Mrs wants to start, safe sports bike suggestions please
Discussion
So the Mrs has decided she wants a motorbike, she's had zero experience other than going on the back of mine so far. I'm obviously sick with worry at the thought but I'm not going to stand in her way.
She's adamant it has to be a sportsbike , I've said she'll have my support however I would feel a lot better if she got a newer machine with traction control and abs. Neither of us are in well paying jobs so realistically looking at a 10+ year old bike, however there doesn't seem to be sports 600s in our she and budget that I can really see? It seems like only the thous that have TC and that sort of power for a first bike might negate the safety of the rider aids somewhat
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
She's adamant it has to be a sportsbike , I've said she'll have my support however I would feel a lot better if she got a newer machine with traction control and abs. Neither of us are in well paying jobs so realistically looking at a 10+ year old bike, however there doesn't seem to be sports 600s in our she and budget that I can really see? It seems like only the thous that have TC and that sort of power for a first bike might negate the safety of the rider aids somewhat
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
bogie said:
Maybe try something "sporty" rather than supersports to start with like:
Suzuki GSX650F
Honda CBR600F or CBR650F
all nice middleweight bikes to get some experience (and NCB) on for a couple of years
Agreed, 'sports' bikes are not great first bikes, something with a more upright comfortable seating position with the ability to see over cars and hedges rather than in a racing crouch is surely more suitable, Suzuki GSX650F
Honda CBR600F or CBR650F
all nice middleweight bikes to get some experience (and NCB) on for a couple of years
CBR650F (or CBR650R if budget allows) looks fairly sporty, will have ABS and to be honest with 90bhp traction control isn't really a necessity.
Probably a good solid, reliable bike and will be quick enough for a new rider for a little while
RC390 or similar could be a good shout but the lack of power would be boring pretty quickly
Probably a good solid, reliable bike and will be quick enough for a new rider for a little while
RC390 or similar could be a good shout but the lack of power would be boring pretty quickly
My ex went for a 5EB R6 as her first bike despite me telling her to go for something a bit slower and easier to ride as a first bike.
If she is sensible it should be fine. Only “older” 600 I can think of with ABS is the ZX6R’s around maybe 2014, think they had it? And CBR600RR of a similar age has linked brakes, maybe ABS as well? I hated it when I had a go on my mates 15 plate one, felt like there was zero finesse to it, they were either on or off. But no doubt probably takes some getting used to after 10+ years with normal brakes.
Don’t think any older 600s have TC do they? Not anything pre-2012 at least?
For the money a 2015 ZX6R or similar costs, I’m sure you’d pick up a much newer CBR500R / CBR650 which is arguably a better first bike really.
If she is sensible it should be fine. Only “older” 600 I can think of with ABS is the ZX6R’s around maybe 2014, think they had it? And CBR600RR of a similar age has linked brakes, maybe ABS as well? I hated it when I had a go on my mates 15 plate one, felt like there was zero finesse to it, they were either on or off. But no doubt probably takes some getting used to after 10+ years with normal brakes.
Don’t think any older 600s have TC do they? Not anything pre-2012 at least?
For the money a 2015 ZX6R or similar costs, I’m sure you’d pick up a much newer CBR500R / CBR650 which is arguably a better first bike really.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
^^^ Pretty much this, but I'd be happy with 1998-on. As long as it's the alloy frame model they're still one of the best all round sports bikes ever built. People have been having CBR600s as first bikes since the '80s and most do fine. Why do you feel she needs ABS/TC etc., is she a bit heavy handed or do you think she'll be reckless?Decent kit, decent training and decent attitude are worth more than ABS/TC...just my opinion...
stang65 said:
^^^ Pretty much this, but I'd be happy with 1998-on. As long as it's the alloy frame model they're still one of the best all round sports bikes ever built. People have been having CBR600s as first bikes since the '80s and most do fine. Why do you feel she needs ABS/TC etc., is she a bit heavy handed or do you think she'll be reckless?
Decent kit, decent training and decent attitude are worth more than ABS/TC...just my opinion...
I recently bought a 96 CBR600F3, obviously a steel frame model, and I run that as well as my ZZR1400. I’d definitely recommend the 600 as a great first bike. No need for TC or ABS. Decent kit, decent training and decent attitude are worth more than ABS/TC...just my opinion...
As has been said above, training will be worth any amount of rider aids. Prevention is better that a possible cure. No aids will help if you end up staring an oncoming vehicle in the face. Planning and observation are the core skills that really need improving, and that linked to machine control will keep any rider much safer.
As a sportsbike rider, I feel your anxiety as i'd be concerned if my wife wanted one. (it'd mean she'd want to come out too and buzz kill the joy and fun 
).
Just kidding, CBR600 seems the best compromise, but even so, very quick so she needs to have her head screwed on. I think that quick sportsbikes just raise the seriousness of riding a bike up a notch or too. It doesn't have to be silly or super risky, but the responsibility and judgement of the individual are paramount.
The reason i'd be concern for my own wife is that she'd be daydreaming about shoes and wondering if she looks good in these leathers
).Just kidding, CBR600 seems the best compromise, but even so, very quick so she needs to have her head screwed on. I think that quick sportsbikes just raise the seriousness of riding a bike up a notch or too. It doesn't have to be silly or super risky, but the responsibility and judgement of the individual are paramount.
The reason i'd be concern for my own wife is that she'd be daydreaming about shoes and wondering if she looks good in these leathers
Cheers for all the replies folks, all good advice and I agree with all of it especially the 'aids don't replace training'. She's just very precious to me and I want her to be as safe as possible, in 15 years of riding I've had four crashes (3 on the road and one on track) so I know how easily it can go wrong.
I'm going to get an intercom setup so next time I take her pillion I can give a commentary on my thought processes. Situations like approaching a side road that has a car waiting to pull out doesn't even register as a hazard to an ordinary car driving motorist, but on a bike you'd be reducing your speed, moving out to the white line to give yourself more room and make yourself visible, trying to make eye contact with the driver and watching what their hands and front wheels are doing etc.
If I could impart some of those Spidey senses before she hits the road that might mean she never needs the ABS I hope!
I'm going to get an intercom setup so next time I take her pillion I can give a commentary on my thought processes. Situations like approaching a side road that has a car waiting to pull out doesn't even register as a hazard to an ordinary car driving motorist, but on a bike you'd be reducing your speed, moving out to the white line to give yourself more room and make yourself visible, trying to make eye contact with the driver and watching what their hands and front wheels are doing etc.
If I could impart some of those Spidey senses before she hits the road that might mean she never needs the ABS I hope!
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff