New rider. Any suggestions for a first big bike?
Discussion
Hi All.
I’ve been lurking for a while on the bike forum but I can’t keep quiet any longer. I passed my Mod 2 (2 minors) on 7th Oct (after a v long wait for a test date) and am now excitedly looking forward to getting my first big bike. I’ve been riding a CBF125 since my CBT in May to ensure I get some practice.
I’ve waited just over 20 years to get a bike licence (I’m 46 now - where did the time go?) and am raring to go.
I admit to being torn between buying an older and cheaper bike (up to £3k) to continue learning on, based on advice that I’ll drop the bike at some point, or spending more to buy the type of bike I want (something I can stick the other half on the back and do a bit of touring eventually, but also be fun to ride on my own). Head says go for the old bike, heart says f*ck it and buy what you want now.
Any advice on older bikes is appreciated. I have the Fazer, Hornet, MT-07, SV650 on my list; any others worth considering? If a new(er) bike, I’m considering the Tiger 800/900, GS850, or F900XR. And a wildcard, the Street Triple R as I think it looks cool but the other half would be furious. I plan to get some test rides, if possible.
Thanks all in advance.
I’ve been lurking for a while on the bike forum but I can’t keep quiet any longer. I passed my Mod 2 (2 minors) on 7th Oct (after a v long wait for a test date) and am now excitedly looking forward to getting my first big bike. I’ve been riding a CBF125 since my CBT in May to ensure I get some practice.
I’ve waited just over 20 years to get a bike licence (I’m 46 now - where did the time go?) and am raring to go.
I admit to being torn between buying an older and cheaper bike (up to £3k) to continue learning on, based on advice that I’ll drop the bike at some point, or spending more to buy the type of bike I want (something I can stick the other half on the back and do a bit of touring eventually, but also be fun to ride on my own). Head says go for the old bike, heart says f*ck it and buy what you want now.
Any advice on older bikes is appreciated. I have the Fazer, Hornet, MT-07, SV650 on my list; any others worth considering? If a new(er) bike, I’m considering the Tiger 800/900, GS850, or F900XR. And a wildcard, the Street Triple R as I think it looks cool but the other half would be furious. I plan to get some test rides, if possible.
Thanks all in advance.
Edited by ColonelKurtz on Wednesday 21st October 20:12
Edited by ColonelKurtz on Wednesday 21st October 20:18
Well if you have been reading this for a while you know what's coming next...! You will get everything from you should get a Honda Cub or you will kill yourself...to the throttle goes two ways get a Ducati V4Rrrrssss Super leggera Corsa with 300bhp... I am just going to get some popcorn and a comfy seat..Lol!!
tter to get all the crashing/ dropping out the way first. If you see passing the test as the beginning of your journey in learning to ride, rather than the end point, I recommend a lower-powered bike as a first one. You have listed a lot of the usual suspects eg MT-07. I think that if you buy at a good price you could probably own it for a year and not lose much when you trade in for something that you really want. Having something like the MT-07 for a year will also give you more opportunity to look around and test ride other bikes, which will help you decide what you really want.
An SV650S is a great 'first big bike'. K3 (2003 model) onwards have fuel injection, parts are cheap, they're easy to work on. Loads of them about too so finding a good one is pretty easy. There's not much that goes wrong with them. A few months ago I picked up a K3 for £reallynotmuch that had been off the road for a couple of years. It'd done 51k and looked very tatty. Flat tyres, no battery, covered in oil underneath. Some wind in the tyres, a damn good clean and a new battery saw it through an MoT, since then it's had a new pair of tyres, oil change, brake fluid change, a new air filer and a JHS Racing steel oil pump gear - the stock item is a nylon unit that breaks up over time. I found out mine was breaking up when I did the oil change and two nylon gear tips came out.
I spent 180 miles on it yesterday carrying out a cross-border raid into Wales (in before the lock), it was huge fun. It doesn't give me speed thrills like the ZZR1400 does, but for less than a grand invested so far, its bloody hard to beat for fun-per-pound.
