Ideal First Bike - Being advised different things - HELP
Discussion
After speaking with a couple of bike shops, and also the guys who meet outside the bike shops...
Setting the scene:
I have NEVER been on a bike before until I passed my CBT in February this year, I turned 42 and I am having a midlife, I have my theory booked for beginning of May, and my M1/M2 is booked for end of may. I purchased an Aprilia Tuono 125CC which I have done 1000 miles on, and I am absolutely loving it!!
Most of my miles will be commuting, but I have formed a local biker gang with mates for the evening blasts and also weekends. Also planning some long trips.
I wanted a sports bike, but not sure about the position, which I will test ride before I commit, and ideally I want to buy just one bike rather than one Naked + Sports bike.
After research and listening to people, the top running bikes are: Yamaha MT-09 / Kawasaki Z900 / Suzuki GSX-S750, I love the looks of the GSX so this one is winning my heart.
I suppose my question is, are these bikes too powerful for me, I would like to think I am a sensible rider, I am confident on the 125cc and have taken to riding quite naturally, but I don't want to end up in a box because of a position I have put myself in to.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Setting the scene:
I have NEVER been on a bike before until I passed my CBT in February this year, I turned 42 and I am having a midlife, I have my theory booked for beginning of May, and my M1/M2 is booked for end of may. I purchased an Aprilia Tuono 125CC which I have done 1000 miles on, and I am absolutely loving it!!
Most of my miles will be commuting, but I have formed a local biker gang with mates for the evening blasts and also weekends. Also planning some long trips.
I wanted a sports bike, but not sure about the position, which I will test ride before I commit, and ideally I want to buy just one bike rather than one Naked + Sports bike.
After research and listening to people, the top running bikes are: Yamaha MT-09 / Kawasaki Z900 / Suzuki GSX-S750, I love the looks of the GSX so this one is winning my heart.
I suppose my question is, are these bikes too powerful for me, I would like to think I am a sensible rider, I am confident on the 125cc and have taken to riding quite naturally, but I don't want to end up in a box because of a position I have put myself in to.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
I passed my CBT about 8 years ago, bought a 125 for 3 months until I passed my Mod 1 and 2 via DA. On the day I passed my mod 2 I traded the 125 for a street triple so similar size to the bikes you are looking at.
I never found it too powerful and much preferred riding a slightly larger bike. You can ride a larger bike without fully opening the throttle so you will have no issues.
Roll on til now and I am about to move up to a V4 which I put a deposit on yesterday.
I never found it too powerful and much preferred riding a slightly larger bike. You can ride a larger bike without fully opening the throttle so you will have no issues.
Roll on til now and I am about to move up to a V4 which I put a deposit on yesterday.
I'm a relatively new rider, still not massively confident on corners but I love my Mt09. Huge step up from the tracer 700 it replaced, and with three power modes its easy to use. The wind push back is a pain, but I've just fitted a larger screen which I hope will help.
I bought new as I didn't want any hassles with maintenance/issues etc, but might be a better idea to buy older at first until you get a feel for what type of bike you want (or buy more than 1, which isn't really an option for me right now).
I jumped from a 125 to the tracer 700 and was starting to get bored after a few months - the bike was stolen otherwise I was facing quite a loss selling it privately or part exing. And no I didn't let it get stolen - I was gutted!!!
I bought new as I didn't want any hassles with maintenance/issues etc, but might be a better idea to buy older at first until you get a feel for what type of bike you want (or buy more than 1, which isn't really an option for me right now).
I jumped from a 125 to the tracer 700 and was starting to get bored after a few months - the bike was stolen otherwise I was facing quite a loss selling it privately or part exing. And no I didn't let it get stolen - I was gutted!!!
Hi All <-- new poster!
TBH any of the mid range bikes are suitable, inclusive of the one's you mentioned.. Something bigger would be a bit of a waste, and frankly anything faster is a bit of a waste for most of us, with a few exceptions.
Had a Z750 for my first bike (in 2010), similar to the Z900 I guess. Crashed it due to wet weather and silly driver pulling out in front of me, so expect the worst. I didn't have a 125 like you so maybe wouldn't have locked up the front wheel if I did, or had opted for ABS, but 20-20 hindsight eh....
