First “big” bike
Discussion
Hi folks, after years of humming and heying, I’ve finally booked my CBT and theory for June and doing my DAS quickly after.
Looking at what bike I can go for. Looking at 5k max but probably more comfortable with the 3.5-4k mark.
Definitely looking for sports bike and have been recommended various options by mates, R6, CBR600rr etc but although those options sound fun, not sure they are really the best bikes to go for.
So far I’ve looked at,
CBR650f/r
CBR600f
Ninja 650
Yamaha MT 07 (not so sure about this one)
Watched plenty of YouTube vids as well and the CBR’s seem to be strongly recommended.
It will be a weekend toy and doubt I’d ever track it.
I’m 40 so (hopefully) I have got some sense about me though we all know that can leave at times. My main concern is, as per a good few videos, I’ll get bored of the above quickly and will want something more. Ideally, I’d like something I could keep for a number of years and get plenty of fun use out of it.
This may have been asked a lot but I couldn’t find anything from real owners so thought I’d start a new post.
Cheers in advance.
Looking at what bike I can go for. Looking at 5k max but probably more comfortable with the 3.5-4k mark.
Definitely looking for sports bike and have been recommended various options by mates, R6, CBR600rr etc but although those options sound fun, not sure they are really the best bikes to go for.
So far I’ve looked at,
CBR650f/r
CBR600f
Ninja 650
Yamaha MT 07 (not so sure about this one)
Watched plenty of YouTube vids as well and the CBR’s seem to be strongly recommended.
It will be a weekend toy and doubt I’d ever track it.
I’m 40 so (hopefully) I have got some sense about me though we all know that can leave at times. My main concern is, as per a good few videos, I’ll get bored of the above quickly and will want something more. Ideally, I’d like something I could keep for a number of years and get plenty of fun use out of it.
This may have been asked a lot but I couldn’t find anything from real owners so thought I’d start a new post.
Cheers in advance.
Buy the bike you most like the look of.
At that budget, as a new rider, the bike will be far better than you and will make you grin every time you ride it and s
t your pants every time you crack the throttle wide open in 1st and 2nd.
Alternatively, buy a bike for £1500 that you can make much more out of, get closer to the limits of the performance envelope etc and you will become a far better rider as a result.
Keep it a year and then trade up; rinse, repeat etc.
Think Bandit 650, Diversion XJ6 etc.
At that budget, as a new rider, the bike will be far better than you and will make you grin every time you ride it and s
t your pants every time you crack the throttle wide open in 1st and 2nd.Alternatively, buy a bike for £1500 that you can make much more out of, get closer to the limits of the performance envelope etc and you will become a far better rider as a result.
Keep it a year and then trade up; rinse, repeat etc.
Think Bandit 650, Diversion XJ6 etc.
Sv650
If you don’t like the sensible answer up the budget enough to get a S1000RR.
Seriously.
They are easy to ride, comfortable for a sports bike and you won’t get bored of it.
A R6 as a first bike isn’t a good option. Especially at 40. Everyone is different but I had to give up on a gsxr 750 around that age as it was so uncomfortable.
If you don’t like the sensible answer up the budget enough to get a S1000RR.
Seriously.
They are easy to ride, comfortable for a sports bike and you won’t get bored of it.
A R6 as a first bike isn’t a good option. Especially at 40. Everyone is different but I had to give up on a gsxr 750 around that age as it was so uncomfortable.
Having gone straight to a larger bike after passing my test, I would say don’t get a small capacity bike as they’ll get boring quickly. You don’t have to thrash a larger bike so you don’t automatically ride faster just because it’s bigger... but, literally everything on them is better. Better brakes, suspension, power train, seating, etc.
However, my number one rule when buying bikes is don’t listen to what anyone says as there’ll always be an opinion as to why you shouldn’t buy something. Buy the bike you want. I’d probably go with an MT-07 from that list.
However, my number one rule when buying bikes is don’t listen to what anyone says as there’ll always be an opinion as to why you shouldn’t buy something. Buy the bike you want. I’d probably go with an MT-07 from that list.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 7th May 06:24
As above, go for the one you most like the look of and that you feel most comfortable on. Remember though that most people want something bigger in less than 1 year.
There is no evidence that riding any specific bike/type of bike/style of bike/make of bake/capacity of bike makes you any less or more likely to be involved in an incident on the road.
If you want to improve your lap times then that may be a different story but the road, ever, never mind just after you've passed your test, is not the place to be trying to improve your lap times.
Rubin215 said:
Buy the bike you most like the look of.
... and you will become a far better rider as a result...
Again, this claim that buying specific types/capacities of bikes will "make you a better rider". In what way?, As measured how? Judged by whom? Better than what?... and you will become a far better rider as a result...
There is no evidence that riding any specific bike/type of bike/style of bike/make of bake/capacity of bike makes you any less or more likely to be involved in an incident on the road.
If you want to improve your lap times then that may be a different story but the road, ever, never mind just after you've passed your test, is not the place to be trying to improve your lap times.
It depends.
