Passed my tests! What bike should I get?
Discussion
I really enjoyed the rather "well used" Fazer that I learned on. 22mph in 6th gear made riding a breeze. I ended up opting for a very comfortable CB500X. Under 5 grand, Honda reliability, nice easy ride and enough oomph to keep my mother's Vulcan 650 honest.
As others have said, try to get a test ride on whatever you can. Kawasaki regularly to test ride weekends with a decent array of machines from the Vulcan (presumably now it'll be the Eliminator), H2s, Ninjas, Versys', all sorts. See if they've got one on soon near you. You have to book it in but shouldn't have much trouble. You don't have to buy a Kawasaki at the end of it but you'll get a feel for the bike style you like riding most. I think I recall that they did have a test ride incentive where you got a bit of discount for completing the test ride and buying one afterwards.
Don't fall for the first bike you ride because the power blows you away. Make sure you ride it and be as objective as possible. Are you actually comfy, does it handle in a way that you like, does it fit in your garage, does the fuel economy make sense, all those boring things that can really change bike ownership. My mum loves her Vulcan but it really grates on her that she has to fill the tank every time she goes out because the range is so poor.
As others have said, try to get a test ride on whatever you can. Kawasaki regularly to test ride weekends with a decent array of machines from the Vulcan (presumably now it'll be the Eliminator), H2s, Ninjas, Versys', all sorts. See if they've got one on soon near you. You have to book it in but shouldn't have much trouble. You don't have to buy a Kawasaki at the end of it but you'll get a feel for the bike style you like riding most. I think I recall that they did have a test ride incentive where you got a bit of discount for completing the test ride and buying one afterwards.
Don't fall for the first bike you ride because the power blows you away. Make sure you ride it and be as objective as possible. Are you actually comfy, does it handle in a way that you like, does it fit in your garage, does the fuel economy make sense, all those boring things that can really change bike ownership. My mum loves her Vulcan but it really grates on her that she has to fill the tank every time she goes out because the range is so poor.
As most have said, you might struggle to get test rides on anything with <1 year on your bike licence. Still worth making enquiries though as how a bike rides can be very different to how it feels just sat on it in a showroom.
Also, some deals to be had out there on <2023 bikes what with the updated one imminent.
stepmeek said:
Passed my test two years ago and had no idea what to buy. Makes it harder that you can't test ride anything as a new rider. I sat on a few and really liked the position of the CB650R, felt well built and I got it for around £100 a month.
Was a brilliant bike and the 4 cylinder engine was really smooth and forgiving, couldn't recommend it highly enough as a first bike.
Have ride a few bikes now and moved into a street triple but have recommended the honda to my friend who just bought one as a first bike as well.
I’d say this is a great shout, actually. Good looking bike IMO - fit and finish seem decent, and it’s a Honda after all so unlikely to go wrong. I’m tempted by one for the commute, seeing as the 2024 model will be available with the “eClutch” for only an extra £100. Waiting for my dealer to get one in to try out. Was a brilliant bike and the 4 cylinder engine was really smooth and forgiving, couldn't recommend it highly enough as a first bike.
Have ride a few bikes now and moved into a street triple but have recommended the honda to my friend who just bought one as a first bike as well.
Also, some deals to be had out there on <2023 bikes what with the updated one imminent.
PT1984 said:
What style do you like? I went for this. It was in fact in my garage before I passed MOD2. I still love it, and it suits the roads I ride rather well. It even went on grass a few weeks ago!
Whilst I’m 6’1 I only have 30” legs. So I couldn’t fit on the 1100/1200 Ducati and Triumph scramblers. So at your height I would look at them.
You need to go to a few dealers and sit on as many bikes as possible. It’s amazing how different the ergos are.
The scrambler and motard (MT09/890 Duke) styles suited me best.
Love the positioning of the chair! Best view in the house (assuming you’re not married to Jennifer Lawrence or something)Whilst I’m 6’1 I only have 30” legs. So I couldn’t fit on the 1100/1200 Ducati and Triumph scramblers. So at your height I would look at them.
