Riding something with character - where to start

[Some Guy]

If you want character, then you need a Guzzi V7 scrambler.

[The Moose]

carmadgaz said:

The Moose said:

Going through the ownership of a 125 on the way to a bigger bike in my opinion is a waste of time and money.

The only point in having a 125 is if you're not old enough to go onto a bigger bike, again in my opinion.

On the other hand I came into 'bikes as a complete newbie. I decided on a 125 to "test the water" before I committed to the cost of my DAS. Didn't take long to decide it was and after about 10months I did my DAS, sold my GS125 for a profit and got a GS500 off a friend.

Hence why I said on the way to a bigger bike. I also went through the 125cc route purely because it meant I could be out on 2 wheels in about 5 minutes however I had done a fair chunk of riding before as well as having my driving license for car at that point so it was more a matter of me just being impatient rather than it being worthwhile.

I certainly (and lots of people I spoke to at the time) found it easier to ride a bigger bike than 125cc.

If the intention is to go through to a bigger bike fairly quickly then, as I said, I would advise against it.

[carmadgaz]

The Moose said:

I certainly (and lots of people I spoke to at the time) found it easier to ride a bigger bike than 125cc.

I was told that too, found it an odd thing to hear as my GS125 was such a nimble thing. You're right though, doing my Mod1 on the 600 was child's play compared to playing on the smaller bike. The extra weight isn't an issue and the extra torque makes life so much easier

[garylythgoe]

I had a similar criteria, i wanted something with a bit of character that I could 'learn to ride' for my first bike.

I passed my test last week, and picked up my Ducati Monster 821 Dark on Saturday, and I'm literally over the moon with it.

The feeling it gives, the noise, the riding position and the looks it gets... IM VERY HAPPY!

[brrapp]

Some Guy said:

If you want character, then you need a Guzzi V7 scrambler.

I was just thinking that this thread was all about style over substance and had no place on a motoring forum then I saw this. I'm in love with Frankenstein's monster. Is it real?

[Pothole]

brrapp said:

Some Guy said:

If you want character, then you need a Guzzi V7 scrambler.

I was just thinking that this thread was all about style over substance and had no place on a motoring forum then I saw this. I'm in love with Frankenstein's monster. Is it real?

Surely that just confirms your initial suspicions. Posing nonsense.

[brrapp]

Pothole said:

Surely that just confirms your initial suspicions. Posing nonsense.

Yes, doesn't make sense at all, a 'scrambler' with low seat height, shaft drive, v-twin engine,Italian electrics, but something about the looks just makes me want it.

[The Moose]

garylythgoe said:

I had a similar criteria, i wanted something with a bit of character that I could 'learn to ride' for my first bike.

I passed my test last week, and picked up my Ducati Monster 821 Dark on Saturday, and I'm literally over the moon with it.

The feeling it gives, the noise, the riding position and the looks it gets... IM VERY HAPPY!

The Monster is a great bike!

[Gypsum Fantastic]

carmadgaz said:

On the other hand I came into 'bikes as a complete newbie. I decided on a 125 to "test the water" before I committed to the cost of my DAS. Didn't take long to decide it was and after about 10months I did my DAS, sold my GS125 for a profit and got a GS500 off a friend.

3 years on I'm enjoying my SV650 but I (again personally) thought the time on the 125 was well spent . OT but I had the opportunity to ride my old GS125 the other day... Was hilarious, was like a BMX and spent most of the time on 100% throttle ragging it senseless

Back on topic... Have a try on a few and see what you want. I occasionally ride a friend's H-D Sportster 883 and while it was a lot better than I was expecting it's not something I would have in the garage. A quick blast on a MT-07 however had me wanting one badly (though I prefer the look of the XSR700). It's all subjective so go sit on a few, ride a few and see what you think

I did the same, more to get my head around the controls than anything. I don't regret it as I was just doing things at my own pace and felt comfortable with my progression. However I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. Bigger bikes are much easier to ride and, other than getting used to the controls, there wasn't really much I learned that I took from the 125 to a bigger bike.

[Dakkon]

Triumph Thruxton R?

[Gunk]

brrapp said:

Pothole said:

Surely that just confirms your initial suspicions. Posing nonsense.

Yes, doesn't make sense at all, a 'scrambler' with low seat height, shaft drive, v-twin engine,Italian electrics, but something about the looks just makes me want it.

The reality is 50bhp, loads of power loss via the cumbersome shaft drive, basically style over substance, you'd get bored pretty quickly, fast sports bike you don't get bored, it just keeps getting better.