New Rider

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

Hi all - passed the practical test (DAS) 2 days ago by the skin of my teeth (leaving an indicator on almost cost me the pass, but I was turning that way anyway. An excuse could have been that the blinding sunshine all day that day made it hard to see the speedo, never mind the indicator flasher, but it was crap of me not to run it off, and I was lucky) with 8 minors after my first test failed on a foot down on u turn and 2 niggly minors :S

Got a pile of cash burning a hole in my pocket, want to buy a bike that will see me through the next three years, and am intending to start steady (my boy racing days are well over :S) building up speed/experience as I go.

Been struggling to find cheap insurance for my choice of bikes:

ZZR1100 D1 or 2
YZF 1000 Thunderace
GSF1200 Bandit

I'm limited as to how small a bike I can ride being 6'4/18 stone. I have ridden 600s but the thought of going far on them has me reaching for the yellow pages and a chiropractor Sad

and I don't want the temptation of throwing a bike into corners and riding beyond my limit, which an out and out sports bike would probably make me want to do.

My question is:

What's a YZF 1000 like to ride for taller riders? I've sat on one, it's a 'sit up' position rather than 'sit forward' for me, and maybe it'll be more comfortable than leaning on my wrists like most sports tourers? What's it like at slow speeds? It can't be any worse than my mates' ZX6r, which was a pain in the ass to ride slow with an on/off throttle. The R6 I rode was lovely and smooth though all through the range. GSXr 600 was somewhere in between, probably out and out the fastest, but it was a mate's bike and I only had a potter up and down a private road. (yes they do exist, but they usually aren't very long Sad

)

My budget is £2000 give or take a few hundred quid, and there's a couple of bikes on Trader and Ebay that fall into that.

So far I've narrowed it down to:

ZZR around £1500 and £530 to insure (might be able to reduce to around £450)
YZF around £2000 and £359 to insure
GSF around £2500 and £300 to insure (need to confirm that though) and £300 on top to add a lower fairing.

All insurance is TPFT. I feel like a 17 year old again Sad

My crappy postcode doesn't help either.

Anyone have any thoughts on any of these? I'll be riding like a granny this year till I can handle the bike reasonably, then hoping to take it abroad for a couple of weeks touring next year. Less country road riding, more A road and motorway stuff, so I need wind protection as much as poss.

Thanks for any advice/help.

Cheers

Paul

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

You're starting off steady by having a bike over 1000cc?

I don't call that steady...

Well done for passing btw.

0ddball · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

I don't know what quotes you were expecting but those are about as good as it gets. Regardless of age, you have no experience, no ncb and you're jumping straight onto a 150mph bike.

Out of those i think the thunderace would be the best choice, it's a jack of all trades. Most sporty bikes are a bit cramped and with current trends they'll just kepp getting smaller and lighter.

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

You should start off on a 600, but whatever you want to be honest Wink

.

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

Thanks for the replies - yeah, I'm starting steady Smile

After all, most sporty 600s will do 150-160mph these days.

The 500 I passed the test on was a GS500 and wasn't at all enjoyable to ride. Having to work it's ass off to get up to speed limits, and getting blown about all over the place... no thanks Sad

I've owned a 400+hp/lb ft car before so know something about acceleration, but I also know I'm a complete new rider, so I either take things steady or I will fall off Sad

I followed a friend on his GSXr the other day (me on my CG125 :S) and it struck me what a nutta he was, so maybe I've grown up a bit more than him (we're both in mid - late 30s).

I've gone through a whole list of bikes so far : VFR 750/800(expensive generally, and high miles) CBR 1000 F (getting a bit old and saggy by now, said to be easy to ride though?) CBR 1100 (out of my budget, shame Sad

), Goldwing (my money buys a mid 80s Starship Enterprise miler), ST1100 (only Ex Police hacks are cheap it seems), Suzuki GSX1100F, 750F, 600F (is it just me or do they look weird?), Yamaha (thundercat and 'ace), ZZR 600 and 1100 (must admit the 600 seemed appealing, but I'm not sure I will want to keep it 3 years. 1100 is expensive on insurance, can't get around it), Triumph Sprint ST (out of my budget), ZX9r (too out and out sporty I think for me. Anything like the 600 and it will be bone jarring.)

