Just booked the test! - Advice please....
Discussion
Hi all,
Just booked the test, and of course thinking about "the" bike. Have been told by an instructor that a 600 would be a good start, and I rather fancy the new Kawasaki Zx-6R ('05 model, cause like the exhaust!).
Firstly, does this sound like a good first bike (33 with 14 years driving exp, so won't be going mental)? Was just worried it might prove too heavy/fast.
Also, apart from the Honda CBR and ther Yamaha (forget the model) can anyone suggest a better alternative....Rather like the sports look, with all the farrings(not sure on spelling)!
Many thanks.
Just booked the test, and of course thinking about "the" bike. Have been told by an instructor that a 600 would be a good start, and I rather fancy the new Kawasaki Zx-6R ('05 model, cause like the exhaust!).
Firstly, does this sound like a good first bike (33 with 14 years driving exp, so won't be going mental)? Was just worried it might prove too heavy/fast.
Also, apart from the Honda CBR and ther Yamaha (forget the model) can anyone suggest a better alternative....Rather like the sports look, with all the farrings(not sure on spelling)!
Many thanks.
You could easily pick up a thundercat for 2k which would be easier than the more sporty offerings for the test and the first year. It would still be bloody quick and have the full fairing etc and they aren't so soft as the mags made out at the time. The advantage of this approach is that you wouldn't risk dropping an expensive new bike when you are mostly likely to drop it and when you have your test and as much experience as you think you need you can then go and test ride the sportier alternatives and compare them with your benchmark and see what suits you best as everyone elses opinions will be highly subjective. As long as you don't break it you'll get pretty much all of your money back when you sell it and if you do drop it I can't believe that it's a problem to get hold of 2nd hand plastics for a cat.
Good luck,
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Tuesday 14th June 13:05
Good luck,
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Tuesday 14th June 13:05
chilli said:
Rather fancy the new Kawasaki Zx-6R ('05 model, cause like the exhaust!).
Firstly, does this sound like a good first bike (33 with 14 years driving exp, so won't be going mental)?
Any bike is a good first bike if you have the discipline to ride it sensibly/safely. It's the head that controls the speed, not the hand
On the other hand, the temptation to open these things up can be overwhelming at times, particularly if you have mates with bikes you plan to go riding with.
You need to be honest with yourself. If I gave you a brand new Ferrari would you limit yourself to toddling down to the shops and pootling along NSL roads at sub-60mph? If the answer is no, then the chances are you will be likely to want to experience the potential of your new bike, regardless of whether or not you are ready or able to do so safely and within your personal limits.
No offence intended.
trumpet600 said:
Personally, I would look at buying a 2nd hand bike to cut your teeth on, say a hornet or fazer. Might sound like the boring option, but I would learn some bikecraft before exposing a brand new bike to the winter
Never mind exposing the bike to the winter, what about the rider
I would agree with the 2nd hand first bike. You will probably drop it* and it'd be cheaper to drop something a bit older.
*Even a spill in a car park will cost ££££!
MrsMiggins said:
Personally, I would look at buying a 2nd hand bike to cut your teeth on, say a hornet or fazer. Might sound like the boring option, but I would learn some bikecraft before exposing a brand new bike to the winter
Never mind exposing the bike to the winter, what about the rider
I would agree with the 2nd hand first bike. You will probably drop it* and it'd be cheaper to drop something a bit older.
*Even a spill in a car park will cost ££££!
After I passed my DA I bought a Yamaha 1100cc Bulldog, not a bad bike but it hurt my back after an hour in the sadddle. I've now got a BMW K1200RS SE, very comfy,very fast and sticks to the road like stuff to a blanket, however it's very heavy (thinking of changing to a Blakcbird) and I dropped it on the garage floor once. Luckily it only sustained a little cosmetic damage which polished out, unfortunately I dislocated a finger trying to hold the damn thing up. Oh the joys of biking
Many thanks for your responses. Just looked at the Thundercat, and quite like it! So I think I can take it that a 600 is not gonna be too heavy or unmanageable. Just had a friend of a friend who passed his test, bought a Suzuki 600, and kept "dropping" it at traffic lights etc, and that kinda put me off.
Think I'm still gonna go for the Kawasaki though...perhaps there might be a few cheaper 2 hand ones around, albeit 6 months old!
Thanks again.
Think I'm still gonna go for the Kawasaki though...perhaps there might be a few cheaper 2 hand ones around, albeit 6 months old!
Thanks again.
bandits makes good first bikes, the downside of sports is the speed, its so easy to hit 90+, but then you think "ooh, must slow for the island" and are going in way to hot to get the speed down.
the Suzuki SV1000 is actually quicker than the latest all singing GSXR1000.
Triumph make some good road bikes, that arent the quickest but are commented on for the ease of riding on normal roads. Have a look at the new Sprint ST.
Oh yes, and take the mag reviews with a pinch of salt. In a typical shootout, they have to find some fault, or reason, just to find a difference. But the average rider would really struggle to tell the difference. They really are very close.
In the end you must test ride them to appreciate the difference.
Even then, a bad suspension setup can turn a great bike into a dog, your own body weight can even throw it off compared to a lighter mate thats says "its perfect"; it may not be setup for you.
what Im saying is, dont spend too much, because as your experience grows, so will your understanding of what makes a good bike, and what suits your style, and soon you will be thinking of changing it.
the Suzuki SV1000 is actually quicker than the latest all singing GSXR1000.
Triumph make some good road bikes, that arent the quickest but are commented on for the ease of riding on normal roads. Have a look at the new Sprint ST.
Oh yes, and take the mag reviews with a pinch of salt. In a typical shootout, they have to find some fault, or reason, just to find a difference. But the average rider would really struggle to tell the difference. They really are very close.
In the end you must test ride them to appreciate the difference.
Even then, a bad suspension setup can turn a great bike into a dog, your own body weight can even throw it off compared to a lighter mate thats says "its perfect"; it may not be setup for you.
what Im saying is, dont spend too much, because as your experience grows, so will your understanding of what makes a good bike, and what suits your style, and soon you will be thinking of changing it.
chilli said:It's a matter of balance really. Just make sure you bring it to a halt in a controlled manner and make sure the bike is upright so you aren't taking much weight on your legs. After a while it'll all come naturally. Having said that you'll make it a lot easier on yourself if you can touch the floor on both sides of the bike you buy.
So I think I can take it that a 600 is not gonna be too heavy or unmanageable. Just had a friend of a friend who passed his test, bought a Suzuki 600, and kept "dropping" it at traffic lights etc, and that kinda put me off.
Mark
Im with Stooz on this one - Bandits/Fazers and the like make good first bikes - no expensive plastics to break, and the lack of fairing means your neck muscles limit the top speed you can sustain for long periods! Plus, the riding position on some sports bikes isnt much fun for a newbie - my newly qualified mate hates riding my sports bike and much prefers his Bandit6 - he feels he can actually access its abilities and therefore learn to ride a lot more easily.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff