The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-12 23:34:56
Stile 400cc Rider
Joined:
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Posts: 58
Location:
Pershore
United Kingdom
In the next month I will be looking at getting my first big bike. Currently I ride a Yamaha YBR 125 and I did my DAS on a ER-5.
So out of the following bikes what would you suggest a new rider get and a brief description why would be nice as well.
I am looking for a bike that as a new rider is going to be forgiving and still give me some fun.
Easy to maintain and not to expensive hopefully if things go wrong are on the list as well. I have included the mileage of the bike to give you an idea of not only age but how much the bike has been used.
Bike 1 - 2003 ZZR 600cc done about 23,000 Miles
Bike 2 - 2004 Hornet F-4 done about 3000 Miles.
Bike 3 - 2001 Bandit done about 21000 Miles
Bike 4 - 2003 Honda CB 500 done about 14000 Miles
Bike 5 - 2003 TRIUMPH TT600 done about 7000 Miles
Bike 6 - 2004 04 Reg YAMAHA FZ 600 done about 11000 Miles
The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-13 09:29:36
sprag 750cc Boy Racer
Joined:
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Posts: 183
Location:
leicester
United Kingdom
I've got a ZZR600 and its magic, it'll pootle round town docile as you like but get out of town and open it up and it goes like stink. good miles per gallon, easy to ride, easy to clean and nice to look at.
had a Bandit 1200 and loved it and from what I read in the comics the 600 aint half bad either
best thing is go round and have a sit on as many of your list of bikes as you can [get a ride on em too if poss] then make your choice but whatever you do..... DON'T RUSH INTO BUYING THE FIRST ONE YOU SEE...... there are loads of bikes out there so take your time and good luck.
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The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-13 13:09:03
kuchenhilfen 1000cc Pro Racer
Joined:
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Posts: 215
Location:
In a bucket under the sink
United Kingdom
I have no idea, sorry. It's such a personal thing. However, the Triumph TT600 is widely reported to be bloody awful. You couldn't really go wrong with the CB500 but it's not particularly awe-inspiring. And the ZZR is a butt ugly.
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27 yards of dental floss and she still won't give me a smile...
The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-13 13:36:58
Stile 400cc Rider
Joined:
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Posts: 58
Location:
Pershore
United Kingdom
Kuchen, I know its a personal thing. I just want peoples opinion of the bikes, after all if people tell me that Bike A is a rust bucket on 2 wheels, handles like a house brick and you might as well pour the petrol on the floor, then I might look at the others.
Thankfully most of those bikes are either in the same shop or within a few miles of each other and I will be having at least a sit on most of them, just wanted some ideas really.
Sprag - mates got a zzr and says the same kinda thing, nice through the town and nicer on the back roads.
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The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-13 16:37:07
kuchenhilfen 1000cc Pro Racer
Joined:
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Posts: 215
Location:
In a bucket under the sink
United Kingdom
It's only fair to add, the ZZR is only butt-ugly in my limited opinion. One mans Kate Moss is another mans Sue Pollard andall that. Far be it from me to put down another fellas ride. Considering the junk I ride around on....
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27 yards of dental floss and she still won't give me a smile...
The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-13 16:41:53
yellowmanhu 750cc Boy Racer
Joined:
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Posts: 151
Location:
Siofok
Hungary
at this stage of your riding life -i would suggest you go for a Honda. THe hornet is a laugh the 500 boring but practical. I dont actually like Hondas but you cannot knock their reliabilty or build quality-The look of a bike is purely personal choice-(dont look through rose-tinted glasses)think about what you really need it for ,to judge comfort and above all if the bike hasnt got a service history WALK AWAY(unless its a close mate who had the bike from new but still be careful). If u find a sutiable contender there are enough peeps here with 1000 years experience who will happily give you qualified,constructive advice.good luck
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Life is like a box of chocolates
The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-13 20:14:22
vfor 1000cc Pro Racer
Joined:
Friday, December 31, 2004
Posts: 203
Location:
shrewsbury
United Kingdom
I would suggest the the Hornet, you've passed yer test, NOW its time to learn the art of motorcycle riding, the Hornet will give you all you need to sharpen your skill and reaction times etc..........GIVE YOURSELVE TIME to learn if riding with others ride your own ride ( within yer comfort zone ) I tutor for ROSPA and you wouldnt believe the amount of people who believe themselves to be "good riders" who have basically got by, by luck the skin of thier teeth and next to NO judgement......take care and have fun out there..........
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The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-13 21:32:12
Soft_Lass_1 400cc Rider
Joined:
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Posts: 64
Location:
Yam
United Kingdom
well well sexy bikes stile .. just do it do it do it do it
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The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-13 22:03:36
yamsngixas 125cc Learner
Joined:
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Posts: 17
Location:
N. Lincolnshire
United Kingdom
My first bike after shredding the L's in 02 was a 94 YZF750 R, and to this day i still own and run her (her!!). During this time i have also owned an XT660, GSXR 600 & 750, YZ426 supermoto an R1 and currently sat next to me old girl is an 07 GSXR 1000. Although the gixa gives me a rush you just cant get enough of, the yam still feels nice to play on - especially in the wet weather when the summer toy is in hiding !! If your sensible dont fear going for bigger engine bikes because you just go steady and build up the confidence with experience and time, thats the road i took because i hated the thought of buying a bike similar what i had been learning to ride on ! (the winter season i passed in also hepled with the going steady part !) I am sports bikes through and through and would spit at the thought of owning a bandit / hornet ..................... until, a couple of months ago i was asked to follow a friend back on his first bike - a 52 hornet 600, after just picking up his new bike from having a service (CB1300). It was the first time i had ridden one of these and felt embarrassed of the fact until my heart warmed as i remembered nobody could see me through my dark visor !! On the way home we had twisties and long straights and no matter how many times my mate looked behind in his mirror to see if he had left me, i was still staring back at him, regardless how much throttle he gave the big 1300 lump ! I was amazed how user friendly , comfortable and smooth it was at lower revs but then turned into some kind of animal as soon as you let the power kick in at the higher revs ! Impressive ! And the handling matches it upto a certain speed, my embarrasment was short lived !! - but the main thing to your choice has to be comfort - its the only reason ive turned my back on the new R1 which i love - and gone for the gixa which feels so much ' made to measure ' when i ride her.
I know this seems like an essay, for which i appologise, but ya first bike unless ya loaded and capable of buying at leisure, needs to be right - ive known people give up all together due to the negativity spreading from just not being happy with their first bike. Good Luck
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The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-14 01:00:35
gixxer 1300cc Superstar
Joined:
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Posts: 1563
Location:
sheffield
United Kingdom
were you inoculated wi a gramaphone needle?
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'it wasnt me! i only just got here!'
The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-14 11:24:39
Stile 400cc Rider
Joined:
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Posts: 58
Location:
Pershore
United Kingdom
Nope dad used hammer and a rusty nail, said if I could survive that trough the toe, then should be able to survive anything.
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The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-16 11:16:49
gfisher 1300cc Superstar
Joined:
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Posts: 2725
Location:
Glasgow
United Kingdom
when I did my DAS I got a Bandit 6 and it was fine. Honda's are good but thirsty.
B6 went all day, comfortable, only broke once - throttle cable - and goes fast enough for most everyday use. cheap to run and insure.
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and your point is................?
The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-16 13:05:05
mandi6763 1300cc Superstar
Joined:
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Posts: 653
Location:
Bristol
United Kingdom
me thinks you should forget all the above and get something comfortable lol
honda transalp
suzuki vstrom
varadero
honda xl
yamaha dt
bmw gs series
kawasaki klr
there ya go something decent to get ya teeth into
god im so gonna get stick for this
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The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-16 13:09:12
mandi6763 1300cc Superstar
Joined:
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Posts: 653
Location:
Bristol
United Kingdom
oh oh missed the KTM
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The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-16 13:59:41
gfisher 1300cc Superstar
Joined:
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Posts: 2725
Location:
Glasgow
United Kingdom
just as well you are a good judge of horseflesh mands!!!
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and your point is................?
The first big bike - Posted on 2008-01-16 16:01:29
ohsomadeddie 1300cc Superstar
Joined:
Monday, June 27, 2005
Posts: 705
Location:
bottom of a newki broon bottle
United Kingdom
my first big (well big in relation to wat i had) was a rd350 power valve
belter of a bike then i bought a 600 monster
i gonna get an rd again when my wedding is all paid for