escort Cossy, M3s, Evos, Imprezas, Caterham, A class AMG, Porsches etc now I'm settled with the Porsche in the garage and the wife has a 2016 RR Sport in white.
Done my theory last week, CBT today and doing some lessons and have been advised I will be good for my test next month
Anyway I am wanting a bike now for when I pass and have it narrowed down to
KTM Duke 690 (2008 654)
Honda Hornet (2008)
Suzuki Gladius 650
Kawasaki Z750
Kawasaki ER6N
I really like how the Duke looks and have sat on one and it seems good. And for my first road bike I don't want to spend over £3-4k
I did have my heart set on a CBR600RR but after having a wee sit on one it's not for me.
1 thing I learnt today was you feel so much more vunerable than been in the car or even on the road legal quad, but I really enjoyed it even tho I was on a wee 125.
I live up in the Black Isle just north of Inverness so have loads of nice roads to ride on.
Thanks in advance
myvision said:
From your list I'd go for the Hornet.
I'm biased though as that's what I picked for my first bike you won't go wrong with the Hornet though.
I've not sat on one or that just read loads of reviews and the Hondas seem good.I'm biased though as that's what I picked for my first bike you won't go wrong with the Hornet though.
What's it like for sitting at 70mph?
Can't get away from the KTM tho it looks good.
Why a 600/650, I just want to get more experience, I have a 450 crosser for offroad and would like something with a wee bit more power so 650 seems to be the ticket.
Going to be doing my lessons on a Honda CB650 I think.
Don't worry about it for now. Get your DAS done then work it out. There's no right or wrong answer for what to get, just get what you want. I bought an mt07 after passing then swapped that for a street triple 765 RS after less than 1k miles. 10k miles and just over a year later on the street and I'm still loving it.
Welcome to the world of bikes!
Welcome to the world of bikes!
For a first bike, I'd probably get something that you'd expect to drop, and with a value that you don't have to worry too much about. That way you can just get on and enjoy riding it without having to worry too much about it.
Tbh you're probably right not going for the 600RR for the first bike as it's a proper sports bike with similar power to an early 90s 1000cc sports bike. I think you probably realised that though from what you've said based on when you sat on it.
After that, it kinda depends on what sort of riding you want to be doing, and also to consider what your maintenance options are. Do you want a faired or a naked bike?
A good and more sensible alternative to the CBR600RR would be something like the cbr600f or perhaps a vfr 750 or vfr 800.
Don't get too hung up on cc. There's some 600cc bikes that would be way less forgiving than some larger cc bikes. Other thing to bear in mind though is if you're going for a 650cc, you'll end up having to pay more in tax than if you went for a "600cc" (599cc or similar).
One example would be that the ER6N has just over half the power of the CBR600RR you had your heart set on.
Tbh you're probably right not going for the 600RR for the first bike as it's a proper sports bike with similar power to an early 90s 1000cc sports bike. I think you probably realised that though from what you've said based on when you sat on it.
After that, it kinda depends on what sort of riding you want to be doing, and also to consider what your maintenance options are. Do you want a faired or a naked bike?
A good and more sensible alternative to the CBR600RR would be something like the cbr600f or perhaps a vfr 750 or vfr 800.
Don't get too hung up on cc. There's some 600cc bikes that would be way less forgiving than some larger cc bikes. Other thing to bear in mind though is if you're going for a 650cc, you'll end up having to pay more in tax than if you went for a "600cc" (599cc or similar).
One example would be that the ER6N has just over half the power of the CBR600RR you had your heart set on.
Edited by bluezedd on Sunday 26th May 20:52
I know what you mean.
Type of riding - Quite alot of B roads, will only be using the bike at weekends or evenings when the wife is busy or my mates free.
Just not sure, the ones above I love. The MT07 is gorgeous but dont want to spend that much for a first bike if that makes sense.
I'm very hands on and will do my maintenance myself.
Looking forward to my lessons next weekend. I'm not in a mad rush at all just so many choices.
Just looking for something that's not too large in size, quite nippy, ABS would be handy, electric start.
I didn't originally want a KTM EXC which is more trail/MX but decided against it, not many places to ride anymore.
Type of riding - Quite alot of B roads, will only be using the bike at weekends or evenings when the wife is busy or my mates free.
Just not sure, the ones above I love. The MT07 is gorgeous but dont want to spend that much for a first bike if that makes sense.
I'm very hands on and will do my maintenance myself.
Looking forward to my lessons next weekend. I'm not in a mad rush at all just so many choices.
Just looking for something that's not too large in size, quite nippy, ABS would be handy, electric start.
I didn't originally want a KTM EXC which is more trail/MX but decided against it, not many places to ride anymore.
As above, wait until DAS is passed. You'll get a chance on a bigger bike then and might like it. I learned on a CB650F and it was a brilliant beginner bike which effected what I bought in the end.
Things that come to mind are;
- SV650 (includes gladius)
- Gsr600 (my first & current bike, feels ballistic to me but I doubt I'll keep it past this year. Cheapest to insure that I could find above 500cc).
- Hornet
- Bandit
- ER6
Buy it in the knowledge you might sell it in one years time and you won't be disappointed.
Things that come to mind are;
- SV650 (includes gladius)
- Gsr600 (my first & current bike, feels ballistic to me but I doubt I'll keep it past this year. Cheapest to insure that I could find above 500cc).
- Hornet
- Bandit
- ER6
Buy it in the knowledge you might sell it in one years time and you won't be disappointed.
£3k to £4K will get you a new generation SV650.
