What makes a good first bike?
Discussion
Mid way through my DAS and i'm looking at future bikes. I have a few biker friends and they differ on what first bike i should look at.
One says get what ever you want who cares get an R1 if you want. The other says get something small 400cc-ish, learn to ride then work your way up. And a few just say get an sv650 or something similar but don't get an inline 4.
My question is what really makes a good started bike ? Is it the speed that makes a bike bad for beginners or is it how it is delivered. Example would be a 400cc sport bike vs a xj6. Which is more beginner friendly ?
I'm torn between the SV650 and an old carbed Fazer 600. I want the Fazer because they sound awesome and its il4 but keep getting told its to much for a beginner get an SV650 but on paper there is barely any difference in performance. I wouldn't mind an SV650 if it really is just more confidence inspiring for beginners allowing me to learn faster.
Whats your view on what makes a good started bike better than the rest ?
One says get what ever you want who cares get an R1 if you want. The other says get something small 400cc-ish, learn to ride then work your way up. And a few just say get an sv650 or something similar but don't get an inline 4.
My question is what really makes a good started bike ? Is it the speed that makes a bike bad for beginners or is it how it is delivered. Example would be a 400cc sport bike vs a xj6. Which is more beginner friendly ?
I'm torn between the SV650 and an old carbed Fazer 600. I want the Fazer because they sound awesome and its il4 but keep getting told its to much for a beginner get an SV650 but on paper there is barely any difference in performance. I wouldn't mind an SV650 if it really is just more confidence inspiring for beginners allowing me to learn faster.
Whats your view on what makes a good started bike better than the rest ?
Edited by Slipperywang on Wednesday 5th September 10:41
t in a few months time Slipperywang said:
I'm torn between the SV650 and an old carbed Fazer 600. I want the Fazer because they sound awesome and its il4 but keep getting told its to much for a beginner get an SV650 but on paper there is barely any difference in performance. I wouldn't mind an SV650 if it really is just more confidence inspiring for beginners allowing me to learn faster.
tbh Anything is "to much" if you have no self control , buy the bike you want and treat it accordingly and with respect and you will be fine.Yep, my instructor told me to buy a bike that I really liked, that I'd use, that I'd get out of bed early on a Sunday morning to ride - because you're far more likely to build up experience than if you bought an old Bandit or something that just languished in the back of the garage.
If you want the Fazer, buy it. You'll be fine.
If you want the Fazer, buy it. You'll be fine.
As a new rider, I trained on an SV650, ride an adventure bike and have ridden a BMW F800 and Honda CBR600 FSport. All I would say is that of them all, the Fsport (ergo a sportsbike) is really not a good bike for a new rider to learn their roadcraft in my opinion. Low down, awkward riding position, poor visibility and poor turning circle, wouldn't be me.
When you start riding you need to be learning a decent roadcraft, your observations and low speed maneovres. It's no co-incidence riding schools use the likes of SV650s, MT07s etc.
When you start riding you need to be learning a decent roadcraft, your observations and low speed maneovres. It's no co-incidence riding schools use the likes of SV650s, MT07s etc.
I think it depends largely on the individual - age and temperament play a role too.
Me and a friend did DAS early this year in our early 30's, he went straight on an R1, I went to an XSR900 - He found it much more difficult for the first month, a lot of that due to position on the bike and how a sports bike rides rather than how powerful it was, I found the XSR very easy to use right away, my DAS had been on an MT07 and it did feel similar right from the off.
We are both really enjoying this year on the bikes, so far one dropped bike and one stood-up slow corner between us, both of which could happen on any bike, regardless of power and both of those being recent but no other real 'issues'.
I wonder if a lot of people who say a more powerful bike will instantly kill a new rider forget just how much that power will scare the crap out of you to start with (you do start to get used to things too and may get bored before you realise if you buy something you don't like) if it doesn't then yes, start with something sensible as you are probably a bit of a nutter / have no self control.
Me and a friend did DAS early this year in our early 30's, he went straight on an R1, I went to an XSR900 - He found it much more difficult for the first month, a lot of that due to position on the bike and how a sports bike rides rather than how powerful it was, I found the XSR very easy to use right away, my DAS had been on an MT07 and it did feel similar right from the off.
We are both really enjoying this year on the bikes, so far one dropped bike and one stood-up slow corner between us, both of which could happen on any bike, regardless of power and both of those being recent but no other real 'issues'.
I wonder if a lot of people who say a more powerful bike will instantly kill a new rider forget just how much that power will scare the crap out of you to start with (you do start to get used to things too and may get bored before you realise if you buy something you don't like) if it doesn't then yes, start with something sensible as you are probably a bit of a nutter / have no self control.
If you like the Fazer, get it. There's not much difference in performance between them, more the power delivery.
The SV has more torque, the Fazer more top end. Both are quick bikes for a beginner.
Working you way up through various bikes is great fun and a nice way to learn. You get to feel the difference in the machines as your ability grows, rather than just wobbling around on a litre bike.
The SV has more torque, the Fazer more top end. Both are quick bikes for a beginner.
Working you way up through various bikes is great fun and a nice way to learn. You get to feel the difference in the machines as your ability grows, rather than just wobbling around on a litre bike.
