Good starter bike - 4k budget
Discussion
Afternoon all,
I've completed my bike theory this week and I'm organising dates for undertaking the DAS. I've no prior motorbike experience bit I'm hoping I can wrap it up in 5 days (CBT/Mod1/Mod2).
Obviously I've been pouring over lots of bike reviews and as well as autotrader and as you can imagine I think I wanted about every sports bike out there! My current favorite, which is just a bit over budget, is the CBR650F. The issue is I know that just like when I started driving, I will have no idea of how to really exploit the power and the handling of the bike. I much prefer to save some money in the first year and get something I can really get my bike control down. However I'm concerned that I will get bored, mainly yurning for more power, if I go for something which is lower than 600cc after 6 months or so.
In terms of cars I have a FN2 Type R which I rarely take over 90 as I value my license. So out and out power isn't really for me. I much prefer a good handling machine which makes a great noise.
I just really appreciate some honest advice on what I should be looking at. I won't be commuting with it until it's summer again, but even then it will primarily be used for the weekday afternoons and weekends for fun.I had the ninja 300 in my mind as a more affordable and good learner bike but I'm concerned it's down too much on power?
I've completed my bike theory this week and I'm organising dates for undertaking the DAS. I've no prior motorbike experience bit I'm hoping I can wrap it up in 5 days (CBT/Mod1/Mod2).
Obviously I've been pouring over lots of bike reviews and as well as autotrader and as you can imagine I think I wanted about every sports bike out there! My current favorite, which is just a bit over budget, is the CBR650F. The issue is I know that just like when I started driving, I will have no idea of how to really exploit the power and the handling of the bike. I much prefer to save some money in the first year and get something I can really get my bike control down. However I'm concerned that I will get bored, mainly yurning for more power, if I go for something which is lower than 600cc after 6 months or so.
In terms of cars I have a FN2 Type R which I rarely take over 90 as I value my license. So out and out power isn't really for me. I much prefer a good handling machine which makes a great noise.
I just really appreciate some honest advice on what I should be looking at. I won't be commuting with it until it's summer again, but even then it will primarily be used for the weekday afternoons and weekends for fun.I had the ninja 300 in my mind as a more affordable and good learner bike but I'm concerned it's down too much on power?
I had a CBR650F as my first bike after passing my DAS. It felt like a rocket at first (well it would compared to the 125 I had been riding for a few months) but yes, I soon got bored and a year later bought an MT-09SP. Having said that its a decent first bike, comfortable with more than enough power to have fun with.
My first "big bike" was a Fazer 600 but years later I'm on an SV650 and loving it: you can plod along to a V-twin soundtrack, open it up to a solid top end and it greats great mpg. There's loads around at various price points but your budget would probably get the latest model (AL7).
The MT-07 gets great reviews and should also be in budget. I think if you are looking at middleweight bikes there isn't a bad one.
The MT-07 gets great reviews and should also be in budget. I think if you are looking at middleweight bikes there isn't a bad one.
Try and beg/borrow/steal a few rides on different bikes before buying something. Your opinion on what you want will likely change after a few hours riding. I was all set to buy a sv650 but I did my practical test and lessons on one a didn't get on with it, I ended up buying a vfr800 (which wouldn't have interested me before) after blagging a few different rides on friends bikes and a few test rides.
Nothing wrong with a 600cc bike and check out the power as well as capacity as they can vary quite a bit. I started on a Yamaha XJ6N and have recently upgraded to a Street Triple R. In all honesty, the Street Triple would be a fine first bike and you could probably keep it for a very long time (which is my intention with my newly acquired one). However I am still glad I had the XJ6 as a first bike as it was low, economical, bulletproof and I didn't mind too much if it got a few scratches, which thankfully it didn't. With a lot of beginner bikes, if you pick it up at the right price you shouldn't lose much money if any.
From what you have written, it doesn't sound like the Ninja 300 will suit though, I reckon you would get bored and want more power.
From what you have written, it doesn't sound like the Ninja 300 will suit though, I reckon you would get bored and want more power.
