First bike - Direct Entry
Discussion
Yet another what bike topic:
I'm looking at doing a direct entry course in the next month or so, then buying a bike over the winter period. What would be a good choice for a first bike after passing the test. I was thinking something like a Suzuki SV650S but I am worried it is a bit too small for me as I am quite large (6-3 - 16 stones). The bike would primarily be used for commuting about 10 miles a day but ocassionally would do some long distance rides on the motorway.
Requirements:
Less than £3000
Must have fairing
Must look reasonably sporty even if it isn't...
I'm looking at doing a direct entry course in the next month or so, then buying a bike over the winter period. What would be a good choice for a first bike after passing the test. I was thinking something like a Suzuki SV650S but I am worried it is a bit too small for me as I am quite large (6-3 - 16 stones). The bike would primarily be used for commuting about 10 miles a day but ocassionally would do some long distance rides on the motorway.
Requirements:
Less than £3000
Must have fairing
Must look reasonably sporty even if it isn't...
Bandit 600. Faired one. Cheap as you like. Solidly built, and based on Suzuki's GSX engine so does have a decent amount of poke - ok, it's no super sports but more than enough for first bike. Mine's still keeping me sitting pretty 18months after i got it. Plus they're common as muck so if you did stack it you can pick up all your replacement bits at your friendly breakers (trust me on that one!)
Don't get one of the newer 650 models though. Handle and feel like cr@p.
Don't get one of the newer 650 models though. Handle and feel like cr@p.
bandit6 said:
Bandit 600. Faired one. Cheap as you like. Solidly built, and based on Suzuki's GSX engine so does have a decent amount of poke - ok, it's no super sports but more than enough for first bike. Mine's still keeping me sitting pretty 18months after i got it. Plus they're common as muck so if you did stack it you can pick up all your replacement bits at your friendly breakers (trust me on that one!)
Don't get one of the newer 650 models though. Handle and feel like cr@p.
Don't get one of the newer 650 models though. Handle and feel like cr@p.
Bandits aren't fully faired though and don't look sporty - 2 of his criteria.
RR-eng said:
Yet another what bike topic:
I'm looking at doing a direct entry course in the next month or so, then buying a bike over the winter period. What would be a good choice for a first bike after passing the test. I was thinking something like a Suzuki SV650S but I am worried it is a bit too small for me as I am quite large (6-3 - 16 stones). The bike would primarily be used for commuting about 10 miles a day but ocassionally would do some long distance rides on the motorway.
Requirements:
Less than £3000
Must have fairing
Must look reasonably sporty even if it isn't...
I'm looking at doing a direct entry course in the next month or so, then buying a bike over the winter period. What would be a good choice for a first bike after passing the test. I was thinking something like a Suzuki SV650S but I am worried it is a bit too small for me as I am quite large (6-3 - 16 stones). The bike would primarily be used for commuting about 10 miles a day but ocassionally would do some long distance rides on the motorway.
Requirements:
Less than £3000
Must have fairing
Must look reasonably sporty even if it isn't...
Is your commuting done on fast A roads, town roads, country lanes ….. ? If most of the commute is town work and the other use is occasional motorway runs I would suggest you avoid the more sports focused bikes. This is because they are generally smaller than their more general purpose counterparts, are dearer to run and will offer less weather protection and manoeuvrability around town.
Check out the likes of the Suzuki Bandit or the SV650 as already suggested but also have a look at things like the BMW R1100RS or a Ducati ST2/4 for something ‘a little different’
black-k1 said:
Check out the likes of the Suzuki Bandit or the SV650 as already suggested but also have a look at things like the BMW R1100RS or a Ducati ST2/4 for something ‘a little different’
What is a Ducati like to run? I have visions of it being like a two wheeled verson of my Fiat Coupe when it comes to servicing costs.
RR-Eng said:
What is a Ducati like to run? I have visions of it being like a two wheeled verson of my Fiat Coupe when it comes to servicing costs.
I ran an ST2 and it was plagued with niggly problems. The worst was on the way to Donnington when Hodgson clinched the 2000 BSB. The generator packed up on the Duke and I was quoted £500 plus fitting!
Today's MCN has the first pictures of their 750 cc V-Twin naked bike (Tuono 750?) which looks hot. My wife will be after one of these. She loves the Tuono but it's just a bit to big for her and too powerful. This puts put a little more power than her current Firestorm so it won't be a step back wards and she'll have the sexiest bike on the block.
rsvmilly said:
Carrera2 said:
Thundercat. Cheap as chips now and matches your criteria.
Or for the more sporty - but still accommodating - option get a 2001-2003 ZX-6R Ninja
I passed my test in June and have the exact bike pictured above (except mine's silver not green). It's a cracking bike, very forgiving and, to a bloke new to biking, blindingly fast. A 636 A1 shouldn't set you back much more than £3-3.5k either for a mint low mileage bike
Edited to say: I'm 5'11 and about 16 stone and I find it perfectly comfortable
Edited by The DJ 27 on Wednesday 11th October 19:02
Yay, just passed my bike test, but I have a conundrum for the forum.
I was looking at bikes today, I am definitely thinking of getting a Yamaha Thundercat, however when I was in a show room the dealer suggested that if I wa going to go for a Thundercat I might as well also look at the Thunderace.
The two bike are superficially similar with a similar riding position, both cost the same used. I did think insurance would be a killer but Bennetts quote me at £445 TPFT for the Thundercat and £390 for the Thunderace. Not logical I know.
Question is the Thunderace too much of a good thing for a novice rider?
(Current riding experience of larger bikes limited to one week with an ER-5)
I was looking at bikes today, I am definitely thinking of getting a Yamaha Thundercat, however when I was in a show room the dealer suggested that if I wa going to go for a Thundercat I might as well also look at the Thunderace.
The two bike are superficially similar with a similar riding position, both cost the same used. I did think insurance would be a killer but Bennetts quote me at £445 TPFT for the Thundercat and £390 for the Thunderace. Not logical I know.
Question is the Thunderace too much of a good thing for a novice rider?
(Current riding experience of larger bikes limited to one week with an ER-5)
tbh, dunno 
You don't really need the extra horesepower and the Thundercat is way quicker than anything else you have ever ridden or driven, will be easier on fuel, tyres and chains than the Thunderace and you will probably find the insurance cheaper elsewhere.
I'm surprised that you haven't considered a Fazer as a newer, cheaper alternative: I'm finding mine an excellent commuter, as well as being a very user freindly fun bike.
You don't really need the extra horesepower and the Thundercat is way quicker than anything else you have ever ridden or driven, will be easier on fuel, tyres and chains than the Thunderace and you will probably find the insurance cheaper elsewhere.
I'm surprised that you haven't considered a Fazer as a newer, cheaper alternative: I'm finding mine an excellent commuter, as well as being a very user freindly fun bike.
hiccy said:
I'm surprised that you haven't considered a Fazer as a newer, cheaper alternative: I'm finding mine an excellent commuter, as well as being a very user freindly fun bike.
I have considered the Fazer, it ticks all the right boxes, quick, cheap to run, comfortable riding position for someone my height. The only minus point for me is the way it looks, its kind of the back up option in my mind.
Hi there,
Welcome to two wheels
From personal experience, I can highly recommend an SV650S. It's one of those bikes that somehow gels to be more than the sum of its parts. It meets your criteria and is brilliant fun for new and intermediate riders alike. Mine coped with everything from winter commuting to track days with aplomb.
As for the Thundercat versus Thunderace, it depends on you. The larger bike would be more challenging, especially in wet or slippery conditions, but if you ride regularly and get as much advanced training as you can, then you should be alright. I've done various training courses on road and track, so would really encourage you to do 1-2 days' roadcraft with someone like Rapid (www.rapidtraining.co.uk/ ) or UK Advanced (www.advanced-motorcycle-training.c ). A couple of days with these guys will bring on your riding no end
Incidentally, my Ducati's my my primary form of transport and been reliable apart from the speedo. If you look after them well and ride them regularly, then contemporary Ducatis are far more reliable than a few years ago.
Have fun, whatever you decide
PS See also the first bigger bike thread on the Survival Skills forum:
www.visordown.com/forums/showthrea
Welcome to two wheels
black-k1 said:
SV650 as already suggested
From personal experience, I can highly recommend an SV650S. It's one of those bikes that somehow gels to be more than the sum of its parts. It meets your criteria and is brilliant fun for new and intermediate riders alike. Mine coped with everything from winter commuting to track days with aplomb.
As for the Thundercat versus Thunderace, it depends on you. The larger bike would be more challenging, especially in wet or slippery conditions, but if you ride regularly and get as much advanced training as you can, then you should be alright. I've done various training courses on road and track, so would really encourage you to do 1-2 days' roadcraft with someone like Rapid (www.rapidtraining.co.uk/ ) or UK Advanced (www.advanced-motorcycle-training.c ). A couple of days with these guys will bring on your riding no end
Incidentally, my Ducati's my my primary form of transport and been reliable apart from the speedo. If you look after them well and ride them regularly, then contemporary Ducatis are far more reliable than a few years ago.
Have fun, whatever you decide
PS See also the first bigger bike thread on the Survival Skills forum:
www.visordown.com/forums/showthrea
Edited by SVS on Sunday 3rd December 18:46
RR-eng said:
I have considered the Fazer, it ticks all the right boxes, quick, cheap to run, comfortable riding position for someone my height. The only minus point for me is the way it looks, its kind of the back up option in my mind.
Yeah, I felt the same; kinda totally forgot all of that after I rode it though, it's so damn n00b friendly with this huge hooligan edge and a big slice of practicality: as you say, it ticks all the right boxes.
What put me off the Thundercat was ready availability of a decent young model: in comparison there are loads of Fazer 600's about, first time I've ever bought a vehicle on the basis of colour!
Edited by hiccy on Sunday 3rd December 22:13
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