I really enjoy my VTR1000 because after 18 months of riding I can exploit it and I enjoy that
I am selling my FZ1S because with 50bhp more I'm no where near capable of using all it's power - nor do I want to, both for my license and life, yet many are happy with the odd blip and pootling around just using it's torque
I'm very glad I started on a 690 duke and ER6N they were great lightweight bikes that were easy to manoeuvre etc I also own a CBR600 F4 - I have more fun on the lessor bikes
Trust me you learn so much in the first few months - you won't be bored on anything and you'll also find out what you enjoy / want so can make a much better decision.
I'm a fast car driver having owned hundreds of fast cars 440bhp RX7 etc with no accidents for 30 years and fast riding is so much harder
At least get some test rides on different bikes before you buy
I really enjoy my VTR1000 because after 18 months of riding I can exploit it and I enjoy that
I am selling my FZ1S because with 50bhp more I'm no where near capable of using all it's power - nor do I want to, both for my license and life, yet many are happy with the odd blip and pootling around just using it's torque
I'm very glad I started on a 690 duke and ER6N they were great lightweight bikes that were easy to manoeuvre etc I also own a CBR600 F4 - I have more fun on the lessor bikes
Trust me you learn so much in the first few months - you won't be bored on anything and you'll also find out what you enjoy / want so can make a much better decision.
I'm a fast car driver having owned hundreds of fast cars 440bhp RX7 etc with no accidents for 30 years and fast riding is so much harder
At least get some test rides on different bikes before you buy
black-k1 said:
As above, go for the one you most like the look of and that you feel most comfortable on. Remember though that most people want something bigger in less than 1 year.
There is no evidence that riding any specific bike/type of bike/style of bike/make of bake/capacity of bike makes you any less or more likely to be involved in an incident on the road.
If you want to improve your lap times then that may be a different story but the road, ever, never mind just after you've passed your test, is not the place to be trying to improve your lap times.
Indeed - the bike you'll do the best with is the one you really like and want to take out and enjoy. Seat time is the key.Rubin215 said:
Buy the bike you most like the look of.
... and you will become a far better rider as a result...
Again, this claim that buying specific types/capacities of bikes will "make you a better rider". In what way?, As measured how? Judged by whom? Better than what?... and you will become a far better rider as a result...
There is no evidence that riding any specific bike/type of bike/style of bike/make of bake/capacity of bike makes you any less or more likely to be involved in an incident on the road.
If you want to improve your lap times then that may be a different story but the road, ever, never mind just after you've passed your test, is not the place to be trying to improve your lap times.
Buying a bloody Diversion and not wanting to use it because it doesn't tickle your fancy like the sports bike you wanted is a waste of time, money and pleasure.
Buy whatever you like the look of. I'd rather have a bike that I like the look of as opposed to one that is supposed to be an awesome handling bike that I'll constantly worry that I'm not capable of riding to maximise it's potential and all that faff. Don't underestimate the mental health benefits of standing in your garage/shed with a cup of tea just staring at it.
That's why I wanted one of these when they came out
That's why I wanted one of these when they came out
I think there a lot of factors that will determine what bike you should go for and it as difficult to get a straight answer as everyone is so different.
I don't buy into the ethos of not having a sportsbike when over 40 as it's too uncomfortable because that is down to your own shape, size, fitness, flexibility.
I'm 46 (almost), 6'2" and around 85kg. I've owned my 2008 R6 from new and have never wanted for anything else (I do still window shop ocasionally). It goes, stops and handles better than I need it too and doesn't have so much power that I'm worried about spinning up the rear and getting thrown off. I'm a grown up now, so fairly sensible, but it will get you to ludicrous speed very quickly if you wind it on and will easily allow you to get your knee down if you so desire. It is also absolutely fine at low speeds around town.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I would feel it if I went touring on it, but a couple of hours around the country lanes is just fine. I only feel a bit of weight on my wrists, but if I rode it more often I would get used to it.
I came back to bikes at 30 and bought a FZR1000, then a FZR600 (foxeye) and then the R6. Best purchase I have ever made.
I don't buy into the ethos of not having a sportsbike when over 40 as it's too uncomfortable because that is down to your own shape, size, fitness, flexibility.
I'm 46 (almost), 6'2" and around 85kg. I've owned my 2008 R6 from new and have never wanted for anything else (I do still window shop ocasionally). It goes, stops and handles better than I need it too and doesn't have so much power that I'm worried about spinning up the rear and getting thrown off. I'm a grown up now, so fairly sensible, but it will get you to ludicrous speed very quickly if you wind it on and will easily allow you to get your knee down if you so desire. It is also absolutely fine at low speeds around town.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I would feel it if I went touring on it, but a couple of hours around the country lanes is just fine. I only feel a bit of weight on my wrists, but if I rode it more often I would get used to it.
I came back to bikes at 30 and bought a FZR1000, then a FZR600 (foxeye) and then the R6. Best purchase I have ever made.
bulldong said:
black-k1 said:
Pothole said:
bulldong said:
An MT-09 is an absolute handful. I mean buy the bike you want but there are probably more suitable bikes for a beginner
Huh? 120bhp is a lot.
Any modern naked with TCS/ABS etc etc and a big rear tyre won't be a "handful" with 120hp. Hell even 200hp is reputedly easy to keep reigned in when you want to.
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