Passed my tests! What bike should I get?
Discussion
I passed my mod 1 and 2 this morning (in a howling wind and pounding rain), now I have a shiny new A-licence and it's time to get a big bike. I'm a relatively full-sized individual at 6'4" and 95+kg, what would the good folk of PH recommend I look at? There's a whole world of bikes out there, I'm not set on any particular model or genre and I can't really even decide whether to go brand new, nearly new or used.
Some points to consider:
Some points to consider:
- It must have ABS.
- Sportsbikes aren't really my thing.
- I don't want to be paying 4 figures to insure it.
Thanks for all the replies.
I've been round various dealers, it seems like the main dealers will allow test rides, but the independent used dealer I bought my 125 from can't due to the terms of their insurance policy. I have a couple of tests booked for Saturday, and a couple more discussed prior to booking.
On the subject of insurance, I've been putting various bikes through the comparison sites and, much like car insurance, there seems to be little rhyme or reason as to what bikes cost a lot. A 119bhp Z900RS was actually cheaper than an 83bhp GSX-8S.
The CB650R sounds like a good shout, it's very similar to my CB125R which I like and dealers seem to be offering brand new 2023 models at £7199 to clear out stock which seems like a cracking bargain. I'll try and go sit on one this weekend.
I fully intend to end up with more than 1 bike, I reckon I have indoor space for at least 4 before it starts getting inconvenient. The bank balance might take a moment to recover first though!
I've been round various dealers, it seems like the main dealers will allow test rides, but the independent used dealer I bought my 125 from can't due to the terms of their insurance policy. I have a couple of tests booked for Saturday, and a couple more discussed prior to booking.
On the subject of insurance, I've been putting various bikes through the comparison sites and, much like car insurance, there seems to be little rhyme or reason as to what bikes cost a lot. A 119bhp Z900RS was actually cheaper than an 83bhp GSX-8S.
The CB650R sounds like a good shout, it's very similar to my CB125R which I like and dealers seem to be offering brand new 2023 models at £7199 to clear out stock which seems like a cracking bargain. I'll try and go sit on one this weekend.
I fully intend to end up with more than 1 bike, I reckon I have indoor space for at least 4 before it starts getting inconvenient. The bank balance might take a moment to recover first though!
Two test rides now in the bag:
1: Suzuki GSX-8S. It might be the one, I liked everything about it apart from the seat which was a bit hard. The quickshifter was great under hard acceleration, ergonomics are great, engine feels magnificent, chassis manages to be both super stable and flickable at the same time.
2: Kawasaki Z900RS. I think this was a no. The engine sounds savage, it looks gorgeous and the ergonomics are great, but it just didn't feel as smooth, the drivetrain was a bit clunky and agricultural, the chassis felt ok but not as good as the Suzuki, the displays are pretty but not as readable, it just didn't click in quite the same way despite being more powerful and considerably more expensive.
Hopefully I can try a Royal Enfield 650, a Honda CB650R and maybe a BMW F900XR then get one of them bought
1: Suzuki GSX-8S. It might be the one, I liked everything about it apart from the seat which was a bit hard. The quickshifter was great under hard acceleration, ergonomics are great, engine feels magnificent, chassis manages to be both super stable and flickable at the same time.
2: Kawasaki Z900RS. I think this was a no. The engine sounds savage, it looks gorgeous and the ergonomics are great, but it just didn't feel as smooth, the drivetrain was a bit clunky and agricultural, the chassis felt ok but not as good as the Suzuki, the displays are pretty but not as readable, it just didn't click in quite the same way despite being more powerful and considerably more expensive.
Hopefully I can try a Royal Enfield 650, a Honda CB650R and maybe a BMW F900XR then get one of them bought
Today I took the opportunity for some more important consumer research and rode 4 more bikes:
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650:
Actually really nice. Lovely noise, good ride quality, forward(ish) controls took a moment to get used to but once rolling it felt pretty good. All the points where the rider interacts with the machine feel really nice, the gearbox is super slick, the clutch is nice, the switchgear feels good and is easy to operate, the connection between the throttle and the engine feels just right. It's a nice big chunky thing to get between your legs and to my eyes looks really good. Power-wise it doesn't rip your arms off but has more than sufficient to be getting on with, especially given the laid back nature of the bike. Surprisingly it even goes round corners pretty well.
Royal Enfield Shotgun 650:
Much the same comments as above, all the hardware is the same and in isolation it's a really good bike. The problems for me were the rear suspension is very hard (jarringly so) and the pegs felt like they were mounted too wide as I kept putting my feet on the peg mounts rather than the pegs themselves. I thought the Super Meteor was the more harmonious package.
