usual question, which bike?
Discussion
Advice please, sure you're all well used to answering this one but any 'positive' comments gratefully received. Having passed my test I'm after a second hand 'first big bike' and cannot decide between the unfaired Hornet 600, the Fazer 600, and the faired SV650. Have dismissed the bandit as - rightly or wrongly I've been influenced by too many tales of paint finish dissolving i the rain, it's weight (new riders drop bikes yes??) and the peculiar (to me) handlebar position which seems very narrow compared to the others.
Anyone got experience of more than one of these and can offer advice, anyone recommend a CB500 or ER5 (all things considered).
By the way - I bought a Shoei Syncrotec II as it's specifically designed to help spec wearers put their bins on without too much grief -oh really? On what planet...........Nice helmet for other reasons but for glasses wearers, try again Shoei.
Thanks
Anyone got experience of more than one of these and can offer advice, anyone recommend a CB500 or ER5 (all things considered).
By the way - I bought a Shoei Syncrotec II as it's specifically designed to help spec wearers put their bins on without too much grief -oh really? On what planet...........Nice helmet for other reasons but for glasses wearers, try again Shoei.
Thanks
dern said:
A second hand thundercat would make a great value and excellent first bike imo and you'd sell it at the end of the year for not much less than you bought it for.
Mark
Thundercat's are great bikes IMO, especially for a beginner (talking from experience). I have just sold mine (well part exchanged it) after 7 years of trouble free riding and the only reason I've sold it is that I wanted something newer. As Mark says, they hold there value well now in the 2nd hand market, and in theory you could ride it for a year and not really lose a penny on it.
The engine is good, and the riding position is comfortable enough to go relatively long distances without the pains you get on a full on sportsbike.
Scott W said:Absolutely. I bought a zxr750 after passing my test and scared the sh*t out of myself on it for 2 years learning nothing at all. I chopped it in for a thundercat and suddenly started learning again and enjoying bikes. Don't worry about all the guff regarding handling being soft as you just won't notice until you have the ability to ride an r6 at full bore and it will be better quality than the budget stuff they stick on the fazer (I imagine). Compared to a fazer the engine is effectively the same but more powerful, it's fully faired for extra protection (and admitedly more cost if you drop it) and the riding position is superb.
The engine is good, and the riding position is comfortable enough to go relatively long distances without the pains you get on a full on sportsbike.
Mark
That's not what your profile says about the Blade Tony !
Continuing with the Yamaha theme, if you are on a budget I have recently come back to biking after quite a few years onto the Thundercat's older brother, an FZR600R. I find it a great fun bike and suspect that most of what you all say about the 'Cat will apply to the older and therefore cheaper FZR.
Continuing with the Yamaha theme, if you are on a budget I have recently come back to biking after quite a few years onto the Thundercat's older brother, an FZR600R. I find it a great fun bike and suspect that most of what you all say about the 'Cat will apply to the older and therefore cheaper FZR.
goodlife said:
You want a really nice R1.
Like this one:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=21875&s=138
Why're you selling Dan?
Old/newbie...your initial choices of SV650,Fazer 600 seem quite sensible to me. Gaining experience on a middleweight, especially without all that expensive plastic maybe best for you. I have no great experience of the bikes you mentioned, but a friend of mine had a Fazer 600 and loved it, did all he needed.
R1's, Fireblades and ZX10's may not be the right choice until you gain more experience.(sensible hat off now) Saying that i passed my test in '88 (aged 17), and having owned an NS125F immediately bought a 2nd hand FZR1000 Genesis!! And I lived to tell the tale.
Thundercat was a good shout though..whatever you get enjoy..summer is here
R1's, Fireblades and ZX10's may not be the right choice until you gain more experience.(sensible hat off now) Saying that i passed my test in '88 (aged 17), and having owned an NS125F immediately bought a 2nd hand FZR1000 Genesis!! And I lived to tell the tale.
Thundercat was a good shout though..whatever you get enjoy..summer is here
My last 2 IAM associates rode Fazer 600s and both passed. They were delighted with their respective bikes, easy enough to ride for a beginner but can do anything on it.
One rider now has a Daytona 955, the other a GSXR750, so a fazer is the ideal stepping stone to bigger, faster etc.
One rider now has a Daytona 955, the other a GSXR750, so a fazer is the ideal stepping stone to bigger, faster etc.
I'm currently on an SV650S. Can't say I've dad experience of any other bikes, except the 650CS that I learnt on but I can't fault the Suzuki. It's been friendly to me but always happy to pile on the power or lean through the twisties without too much drama.
Would definately recommend it.
Would definately recommend it.
All good stuff - thanks gents (and ladies perhaps?). Ideally would like to try them all, but most dealers seem reluctant to offer test rides on 2nd hand kit -so it's a bit of a shot in the dark. Have seen a beautiful metallic blue fazer, as new, in a local dealer, am trying unsuccessfully to haggle a deal (wrong time of year) but may jump anyway - have considered the cat, but think I'll start a wee bit gentler. No takers for ER5's then!!!.
Oh and the Shoei - think it's just the technique, it seems easier today so maybe it was just me.
R1?? - maybe next time.............
Oh and the Shoei - think it's just the technique, it seems easier today so maybe it was just me.
R1?? - maybe next time.............
A chap who I used to work with passed his test in the summer last year and bought a Fazer 600. AFAIK he's not regretted it one bit.
Although the bike is primarily a commuter for him at the moment, he certainly doesn't just use it for this purpose and he's always up for a ride when a group of us want to go and have a bit of fun (and he normally stays in touch with us without any major problems).
Although the bike is primarily a commuter for him at the moment, he certainly doesn't just use it for this purpose and he's always up for a ride when a group of us want to go and have a bit of fun (and he normally stays in touch with us without any major problems).
thats what my 1st bike was , now onb a zx6r next will be the zx12 Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff