First bike - interesting suggestions ?
Discussion
Most people suggest a Bandit, SV650 or Hornet 600 etc but is there anything else with a bit more character out there ?
Would a Ducati Monster 800 or S4 be a sensible choice ? Or a Moto Guzzi ? These look a lot better, sound better and I think I'd be happier with something a bit different - or should I simply bite the bullet and serve my time on a Bandit ?
Looking for a naked bike, fairly upright, not a sports bike, not fast like a GSXR, just something fun and characterful.
Would a Ducati Monster 800 or S4 be a sensible choice ? Or a Moto Guzzi ? These look a lot better, sound better and I think I'd be happier with something a bit different - or should I simply bite the bullet and serve my time on a Bandit ?
Looking for a naked bike, fairly upright, not a sports bike, not fast like a GSXR, just something fun and characterful.
MrsMiggins said:
Get what you want - you only go as fast as YOU decide, after all.
I totally agree - as long as you have the self-control to match throttle use to your ability (and only you know the answer to this!) then get what floats your boat. I think that V-twins have more character than fours, but this is a personal thing, but what about the Triumph Street Triple (not out for a while but might be worth waiting for) as a compromise? Go and try a few different bikes and see which makes you smile the most - plenty of choice out there.Good luck!
Depends on what you are using the bike for: if it's for commuting, jap or german I'd say. I really fancied a Guzzi V11 Sport, but I can't imagine it holding up to mid-winter commuting and I'm not convinced I could depend on it. Ditto the Buell's, much as I'd like a Lightning 1200, I bought the nearest reliable thing instead, I think.
If it's purely for recreational use then buy what you fancy most: turbo busa?
If it's purely for recreational use then buy what you fancy most: turbo busa?
I felt the same as you - wanted something a bit different than the "normal" first bike, but without going mad. I got a Triumph Speed Four (it's a 600cc naked bike.)
Very happy with my choice as it's both "different" in looks /character, much rarer and still a good first bike choice.
Rgds
Jon
Very happy with my choice as it's both "different" in looks /character, much rarer and still a good first bike choice.
Rgds
Jon
Busa_Rush said:
Would a Ducati Monster 800 or S4 be a sensible choice ?
Very much so.Busa_Rush said:
Looking for a naked bike, fairly upright, not a sports bike, not fast like a GSXR, just something fun and characterful.
Monster S2R1000 would be what I would be looking at as the pick of the Monster options.
Or, a Triumph Speed Triple or a Buell would be my other choices.
Edited by aeropilot on Monday 18th June 10:21
Edited by aeropilot on Monday 18th June 10:22
F.M said:
A bandit was my first big bike...although I got the 1200...Cheaper to insure than a sports 600...Very simple to work on,bullitproof engines....very fast & very tunable...+ you can bolt on bits & bobs till your hearts content...
Getting cheap second hand now too...
Good idea, only thing they ar a tad heavy compared to an SV650 for a new rider.Getting cheap second hand now too...
But good call.
As everyone has said get what you want and can insure (fully comp), which will probably exclude most litre bikes anyway.
The new Guzzi Breva look very nice
Triumph make some nice different bikes. New tiger looks like a great road bike.
Thanks, a turbo busa is tempting but given how well the car goes with a blown busa, I really can't imagine how you'd stay on a bike with 300bhp, hats off to anybody who manages it !
I looked at a Bandit today, also a GSR 600 which Suzuki say has a GSXR600 engine in a softer naked frame, look great and Bandid even had ABS but it doesn't do anything for me.
I think I'll have to go to Cambridge and have a look at a Moto Guzzi and a Ducatti. Nice to know that it's not such a daft thing to do, fear is a pretty good form of self contol and riding today round roundabouts with wet drain covers all over the place gave me a new perspective on road repairs and self preservation !
I looked at a Bandit today, also a GSR 600 which Suzuki say has a GSXR600 engine in a softer naked frame, look great and Bandid even had ABS but it doesn't do anything for me.
I think I'll have to go to Cambridge and have a look at a Moto Guzzi and a Ducatti. Nice to know that it's not such a daft thing to do, fear is a pretty good form of self contol and riding today round roundabouts with wet drain covers all over the place gave me a new perspective on road repairs and self preservation !
Busa_Rush said:
Most people suggest a Bandit, SV650 or Hornet 600 etc but is there anything else with a bit more character out there ?
Would a Ducati Monster 800 or S4 be a sensible choice ? Or a Moto Guzzi ? These look a lot better, sound better and I think I'd be happier with something a bit different - or should I simply bite the bullet and serve my time on a Bandit ?
Looking for a naked bike, fairly upright, not a sports bike, not fast like a GSXR, just something fun and characterful.
To bring your old post back...Would a Ducati Monster 800 or S4 be a sensible choice ? Or a Moto Guzzi ? These look a lot better, sound better and I think I'd be happier with something a bit different - or should I simply bite the bullet and serve my time on a Bandit ?
Looking for a naked bike, fairly upright, not a sports bike, not fast like a GSXR, just something fun and characterful.
I had a sports bike, and fantastic fun it was. Now taking delivery of a Naked upright bike that can pootle around town easier than my 748 could but is a blast to ride if you want it to be.
Personally I love Ducatis, looked at the monsters etc. S4 looks great on paper (never ridden one) but settled for a Triumph Speed Triple. May be biased now but why not try one of these. Plenty of grunt and pretty cool looking if you like the naked bike thing. And quite a different engine to the Ducati Vtwin (which I still love).
If you've got the time, try as many different ones you can...
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