Not ridden a bike since 2005... VFR 750?

[ALEXXH558]

Advice needed... I have full UK motorcycle licence I started my riding career on a Honda CG125 then got myself a Honda CB500 which I rode for four years in all weathers I was very confident riding the CB500 it was second nature. My plan is to get myself a Honda VFR 750 RC36 (94-97) but the last time I rode CB500 or any bike was 2005...

I am anxious about doing a test ride in front of a dealer when I haven't ridden since 2005 I know once I start riding the bike I will be ok maybe I should consider a smaller bike but I know if I get a "beginner" type bike within weeks I will regret it.

My situation is unusual in that I don't lack experience it is the time in between I am sure you guys get the picture... so advice needed am I nuts to jump on VFR 750 or should I just go for it?

[yajeed]

The dealer ultimately just wants a sale.

Explain that you’re a little rusty and I’m sure they’ll look after you.

A VFR is a relatively mild mannered bike. I’m sure it’ll soon come back, like ‘riding a bike’.

There’s nothing worse than knowing something slower would bore you, and yet compromising.

Just take it easy and maybe consider some advanced riding lessons to get you back into the swing of things.

[Gunk]

Why don’t you speak to your local motorcycle training school and see if you could get a one to one lesson on the roads on a larger bike just to get some familiarity back. After about an hour you’ll be fine. I can understand your nervousness about test riding a 750 bike after an absence of 13 years.

[mckeann]

The sensible thing after a break from riding (and what I'm trying to get my dad to do) is to go and book some lessons with a training school. You don't have to spend a lot, just get a few hours on the roads with someone who can tell you what your bad habits are, whilst you get a little less rusty.

Or just go for a test ride. The dealer won't care.


As for a vfr750 as a first bike after a break, sounds like a good choice to me.

[Esceptico]

Three years ago I started riding again after a 16 year break. I had done a few track days over that time but had not ridden on the road since having a crash. I was looking at getting a 125 scooter but having a full licence I thought I might as well get a slightly bigger bike. I first tested a Honda 250. It was a bit nerve-wracking riding for the first time. Every time I went past cars at a junction I was pretty nervous. However once I had my own bike it didn’t take too long to get comfortable. After about six weeks I swapped the sensible bike for an S1000R!

I joined my local advanced motorists group and took some training. It is free (they do ask you to pay something to cover petrol so I gave a tenner(. They have group ride outs twice a month. I’ve stopped going (difficult to fit in plus I do tend to ride a bit faster than strictly legal...). However it was great to help me get back into riding and doing the test and passing proved that my riding was still okay.

[trickywoo]

Go for a test ride on a new triumph 765 street triple.

Absolute doddle to ride but also a great bike when you dig a little deeper.

[cylinderfin]

As you were so confident on the CB500, how about finding another one as you would surely get settled very quickly, and after say 6 months you would be in a good position to ride a VFR?

[ALEXXH558]

Sorry for late reply guys thanks for all the reply's sadly the VFR I was going to test ride sold so I am waiting for another tidy example to show up. In the meantime I have noticed a tidy looking Honda X11 (2000 plate black) for sale local to me real tempting...

Edited by ALEXXH558 on Sunday 18th March 17:16

[anonymous-user]

If you are nervy about it then try one the following. Bandit, Hornet, Fazer. They are dirt cheap and an easy way back into riding with enough go to make things interesting but very easy to handle.

[ALEXXH558]

Thought to update this thread... rode a work mates Pan European in the car park and basically s### myself as I forgot Pan European is a 1200 decided straight away I need a refresher. Booked myself in with local riding school and rode Kawasaki Z650 for three hours best £80 I have ever spent.

A few weeks later I bought myself a Honda CBF 600 with FSH absolutely mint and I love it. Owned the bike eleven days am just slowly building up my skills and ability a bit at a time really loving having a bike in my life again.

In my opinion CBF is easier to ride than Z650 which is nuts really. Photos of CBF are below.

[ALEXXH558]

Only allows one photo at a time here you go...

[ALEXXH558]

Last one...

[Birky_41]

I rode one of them z650s all day while my bike was in for a service recently

Couldn't stop laughing and upto about 40-50mph it's fairly nippy if you're quick on the gear changes

I'm only 5ft 11in and I swamped it