Discussion
Regular browsers of PH may know that I have a bit of a dilemma - I don't know which car I want next.
With that in mind, and following a rather amusing few minutes today whereby I found myself hooning about in my MR2, accompanied by a trio of bikers (I think they were using me as a kind of automotive snow plough to get the other traffic out of the way), I thought to myself; "Hmmmmm, how about a bike?"
I never really was in to bikes, being somewhat partial to the sheer presense of a seriously nice car, but over the last few months my interest has grown to the point where I'd consider getting one.
Can't say I've had any experience with them in the past, and I'm sure the sensible option when starting on bikes would be to start with something slow and work my way up to omething like an R1, but I can't afford to do that - It's R1 (or suchlike) or nothing. The bike would be second hand.
Do any of you lot have any advice for a potential biker, taking into account the above?
DanBoy said:
Can't say I've had any experience with them in the past, and I'm sure the sensible option when starting on bikes would be to start with something slow and work my way up to omething like an R1, but I can't afford to do that - It's R1 (or suchlike) or nothing.
Why not? If u buy privately & sell privately youll lose next to nothing unless the you sell in winter.
You obviously are only really interested in the sports kinda stuff, so i'd look into cbr600's e.g http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9806&item=4544070979&rd=1
The R1 first bike?? question is a firm favorite: www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75113
The general concensus is to dig a hole in your back garden first...
Ride a 600, it will be super fast!!
If I was to offer any advice, it would be to get a sports 600 first. The first time I rode one it felt like I was strapped to a land based missile! 
Honestly, it got to 130 so fast, it was awesome.
Also, you can get away with it* on a 600 too without fear of it looping itself. An R1 would be fun for all the wrong reasons and you'll learn to actually ride so much better on the 6.
Buy a K series gsxr600. You'll love the performance and the noise from the induction is pretty special too.
* = Riding like a bit of a tw@
Honestly, it got to 130 so fast, it was awesome. Also, you can get away with it* on a 600 too without fear of it looping itself. An R1 would be fun for all the wrong reasons and you'll learn to actually ride so much better on the 6.
Buy a K series gsxr600. You'll love the performance and the noise from the induction is pretty special too.
* = Riding like a bit of a tw@
I agree with all the above. Bike riding is the road experience. But to go straight to any litre sportsbike with no experience is just asking for trouble. Start with a 600 but at the same time do not be fooled that because it's not a 1000 you'll be safe as houses because you won't be.
What you need to know, understand and master in order to go fast on a bike far outstrips the requirements of car driving. This is what makes it so rewarding IMO. As long as you understand the dangers I would wholeheartedly recommend biking. And all it costs is a few hundred quid and four days out of your life (to get you through Direct Access).
What you need to know, understand and master in order to go fast on a bike far outstrips the requirements of car driving. This is what makes it so rewarding IMO. As long as you understand the dangers I would wholeheartedly recommend biking. And all it costs is a few hundred quid and four days out of your life (to get you through Direct Access).
DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to admit, I do love the look of those GSXR600s.
OK, whenever I talk to people about bikes, the first they say to me is how dangerous it is. My (sort of) girlfriend completely flipped out on me when I told her I was thinking about bikes; "You are effing joking... Well, it's your money and your life..." etc etc.
The thing is, all this stuff - in my experience -always comes from people who don't ride bikes.
So, exactly how dangerous is it really? I'm aware that the ability to never underestimate the stupidity and unpredictablity of drivers is a standard requirement moreso than when driving a car, but I don't think I'm too bad at that. Is it mostly a case of remembering that the other guy probably hasn't seen you? And then of course there is the issue of staying in control of the bike... I'd imagine this is the main issue.
Oh, and another (slightly embarassing) thing is; I'm not especially tall (5ft 6 roughly). Is this going to cause a problem?
>> Edited by DanBoy on Monday 18th April 22:11
OK, whenever I talk to people about bikes, the first they say to me is how dangerous it is. My (sort of) girlfriend completely flipped out on me when I told her I was thinking about bikes; "You are effing joking... Well, it's your money and your life..." etc etc.
The thing is, all this stuff - in my experience -always comes from people who don't ride bikes.
