What's a good 2nd bike for a novice?

[Al_g]

Damn silly question I know but.........

I'm a born again (kinda), had 125's etc as a kid but only passed my full test 2 years ago (now i'm 30 :-(). Since then I've been riding my trusty Yamaha Fazer 600 as my first big bike so to speak and have covered about 20k miles. Now, i'll probably hang on to it for a bit. But I'm at the stage where I'm looking at bike mags etc and planning to upgrade at some stage in the future......

But there is too much choice and I don't wanna bite off more than i can chew and end up a) scared to ride the bike or b) kill myself on a bike i'm not skilled enough to handle!

I'm a fairly confident rider (for a novice), and i like to think of myself as relatively safe and in control so to speak and am definately well in my comfort zone when riding my fazer. In fact it has got to the point now where i'd like a bit more power as at times it can feel slow. This is something i never thought i'd hear myself say as 2 years ago when i first passed my test the fazer felt like the fastest thing on the planet :-D

To give you an idea of my level, i've done a few hours of advanced training with a local training school and I did the ron haslam race school. This summer i also wanna do a bike safe course and maybe even the california super bike school? My riding is generally a bit on the cautious side as I like to ride within my comfort zone, and I've never got my knee down :-( though I appreciate that doesn't mean much as I used to get my knee down all the time on 125's when I was a kid and had no fear.....I also used to crash a lot too :-D

I've been looking at all kinds of bikes from the fazer thou (similar to my current bike with a bit more go) a sports 600 (r6/gsxr/cbr/etc) and I actually quite fancy a ZX7R. I think ultimately I'd like to end up with an R1/Fireblade/GSXR1000 but belive this is well above my current skill level and I doubt i'd get insured.

I apologise for waffling but, what does make a good 2nd bike?

[sybaseian]

To be honest, it's really a question of test riding what you like from your choice. It might look nice in the showroom, but sling your leg over any bike and 10 mins later you know if it's for you or not.

Race 'type' bikes will have a completely different riding position to what you are used to - more weight on your arms and footpegs set back and higher, which you may or may not like - takes getting used to.

The important thing is that you are comfortable when you ride the bike for any length of time - you can't ride at 90mph all day on a Harley or you'll feel like your arms have been ripped off. You can't ride a race bike all day at 30mph if you are a bike courier in London (unless you like pain!).

You've got to decide what you want to use the bike for most before you buy it - I once rode a 250cc from Northern Ireland to Germany (over 800 miles) in 24 hours and that was bloody uncomfortable by the end of the journey.

[rsvmilly]

Try a twin like the Suzuki SV1000

Easy to ride but fast and the power delivery of big twins is great - controllable without the crazy top end rush of a four.

[hugoagogo]

what he said (and a zx7r is a pretty uncomfortable beast round town)

[Vitesse39]

Al_g said:

......I actually quite fancy a ZX7R.....

...this is good, I like your thinking

I am of the opinion that there is nothing you can do on a thou that you can't do on a 6, or 750 (as far as the public roads and sports bikes go anyway, and insurance) so I'm well chuffed with my ZXR750.

Have you considered a twin? personally a 748 wouldn't go a miss same amount of power as a 600-ish but possibly not if your going to commute on it.

Best thing to do as has been said is try out what you like the look of.......then get the ZX7R

[black-k1]

Asking such a question on a forum like this is likely to get you a huge number of different responses. Most will recommend a particular bike, while some will suggest a make/model to avoid. All such advice is very valid but will be specific to each individuals experience and requirements which may well be very different to your own.

To work out what is the best bike for you, start be establishing the style of bike you want. I suggest drawing up some form of “criteria” for different bike classifications and attempting to categorise the different facets.

You currently ride a Fazer which is a nice “general purpose” bike. I would suggest that for a general purpose bike the criteria might be:

(These are simply my initial opinions – feel free to disagree)

Performance – good
Handling - good
Comfort – good
Manoeuvrability – good
Touring – good
Economy – good
Pillion – good

For a sports bike, the results might be more like:

Performance – excellent
Handling – excellent
Comfort – average
Manoeuvrability – good
Touring – average
Economy – average
Pillion – poor

For a touring bike, the results might be:

Performance – average
Handling – average
Comfort – excellent
Manoeuvrability – average
Touring – excellent
Economy – average
Pillion – excellent

Likewise, you can do the same for general engine configurations:

Mid range/4cyl
Power - good
Torque – average
Economy – good

Mid range/2cyl
Power – average
Torque – good
Economy – good

Large/4cyl
Power – excellent
Torque – good
Economy – average

Large/2cyl
Power – good
Torque – excellent
Economy - average

From this you can then establish what is important to you and thus what style/engine configuration works for you. That’ll help you draw up a short list. Try the bikes on the short list then let your heart decide. (By then, you’ll most likely “just know” which bike it’s going to be anyway)

Don’t be afraid to go for larger/sportier bikes. They are no more “unmanageable” than your Fazer. The ONLY difference between the likes of an R1/’Blade/GSXR1000 and your Fazer is that they OFFER more potential. You don’t have to use that potential and most people rarely ever use all of that potential, especially in road situations. Just because any vehicle can do 170+mph doesn’t mean you have to drive it at 170+mph! All of the above mentioned bikes are very easy to ride gently.