I’ve had a tuono v twin 1000, gsxr 750, street triple 765 rs and recently got the SV.
It’s a cracking bike. So friendly to ride but fast enough.
Really cheap to insure and run generally. I’ve partly got it because of the (back) roads I ride on now but I’ve done some 40 mile m way journeys on it and the limit is how fast you want to risk going and nothing to do with comfort or capability of the bike. You can sit at 85 comfortably and get 60+ mpg doing so.
It’s only got a 14l tank but the range is an easy 150+ even ragging it.
They also have a reputation for being bullet proof.
I’ve had a tuono v twin 1000, gsxr 750, street triple 765 rs and recently got the SV.
It’s a cracking bike. So friendly to ride but fast enough.
Really cheap to insure and run generally. I’ve partly got it because of the (back) roads I ride on now but I’ve done some 40 mile m way journeys on it and the limit is how fast you want to risk going and nothing to do with comfort or capability of the bike. You can sit at 85 comfortably and get 60+ mpg doing so.
It’s only got a 14l tank but the range is an easy 150+ even ragging it.
They also have a reputation for being bullet proof.
Ho Lee Kau said:
Triumph Street Triple 765 RS.
or 765 R
or 675 R (second hand)
Besides not being in budget the 765 rs would be the worst newbie bike I can imagine.or 765 R
or 675 R (second hand)
My first bike was a tuono v twin and I got a 765 rs after 10 years riding and didn’t like it. It was exciting but in a Jesus this feels dangerous kind of way. Going at 70 mph down some of my favourite roads felt like doing double that on the other bikes I’ve owned. That may be a plus for some people but I didn’t like it at all. Shortest I’ve kept any bike and I just didn’t feel like riding it.
trickywoo said:
Besides not being in budget the 765 rs would be the worst newbie bike I can imagine.
My first bike was a tuono v twin and I got a 765 rs after 10 years riding and didn’t like it. It was exciting but in a Jesus this feels dangerous kind of way. Going at 70 mph down some of my favourite roads felt like doing double that on the other bikes I’ve owned. That may be a plus for some people but I didn’t like it at all. Shortest I’ve kept any bike and I just didn’t feel like riding it.
I love my 765rs, I’d only done 900 miles since passing my test too. It does need respect but any bike needs that. I’m going to keep mine until the end of the year then look at moving onto something like a z1000sx. My first bike was a tuono v twin and I got a 765 rs after 10 years riding and didn’t like it. It was exciting but in a Jesus this feels dangerous kind of way. Going at 70 mph down some of my favourite roads felt like doing double that on the other bikes I’ve owned. That may be a plus for some people but I didn’t like it at all. Shortest I’ve kept any bike and I just didn’t feel like riding it.
Servicing isn’t cheap though, £80 at 600 miles, £180 at 6000 and over £500 at 12000.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I found it way too hard and flighty. I played with the settings and couldn’t get it anywhere near to my liking.My favourite roads are quite bumpy but not being able to see due to vibration and getting the wind knocked out of you on bumps that other bikes soak up was way too much for me.
I don’t think the factory supercorsas helped the too light flighty feel. I also didn’t like the clutch biting point being miles from the bar and it rattled like a Ducati dry clutch. The qs also wasn’t as good as a £200 one I had on my gsxr.
Looking past the high end components (brembo and ohlins) bolted to it the build quality and design was poor. There was quite a bit of galvanic corrosion on my 18 month old one and the fittings had a cheap look and feel to them.
I also wasn’t impressed with the main dealer. Overall I had no confidence in how it rode or for how long it would run without problems arising.
My bike before the 765 was a 35k mile k4 gsxr 750 which had way more ride and build integrity. It also had way more top end and made the 765 feel like a commuter 500.
Being fair I think I may have got a bit of a lemon 765 but it was a 3k mile main dealer example so if it was that isn’t great by itself.
Being above Inverness, you'll have the same problems as I have in West Cornwall, a lack of local dealers who know the ins-and-outs of a particular brand but if you can twiddle a spanner then it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
From your list, I'd probably go for the Z750 / Hornet from looks alone then it's just finding a good example.
As the usual suspects are being rolled out as alternatives, I'd add the Ducati Monster as £3-4k will get you an S2r, 696 and probably more (but then I may be somewhat biased
)
From your list, I'd probably go for the Z750 / Hornet from looks alone then it's just finding a good example.
As the usual suspects are being rolled out as alternatives, I'd add the Ducati Monster as £3-4k will get you an S2r, 696 and probably more (but then I may be somewhat biased
)Just sold my 2011 Hornet which was my first bike. The 07-13 Hornet has the 600RR engine, so noticeably quicker than the likes of the ER6 and MT07 etc. Was a great bike and I wasn’t bored of it after 18 months. They are also bulletproof and keep their value well. Over 18 months it cost me £200 and a set of tyres.
I did my DAS on an ER6 and have ridden my mates MT07, very different power delivery to the 4 cylinder Honda so maybe test ride a few and see which you prefer.
I did my DAS on an ER6 and have ridden my mates MT07, very different power delivery to the 4 cylinder Honda so maybe test ride a few and see which you prefer.
I'm biased here but would recommend a Hornet. I had one as my first big bike and couldn't fault it.
It has the same engine as the 600RR but detuned. Relatively cheap to run. You should easily be able to get a nice example within your budget. I was recently looking to get another bike and ended up with a 2011 Hornet.
It has the same engine as the 600RR but detuned. Relatively cheap to run. You should easily be able to get a nice example within your budget. I was recently looking to get another bike and ended up with a 2011 Hornet.
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