Triumph Trident 660:
I didn't like this at all, I could tell it wasn't for me before I made it out the carpark and it didn't get better from there. I didn't like the noise, the throttle, the clutch, the engine, the gearbox, the suspension, really anything about it. Clearly it's a good bike as all the press rave about it, but just not my cup of tea at all.
Triumph Speed Twin 1200:
Delightful, couldn't be more different to the Trident. The noise is gorgeous and antisocially loud, all the contact points feel quality and work just as they should, the suspension is nicely judged, good ergonomics, nice handling. It was super easy and smooth to ride despite its heavy-calibre motor, a totally unintimidating soft and cuddly sort of bike. There were a couple of somewhat bizarre design choices, firstly the sticky-outy bit on the kickstand that you push with your foot has been cunningly placed exactly under the footpeg, so there is no way you can actually get your foot on it to operate it, so I had to look like a complete noob and put it down with my hand. Second was the 'retro' fuel tank lid, where first you have to open the metal cover thing, underneath which you find a plasticky fuel cap straight off a budget 1990s car, that comes completely free of the bike so you have to find somewhere to put it whilst you fill up.
I think that's probably enough tests to make a decision now. I've concluded that revvy screamers are not for me, I want a torquey twin. Adventure bikes would probably suit me quite well but they are expensive to insure and aesthetically don't have much sex appeal for me. The GSX-8S, Super Meteor and Speed Twin are the shortlist. Time for some some boring number crunching, insurance quotes etc.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650:
Actually really nice. Lovely noise, good ride quality, forward(ish) controls took a moment to get used to but once rolling it felt pretty good. All the points where the rider interacts with the machine feel really nice, the gearbox is super slick, the clutch is nice, the switchgear feels good and is easy to operate, the connection between the throttle and the engine feels just right. It's a nice big chunky thing to get between your legs and to my eyes looks really good. Power-wise it doesn't rip your arms off but has more than sufficient to be getting on with, especially given the laid back nature of the bike. Surprisingly it even goes round corners pretty well.
Royal Enfield Shotgun 650:
Much the same comments as above, all the hardware is the same and in isolation it's a really good bike. The problems for me were the rear suspension is very hard (jarringly so) and the pegs felt like they were mounted too wide as I kept putting my feet on the peg mounts rather than the pegs themselves. I thought the Super Meteor was the more harmonious package.
Triumph Trident 660:
I didn't like this at all, I could tell it wasn't for me before I made it out the carpark and it didn't get better from there. I didn't like the noise, the throttle, the clutch, the engine, the gearbox, the suspension, really anything about it. Clearly it's a good bike as all the press rave about it, but just not my cup of tea at all.
Triumph Speed Twin 1200:
Delightful, couldn't be more different to the Trident. The noise is gorgeous and antisocially loud, all the contact points feel quality and work just as they should, the suspension is nicely judged, good ergonomics, nice handling. It was super easy and smooth to ride despite its heavy-calibre motor, a totally unintimidating soft and cuddly sort of bike. There were a couple of somewhat bizarre design choices, firstly the sticky-outy bit on the kickstand that you push with your foot has been cunningly placed exactly under the footpeg, so there is no way you can actually get your foot on it to operate it, so I had to look like a complete noob and put it down with my hand. Second was the 'retro' fuel tank lid, where first you have to open the metal cover thing, underneath which you find a plasticky fuel cap straight off a budget 1990s car, that comes completely free of the bike so you have to find somewhere to put it whilst you fill up.
I think that's probably enough tests to make a decision now. I've concluded that revvy screamers are not for me, I want a torquey twin. Adventure bikes would probably suit me quite well but they are expensive to insure and aesthetically don't have much sex appeal for me. The GSX-8S, Super Meteor and Speed Twin are the shortlist. Time for some some boring number crunching, insurance quotes etc.
I wouldn't take too much from my opinion of the trident. I'm sure for a different style of rider it's great, maybe if I was younger, smaller, braver and liked riding on the redline with my elbows skimming the tarmac it would be the one. I guess that's why it gets reviewed so highly, I'm clearly just not the right kind of rider. I loved the MT-07 I trained on and the GSX-8S which are direct competitors, but they feel very different to the trident despite being pitched against each other.
Honestly the Yamaha and Suzuki felt very similar to the triumph, the main difference was the looks, the noise and the price.
Honestly the Yamaha and Suzuki felt very similar to the triumph, the main difference was the looks, the noise and the price.
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