So, exactly how dangerous is it really? I'm aware that the ability to never underestimate the stupidity and unpredictablity of drivers is a standard requirement moreso than when driving a car, but I don't think I'm too bad at that. Is it mostly a case of remembering that the other guy probably hasn't seen you? And then of course there is the issue of staying in control of the bike... I'd imagine this is the main issue.
Oh, and another (slightly embarassing) thing is; I'm not especially tall (5ft 6 roughly). Is this going to cause a problem?
>> Edited by DanBoy on Monday 18th April 22:11
Dan if you're a confident safe driver, have good road sense and want a bike.. then just do it.
I disagree with what people say about getting a 600 it will be good for the first month while your gaining your confidence and learning biking skills.. but why not do this learning process on a 1000 and then you won't always be wishing you had bought that thou..
The Gixer thou's are being sold at ridiculous prices at the moment and they are excellent bikes the only thing that may stop you from going this route may be insurance. (2 blokes I know both 5.6' ride gixer thous well. so you should'nt have a problem)
I disagree with what people say about getting a 600 it will be good for the first month while your gaining your confidence and learning biking skills.. but why not do this learning process on a 1000 and then you won't always be wishing you had bought that thou..
The Gixer thou's are being sold at ridiculous prices at the moment and they are excellent bikes the only thing that may stop you from going this route may be insurance. (2 blokes I know both 5.6' ride gixer thous well. so you should'nt have a problem)
DanBoy said:
So, exactly how dangerous is it really?
Well just accept you are gunna bin it & in my experience its not an 'if' as I can't think of a biker mate whos never had an 'off' its far more likely a when.
Wear the right gear to protect you & imagine that every car you encounter hasnt seen you & you are off to a good start tho, then its just your riding & things like diesel spills & wet manhole covers to be aware of.
I think a 1000cc for a newbie is absolute madness myself, not so much for the power- as you may not use it all, or if you do it will only be in a striaght line for a few miliseconds coz other wise you are just gunna get spat off, its more that riding a powerful bike properly takes a heck of a lot of skill & you simply won't be able to use a few % of the bikes capabilities for a long long quite while & won't you feel a bit silly wobbleing round like a kid with stabalizers on when bikes with a fraction of the power & experienced riders aboard are running rings round you?
I have no doubt that riding a lower powered bike (or indeed driving a lower powered car) for a while & learning how to get 100% out of it & your own capabilities makes you a much much better rider/driver than simply going for the powerful stuff straight away.
>> Edited by iguana on Tuesday 19th April 00:01
DanBoy said:
and another (slightly embarassing) thing is; I'm not especially tall (5ft 6 roughly). Is this going to cause a problem?
Dan
I'm 5'5" & currently ride a fireblade. I've owned 3 Fireblades, a 748, VTR1000, ZX7r, Gix 750.
You won't have a problem - especially if you go for a 600!
Good stuff!
Didn't think I would really, but I thought I'd better check first!
With regards to the comment somewhere above about getting the R1 straight away - Financially it makes sense (although insurance may say otherwise) but I think it's probably wise to pay some attention to the safety aspect of things too. Especially after having read a thread somewhere in which a bloke reckons only about 1 in 10 people who started on an R1 is still alive!
I have seen the need to be a bit more sensible about things!
>> Edited by DanBoy on Tuesday 19th April 09:21
Didn't think I would really, but I thought I'd better check first!
With regards to the comment somewhere above about getting the R1 straight away - Financially it makes sense (although insurance may say otherwise) but I think it's probably wise to pay some attention to the safety aspect of things too. Especially after having read a thread somewhere in which a bloke reckons only about 1 in 10 people who started on an R1 is still alive!
I have seen the need to be a bit more sensible about things!
>> Edited by DanBoy on Tuesday 19th April 09:21
re R1 as a first bike? Madness. Utter madness. For a start, it will cost you an absolute fortune to insure - car NCB doesn't transfer. I really don't think you'll enjoy it, you'll love winding it on on the straights but will be on the brakes for every corner.
Plus, you are going to a)drop it, even if only at low speed, and b)make hamfisted cockups.
As an example - a few times recently i've had the back end of my Bandit 6 sliding, in the dry, coming off roundabouts etc - it's not a problem, I just feel it shifting under the power - now, on a Bandit6 it's quite enjoyable and pretty controllable, but still caused by winding the throttle on too early - do that on an R1 and you'll most likely have a ground/sky/ground/sky/ouch moment!
