Discussion
Have riden bikes for a few years when younger, not with a license and it was a long time ago 
Suzuki trials 250, DT125 etc, but have now decided to get a license and a bike, after 20 years without touching one.
Have direct access course booked for a couple of weeks, will be looking for a bike shortly afterwards. Have been advised that there's little point in getting a 600 Hornet or something sensible for 6 months and that I ought to just buy what I'd like now, which wuld be somehting like a Z1000 or Brutale.
Is this sensible advice ? I feel I ought to get something like an old Hornet 600 for a few months, is this worth doing ?
How long should I wait until I get more training ? I've done several advanced courses in cars but I suspect driving a modern bike on the roads today is going to be very different from what I've done before or been used to in a car. Any recommendation for courses ?
Also any specific recommendation for clothing ? What's the difference between leathers and the fabric jacket/trousers ? I plan doing some long distance touring if that helps.
The bikes I'd like are naked bikes - will a fairing make much difference for touring ? I've been told yes but the only faired bikes seem to be hyper sports racers and that's not my thing yet.
Thanks.
Suzuki trials 250, DT125 etc, but have now decided to get a license and a bike, after 20 years without touching one.Have direct access course booked for a couple of weeks, will be looking for a bike shortly afterwards. Have been advised that there's little point in getting a 600 Hornet or something sensible for 6 months and that I ought to just buy what I'd like now, which wuld be somehting like a Z1000 or Brutale.
Is this sensible advice ? I feel I ought to get something like an old Hornet 600 for a few months, is this worth doing ?
How long should I wait until I get more training ? I've done several advanced courses in cars but I suspect driving a modern bike on the roads today is going to be very different from what I've done before or been used to in a car. Any recommendation for courses ?
Also any specific recommendation for clothing ? What's the difference between leathers and the fabric jacket/trousers ? I plan doing some long distance touring if that helps.
The bikes I'd like are naked bikes - will a fairing make much difference for touring ? I've been told yes but the only faired bikes seem to be hyper sports racers and that's not my thing yet.
Thanks.
Welcome, Newbie!! 
You'll get as many different opinions on this as you do replies, but there's good advice in the 'Newbie' threads. My advice is always to try as many bikes as possible as you are the only one who knows what will suit you, etc. As for further training - don't wait at all, just get some and keep getting more - this is one of the most sensible things you can do as a newbie or experienced rider.
As for the Z1000, I have one and think it's great - numb bum after a while in the saddle and basic suspension, but easy to ride, comfortable, great for town and back roads (bit breezy at speed) and excellent value - bet you'll get a cracking deal on the original version now that the new one is out.
Have fun and be safe!
You'll get as many different opinions on this as you do replies, but there's good advice in the 'Newbie' threads. My advice is always to try as many bikes as possible as you are the only one who knows what will suit you, etc. As for further training - don't wait at all, just get some and keep getting more - this is one of the most sensible things you can do as a newbie or experienced rider.
As for the Z1000, I have one and think it's great - numb bum after a while in the saddle and basic suspension, but easy to ride, comfortable, great for town and back roads (bit breezy at speed) and excellent value - bet you'll get a cracking deal on the original version now that the new one is out.
Have fun and be safe!
Hi,
If you were talking about as Sports bike then yeah go for something a bit smaller for a bit, but if you want a Z1000 just go for this
As for leathers or fabric? Are you planning on using it for commuting?? If so you might want to consider fabric due to the chances of being stuff at work and it starting to rain. If just riding for fun, then defo go for leathers
If you were talking about as Sports bike then yeah go for something a bit smaller for a bit, but if you want a Z1000 just go for this
As for leathers or fabric? Are you planning on using it for commuting?? If so you might want to consider fabric due to the chances of being stuff at work and it starting to rain. If just riding for fun, then defo go for leathers
Getting something like a Hornet 600 until you have grown in confidence might not be such a bad idea: I found my old Fazer 600 really user friendly and easy to ride, in all honestly below 6k rpm it was the easiest bike I have ever ridden, a real pussycat. This suited me well for around 6,500 miles and with growing confidence with its performance both in a straight line and around the twisties, when circumstances gave me a "push" then I felt better placed to move to a litre bike and I'm quite appreciative of its improvements in handling. Oh, and did I say its fast? 
Given the bikes you've mentioned and your possible desire for some kind of fairing, I can heartily recommend you to look at the FZ1 and FZ1-S. The suspension is meant to be a bit more clever than the Kawa's, and the engine is a fookin monster!
Given the bikes you've mentioned and your possible desire for some kind of fairing, I can heartily recommend you to look at the FZ1 and FZ1-S. The suspension is meant to be a bit more clever than the Kawa's, and the engine is a fookin monster!
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