You need to go to a few dealers and sit on as many bikes as possible. It’s amazing how different the ergos are.
The scrambler and motard (MT09/890 Duke) styles suited me best.
Edited by PT1984 on Thursday 28th March 07:33
I passed 18 months ago and I got a CB650R. The first year insurance was about £850 with 5000 miles inc commuting, which dropped to £350 for my 2nd year. ( I am 33 for reference)
As for the bike, its a great ride as an all rounder. I have toured europe, commute daily rain or shine, go for B road blasts, it has ABS and TC(can turn off). I did the test and lessons on a modern SV650 but I much prefer the honda.
I am 6ft and about 100kg but 100% try a few though.
As for the bike, its a great ride as an all rounder. I have toured europe, commute daily rain or shine, go for B road blasts, it has ABS and TC(can turn off). I did the test and lessons on a modern SV650 but I much prefer the honda.
I am 6ft and about 100kg but 100% try a few though.
Edited by dutters on Thursday 28th March 13:30
You're a tall lad so I'd recommend the KTM 1290 Superduke GT.
Easily within budget, does everything you want from a bike, goes like stink, nice and comfy too.
People might say 175bhp is a bit much for a new rider but providing you don't open the throttle wide open in sport mode, you should be fine.
Easily within budget, does everything you want from a bike, goes like stink, nice and comfy too.
People might say 175bhp is a bit much for a new rider but providing you don't open the throttle wide open in sport mode, you should be fine.
I don't think you quite understand... you know you need to buy at least two bikes right?
I don't know anyone with just one bike!
One bike - ha ha ha ha!
Sure you'll say you just want one but that won't last. There is always a reason to get just one more.
In reality there is loads of great stuff out there so, as has been said already just try loads to see what you fancy, also welcome to the club!
I don't know anyone with just one bike!
One bike - ha ha ha ha!
Sure you'll say you just want one but that won't last. There is always a reason to get just one more.
In reality there is loads of great stuff out there so, as has been said already just try loads to see what you fancy, also welcome to the club!
Gnits said:
I don't think you quite understand... you know you need to buy at least two bikes right?
I don't know anyone with just one bike!
One bike - ha ha ha ha!
Sure you'll say you just want one but that won't last. There is always a reason to get just one more.
In reality there is loads of great stuff out there so, as has been said already just try loads to see what you fancy, also welcome to the club!
This is actually true.I don't know anyone with just one bike!
One bike - ha ha ha ha!
Sure you'll say you just want one but that won't last. There is always a reason to get just one more.
In reality there is loads of great stuff out there so, as has been said already just try loads to see what you fancy, also welcome to the club!
1. Scan through all the bikes on mcn review pages pick what you fancy
2. Now run each one you like through go compare…. This will narrow the field significantly
3. Faired bikes are more to insure, nakeds are generally cheaper unless they are the ones stolen most eg the Yamahas
4. Personally I’d probably go with something used as you’re still learning on the road post test & a drop can easily happen at some point & probably for a daft reason like forgetting to take a disc lock off!
I ended up with a Ducati monster as my first bike as the insurance was surprisingly much cheaper than a lot of the Japanese stuff. This is the only bike I still keep at home with me in London due to insurance. The other lives at my mums. Eg I have a zx4rr on order £3.5k to insure garaged in London compared to about £300 at mums. This is with 2 years ncb
Best of luck and enjoy your new bike
2. Now run each one you like through go compare…. This will narrow the field significantly
3. Faired bikes are more to insure, nakeds are generally cheaper unless they are the ones stolen most eg the Yamahas
4. Personally I’d probably go with something used as you’re still learning on the road post test & a drop can easily happen at some point & probably for a daft reason like forgetting to take a disc lock off!
I ended up with a Ducati monster as my first bike as the insurance was surprisingly much cheaper than a lot of the Japanese stuff. This is the only bike I still keep at home with me in London due to insurance. The other lives at my mums. Eg I have a zx4rr on order £3.5k to insure garaged in London compared to about £300 at mums. This is with 2 years ncb
Best of luck and enjoy your new bike
Discendo Discimus said:
You're a tall lad so I'd recommend the KTM 1290 Superduke GT.
