Discussion
Having made up my mind to finally do a direct access course this summer, I've naturally been thinking alot about a first bike, but am trying to gather as many recommendations as possible.
The bike I would dearly love is a Triumph Speed Triple, but suspect that this is too much to start off with, even if I'm an experienced driver (34 yo, 17 years driving) who's not going to behave like some acne ridden lunatic chav! What do people think? Any advice greatly appreciated! :)
The bike I would dearly love is a Triumph Speed Triple, but suspect that this is too much to start off with, even if I'm an experienced driver (34 yo, 17 years driving) who's not going to behave like some acne ridden lunatic chav! What do people think? Any advice greatly appreciated! :)
Mate, you clearly havn't got the mindset of kid who's gonna be throttle happy or do something idiotic.
My advice would be to get what you like and want & then take it easy & ride it carefully to build up your confidence & experience.
To be honest, the kind of mistakes or errors a new (but careful) rider is going to make will not be altered by choosing a 600cc bike over another - it's mostly observational stuff & defensive riding that can only be learned over time - you can speed up the process by getting yourself on some advanced skills training courses pretty sharpish & reading some roadcraft books.
My advice would be to get what you like and want & then take it easy & ride it carefully to build up your confidence & experience.
To be honest, the kind of mistakes or errors a new (but careful) rider is going to make will not be altered by choosing a 600cc bike over another - it's mostly observational stuff & defensive riding that can only be learned over time - you can speed up the process by getting yourself on some advanced skills training courses pretty sharpish & reading some roadcraft books.
As long as you maintian the level of respect for the bike and realism about your ability level you can ride the speed triple in exact;y the same way you would a lesser bike.
I thought like you and bought a lesser bike for my first one and always regretted it as I realized that no matter how much power I had i would not overuse it.
get the triumph!
I thought like you and bought a lesser bike for my first one and always regretted it as I realized that no matter how much power I had i would not overuse it.
get the triumph!
Cheers very much guys! 
This is what I've been thinking; I could get Fazer 600 or a Hornet, but great bikes though I'd heard they are, I have a feeling that I'd end up wanting to trade it in before very long at all for the Triumph anyway!
One of the reasons I like the Triumph so much; apart from the looks, I reckon an unfaired bike will tend to naturally limit some temptations because of feeling the speed more, and while I would like a sports bike at sometime in the future, I definitely reckon thats one to build up to!
blindswelledrat said:
I thought like you and bought a lesser bike for my first one and always regretted it as I realized that no matter how much power I had i would not overuse
This is what I've been thinking; I could get Fazer 600 or a Hornet, but great bikes though I'd heard they are, I have a feeling that I'd end up wanting to trade it in before very long at all for the Triumph anyway!
Davel said:
The only think that I think I'd advise against, at first, is an out and out sportsbike, which could possibly get you into trouble very quickly.
One of the reasons I like the Triumph so much; apart from the looks, I reckon an unfaired bike will tend to naturally limit some temptations because of feeling the speed more, and while I would like a sports bike at sometime in the future, I definitely reckon thats one to build up to!
600s are great first bikes since they go pretty damn fast when you wind them up but at low revs you won't have enough torque to get you into trouble whilst you pootle through town.
Probably be a lot cheaper for you to insure, too.
Have you had a quote for the triple? That might make your mind up.
Probably be a lot cheaper for you to insure, too.
Have you had a quote for the triple? That might make your mind up.
I've been thinking about a Suzuki DL650 (wee-strom) as my first (for about 25 years) but the dealer suggested I also have a try of a bandit 1200. Not done it yet but it's a similar argument, we're grown ups who can work out that you don't need it screwed to the stop all the time. If you've ridden one without frightening yourself by feeling overpowered then why not go for it?
blindswelledrat said:
I thought like you and bought a lesser bike for my first one and always regretted it as I realized that no matter how much power I had i would not overuse it.
I got a too sporty machine too quickly and went backwards. I bought an rd350 after my test and within a few months I'd traded it against a zxr750. I found it really hard work and did b*gger all miles for the 2 years I had it and then sold it to buy a thundercat. I then did a load more miles and worked forwards again with a lot more confidence. I think the low down stance of the zxr made it more difficult for a novice and when I've ridden mates bikes with high bars they were much easier to ride. The thundercat had a much more upright stance and that gave me confidence (I believe). Don't dwell on the power the bike makes, test drive the bike and see if you feel in control or whether you feel intimidated.
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Thursday 9th June 16:24
AlexH said:
The bike I would dearly love is a Triumph Speed Triple
If you like it, go for it. The new one is great looking IMO and the 1050 engine is a belter. The engine is very smooth and shouldn't really be a problem for a new biker. I only had 300 miles under my belt when I bought the Sprint.
Fats25 said:
I thought like you and bought a lesser bike for my first one and always regretted it as I realized that no matter how much power I had i would not overuse it.
Out of interest what bike did you get?
wanted afireblade- bought a thundercat out of fear. I bought a fireblade a year later and was never a good enough rider to justify the power but it didnt matter as i loved the bike and could ride it as quickly or slowly as i felt comfortable
AlexH said:
...not going to behave like some acne ridden lunatic..
Is that not the whole point of big motorcycles?
Oh and whilst I largely agree with Kitty, even with the most caution in the world, you will occasionally get a bit hamfisted - giving it too much welly on cold tyres, on say, a Bandit 600, is going to get you into far less trouble than something with lots of power. I learned this lesson when I upgraded to a ZX7R and gave it 'johnny large potatoes' on cold tyres - back stepped right out and I ended up fishtailing down the road! Luckily it sorted itself out and I continued unharmed.
A Speed Trifle would make a good first bike I would think. As mentioned the upright riding position will be better than a sports bike. My best mate now owns my old Bandit 6 and it's perfect for him to cut his teeth on. He rode my 7R the other day and hated it!
s2rr kitty said:
To be honest, the kind of mistakes or errors a new (but careful) rider is going to make will not be altered by choosing a 600cc bike over another - it's mostly observational stuff & defensive riding that can only be learned over time - you can speed up the process by getting yourself on some advanced skills training courses pretty sharpish & reading some roadcraft books.
Examples of some of the very finest advanced trainers in the country for ya:
www.rapidtraining.co.uk/e/course.htm (Rapid train train all the journalists from MCN, Bike, Ride and PB.)
www.advanced-motorcycle-training.co.uk/ (do a 6h "intro advanced" day, which is a great starter for newbies, as I can testify.)
www.reduceroadrisk.co.uk/macriders.asp (have a special insurance deal thingy)
Cheers
I dont know how tall you are but if your a bit of a short arse I recommend the Honda Hornet. I passed a wee while back and have been riding one of these, its really easy and smooth for slow town riding yet when you wind it on it goes more than fast enough (for me - although I guess in the big bike scheme of things its not really that fast) I also test rode an SV but didn't find it quite as easy to pootle around on as the Hornet
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