I spent 180 miles on it yesterday carrying out a cross-border raid into Wales (in before the lock), it was huge fun. It doesn't give me speed thrills like the ZZR1400 does, but for less than a grand invested so far, its bloody hard to beat for fun-per-pound.
Whatever you buy you'll love...then you might realize you'd prefer something else or that you just got it wrong. Buying at the right price second hand might be ideal as you can sell and change it out for something else if you chose with minimal losses. I got my first bike wrong, I was convinced I'd bought the right one at the time.
I wouldn't necessarily be too concerned about engine size and power, if you're not a chump you'll be fine. The insurance will be probably be the limiting factor anyhow.
How likely is it that your OH will be on the back with you? Pillion cover may not be possible on every bike you'd like. I'd maybe suggest get a year under your belt as a solo rider then make yourself responsible for somebody else's safety.
Anyhow, bikes get under the skin and I think they should be bought with the heart.
I wouldn't necessarily be too concerned about engine size and power, if you're not a chump you'll be fine. The insurance will be probably be the limiting factor anyhow.
How likely is it that your OH will be on the back with you? Pillion cover may not be possible on every bike you'd like. I'd maybe suggest get a year under your belt as a solo rider then make yourself responsible for somebody else's safety.
Anyhow, bikes get under the skin and I think they should be bought with the heart.
SWTH said:
An SV650S is a great 'first big bike'. K3 (2003 model) onwards have fuel injection, parts are cheap, they're easy to work on. Loads of them about too so finding a good one is pretty easy. There's not much that goes wrong with them. A few months ago I picked up a K3 for £reallynotmuch that had been off the road for a couple of years. It'd done 51k and looked very tatty. Flat tyres, no battery, covered in oil underneath. Some wind in the tyres, a damn good clean and a new battery saw it through an MoT, since then it's had a new pair of tyres, oil change, brake fluid change, a new air filer and a JHS Racing steel oil pump gear - the stock item is a nylon unit that breaks up over time. I found out mine was breaking up when I did the oil change and two nylon gear tips came out.
I spent 180 miles on it yesterday carrying out a cross-border raid into Wales (in before the lock), it was huge fun. It doesn't give me speed thrills like the ZZR1400 does, but for less than a grand invested so far, its bloody hard to beat for fun-per-pound.
As per first post, you'll get every answer under the sun. Only you know what works for you, and it's all trial and error.I spent 180 miles on it yesterday carrying out a cross-border raid into Wales (in before the lock), it was huge fun. It doesn't give me speed thrills like the ZZR1400 does, but for less than a grand invested so far, its bloody hard to beat for fun-per-pound.
Quoted because I got, and still have, an SV650s as a first bike. and it's wonderful, plenty quick enough, fun, reliable, I even use it for the commute on the odd time.
The *only* bad thing I can say is that with the V-twin the engine braking is harsh, so can make for very on/off jerky throttle movements from time to time. That and the under pillion storage is garbage. Other than that, it's perfect.
Some will say that get a snotter as a first bike as you will drop it. Touch wood i've never dropped a bike. If you're careful then you will be fine. They aren't that heavy, and if you get yourself into a position where it's going over, something has gone very wrong.
Get the bike that you like the look of, and makes you want to ride it. End of.
Congrats OP, welcome to the club!
Lots of factors:
1) what will your main riding be, commuting, leisure, touring, bit of everything?
2) do you have secure parking?
3) how many miles do you see yourself doing? Solo or two up?
In my first two years of riding in the 90's I did
Kawasaki KLE500 - cheap, 50bhp, not likely to kill myself, soon found it underpowered
Kawasaki ZX6R - ooof, 100bhp, lovely!
Kawasaki ZX9R - because, you know, more power!!
I did a bit of a classic step up through these, so by the time I got to the 9R I didn't feel overwhelmed when giving it the beans. I'd have probably thrown it down the road if I had gone straight to it. There's always that good argument for a snotter that, if you look after it you can shift on for very little loss, but ultimately just go for whatever you like, can afford to buy and insure, and some scrote isn't going to lighten you of if you leave it anywhere.
Keep us posted. I'm always fascinated by people's first bike choice and why they made it.
Lots of factors:
1) what will your main riding be, commuting, leisure, touring, bit of everything?
2) do you have secure parking?
3) how many miles do you see yourself doing? Solo or two up?
In my first two years of riding in the 90's I did
Kawasaki KLE500 - cheap, 50bhp, not likely to kill myself, soon found it underpowered
Kawasaki ZX6R - ooof, 100bhp, lovely!
Kawasaki ZX9R - because, you know, more power!!
I did a bit of a classic step up through these, so by the time I got to the 9R I didn't feel overwhelmed when giving it the beans. I'd have probably thrown it down the road if I had gone straight to it. There's always that good argument for a snotter that, if you look after it you can shift on for very little loss, but ultimately just go for whatever you like, can afford to buy and insure, and some scrote isn't going to lighten you of if you leave it anywhere.
Keep us posted. I'm always fascinated by people's first bike choice and why they made it.
Big gratz on passing your test and why have you not bought a bike already???! 
I was in the dealers the following morning clutching my pass certificate and had it bought by lunchtime, slacker! 
Sensible head says for your first bike keeping to your lower budget (£3K) makes sense as once you've got plenty of time under your wheels you'll have a better idea of your requirements. You mention taking your other half pillion so if that is really going to happen I suggest you get them involved in the purchase process and make sure you get something you're both happy with. Middleweight bikes often have poor pillion provision but good old choices are FZS600 and CBR600F which you could purchase and leave enough in your budget for decent kit for both of you but they're a bit light for two up touring.
Early F800 series bikes can be picked up cheaply but how about the later F800GT? Two up touring is a possibility, often comes with luggage, comfy, cheap to run:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20200925...
I was in the dealers the following morning clutching my pass certificate and had it bought by lunchtime, slacker! Sensible head says for your first bike keeping to your lower budget (£3K) makes sense as once you've got plenty of time under your wheels you'll have a better idea of your requirements. You mention taking your other half pillion so if that is really going to happen I suggest you get them involved in the purchase process and make sure you get something you're both happy with. Middleweight bikes often have poor pillion provision but good old choices are FZS600 and CBR600F which you could purchase and leave enough in your budget for decent kit for both of you but they're a bit light for two up touring.
Early F800 series bikes can be picked up cheaply but how about the later F800GT? Two up touring is a possibility, often comes with luggage, comfy, cheap to run:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20200925...
I’ve been riding since late 2008 and haven’t dropped a bike yet. Nor really come close. Just because some people do (and make themselves feel better by saying everyone does it) doesn’t mean you will. Don’t put up with a snotter on the grounds you’ll drop it.
I started out on a z750 and was terrified of it before I got on it. Once on, it was fine, bigger bikes feel way better than 125s to me. It went as fast as I asked it to. I respected the throttle and yes I opened it up and scared myself but you get used to it and then open it up a bit more.
Only regret was that I didn’t get a z1000. Because the bikes were the same size and looks, but the 750 had commuter spec, non adjustable suspension and average brakes. I wouldn’t have gone any faster early on with a Thou but I’d have been more comfortable on it, less nervous of crap road conditions, and been able to stop quicker from speed.
So overall get the bike you want, as long as you can trust yourself to respect it and learn on it rather than riding it like a learner bike. But mostly, get one with decent suspension and brakes.
I started out on a z750 and was terrified of it before I got on it. Once on, it was fine, bigger bikes feel way better than 125s to me. It went as fast as I asked it to. I respected the throttle and yes I opened it up and scared myself but you get used to it and then open it up a bit more.