Just get something max 100-120 hp, it really is enough for the roads. If you end up going for a sports bike, be aware you might not enjoy the position.
TBH any of the mid range bikes are suitable, inclusive of the one's you mentioned.. Something bigger would be a bit of a waste, and frankly anything faster is a bit of a waste for most of us, with a few exceptions.
Had a Z750 for my first bike (in 2010), similar to the Z900 I guess. Crashed it due to wet weather and silly driver pulling out in front of me, so expect the worst. I didn't have a 125 like you so maybe wouldn't have locked up the front wheel if I did, or had opted for ABS, but 20-20 hindsight eh....
Just get something max 100-120 hp, it really is enough for the roads. If you end up going for a sports bike, be aware you might not enjoy the position.
I am in a similar position to the OP. Mod2 coming up soon though I don’t plan to pull the trigger on a purchase until the end of the year when I can better justify it financially, it will be a pure toy.
I really really like the speed triple but you get quite varied feedback ranging from “get what you want or you will regret it quickly” to “buy a 600 or you will be dead in weeks”!
I really really like the speed triple but you get quite varied feedback ranging from “get what you want or you will regret it quickly” to “buy a 600 or you will be dead in weeks”!
I'd have thought that any of those bikes you've listed will be fine.
It's true that the bike only goes as fast as you twist the throttle, but as a new rider you will probably make mistakes, which can become rapidly more serious on a higher powered bike.
When I passed my test i had a Ducati Monster, only the 600 (something like 50hp i think). Overtaking an artic I fluffed a gear change and found a false neutral, panicked and pushed down on the gear lever instead of up and did a clutchless gear change down. That caused me to do an involuntary wheelie as i had the throttle wide open. Fortunately is was just a bit hair-raising, but with more power I'd have probably been off the back at 50-odd mph.
You can have an accident on any machine. A more powerful bike will just bite back harder if you get it wrong
It's true that the bike only goes as fast as you twist the throttle, but as a new rider you will probably make mistakes, which can become rapidly more serious on a higher powered bike.
When I passed my test i had a Ducati Monster, only the 600 (something like 50hp i think). Overtaking an artic I fluffed a gear change and found a false neutral, panicked and pushed down on the gear lever instead of up and did a clutchless gear change down. That caused me to do an involuntary wheelie as i had the throttle wide open. Fortunately is was just a bit hair-raising, but with more power I'd have probably been off the back at 50-odd mph.
You can have an accident on any machine. A more powerful bike will just bite back harder if you get it wrong
I bought the first bike I test rode, (Kawasaki ER6F), as it felt right in all aspects, I still love it two and a half years later. You won't have enough experience , so go for what feels right, no matter what it is.
What felt right to me initially I didn't realise till later what it actually was, and that was weight, the torque , and the handling, though to be honest the handling was the first thing that gelled with me.
All my list of bikes that I intended to ride, those that looked cool, retro, sports, went out of the window.
What felt right to me initially I didn't realise till later what it actually was, and that was weight, the torque , and the handling, though to be honest the handling was the first thing that gelled with me.
All my list of bikes that I intended to ride, those that looked cool, retro, sports, went out of the window.
Some thoughts and advice here, as linked to in the sticky wiki at the top of the forum.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Jag_NE said:
I am in a similar position to the OP. Mod2 coming up soon though I don’t plan to pull the trigger on a purchase until the end of the year when I can better justify it financially, it will be a pure toy.
I really really like the speed triple but you get quite varied feedback ranging from “get what you want or you will regret it quickly” to “buy a 600 or you will be dead in weeks”!
Have a look at the Street Triple R. Similar looks, cheaper to insure and great handling. Oh and lightI really really like the speed triple but you get quite varied feedback ranging from “get what you want or you will regret it quickly” to “buy a 600 or you will be dead in weeks”!
boyse7en said:
I'd have thought that any of those bikes you've listed will be fine.
It's true that the bike only goes as fast as you twist the throttle, but as a new rider you will probably make mistakes, which can become rapidly more serious on a higher powered bike.
