I Passed!!

[mags]

Wooo Hoo! I passed my Direct access with four minor points.
Now its time to go shopping, next stop NEC to try as much as I can.

Anyone know of decent bike shop's south of London? I am very close to P&H Crawley and they have a few demo bikes, but I want to try as much as possible.

Mags

[s2ooz]

well done mags!! now its time to put a bike in the garage for the winter - doh!

Mines been tucked up for hibernation now, anyone else still riding?

[NewGuy]

P&H are very good indeed with a wide selection of bikes.

If you're interested in Suzuki then Premiere Motorcycles are good & just outside Croydon.

Are you after new or used?

[NewGuy]

s2ooz said: Mines been tucked up for hibernation now, anyone else still riding?

Well, mines not been put away yet, she's all cleaned up and ready to go.

I look out the window every morning in the hope that I may take her out, but every day I have to face the crappy train!

[mags]

S200z, Shame on you , I am still riding my crappy KMX125 everyday until I get something else, and then I will riding every day (except when its really bad of course!)
Cheers for the tip Newguy, I don't really know yet tbh. I will probably end up with new as I will potentially be riding to work which is about 50miles each way. but until I have ridden a few bikes its hard to say. Insurance isn't doing me any favours either. I have been offered an old CBR600 very cheap with very low mileage but the insurance is a joke (£485 F/comp on top of my current policy to see it though to march for 2 years n/c) whereas an new SV650s is only an extra £270 for the same. I really don't know yet, I need to get to some dealers and get some test rides sorted.

Mags

[s2ooz]

when I had my 600 bandit, I never stop riding all year, made a point of going out xmas day in fact, but my new daytona is too precious too me, Im not getting a speck of mud on it!!

[mags]

I don't blame you, I must admit I don't like riding in the rain, but it can potentially save me loads of dosh on train fares I'd be stupid not to try it.
If I don't use it for the whole journey I will have to fit a top box as well! (silent gasps of horror)

Mags

[mags]

Forgot to mention, the more I read about the SV650s the more it sounds ideal to me, especially with the optional lower fairing, yummy. Any opinions on it?
The only downside I have read so far is the front susp is too soft and has no adjustment. I am about 13.5 stone so is likely to be a prob??

Mags

[hertsbiker]

mags said: Forgot to mention, the more I read about the SV650s the more it sounds ideal to me, especially with the optional lower fairing, yummy. Any opinions on it?
The only downside I have read so far is the front susp is too soft and has no adjustment. I am about 13.5 stone so is likely to be a prob??

Mags

I'm 15 stone and had no problems even with Mrs Biker on the back. Go test ride it...

[Gerrard]

My first bike was an SV650s, the '02 models do have adjustable front suspension. I'm nearly 15 stone and had no problems with it on the default settings. If you like that riding position (I didn't) its a great first bike - I swapped to a bandit after 2 months.

[rev-erend]

P & H charge £20 for a 1 hour test drive but
you get the money back if you buy a bike.

You can test drive say 3 bikes (£60) then buy
the one you like and get £60 back... or like me
you can consider it £20 well spend for the thrill
of taking out an R1 or Gsxr1000...

Have fun and be careful in the winder.

[mags]

Gerrard, you sold it after 2 months! I didn't think it was a very radical position? I may have an advantage here though, I have a short body, long legs and arms.

P&H have recently sold their SV demo bike so I can't test ride it
I will try another couple of bikes tomorrow though.

Mags

[mags]

Tried a Hornet 900 and a ZX636R this weekend. Didn't like the Hornet, no screen at all, too much wind blast. (and too powerful for me!) loved the ZX6R tho' very smooth, much more controllable, more comfortable than I expected (for 1 hours test ride anyway)
)
more to try this weekend (CBR600 maybe VStrom?)

[sparkey]

Try a Triumph Sprint RS. There are some mega deals on them at the minute and they're v.nice. Although it's a bigger bike it's very nice to ride - I got one 2 weeks after my test and love it..

[Gerrard]

It's not radical, but I'm an odd shape - long torso, short arms - so I had quite a bit of weight on my wrists. I changed to something that gave me a more upright riding position.

[hertsbiker]

mmmmmm. 636. Mmmmmmm!

[mags]

I have had to blow out the test rides, I can't make them now Doh!
Still, I will be at the NEC on the 23rd trying to sit on as many bikes as I can. (motorcycles that is )
Whats the opinion on insurance?
Comp quotes for me are a joke (1years NCB) for faired bikes, but 3rd party is OK. If I end up buying a new faired bike such as a SV650S or CBR ZX6 etc would I be stupid having 3rd party only? I am obviously concerned about dropping it (already trashed my KMX125 this year!)but I guess you wouldn't claim unless the damage was substantial??
The unfaired bikes are much cheaper but I don't think I could live with no fairing on Mway journeys.

Mags



>> Edited by mags on Thursday 14th November 09:33

[jvaughan]

Congradulations MAGS ... Ill be up there on the 23rd too also sitting n as many bikes as possible trying to decide what Santa should be bringing me