Advice on bike for a total beginner...

[Singh600RR]

Hi Jampott, your story sounds exactly like mine - i'm mid 30's - was totally new to biking 1.5 years ago.

I do a 60miles round trip commute with mix of M1 and dual carridgeways. I like you have the choice - car or bike. I mainly choose car - only because it is a company car - and they would be miffed if i didn't use it!!

Biking is brilliant - the social and "cool" factor are worth it alone!! Not to mention the time it takes off your journey. I can save 15 mins out of my 1hr trip when i come on bike.

You'll get used to the rain (freezing hands!) after a bit - it shouldn't put you off riding.

However bikers full into different categories - Sport, Cruisers, Tourers, etc...

Picking one is down to personal preference. You sound like a big lad - so you may look odd hunched over a sports bike. A large tourer maybe better.

CBR600 is a great bike - but if you can - go one better and get a 600RR!!

[Rocks]

Even better than the Honda's in my opinion, try the Yamaha R6 or Fazer FZ600, one a sports tourer and one a pure sports, both have superb engines and great build quality and above all reliability.

I just read that you were 6' 4" probably steer away from the R6 as it may be a tadge too cramped, the Yamaha Fazer Fz600 will be better. I'm 6' 3" and find it a little difficult on an arse in air bike, shortarses have no problem with this but usually cant get their feet down Another great bike to consider would be a Yammy thundercat, I was looking at one myself and very comfy for a tall rider and still honestly quick, a member on here druid sam will know more about these.

I have a sports bike and a sports tourer and a find being tall my sports is ok for 100 mile squirt, but my Fazer 1000 I can ride all day and nothing compromised.

[druidsam]

Originally Posted by Rocks

would be a Yammy thundercat, I was looking at one myself and very comfy for a tall rider and still honestly quick, a member on here druid sam will know more about these.

.

aye ,the thundercat, the good points are . 150 mph,comfy(im 6'2" and 15 stone) good fairing for weather protection, 200 miles to a tank of fuel and they have been about for a while so parts for service and repairs are easy to get hold of, mine has been 100% reliable and still puts a huge grin on my face , the brakes are decent but can be made a bit better with stainless steel front hoses, look out for used models with extras already fitted, the only real problem was second gear which is costly to repair so if you test ride one, always thrash it( and i do mean thrash, untill the engine is bouncing of the rev limiter) in second gear and if it jumps out of gear walk away from it. they can still be bought new(imports) for about £4.500 and its a helluva bike for that sort of money



..................................Sam

[jampott]

Wow guys... some excellent things to think about there.

I will be doing some research, and popping in (hopefully on Saturday) to a local bike training centre and local dealers to get a feel for bikes.

I definitely want to do my CBT and DAS, since I feel it is a good introduction to biking anyway, and a good new challenge. Once I've done that, I will start to get a feel for how much I want to get into biking.

It'll be tough to leave 4 wheels behind, if I throw myself into it properly, but I'm already starting to think about downgrading both of my current cars in favour of a diesel estate to get me to and fro with family, and a bike for commuting with. It would save an embarassing amount of cash, if I'm honest... and could easily give me the same amount (or more) thrills.

[Brads45]

Hi and Welcome :-)

Well I honestly love my bike, I'm new to biking and my bike is great for tall people, I have a Honda Varadero! if you're close to Cheshire you're welcome to come and have a sit on it/a ride around. It's a very nice bike, very economical and mixes in a cruiser with a bit of sports, the riding position is very very nice! I have the 125 version but I hear the bigger bike feels very similar, just the tank is obviously bigger! I would really consider it, it's not as well known as the other bikes but it's giving me a right load of fun being sporty but when I'm not in the mood I just sit up and have a REALLY comfortable riding position!

Re: riding in the rain, just give it a go mate. I sold my car a week ago and got my bike a week tomorrow, and I've been riding in the rain most days! it's really not bad, you just need to keep more distance and be more cautious about road surfaces, but it's fine! I'm in leathers too, it would be even better in textile as it would be ocmpletely waterproof!

Anyway good luck, just wanted to throw my view in there as the Varadero is under represented but is a very very nice bike especially for taller riders who don't want to look like a frog on a bike! as I said, you're welcome to come and have a play with it if you want to see what it's like :-) also very very economical, I can't believe the difference! and I went from a 55 - 60 mpg little Smart Roadster! (NOT the horrible dinky smart cars! the more sporty one!)

Andy

[grotbag]

Originally Posted by jampott

I will be doing some research, and popping in (hopefully on Saturday) to a local bike training centre and local dealers to get a feel for bikes.

I definitely want to do my CBT and DAS, since I feel it is a good introduction to biking anyway, and a good new challenge. Once I've done that, I will start to get a feel for how much I want to get into biking.

Is the correct answer!


Some members ride in wind, rain and snow others don't. I don't like riding in the rain so I don't! Some members ride 24/7, others only ride on their day's off or when they feel like it. It's personal thing. Once you get a feel for it you more than likely will enjoy it and will ride according to how much or as little as you want to!

[jampott]

Well, I went into the car park at lunchtime at sat on / fired up a friend's Kwak ER6-F...

Wow... felt good, so I think I'm going to enjoy this biking thing.

Initial thoughts on that particular bike... it is a bit on the small side for me, as far as I could tell. Probably no surprise, since it fits my mate pretty well and he's much smaller than me.

So I think I definitely need something with enough height / reach for my own frame.

Was being pointed towards an FJR1300? Any opinions?

I think a Sports Tourer does look to be the way forward, and to try and use it in inclement weather as well sometimes. With the right gear on, and the right skills of course!

[jampott]

Or the V-Strom 1000GT...

[Spree]

The V Strom has just be discontinued according to press reports, great motor but one of the ugliest bikes ever in my opinion. I have never rode one though so that might change

My view is to start your test rolling and take it from there as your views might change with a bit of experience under your belt

[Spree]

Oh and one other thing, the VFR is a legend in its own lifetime as an all rounder - the rest are just bikes

I have never owned a VFR either.

If size was the mitigating factor in your choice then the Blackbird would easily fit the bill as its a physically big bike but not really recommended for a new biker as its scary fast