When I passed my test i had a Ducati Monster, only the 600 (something like 50hp i think). Overtaking an artic I fluffed a gear change and found a false neutral, panicked and pushed down on the gear lever instead of up and did a clutchless gear change down. That caused me to do an involuntary wheelie as i had the throttle wide open. Fortunately is was just a bit hair-raising, but with more power I'd have probably been off the back at 50-odd mph.
You can have an accident on any machine. A more powerful bike will just bite back harder if you get it wrong
Not neccesarily the case, a bigger bike possibly wouldn't need a gear change in that scenario, making for easier overtakes (quicker ones too, so arguably less TED etc).It's true that the bike only goes as fast as you twist the throttle, but as a new rider you will probably make mistakes, which can become rapidly more serious on a higher powered bike.
When I passed my test i had a Ducati Monster, only the 600 (something like 50hp i think). Overtaking an artic I fluffed a gear change and found a false neutral, panicked and pushed down on the gear lever instead of up and did a clutchless gear change down. That caused me to do an involuntary wheelie as i had the throttle wide open. Fortunately is was just a bit hair-raising, but with more power I'd have probably been off the back at 50-odd mph.
You can have an accident on any machine. A more powerful bike will just bite back harder if you get it wrong
I get a little annoyed at the "bigger bikes are more dangerous" argument, there are a million reasons to fall off a bike, not many are simply - "it's just too fast".
More power usually means better suspension and brakes, and a more competent package over all - so within semi sensible speeds the "faster" bike is likely to be better able to manage the situation.
Also, I have a 765 StreetR, very capable but very friendly bike, a new rider with a modicum of control would be fine IMO. A lunatic will kill themselves on a 125..
Get the bike you want. You're 42, so I assume you have got far enough through life to have a good sense of self preservation, a reasonable amount of road knowledge and some adult self restraint. They will only go as fast as you ask them too, they will only do what you tell them to do.
Some are easier to ride than others for a newb, but above all, choose the bike you want.
Some are easier to ride than others for a newb, but above all, choose the bike you want.
Im also going to go along with the 'get the bike you want' side of things but I will say one thing that somebody else advised me before passing my test a year or so ago in that you may not know what you actually want just yet.
A year later I am looking to change bikes as I now know what I enjoy most and where / what kind of riding I like to do the most but realistically whatever bike you have as a first bike you will love (well unless you buy something ridiculous anyway!) I think pretty much everybody feels the same.
If you can afford to, why bother buying a snotter? - A friend dropped his bike at a junction a few months after passing, all he needed was a brake lever and a used end-can to make the bike perfect again, it really wasnt a big deal.
I
A year later I am looking to change bikes as I now know what I enjoy most and where / what kind of riding I like to do the most but realistically whatever bike you have as a first bike you will love (well unless you buy something ridiculous anyway!) I think pretty much everybody feels the same.
If you can afford to, why bother buying a snotter? - A friend dropped his bike at a junction a few months after passing, all he needed was a brake lever and a used end-can to make the bike perfect again, it really wasnt a big deal.
I
Yamaha dealers are having an open day this weekend, so you could have a go on an MT 09.
https://www.visordown.com/news/new-bikes/test-ride...
https://www.visordown.com/news/new-bikes/test-ride...
Your Mod1/Mod2 you do for your A license, plus any training you get, are going to be on a 600+ CC bike anyway, and after 10 minutes you’ll love the power on tap. I went from riding my first bike ever on my CBT, a day on a 125, straight to training on a 75hp SV650 a couple of weeks later. It was fine, easier to ride than the Honda was with all that grunt available
Zakalwe said:
Your Mod1/Mod2 you do for your A license, plus any training you get, are going to be on a 600+ CC bike anyway, and after 10 minutes you’ll love the power on tap.
And chances are you will find them easier to ride than the 125. Looking back its easy to think a big bike requires balls to handle but the reality is for the most part they are tame as a 125 if you want them to be, especially 4 cylinders. My advice would be buy what you want, and if you really appreciate it then you are unlikely to risk it with foolishness. If you like your current Tuono then a V4 1100 would be a good shout.
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