Advice on buying first motorcycle
Discussion
Hi guys, I've always wanted to ride motorbikes ever since I saw my uncle fall from one when I was a kid. Goes without saying I don't know jack about anything them. I just wanna feel the wind in my hair and face and watch the world go past really fast. Been spending a lot of time looking at bikes on gumtree and junkmail but I really don't know what I should be looking for. I also see almost all the bikes have got carbeurators (sic), isn't that old old tech ? Why don't they have fuel injection ? Isn't that better ?
Almost all of them need to have their carbs set and valve clearances done, what does that mean ? And there are so many types and things, naked bikes, project bikes, cafe racers, cruisers, and what nots. And those short service intervals, what do you need to change on there ?
I'd like to get something cheap, easy to run and ride and easy to mantain for a total newbie. Most of the bikes I see in my price range are from the 80s and 90s and some Big boys and things. I always have this idea of myself zooting along the highways at sinful speeds. Then again I saw a cool looking bike a Sachs Madass. I imagine I can easily do the easy rider life with that. Anyway I really need advice and pointers on this matter before I get suckered. Much obliged for any help.
Almost all of them need to have their carbs set and valve clearances done, what does that mean ? And there are so many types and things, naked bikes, project bikes, cafe racers, cruisers, and what nots. And those short service intervals, what do you need to change on there ?
I'd like to get something cheap, easy to run and ride and easy to mantain for a total newbie. Most of the bikes I see in my price range are from the 80s and 90s and some Big boys and things. I always have this idea of myself zooting along the highways at sinful speeds. Then again I saw a cool looking bike a Sachs Madass. I imagine I can easily do the easy rider life with that. Anyway I really need advice and pointers on this matter before I get suckered. Much obliged for any help.
I started my riding "career" on a suzuki hayabusa. It was a nice comfortable bike and the gentle engine meant I could go through the gears nicely and still have some ample comfortable power for overtaking, even in 6th at 30 mph.
I since upgraded to a suzuki SV650s, which was a monster V-tein, revved very high and was ver light. I had fun, but it was hard work. I went back to a yamaha FZ1, which has the yamaha R1 engine but the handlebars of a motorcross bike. It is not only very fast but excellent at jumps too. It sits between the hayabusa and the sv650s, so it's maybe less learner-friendly than the hayabusa but certainly easier to live with than that manic SV.
I since upgraded to a suzuki SV650s, which was a monster V-tein, revved very high and was ver light. I had fun, but it was hard work. I went back to a yamaha FZ1, which has the yamaha R1 engine but the handlebars of a motorcross bike. It is not only very fast but excellent at jumps too. It sits between the hayabusa and the sv650s, so it's maybe less learner-friendly than the hayabusa but certainly easier to live with than that manic SV.
thatdude said:
I started my riding "career" on a suzuki hayabusa. It was a nice comfortable bike and the gentle engine meant I could go through the gears nicely and still have some ample comfortable power for overtaking, even in 6th at 30 mph.
I since upgraded to a suzuki SV650s, which was a monster V-tein, revved very high and was ver light. I had fun, but it was hard work. I went back to a yamaha FZ1, which has the yamaha R1 engine but the handlebars of a motorcross bike. It is not only very fast but excellent at jumps too. It sits between the hayabusa and the sv650s, so it's maybe less learner-friendly than the hayabusa but certainly easier to live with than that manic SV.
Funniest thing I have read on PH BB for a very long time !!!!I since upgraded to a suzuki SV650s, which was a monster V-tein, revved very high and was ver light. I had fun, but it was hard work. I went back to a yamaha FZ1, which has the yamaha R1 engine but the handlebars of a motorcross bike. It is not only very fast but excellent at jumps too. It sits between the hayabusa and the sv650s, so it's maybe less learner-friendly than the hayabusa but certainly easier to live with than that manic SV.
I suspect that bikes from the 80s and 90s might not be for you (particularly 80s bikes) if you want something easy to maintain, cheap etc
I'd say look at early 2000s for a bike at the earliest and buy on condition.
Something quite common is a good choice too, as there's more likely to be spare parts available from either crashed bikes, or more demand from owners.
Forget valve clearances, carbs etc for now though, and just get your licence.
I'd say look at early 2000s for a bike at the earliest and buy on condition.
Something quite common is a good choice too, as there's more likely to be spare parts available from either crashed bikes, or more demand from owners.
Forget valve clearances, carbs etc for now though, and just get your licence.
Edited by bluezedd on Tuesday 12th November 21:09
dibblecorse said:
Funniest thing I have read on PH BB for a very long time !!!!
What can I say, I know bikes very well. OP, if you really are serious, dont bother with s
t old bikes, get something new. If you really absolutly must indulge in the "old school" look, there;s plenty of modern retro bikes for sale. Ducati have a range, triumph do stuff, yamaha sell the brilliant XSR700. All the goodness of modern stuff without the stness of old stuff. If you want to fall into a coma from boredom, buy a honda. 
dibblecorse said:
thatdude said:
I started my riding "career" on a suzuki hayabusa. It was a nice comfortable bike and the gentle engine meant I could go through the gears nicely and still have some ample comfortable power for overtaking, even in 6th at 30 mph.
I since upgraded to a suzuki SV650s, which was a monster V-tein, revved very high and was ver light. I had fun, but it was hard work. I went back to a yamaha FZ1, which has the yamaha R1 engine but the handlebars of a motorcross bike. It is not only very fast but excellent at jumps too. It sits between the hayabusa and the sv650s, so it's maybe less learner-friendly than the hayabusa but certainly easier to live with than that manic SV.
Funniest thing I have read on PH BB for a very long time !!!!I since upgraded to a suzuki SV650s, which was a monster V-tein, revved very high and was ver light. I had fun, but it was hard work. I went back to a yamaha FZ1, which has the yamaha R1 engine but the handlebars of a motorcross bike. It is not only very fast but excellent at jumps too. It sits between the hayabusa and the sv650s, so it's maybe less learner-friendly than the hayabusa but certainly easier to live with than that manic SV.
The OP was slightly odd too.
Anyway, do your CBT - if you enjoy a 125 then get a full license (no idea how old you are though).
Decide on a style of bike you like but test ride other styles too.
Not all bikes have carbs, in fact, I've never owned a carb'd bike. Early 2000's onwards are mostly fuel injection
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