Only regret was that I didn’t get a z1000. Because the bikes were the same size and looks, but the 750 had commuter spec, non adjustable suspension and average brakes. I wouldn’t have gone any faster early on with a Thou but I’d have been more comfortable on it, less nervous of crap road conditions, and been able to stop quicker from speed.
So overall get the bike you want, as long as you can trust yourself to respect it and learn on it rather than riding it like a learner bike. But mostly, get one with decent suspension and brakes.
I've dropped my Monster once, but u had crash bungs on it, the only damage was a tiny chip on the tank fairing, and a sore knee where it landed on me!
Wouldn't stop me getting a nice bike. Buy what you want, whatever makes your heart beat faster will be what you want to ride once the novelty's worn off a bit.
Wouldn't stop me getting a nice bike. Buy what you want, whatever makes your heart beat faster will be what you want to ride once the novelty's worn off a bit.
After passing DAS I went for the "buy the bike I wanted/intended to ride" (used VFR800) option rather than a cheaper/lower power bike to get some more experience on.
In retrospect it was the wrong thing for me as it took me a very long time to build confidence as I was not relaxing enough due to it being heavier and much more powerful than the 500 I had ridden in the training. I was always worried about dropping it or going too fast to control it. It was probably quite a bit more expensive to insure than a lower powered bike would have been.
Everyone is different of course, and if you have been riding around a lot on a 125 (which I hadn't been) you have probably got a lot of the important roadcraft and handling experience I missed out on.
As far as I can see it's very much a buyer's market, so if you don't mind the hassle then working your way up or around trying different bikes en route to your "ideal" bike could be beneficial, and you might also find you end up preferring something different to what you expected.
In retrospect it was the wrong thing for me as it took me a very long time to build confidence as I was not relaxing enough due to it being heavier and much more powerful than the 500 I had ridden in the training. I was always worried about dropping it or going too fast to control it. It was probably quite a bit more expensive to insure than a lower powered bike would have been.
Everyone is different of course, and if you have been riding around a lot on a 125 (which I hadn't been) you have probably got a lot of the important roadcraft and handling experience I missed out on.
As far as I can see it's very much a buyer's market, so if you don't mind the hassle then working your way up or around trying different bikes en route to your "ideal" bike could be beneficial, and you might also find you end up preferring something different to what you expected.
As with above, I also started out on a z750. It was £1500 and cosmetically not great,I tidied it up a bit and rode it for a year. I also managed to fall over with it in the Garage thinking I had put the side stand down and then leaning it over. I then sold it for £1500, winner.
I then bought a sv1000 as I wanted a big thumpy twin. Couldn’t get on with it, felt budget (which it was when new), had this for about a year again then sold it losing a couple of hundred quid.
I then bought a street triple 675r. Absolutely loved it, it brought back my love of riding which I had lost a little with the SV. I kept this for 2 years and the had to sell it about 3 months ago to buy the ex out of the house for exactly what it cost me two years previous, happy days.
I’m now on a 765RS. To say I love the street triple is an understatement. It does everything I need of it and does it all well, I can h8ghly recommend one.
My advice would be buy smart. Maybe start off on something a little tatty to get used to biking around the £1500 mark. That way you won’t feel bad if you drop it, scuff it etc and you’ll pretty much make your money back when you come to sell.
I then bought a sv1000 as I wanted a big thumpy twin. Couldn’t get on with it, felt budget (which it was when new), had this for about a year again then sold it losing a couple of hundred quid.
I then bought a street triple 675r. Absolutely loved it, it brought back my love of riding which I had lost a little with the SV. I kept this for 2 years and the had to sell it about 3 months ago to buy the ex out of the house for exactly what it cost me two years previous, happy days.
I’m now on a 765RS. To say I love the street triple is an understatement. It does everything I need of it and does it all well, I can h8ghly recommend one.
My advice would be buy smart. Maybe start off on something a little tatty to get used to biking around the £1500 mark. That way you won’t feel bad if you drop it, scuff it etc and you’ll pretty much make your money back when you come to sell.
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