Which bike to start?

[exelero]

Hey guys, I finally decided to start riding this time for real.
Question would be which bike to start on?
At the moment I narrowed it down to one of the big four Japanese ones
Hornet-Bandit-FZ6- Kawasaki whatever they make that’s 600 and not a race bike.
Does anyone have experience with either or maybe all? Any pros cons for each?
Should I just save a bit more and get an MT07 or should I learn properly without any rider aids? I’m 33 now I think I calmed down enough.
It would be a mode of transport mostly and I like the naked bike style. Commute about 8-12 miles each way

Please let me know your experiences and opinions! Many thanks

[Krikkit]

The correct answer is - which one do you really really want? Forget just the 4 or 5 here, what's the one you'd really want if you could?

No point buying a boring bike just because, get one that makes you properly excited.

[esuuv]

As above - buy something you want, go to a few dealers and sit on bikes you like the look of - then work out what age / price point / capacity etc.......superbike factory if you have one local is a good start as they tend t have pretty much everything all under one roof and are fairly low pressure.

[hiccy18]

There's an SV650 for all budgets, easy on fuel, maintenance and insurance.

[trickywoo]

As a new rider abs would be nice to have but it’s not essential.

The 600 inline 4s fazer, bandit, hornet are much of a muchness. Buy any on condition / price and you’ll be fine.

If you fit comfortably on one a sv650 would be my choice.

[exelero]

Krikkit said:

The correct answer is - which one do you really really want? Forget just the 4 or 5 here, what's the one you'd really want if you could?

No point buying a boring bike just because, get one that makes you properly excited.

I would like a SuperDuke my friend, probably not the best to start on tho. I was thinking about the Japanese because they’re generally said to be reliable, just ride kind of bikes. I would really really want a Super Duke but I don’t really want to spend more than 3-4 maybe half if possible

[exelero]

esuuv said:

As above - buy something you want, go to a few dealers and sit on bikes you like the look of - then work out what age / price point / capacity etc.......superbike factory if you have one local is a good start as they tend t have pretty much everything all under one roof and are fairly low pressure.

I did that a year ago, and like the only flat-foot comfortable one was a CB500F

[Sycamore]

I'm similar age and got my licence a year or two back and got a Kawasaki ER6-f (They do a naked also).
650 Parallel twin.

I got it for similar reasons to what you've said - Reliable, not too quick, easy 'starter' bike etc.

I really liked it.

I'd echo what everyone else here has said however, in that you should just buy the bike that you actually want. I should've just done that.

[GriffoDP]

If you're liking the Super Duke, maybe get a 790 Duke instead if you want a halfway house. They're much more forgiving than the 1290 in my limited experience with them as courtesy bikes (I have a 1290 GT).

I had an SV650 as my first bike, back in 2008. I was in a rush for a trip so didn't put much more thought than "the inline 4 from Suzuki doesn't feel as fun as the V-twin" and that was that. Although I was glad of the engine braking from that V-twin too, in those early days!

Whatever you get, you'll learn and determine what you enjoy or want to change with the next bike. For instance I locked the front on the SV so got an F800ST with ABS after that. Then I learned I like excitement so got a K1300S. And so on and so on .

Oh if you're short of leg Daytona - the best of boot people - make a boot with a lift in it. Gave me the confidence to try the 1290 GT and I am so glad I did! But they are spendy. But motorcycling is spendy.

Good luck

[Xcore]

Street triple

[exelero]

Xcore said:

Street triple

Would that not be too much?

[Time4another]

exelero said:

Hey guys, I finally decided to start riding this time for real.
Question would be which bike to start on?
At the moment I narrowed it down to one of the big four Japanese ones
Hornet-Bandit-FZ6- Kawasaki whatever they make that s 600 and not a race bike.
Does anyone have experience with either or maybe all? Any pros cons for each?
Should I just save a bit more and get an MT07 or should I learn properly without any rider aids? I m 33 now I think I calmed down enough.
It would be a mode of transport mostly and I like the naked bike style. Commute about 8-12 miles each way

Please let me know your experiences and opinions! Many thanks

Won't go far wrong with any you've mentioned. Rider aids ain't a bad thing either.

Street Triples get great reviews, wouldn't rule one out. Small, light, agile.

[smifffymoto2]

A GSX8S would be my choice,a lot of bike for not much money.There are some good deals secondhand.

[Alex Z]

Roughly what sort of budget do you have in mind, and is it going to be used all year round?

Some bikes weather better than others n

[trickywoo]

exelero said:

I don t really want to spend more than 3-4 maybe half if possible

[JR1979]

exelero said:

Would that not be too much?

I got a 675 street triple a week after passing my test, its a basic spec, no abs etc, it's been absolutely fine for me for the last 18 months, the speed/acceleration will excite you for the first couple of months or so, but you'll soon get used to the fact the bike only goes as quick as the throttle is open. Its a very capable bike in my opinion. I only use mine for commuting during dry weather, about 13 miles each way and maybe once a month for a back road blast with a couple of mates, i couldn't comment on its abilities to tour or cope with all weathers though.

[archie456]

exelero said:

Xcore said:

Street triple

Would that not be too much?

How would you describe the way you drive your car?

That will be the biggest clue as to how you will ride a bike.

I'd suggest getting a bike with ABS as it will save you when reacting to situations other people put you in.

However, I believe that none of the other aids will save you from the sorts of mistakes you're likely to make as a new rider.

[phil4]

I started out on a Duc 848 Evo after passing my test. I don't regret it, the bike was defo a character and was fun to ride.

Moved then to a Street Triple 765RS, which was a lot easier to ride, and still fun, just not quite as much and not as nice to look at.

I'd say go with what you really want, because if it isn't you won't want to ride.

[hiccy18]

I struggle with the idea that someone wouldn't want to ride because they didn't buy their dream bike; I think once past the learner legal stuff you'll ride if you want to. The bike chosen will be reflected in the riding done, so you should choose the bike that suits what you want to do best.

[conkerman]

My Mrs passed her test not long ago. She went for a Street triple A2 compliant model. Its great. We are getting to the point where we either derestrict or move to another bike.