Can you help choose me a bike from this list..?

[Buffalo]

Today, i signed up on the long road to taking my bike test here in NSW, Aus. I have been saying i would do it for years, and i never have... All was well until the NSW RTA centre would not let me sign up for their mature riders scheme for the over 30s on account of my only holding an Australian car licence for 3 years against the stipulation of 5. This despite me holding my UK car licence (which i used to get my Australian licence) for 13 years...

So, I'm stuck with their silly rules. I can only ride bikes that are given on this list:

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/motorcyc...

I've only ever had an interest in sports/sports tourer bikes and therefore most of this list i haven't the foggiest about.

Any suggestions..? I'd like something on the more modern side and preferably with some looks...

Cheers ~PHIL

Edited by Buffalo on Thursday 3rd April 05:29

[Stu R]

KTM, which one I don't know though, tough choice

[nervous]

how long are you stuck with only those for? for ever?

my mates rave about KTM and Husky, btw. reckon theyd be a lot of fun.

[Davel]

BMW F650GS is a very good first bike.

I had one as my first bike, having had it recommended by someone on this forum 4 years ago!

[black-k1]

I must admit that one of the BMW F650s would likely be my choice too (given the linitations of the list).

[aeropilot]

As others have said, the BMW F650 would be a good choice, although I'd go for the 'restricted' Ducati Monster 620ie.

At least when you time is up, you can just get the restriction removed without the need to change bikes straight away.

[Buffalo]

Hi - thanks for the replies so far. Only stuck with them for a year - which is possibly no bad thing i suppose, just there doesn't seem to be many "fun" bikes there, although some of them might be hidden gems (hence me asking you lot! ).

Probably my fault for not doing the direct access when i was last back in the UK, or even when i lived in WA as NSW would have recognised both of those qualifications...

Will check out the Beemer - of course limited to if i can find one and at a decent price...

[catso]

Odd selection of bikes on there, the KTM 660 supermoto is a blast and certainly not as 'novice friendly' as some of the others.

[gsfrontera]

maybe honda crf 450. now that would be fun....

[2fast748]

Personally I'd got the Honda RVF400, great little sports bike, but very similar to the two strokes that are specifically banned at the top of the list. Weird!

[Sportsbikes_Rule]

My first bike was a Kawasaki ER-5. I had this for 9 months before buying a cbr600. I was planning to keep it a year, but I found such a low mile minter at such a good price, I had to swap it!!

I don;t know about the southeren hemisphere, but here in the UK, BMW = Expensive!! I would imagine you will swap it after a year, so get somethig a little older and cheaper. Then you won't lose too much when you come to chop it in for a better bike.

I would say, get a Honda cb500, Kwak ER-5, the BMW or the Ducati. I guess it's all down to persoanl taste and cash though.

In my humble opinion, get good clothing - never skimp here if you can. Spend less cash on a cheaper bike. Hope this makes sense.

[AdeTuono]

Most of those you'd have to visit a museum to get hold of! Maybe we're not so badly off over here after all.

[sprinter885]

ANY OF 'EM- they're all bikes aint they ??

[Beemer-5]

KTM 660 SMC.

[Buffalo]

Thanks guys - I have no idea about the used bike market here, so I will check out some of the recommendations and see what i can find.

Definitely will be spending the majority of cash on the gear (given my luck! )and less on the first bike though...

Cheers.

[kingb]

enfield bullet
then you just look like a classic bike enthusiast instead of a newbie on a restricted license

[touge]

That list has some pretty funny "Approved for novice riders" bikes.

Quite a few crazy supermotos like the Husaberg FS650, Aprilia SXV 550 and the KTM 660(left hand kick start only)

[curlie467]

2fast748 said:

Personally I'd got the Honda RVF400, great little sports bike, but very similar to the two strokes that are specifically banned at the top of the list. Weird!

Agreed.