Newbie

[lockmaster55]

I'm completly new to bikes. I know next to nothing about them. However i do know traffic. So, i have decided, that 2 wheels is better than 4, only problem is, i haven't a clue what to get. I would have, i should guess £5500 tops to spend (including leathers, helmet, etc), and would like a sports bike around 500cc. Any suggestions on what to get, or where to find out about this kind of thing.

[m1spw]

You can get 400cc or 600cc bikes in the way or sports. AFAIK there are no 500cc bikes. Also, all the 400cc bikes are not made anymore, so you'd be looking at a 2-3 year old Kwak 400 or a nice Suzuki SV400 (I think thats the name).

Otherwise, you have dirt bike style bikes, which come in a vast range of engine sizes.

Sports bikes of the 600cc variety, well you're spoilt for choice. I would advise you pick up a copy of Bike or Ride, or just browse the web looking for 600 bikes. Or even go hands on and get down to your local dealer to see what they have in the way of 600cc bikes. They may also do a deal for you on a new bike, leathers an helmet so you could make a tidy saving!

[Steve_T]

Budget a few hundred (3-500) for training, as much as you can (stomach) on good kit, as this is what may save your a$$, and the rest on a bike. Also, assuming you pass your test and buy a bike, how are you going to pay for insurance? Is this separate or part of the £5500? Final point, if you're just commuting something less sporty will be more comfortable. If you pickup a super moto of some kind (think trials bike with road tyres), it'll be fun to ride, not such a killer on your neck in slow moving traffic and have quite cheap insurance.

Cheers,

Steve.

[mustdriveslower]

Pop down your local dealer and have look and see! Just don't get your chequebook out. Bikes are like clothes we all have personal tastes, so best to go and establish what yours is. All I can say is as soon as I get a new bike I am amazed at it for about 4 weeks and then I want more, faster lighter etc. But if you are going to use this as a commuter tool rather than a lust machine, go and try a number of them care of your local dealers and get the all important insurance quote too - it ain't cheap! Good luck!