Easily within budget, does everything you want from a bike, goes like stink, nice and comfy too.
People might say 175bhp is a bit much for a new rider but providing you don't open the throttle wide open in sport mode, you should be fine.
Easily within budget, does everything you want from a bike, goes like stink, nice and comfy too.
People might say 175bhp is a bit much for a new rider but providing you don't open the throttle wide open in sport mode, you should be fine.
Go big?
When I first passed I had a go on my brothers best friends 1290 Super adventure. I REALLY liked it but I remembered thinking what if I'm being daft going too big too soon?
JJ55 said:
4. Personally I’d probably go with something used as you’re still learning on the road post test & a drop can easily happen at some point & probably for a daft reason like forgetting to take a disc lock off!
Errrr....three times my new bike I've done 1,800 miles on has rolled forward on the sidestand once while an elderly relative pointed out it was rolling forward one the sidestand as it put the bike in neutral to start it.I had cause to use the bike to get to an appointment in work time last week. I managed to roll it in between tubular partitions in the bicycle sheds. When leaving work later I leant over a partition to roll the bike forward forgetting to remove the disc lock so it moved foward about 8 inches before it stopped and the little yoyo thread for the reminder loop parted from the high vis. bar lever hoop and wound itself into the disc lock never to be seen again.
Edited by carinaman on Thursday 28th March 21:10
I've been riding all sorts since 1978. I didn't think I'd like it but took out a Triumph T120 and then a Speed Twin 900 for tests last Autumn.
Fell for the 900 as it's so easy to ride and the standard exhausts make a great sound.
Only 65bhp but it can shift or just be happy bimbling along in 3rd gear, especially in traffic.
Now the roads are drier and a wee bit warmer, I do find I'm back to riding like a loon on it but I'd say it'd be a lovely bike to start riding on.
Fell for the 900 as it's so easy to ride and the standard exhausts make a great sound.
Only 65bhp but it can shift or just be happy bimbling along in 3rd gear, especially in traffic.
Now the roads are drier and a wee bit warmer, I do find I'm back to riding like a loon on it but I'd say it'd be a lovely bike to start riding on.
Thanks for all the replies.
I've been round various dealers, it seems like the main dealers will allow test rides, but the independent used dealer I bought my 125 from can't due to the terms of their insurance policy. I have a couple of tests booked for Saturday, and a couple more discussed prior to booking.
On the subject of insurance, I've been putting various bikes through the comparison sites and, much like car insurance, there seems to be little rhyme or reason as to what bikes cost a lot. A 119bhp Z900RS was actually cheaper than an 83bhp GSX-8S.
The CB650R sounds like a good shout, it's very similar to my CB125R which I like and dealers seem to be offering brand new 2023 models at £7199 to clear out stock which seems like a cracking bargain. I'll try and go sit on one this weekend.
I fully intend to end up with more than 1 bike, I reckon I have indoor space for at least 4 before it starts getting inconvenient. The bank balance might take a moment to recover first though!
I've been round various dealers, it seems like the main dealers will allow test rides, but the independent used dealer I bought my 125 from can't due to the terms of their insurance policy. I have a couple of tests booked for Saturday, and a couple more discussed prior to booking.
On the subject of insurance, I've been putting various bikes through the comparison sites and, much like car insurance, there seems to be little rhyme or reason as to what bikes cost a lot. A 119bhp Z900RS was actually cheaper than an 83bhp GSX-8S.
The CB650R sounds like a good shout, it's very similar to my CB125R which I like and dealers seem to be offering brand new 2023 models at £7199 to clear out stock which seems like a cracking bargain. I'll try and go sit on one this weekend.
I fully intend to end up with more than 1 bike, I reckon I have indoor space for at least 4 before it starts getting inconvenient. The bank balance might take a moment to recover first though!
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