After 3 years I want to move onto a Hyabusa - have always liked them, but if I choose the right bike now I might want to keep it for longer.

Gonna confirm the quote for insurance and ring up about a bike tommorrow Smile

(Probably the YZF) unless anyone has any last minute suggestions!

Thanks

Paul

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

Moving from a CG125 to 1000+cc is a hell of a not so steady start. But as I said, if you can handle it then go for it, man.

Just don't bin it Wink

.

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

Agreed - it seems a bit strange Smile

but so long as the right hand stays in check hopefully I can start steady and get better over time. That Cg125 was the most dangerous thing I have ever been on the road on though. You ever tried pulling out of a roundabout on a hill with 11hp and 18+ stone to lug? Makes my hair turn white just to think about riding the thing :S Not to mention the 80+ mile round trip from Leeds to Skipton and back I did on the night before my test!

Proves aerodynamics work though - flat out it would do 50mph Sad

Put my head on the tank and it rose to 60!

Riding bikes like that isn't enjoyment - it's hard work, and dangerously slow, unless you stick to the 30mphs they were meant for :S Still, the old girl got me through my test and she'll go on to help many others I hope.

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

Heh - 80 miles - just checked it - more like 60 via Shipley/Bradford, just felt like more! :S

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

It's not just that, it will be alot heavier than the CG (obviously).

If you were built like me then you'd have trouble with 1000cc+ Wink

suzi_bandit · Traffic Copper Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Karma :

Fair play, you have balls!
You mentioned riding other bikes a couple of times. Just pulling off and changing gear a couple of times or proper full on riding?
Your insurance will be high. Being a new rider you're going to be prone to making mistakes and couple that with choosing a bike that won't be very forgiving to those mistakes it'll reflect in your premiums.
I'm not saying you're making a mistake by passing the middle weight bikes so don't think that. I passed my test 10 months ago and feel I've outgrown the B6 I ride quite a while ago. I've averaged 2,000 miles a month without either me or bike hitting the deck. I made tonnes of mistakes early on and I feel fortunate that through sheer luck I didn't take a tumble. Now though,I'm ready to move on. A fazer 1000 would suit me I'm sure. Shame I'm skint Sad

Thing is, I think if I had jumped straight onto a fazer and made the mistakes on it that I've made on my little bandit (or blandit as some would have them called) I'd have come a cropper on a number of occasions.

Oh blimey, listen to me. What a nag, I've turned into my bleedin' mother Sick

____________________
I want a big boys bike, preferably a Speed Triple. To date I have ?7:42p stashed away to put towards one. Need to get it in the bank & earning interest asap.

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

I appreciate the "take it steady" advice - at least it's not "you are going to die" from the doomsayers I work with. With regards the bikes I've ridden they were only for between 3 and 10 miles apiece, save for the down the road on the GSXR, so I have little/no experience. My mate who I did the DAS with went out and a bought the ZX6r before he passed his test, and was out on the day. Riding that after a GS500 takes a lot of balls I'd say :S

I expect I'll kangaroo down the road with the foot brake firmly pressed when I ride whatever I buy, a look of sheer terror on my face at 20mph, but hopefully the bigger biker/more torque low down will mean I don't have to use anywhere near even half it's potential for the first few months. And (Hopefully) after a while on this, I'll be ready to ride anything, rather than going from a 600 to a 1300 in a few years and getting the shock that will finally send the rest of my hair white (having a kid started the process off).

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

Hmmm come to think of it, the Thunderace wasn't THAT much more roomy than most other things I've been on Sad

Wonder if I can get a penny farthing with a nice smooth straight 4...

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

You could always get a 750, then goto a 900 instead of going from 600 - 1300 or so.

But whatever you want, we're just trying to make sure you don't end up on the newspapers (not that you will, but you never know Wink

).