Plus, you are going to a)drop it, even if only at low speed, and b)make hamfisted cockups.
As an example - a few times recently i've had the back end of my Bandit 6 sliding, in the dry, coming off roundabouts etc - it's not a problem, I just feel it shifting under the power - now, on a Bandit6 it's quite enjoyable and pretty controllable, but still caused by winding the throttle on too early - do that on an R1 and you'll most likely have a ground/sky/ground/sky/ouch moment!
S2rr Kitty said:
and another (slightly embarassing) thing is; I'm not especially tall (5ft 6 roughly). Is this going to cause a problem?
Dan
I'm 5'5" & currently ride a fireblade. I've owned 3 Fireblades, a 748, VTR1000, ZX7r, Gix 750.
You won't have a problem - especially if you go for a 600!
Erm, size of motor has no bearing on seat height.
Mad Dave said:
re R1 as a first bike? Madness. Utter madness. For a start, it will cost you an absolute fortune to insure - car NCB doesn't transfer. I really don't think you'll enjoy it, you'll love winding it on on the straights but will be on the brakes for every corner.
Plus, you are going to a)drop it, even if only at low speed, and b)make hamfisted cockups.
Agree with this. Plus, on a smaller bike you'll develop your skills more quickly.
Ahhhhh haaaaaah!!!
Anyway, I think I'll be more than happy/scared/happy with a 600 for the time being.
Furthermore it would appear that the opportunities to, shall we say, "stretch" a 1000cc bike are limited to say the least!
Might take a wander down to the local bike shop this afternoon. The other day they were loading bikes in big cardboard boxes off a huge Kawasaki truck with a forklift. That was exciting.
Mate of mine (who has recommended that I go for a Ninja!) had an R1 for a while and managed to break his wrist and a leg on it. And he had to have his other leg "drained." Not sure I want to know what was involved in that procedure.
But I had to ask him, "Was it worth it?"
He said it was.
When he sold the R1, it had nigh on 170bhp.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Thursday 21st April 10:51
Anyway, I think I'll be more than happy/scared/happy with a 600 for the time being.
Furthermore it would appear that the opportunities to, shall we say, "stretch" a 1000cc bike are limited to say the least!
Might take a wander down to the local bike shop this afternoon. The other day they were loading bikes in big cardboard boxes off a huge Kawasaki truck with a forklift. That was exciting.
Mate of mine (who has recommended that I go for a Ninja!) had an R1 for a while and managed to break his wrist and a leg on it. And he had to have his other leg "drained." Not sure I want to know what was involved in that procedure.
But I had to ask him, "Was it worth it?"
He said it was.
When he sold the R1, it had nigh on 170bhp.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Thursday 21st April 10:51
I love my car - it's a hoot, but it's nowhere near the bike for thrills.
Do it. But do take care, it is more dangerous and you're more likely to get yourself seriously hurt or worse, but like anything in life if you go into it with the right attitude and proper training you can minimise those risks. Is it worth the extra risk? Hell yeah.
Do it. But do take care, it is more dangerous and you're more likely to get yourself seriously hurt or worse, but like anything in life if you go into it with the right attitude and proper training you can minimise those risks. Is it worth the extra risk? Hell yeah.
DanBoy said:
Ahhhhh haaaaaah!!!
Anyway, I think I'll be more than happy/scared/happy with a 600 for the time being.
Furthermore it would appear that the opportunities to, shall we say, "stretch" a 1000cc bike are limited to say the least!
Might take a wander down to the local bike shop this afternoon. The other day they were loading bikes in big cardboard boxes off a huge Kawasaki truck with a forklift. That was exciting.
Mate of mine (who has recommended that I go for a Ninja!) had an R1 for a while and managed to break his wrist and a leg on it. And he had to have his other leg "drained." Not sure I want to know what was involved in that procedure.
But I had to ask him, "Was it worth it?"
He said it was.
When he sold the R1, it had nigh on 170bhp.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Thursday 21st April 10:51
The Bandit was quite fast enough for me, acceleration wise - top end was unfortunately restricted as it was an import, but I actually had no plans to sell it, but this bike came up for sale by a colleague of a mate and the price was right. Plus, it's a bit of a 'fixer-upper' and I like a bit of project
I don't imagine i'll ever fully exploit it's 170mph potential........oh OK, maybe just once
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff