First big bike - advice please?

Perky · Post by **Perky** » May 20th, '07, 22:12

Hi all!

I'm going in for my test soon, and if i pass I'll be looking for a new bike. what do you guys think is a good starting point? I'm only 19 so money and insurance are a factor! I've got a CBR125 (the worst move I've made in a while!) so to avoid the same problem again, what would you all say is a sensible option?

cheers guys.

Perky.

Post by **TLS-Moose** » May 20th, '07, 22:24

If you are concerned about future insurance and running cost financing, let me recommend a ZX10, R1, ZX14, etc., as after a few days of ownership you probably won't need insurance any more

However, it depends on what you really want from your first "big" bike

If trailies are your thing, pretty much any of the 600cc or less singles could be great fun - but many of the SM's have sprotsbike style insurance premiums now

For a sportier style of bike, a good import 400 is probably the best compromise of size, handling, performance, and running cost

If a "normal" road bike takes your fancy, SV650's are great, but so could be a GS500, Hornet, Bandit 600, ER6, etc., and as for cruisers, well the sky is your limit really - none of 'em you could afford will get you into too much trouble

Another thing - buy cheap and wisely .... pick an older bike that won't cost much (try to avoid finance) but is fairly popular/re-saleable, for two reasons - 1. you will probably want to "trade-up" within 12mths so why waste a lot of hard-earned on depreciation and 2. you will likely as not have some sort of "incident", so why pay a fortune for something you end up being too scared to ride in case you damage it

Save on purchase cost, and spend that money on fuel, tyres, and gear. The miles you will rack up will count for far more than sitting in the garage polishing a new bike that you can't afford to ride because of meeting the repayments

tony · Post by **tony** » May 20th, '07, 22:31

buy a cbr600, particularly pink ones as they faster

svr-ash · Post by **svr-ash** » May 20th, '07, 22:54

SV650

Perfect for a first bike, cheaper than any other 600+ and some 400s on insurance
Cheap to buy
Not overly powerfull so you won't scare your self but enough to keep up with other bike
Parts are plentifull and cheap if you fall off

watters · Post by **watters** » May 21st, '07, 02:24

my first 'big' bike was an sv650s

loved it myself and i think i was 17 when i had it brand new and was only payng about £600 insurance.

Post by **billinom8s** » May 21st, '07, 07:41

i have an sv650, will be up for sale beginning of june. just getting the bodywork back from a respray

Jonny · Post by **Jonny** » May 21st, '07, 08:38

topic81743.html

This would do

Croddman · Post by **Croddman** » May 21st, '07, 10:36

Hi there

I think the best bike you could go for would be a SV650s

I am only 19 as well but have brought myslef a SV650s 2000 reg
and love it to death

my bike history is .....

Honda CBR125r

Honda XL125 V-Twin (for sale)

SV650s

I have not past my test as yet but will be soon and I can wait to ride the SV on a non private road

Ricky_t · Post by **Ricky_t** » May 21st, '07, 13:03

billinom8s wrote:i have an sv650, will be up for sale beginning of june. just getting the bodywork back from a respray

Hi, I am in the same position as you. I have a cbr125r and a bit annoyed at its mid range speed. On the motorway i don't feel safe going 70/75mph at redline!

I would definately recommend the sv650 but not billinom8s as i will purchase it from him! They are cheap to insure. I have had a quote for £224 TPFT from benetts and declaring my car crash! Also it is restrictable to 33bhp.

I would also consider if you have the money a honda hornet or gsx600, bandit, vfr400, cbr400 or even cbr600f, They are generally not to bad to insure. Don't even bother looking at r1, cbr600rr, blades anything above 700cc, the insurance is too expensive!

Don't say the cbr125r is a mistake, it is still a good bike to learn on and build up confidence. It may not have good top speed and is not possible to derestrict like the nsr125 because it is not as powerful to start of with. You can get the bore kit from cbr150 to get another few bhp but it is not worth the money as the cbr125 is worth more as a legal learner!

Croddman · Post by **Croddman** » May 21st, '07, 14:31

I would not say go for a hornet or a GSX or anything like that as the insurce will kill you, the worse one I had was for CBR600F and they wanted £3.500 3rd party

and benetts are the worst !

Jonny · Post by **Jonny** » May 21st, '07, 14:44

Croddman wrote:I would not say go for a hornet or a GSX or anything like that as the insurce will kill you, the worse one I had was for CBR600F and they wanted £3.500 3rd party

and benetts are the worst !

Its not too bad.

My insurance on my gsx550 (ins group 7) was £270 when I was 18

Now I'm 19 the insurance on my Gixxer (ins group 14) was £750 (with an accident).

I have 6 points now so I'm sure it will be horrendous

(after I've re-taken my test

)

Funky · Post by **Funky** » May 21st, '07, 16:55

I'd say go for the SV 650, billinom8's is going to be absolutely mint!

arron24 · Post by **arron24** » May 21st, '07, 17:51

it depends how confident you are on bikes. my first was a gixxer 600 but ive had bikes since i was 5 so i leant at a young age that falling off hurts!!!

its an old but true saying that the throttle works both ways but obviously the bigger the bike the quicker you get into trouble. when you do your test you will be supprised at how nippy a 500 ( cb500 er500 etc) can be. what ever you choose just be safe have fun but most inportantly DONT BE A STATISTIC!! bikes are great fun what ever speed you ride at! good luck mate

Maver-Nick · Post by **Maver-Nick** » May 21st, '07, 19:16

My lad passed his test last month and bought a VFR400.

He came to Thruxton, the Bude rideout and the Summer rideout, and kept up no probs (In fact he left quite a few behind)

He's taking it to Llandow next week aswell...

So, I'd suggest something along this par, low insurance too...

Mike Daytona600 · Post by **Mike Daytona600** » May 21st, '07, 21:10

My advice is if you get a fast bike and you're a newbie, just cos the bike can go fast doesn't mean you can. Basicaly get used to it and be carefull.