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

Yeah, I've slept (or not slept, tossing and turning) on it and I'd better check more bikes out before dashing out and buying the first one I can think of. Original plan still stands though - whatever I get has to last at least 3 years, so need to make 'er a good un, which I guess means all round comfort/speed/reliability/running costs.

It's gonna be something up to or over 1000cc still though I think, unless the right VFR 800 came along for right price for instance. If I could stretch to an FJR Yam would like one of those, but cash limits me...

Will let you know how I get on, and thanks for the "Don't die by buying/jumping on first bike you see" advice - it has genuinely made me think again.

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

No problem.

Don't forget that you can still have a fook load of fun on much smaller bikes.

I kinda miss my 125 2T as it was a right laugh going around corners Wink

.

You're not looking to buy a new bike are you? Or are you looking to buy used (recommended for first bike, especially first big bike Wink

).

Look at me, giving advice Shocked

.

I crashed my bike 2 days after passing my test, so it can be done, very easily.

What type of bike are you after? (Just read your first post and it says something not so full on sports bike).

Umm, best get someone else to suggest bikes to you. Wink

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

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

My theory: If it goes like fuck and you like the look of it, buy it Wink

.

I see where you're coming from. I'm only 5'7" and weigh 50kg Shocked

. I had trouble picking my 400 up the other day, just over three times heavier than me!

Well good luck with whatever bike you choose, and when you narrow it down send me a pm so I can be jealous Wink

.

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

Heh, will do Smile

Strewth, you only weigh as much as, say, one of my legs Smile

Just been onto www.directchoice.co.uk, they confirmed the price on the YZF insurance, around £350 give or take a couple of quid depending on what brand of cat 1 security, and under £300 for a 1200s Bandit, which complicates things when I thought "Right, Thunderace it is!". Bandit would be newer, presumably easier to potter around on and have the torque I want, with the option of adding more hp (up to around 140 apparently) for £599+vat ride in ride out (oops, already done my research for when the 100hp isn't enough - hopefully in a few years time).

So for now it looks like Bandit or Thunderace. VFR800, once my "dead cert" choice, is out because the prices for them are still daft to buy, and parts/servicing might be tricky as well. I suppose Honda are the "VW" of the Biking world, high price to buy, high to maintain/service, best resale.

Will keep you updated, like I say, thanks for your help!

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

Ah, one more thing before I go to look at some bikes Smile

Insurance groups - I was under the impression they go to 17 on bikes, but the insurance guy quoted 20 for the zzr for all companies, 17-20 for the YZF and 13-18 for the Bandit, so it shows Insurance is still the muddled minefield it always was :S

JBurrows88 · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 May 2006 Karma :

Hehe

I'm on a YBR and i do 33miles a day (monday-friday)-(shipley - skipton then back) Thumbs Down

Its is an interesting experience!!! Especially when getting close to bradford Rolling Eyes

____________________
Dave
XJR400 Kenney Roberts Paint Job

jay_666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Karma :

You mentioned the ZX9R and said it would be too out and out sporty.....i think most people consider it to be a spourts tourer really
____________________
CBT - Done | Theory - Passed | Test - 4th Oct [PASSED!]
https://www.bikepics.com/members/jay666/

suzi_bandit · Traffic Copper Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Karma :

darrens_here · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Karma :

darrens_here · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Karma :

in fact.................

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

Thanks but after trying the 'ace and a zzr for size again today, gonna be going for the big Yamaha, take it steady and learn my way on that. Throttle felt smooth and revs rose as you want them - didn't get chance to ride but I can well imagine there'll be decent torque from low down right through the range.

Talked to a guy today who was selling his who had done exactly the same thing - passed test and bought YZF as first bike, as opposed to starting on 600s and working up, and he said he enjoyed every minute - shame I just missed out on buying his bike this afternoon, but can't be helped. Having to work for a living gets in the way sometimes Sad

Got a few more to look at it meantime - I'm in no rush, just waiting for the right bike.