Have a great time choosing your next bike, then have a great time riding it. Get some more advanced training and, like you appear to have done with the Fazer, take your time exploring and enjoying the capabilities of the new bike.

Ride safe and enjoy.

[black-k1]

rsvmilly said:

Try a twin like the Suzuki SV1000 Easy to ride but fast and the power delivery of big twins is great - controllable without the crazy top end rush of a four.

Very true for big twins. Most of the performance where you are likely to be able to use it in "real road" situations.

[dern]

Given that you've done 20k miles in 2 years you've probably done more miles than most people do in 10 years and you'll have more current built in experience than 90% of the people you see on bikes. Unless these 20k miles have just been motorway miles I'd suggest that you get pretty much what you want

Even bikes like my blade are pretty easy to ride as long as you remember that you can't slam the throttle wide open whenever you like.

[Al_g]

I guess the main thing is i don't wanna get a bike I can't handle and either become a danger to myself and everyone else or not ride it much 'cause it's too much. I'm probably worrying about nothing and just try and get a test ride on a bigger bike and see how it goes? Insurance is going to be the biggest stumbling block i think

My priorities for my next bike are acceleration, confident/stable handling and something that looks pretty ;-) I don't take pillions (the mrs now has her own bike) my riding is generally all about the twisties so I want a bike that loves corners

[black-k1]

Sounds like a Ducati / Aprilia may be the answer. Loads of torque for good acceleration, excellent handling and good looks.

[sybaseian]

Al_g said:

I guess the main thing is i don't wanna get a bike I can't handle and either become a danger to myself and everyone else or not ride it much 'cause it's too much. I'm probably worrying about nothing and just try and get a test ride on a bigger bike and see how it goes? Insurance is going to be the biggest stumbling block i think My priorities for my next bike are acceleration, confident/stable handling and something that looks pretty ;-) I don't take pillions (the mrs now has her own bike) my riding is generally all about the twisties so I want a bike that loves corners

try a triple :-)

moody as hell.....

[BobM]

black-k1 said:

Sounds like a Ducati / Aprilia may be the answer. Loads of torque for good acceleration, excellent handling and good looks.

Some very good deals to be had on brand new 05 (and even 04) model Aprilias. Got mine in February and done 1700 miles already. Lovely machine and a bit more character than the Japanese multis (excellent though they are). I went to look at a Ducati 999 but bought an Aprilia instead - very similar to the Ducati but much cheaper both to buy and to maintain. Also insurance quotes were cheaper than for a Gixxer.

[rsvmilly]

BobM said:

Some very good deals to be had on brand new 05 (and even 04) model Aprilias. Got mine in February and done 1700 miles already. Lovely machine and a bit more character than the Japanese multis (excellent though they are). I went to look at a Ducati 999 but bought an Aprilia instead - very similar to the Ducati but much cheaper both to buy and to maintain. Also insurance quotes were cheaper than for a Gixxer.

That's quite a fleet you have there Bob - a fellow Evo driver, too.

I really liked my Aprilia too - it was the older version of yours, again all Ohlins. After a couple of years I just found the performance a bit flat so I bought the R1. I was starting to cover higher mileages too so wanted the Japanese reliability and the easier to live with nature.

I'm still at the '**** this is fast' stage with the R1.

[711]

black-k1 said:

Don’t be afraid to go for larger/sportier bikes. They are no more “unmanageable” than your Fazer. The ONLY difference between the likes of an R1/’Blade/GSXR1000 and your Fazer is that they OFFER more potential. You don’t have to use that potential and most people rarely ever use all of that potential, especially in road situations. Just because any vehicle can do 170+mph doesn’t mean you have to drive it at 170+mph! All of the above mentioned bikes are very easy to ride gently.

What he said ^^^^
It's true that there are twitchy powerful bikes, but I don't believe there is such as thing as a nutter bastard bike. It's the nutter bastard riding it, not the bike. I've been trying to pick a new bike recently, and the one that best suited my size and riding position was the new range of GSX-Rs. They're low down and low weight which I liked as a shortie. Despite the rep as a nutter bike I really liked them both. Sadly, "insurance computer said no!" I'm looking forward to picking up my 12 year old ZXR750 tomorrow

black-k1 said:

Have a great time choosing your next bike, then have a great time riding it. Get some more advanced training and, like you appear to have done with the Fazer, take your time exploring and enjoying the capabilities of the new bike. Ride safe and enjoy.

Even more wot he said ^^^^