As someone mentioned already, VFR800. £4k will get you an outstanding 6th gen bike, in fact £3k will get you a very good one!
If you enjoy the FN2 power delivery then you'll really enjoy the VFR as it also has the VTEC mechanics - past 6800rpm you'll have a BIG grin on your face
.
If you need something with better fuel economy and adventure styling, a CB500x is a good shout. I passed my test 2 years ago and enjoyed mine immensely. 75 mpg, very comfy riding position, and it really helped me work on my technique and build experience - you can still break the speed limit easily on one, but 44hp makes you a better rider... and less likely to wipe out in your early riding days!
VFR below... really miss it...
If you enjoy the FN2 power delivery then you'll really enjoy the VFR as it also has the VTEC mechanics - past 6800rpm you'll have a BIG grin on your face
.If you need something with better fuel economy and adventure styling, a CB500x is a good shout. I passed my test 2 years ago and enjoyed mine immensely. 75 mpg, very comfy riding position, and it really helped me work on my technique and build experience - you can still break the speed limit easily on one, but 44hp makes you a better rider... and less likely to wipe out in your early riding days!
VFR below... really miss it...
NorthernSky said:
As someone mentioned already, VFR800. £4k will get you an outstanding 6th gen bike, in fact £3k will get you a very good one!
If you enjoy the FN2 power delivery then you'll really enjoy the VFR as it also has the VTEC mechanics - past 6800rpm you'll have a BIG grin on your face.
If you need something with better fuel economy and adventure styling, a CB500x is a good shout. I passed my test 2 years ago and enjoyed mine immensely. 75 mpg, very comfy riding position, and it really helped me work on my technique and build experience - you can still break the speed limit easily on one, but 44hp makes you a better rider... and less likely to wipe out in your early riding days!
VFR below... really miss it...
Great shoutIf you enjoy the FN2 power delivery then you'll really enjoy the VFR as it also has the VTEC mechanics - past 6800rpm you'll have a BIG grin on your face
.If you need something with better fuel economy and adventure styling, a CB500x is a good shout. I passed my test 2 years ago and enjoyed mine immensely. 75 mpg, very comfy riding position, and it really helped me work on my technique and build experience - you can still break the speed limit easily on one, but 44hp makes you a better rider... and less likely to wipe out in your early riding days!
VFR below... really miss it...
How tall and flexible are you? Folk can make themselves fit anything but something you find fits you will definitely help. Also, what are you going to be doing with it? Commuting, tours, trackdays. Saying that I used to instruct and the school I worked at used CB650s, good solid bikes.
However, don't put pressure on yourself - don't buy a bike until you've passed! The number of folk who had gone out to buy a bike and then failed (repeatedly), with all the while this shiny new bike at home reminding them of their failure...
However, don't put pressure on yourself - don't buy a bike until you've passed! The number of folk who had gone out to buy a bike and then failed (repeatedly), with all the while this shiny new bike at home reminding them of their failure...
Stuart Fordyce said:
However, don't put pressure on yourself - don't buy a bike until you've passed! The number of folk who had gone out to buy a bike and then failed (repeatedly), with all the while this shiny new bike at home reminding them of their failure...
I think this is key - not just because it's a waste having one sitting about, but until you test ride it I don't think you can know it's the right one.I read endlessly about what I might fancy, but it wasn't until I rode it that I knew it was right.
I bought a BMW F800R for my first bike, its a great bike that has enough poke to have fun but not too much where you end up in trouble quickly. I would caveat this with I have only ridden 2 other bikes before I went for this so I have far from the experience level of some of the riders on here.
Its not a common choice but purely my own experience after looking through all the "what first bike threads" I could read lol.
Its not a common choice but purely my own experience after looking through all the "what first bike threads" I could read lol.
Comes down quite a lot to what you intend to use the bike for. However, having ridden or owned just about every bike discussed so far in this thread, if you're not planning on covering huge distances or spending lots of time on motorways or dual carriageways, I'd strongly recommend you try an MT07 - they are an absolute riot to ride.
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