First big bike?

sunbear · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Karma :

When (IF) i pass my das in about a month or so time, i will be looking to move up from my 125 marauder. I will be doing a lot of commuting on the bike so have left out the CBR, ZX6R etc. Im looking at the CB500 or Bandit. Any thoughts on these bikes? Performance, reliablilty, comfort etc...? Cheers Thumbs Up

____________________
Bikes had : BMW F650, suzuki tr50, gt125, SV400, GSXR600 SRAD. Honda CBR900RRP, CBR600FX, CBR1000F, VT600, Transalp 600, mtx125, nsr125r, CB500T, Yamaha fy50, tzr125, tdr125, XV535, Diversion 600, Fazer 600, TDM850 MK1 & MK2, Majesty 400, XV 1100. Cagiva mito evolution, Aprilia rs125, Piaggio x9 125. DNA 125 . Suzuki Bandit 600, GZ125 Marauder, RF600 , RF900RS2, Kawasaki ZZR400, ZX6R Ninja, ZZR600 . Ducati 750 Sport . Triumph Tiger 955i. CURRENT : 2004 Kawasaki Z750 and LOVIN IT !

Sephiroth · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Karma :

Alot of people will probably say an ER-5 or GS500 or something or other (I don't know much about bikes Rolling Eyes

), try them out and see what you think.

coolfox1 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Karma :

In the middle of not doing das very well atm so I've been looking at new bikes too.

I'm gona be traveling too and after having the protection of the NSR on the wet days I sold on a sports bike for the fairings.

Been doing DAS on a cb500 and in the wind especially and rain is horrid.

Looking at a cbr600 or a kawasaki zx636, you so need to ride them though as riden a few and they feel so different. Seems to be the weight that helps most and feels solid.

If anyone has any experience with the above or similar and goes 'omg no don't get a xxx' please do tell. Pennies wise have 2500 to 2800 and like a 2003 ish 600 ish.

Ian

Dot_Comm · Scooby Slapper Joined: 22 Nov 2004 Karma :

I've just gone from a 100cc scooter to a restricted Bandit 600, T reg (99) so the old model not the new soft one. I love it to bits. People told me "what do you want one of them for, they're really heavy" but hey, I'm riding it not bench pressing it. I have had to pick it up once mind you (low speed maneuvre, man-oooov-er, how the hell do you spell that? lost balance, was hardly moving but once it goes there's no stopping it, so I just sort of put it on the ground) and managed that by myself so it's not so bad.

I commute on my unfaired bandit, but not very far and it's all 30s and 40s to work so not having a fairing is fine. However, if you're going to be doing much motorway work, I'd really recommend a fairing. But it's dead comfortable to ride. Can't comment on reliability since I've only had it about a month, but it hasn't gone bang yet which is always good. And performance wise, since mine is restricted to 33bhp it's apparently very sluggish (so says the boyfriend who's had a couple of bandits in his time), but I shall comment on this further in September when the restrictors are coming out! I find it's more than powerful enough for me at the moment mind you.

Rach
____________________
My bike: Suzuki Bandit 600 (33bhp)
Previous bike: Peugeot Speedfight 2 100

Hooky · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Karma :

I fully reccomend the following
Yamaha Fazer 600
Honda Hornet 600.
Suzuki sv 650.

My personal favourite is the Hornet, a truly brilliant bike , the only downside is the tank range can be limited.
Very easy to work on, parts easy to find with loads of go- faster goodies if you need them.

You really wont go far wrong with any of these, they will all take touring,commuting,trackdays with no problems.

Go down to you local dealer and ride these three, make sure you get one with full service history and get yourself a cracking deal (dealers really want to deals at this present time)
Get them to thrown in a full tank of fuel and a free first service.(even if it is second hand)

If they wont, go elsewhere, others will Thumbs Up

sunbear · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Karma :

____________________
Bikes had : BMW F650, suzuki tr50, gt125, SV400, GSXR600 SRAD. Honda CBR900RRP, CBR600FX, CBR1000F, VT600, Transalp 600, mtx125, nsr125r, CB500T, Yamaha fy50, tzr125, tdr125, XV535, Diversion 600, Fazer 600, TDM850 MK1 & MK2, Majesty 400, XV 1100. Cagiva mito evolution, Aprilia rs125, Piaggio x9 125. DNA 125 . Suzuki Bandit 600, GZ125 Marauder, RF600 , RF900RS2, Kawasaki ZZR400, ZX6R Ninja, ZZR600 . Ducati 750 Sport . Triumph Tiger 955i. CURRENT : 2004 Kawasaki Z750 and LOVIN IT !

sunbear · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Karma :

____________________
Bikes had : BMW F650, suzuki tr50, gt125, SV400, GSXR600 SRAD. Honda CBR900RRP, CBR600FX, CBR1000F, VT600, Transalp 600, mtx125, nsr125r, CB500T, Yamaha fy50, tzr125, tdr125, XV535, Diversion 600, Fazer 600, TDM850 MK1 & MK2, Majesty 400, XV 1100. Cagiva mito evolution, Aprilia rs125, Piaggio x9 125. DNA 125 . Suzuki Bandit 600, GZ125 Marauder, RF600 , RF900RS2, Kawasaki ZZR400, ZX6R Ninja, ZZR600 . Ducati 750 Sport . Triumph Tiger 955i. CURRENT : 2004 Kawasaki Z750 and LOVIN IT !

AL- · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Karma :

Passed my test yesterday and got myself a very nice 2003 R6 Thumbs Up

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

I rode a friends' R6 (think it was 02 or 03 model) and thought it was brilliant, very smooth/easy to ride. Another Mate has a ZX6r, bought to be first bike after DAS. To be honest I wouldn't recommend it because the throttle takes a fair bit of getting used to. Feels 'on or off' whereas the R6 had a slight 'lag' on the throttle - millimetres at best, before power started to feed in, and it felt smoother as a result. GSXr 600 K5 was in the middle of the two, felt like it was a grenade waiting to go off though, no wonder my mate's a nutter on it.

jonboy22 · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Karma :

Right,

I passed my test about 7/8 months ago, and haven't really ridden all that much since then. Had the odd poot about on a BMW 650 GS and yeah its fun, a little hard work, bit burbly and most importantly of all, dull as dish water (unless you're off the road).

Today after finishing work in the city (London) I drove to Birmingham, spoke to a man about his dog, gave him a fat wadge of cash, and now am a VERY Mr. Green

VERY happy owner of a GSX-R600 K4.

Got home at around 10pm and had to go for a ride (he rode it back you see). Its now half twelve, I'm shaking and am covered in flys.

I don't think I have ever smiled so hard in my entire life. Initially I was cacking it but thanks to alot of good advice on this site, I jumped in and got the bike of my dreams. Surprisingly its not as savage as I thought. Sure crack open the throttle dump the clutch and your asking for trouble, but a bit of common sense and care and attention, bish bash bosh robert's your fathers brother.

SO my advice, follow your heart, if its a bandit 6 you want or a Harley electraglide, whatever, go for it, but know your limits and you'll have a stonking time. With regards to the bikes themselves, the reasons I didn't go for a bandit or something similar is that I too commute and get a mega sore neck on anything thats not faired (I'm 6'2 btw), haven't got the cash to be changing bikes as I get bored of them, and I knew that I would want a K4 anyway.

Anyway hope that helps somewhat.

Very Happy

alex_t · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Karma :

SV SV SV

i passed yesterday and have a 2000 reg SV, ye it is heavey but yesterday, 1st proper go out on it just took the misses on the back, and i ahve only been riding for less than 2 months and managed to ride fine with her on and do slow control Smile

plus very comfy yet fun, get up to speed nice n fast even 2up.

i would say SV, best of touring/commuting, and sports..
____________________
[CBT - passed 29.04.06] [Theory - passed 19.05.06 *34/35*] [DAS - passed 09.06.06]

SV650, blue Smile

sunbear · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Karma :

Cheers for that Thumbs Up

Will have to see how much i can save up Laughing

____________________
Bikes had : BMW F650, suzuki tr50, gt125, SV400, GSXR600 SRAD. Honda CBR900RRP, CBR600FX, CBR1000F, VT600, Transalp 600, mtx125, nsr125r, CB500T, Yamaha fy50, tzr125, tdr125, XV535, Diversion 600, Fazer 600, TDM850 MK1 & MK2, Majesty 400, XV 1100. Cagiva mito evolution, Aprilia rs125, Piaggio x9 125. DNA 125 . Suzuki Bandit 600, GZ125 Marauder, RF600 , RF900RS2, Kawasaki ZZR400, ZX6R Ninja, ZZR600 . Ducati 750 Sport . Triumph Tiger 955i. CURRENT : 2004 Kawasaki Z750 and LOVIN IT !

Sephiroth · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Karma :

You took a pillion just after passing your test and having a bigger bike? Brave man! (or crazy Wink

)

alex_t · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Karma :

yup, have been on the SV before, but my GF is only 5ft3 n light as ne thing so didnt really notice here Smile

sup mate ya scared Laughing

____________________
[CBT - passed 29.04.06] [Theory - passed 19.05.06 *34/35*] [DAS - passed 09.06.06]

SV650, blue Smile

Sephiroth · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Karma :

Fook aye!

Afraid my bike will topple over or something Wink

.

Especially stopping at lights or something, I'm only small Rolling Eyes

.

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

There's loads of good bikes, mentioned you could get. It depends on your budget, and what you want from a bike too, as well as personal preferences which is the biggest factor for most people. For example nearly everyone who buys a GSXR600 over an R6 of the same year, i because they like the look, feel, attitude, or style of the bike, maybe even the colours! And because alot of people are a fan of a particular make, not because one 600cc sports bike is any better or faster in a measurable way than any other!

Would you be happy with a half faired bike, or are you looking for a full fairing? How about riding position, do you want a sportsbike riding position, or a more sitting up all rounder style? Ask yourself all these questions, and then test ride a few bikes, and see what you like the most?

As for the CB500S (half faired one), ive ridden one of these quite a bit, and i think they are a really great bike overall. They are a little bit low in seating height for me (6'2"), but they are a nice and comfy all rounder, and go well enough to keep up with alot of sports bikes, with average riders on-board!

Marah · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Karma :

Recently just got a Bandit(Unfaired) myself as a born again/first big bike type. Very easy to throw around. And quite comfortable. As previously said though its a bit of work on the motorways between 65-75. Apparently (accordin to the wife)pillion is very comfy at all times including motorway.

All round great fun.

sunbear · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Karma :

Yeah think i will go for the bandit to be honest. Thanks for all advice Thumbs Up

____________________
Bikes had : BMW F650, suzuki tr50, gt125, SV400, GSXR600 SRAD. Honda CBR900RRP, CBR600FX, CBR1000F, VT600, Transalp 600, mtx125, nsr125r, CB500T, Yamaha fy50, tzr125, tdr125, XV535, Diversion 600, Fazer 600, TDM850 MK1 & MK2, Majesty 400, XV 1100. Cagiva mito evolution, Aprilia rs125, Piaggio x9 125. DNA 125 . Suzuki Bandit 600, GZ125 Marauder, RF600 , RF900RS2, Kawasaki ZZR400, ZX6R Ninja, ZZR600 . Ducati 750 Sport . Triumph Tiger 955i. CURRENT : 2004 Kawasaki Z750 and LOVIN IT !