I was in a similar position to you, I test rode an sv650, realised it was too small for my fat ass and my legs felt cramped, so I got a fzs600 (fazer), it's quick enough when you get above 7k but nowhere near unrideable around town, I commute 60 miles a day to London and it's held up fine, no wrist ache, screen just about big enough (could do with bigger but can't be arsed)
the sv650 had a lovely engine, instant torque but you aren't settling by getting a fazer
the sv650 had a lovely engine, instant torque but you aren't settling by getting a fazer
All good advice! I will probably go with a a fazer 600! On a gladius at training and it feels good but looks awful. I'm not spending much money on my first bike hopefully sub 1.5k so wont have the privilege of test rides. Will have to calm it down i guess when i get on the road as i am a bit of a spaz for going quickly. Might have to do track days to suppress the urges.
Rick1.8t said:
I think it depends largely on the individual - age and temperament play a role too.
Me and a friend did DAS early this year in our early 30's, he went straight on an R1, I went to an XSR900 - He found it much more difficult for the first month, a lot of that due to position on the bike and how a sports bike rides rather than how powerful it was, I found the XSR very easy to use right away, my DAS had been on an MT07 and it did feel similar right from the off.
We are both really enjoying this year on the bikes, so far one dropped bike and one stood-up slow corner between us, both of which could happen on any bike, regardless of power and both of those being recent but no other real 'issues'.
I wonder if a lot of people who say a more powerful bike will instantly kill a new rider forget just how much that power will scare the crap out of you to start with (you do start to get used to things too and may get bored before you realise if you buy something you don't like) if it doesn't then yes, start with something sensible as you are probably a bit of a nutter / have no self control.
Just passed and I really like the XSR. (I don't get why they aren't more popular than similarly styled yet always more expensive rivals). I had thought about just getting the 700 as a few of the reviews seem to say the 900 can be a bit on the rapid side. Only concern is that I'll out grow the 700 pretty quick.Me and a friend did DAS early this year in our early 30's, he went straight on an R1, I went to an XSR900 - He found it much more difficult for the first month, a lot of that due to position on the bike and how a sports bike rides rather than how powerful it was, I found the XSR very easy to use right away, my DAS had been on an MT07 and it did feel similar right from the off.
We are both really enjoying this year on the bikes, so far one dropped bike and one stood-up slow corner between us, both of which could happen on any bike, regardless of power and both of those being recent but no other real 'issues'.
I wonder if a lot of people who say a more powerful bike will instantly kill a new rider forget just how much that power will scare the crap out of you to start with (you do start to get used to things too and may get bored before you realise if you buy something you don't like) if it doesn't then yes, start with something sensible as you are probably a bit of a nutter / have no self control.
The only thing I'd add for a newbie is to get a naked. The upright riding position will give much better forward visibility and the lack of screen leaves you in no doubt as to how fast you are going which is useful when you need to stop.
It's very easy to get caught out tucked down behind a screen in full on banzai mode. Bikers (especially new) need to look much further ahead to make smooth progress. Being able to easily see over the top (through screen of 4x4) of the car in front makes a great deal of difference.
I wouldn't be too concerned about too much power. Just stick it in rain mode for the first month or too. Any bike is capable of going too fast and putting you in hospital. That's what the throttle is for.
It's very easy to get caught out tucked down behind a screen in full on banzai mode. Bikers (especially new) need to look much further ahead to make smooth progress. Being able to easily see over the top (through screen of 4x4) of the car in front makes a great deal of difference.
I wouldn't be too concerned about too much power. Just stick it in rain mode for the first month or too. Any bike is capable of going too fast and putting you in hospital. That's what the throttle is for.
Edited by Harry H on Wednesday 5th September 12:55
The only constraint I'd usually say on a first bike, is until you've been riding for a while you don't really know what kind of riding you want to do, and therefore what type of bike you want, so don't spend too much on the first one as there's a fair chance you'll want to change before long.
I'd have thought a Fazer 600 was an ideal first bike, try a get a test ride (not sure how possible that is for a new rider) or at least spend some time sitting on a stationary one first though. I found the odd tank shape dug in to my legs a bit and wasn't that comfortable. Other people find them very comfy though. I also didn't like the buzziness of a IL4 and prefer to stick to a twin but again that's personal preference.
I'd have thought a Fazer 600 was an ideal first bike, try a get a test ride (not sure how possible that is for a new rider) or at least spend some time sitting on a stationary one first though. I found the odd tank shape dug in to my legs a bit and wasn't that comfortable. Other people find them very comfy though. I also didn't like the buzziness of a IL4 and prefer to stick to a twin but again that's personal preference.
RizzoTheRat said:
The only constraint I'd usually say on a first bike, is until you've been riding for a while you don't really know what kind of riding you want to do, and therefore what type of bike you want, so don't spend too much on the first one as there's a fair chance you'll want to change before long.
What he said ^^^Don't commit to something expensive until you figure out what kind of motorbike you enjoy riding. Keep it cheap and cheerful until then.
bmwmatt24 said:
As above, go and buy whatever bike you like!
I completed by DAS last year and bought a GSXR K8 1000 as my first bike, if i'd of bought anything else, I probaly would have sold it quickly to buy the GSXR.
Wasn't there a guy on here that had a Panaigale or similar as his first bike straight from DAS ? or was that on another group? I completed by DAS last year and bought a GSXR K8 1000 as my first bike, if i'd of bought anything else, I probaly would have sold it quickly to buy the GSXR.
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