which first bike after direct access

stvme3 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Karma :

which first bike in 600cc range been looking at few bandit thundercat sv650 srad gsxr any sugestions

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

R6 if you can stretch to it. I found it easier to ride than GSXr and Zx6r. Quite flattering. I was a new beginner on a *cough* private stretch of deserted road, and it made me feel like I was a better rider than I was. Lovely bike, very smooth, slick gearchange, won't punish you unless you treat it with disrespect (it was an 02 or 03 I rode.)

stvme3 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Karma :

i wanted k4 onwards or r6 as second bike want something cheap around 1500 mark for year couldnt bear 3to 4500 grand and drop it so r6 our newer gsxr after 12 months of riding

coolfox1 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Karma :

If your lucky you can get some nice bikes for less cash, think I've found mine but things I found so far are 2001 crb600 £2900, kwack zx636 2002 £2700,2800 and 2900, what I want.
Some of them had full service history, and tax and mot.

not my type of bike but seen 2003 cb600's for £2200, older ones even less, and supposed to be reasonably bullet proof.

One tip i used was to do a national search on auto trader, may cost you £40 on the train but could save you 100's if you can be bothered.

Some bikes go cheep on ebay but I steer clear of the ones with reserves.

darrens_here · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Karma :

Hi mate,

cant recommend the thundercat enough.. great first "big bike".

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Thundercat-Yamaha-Yzf-600_W0QQitemZ4648364582QQcategoryZ9809QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

for starts..................

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

If the Thundercat is anything like the thunderace, I have to agree. Thunderace is my 'first bike' after Cg125/passing test and it's great - easy at low revs, and goes like a rocket when you want it too, plus 45mpg average so far. reasonably low insurance as well - £295 TPFT and I have no no claims, passed test last week. Thundercat should be a fair bit cheaper than that too.

That said my nutta mate on his GSXR 600 leaves me standing - having a faster more powerful bike (mine 145, his around 110 hp) means little vs an experienced rider! Happy enough to potter about for now Smile

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

coolfox1 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Karma :

coolfox1 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Karma :

Just read your posts, seem that you think 2K is a silly offer so guess not, nothing personal but I've been indepth bike hunting for the last month and know what you can getfor what money and the 2500 to 2800 is more like a 2002 bike with 10 to 15 K on it.

I expect you tell me that rubbish so this is a 2002 zx 636 in nice condition with full service history 12 months MOT for 2700 with only 10K on the clock

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4646327275&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

to say I'm gutted at missing buying this is an understatement !

darrens_here · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Karma :

darrens_here · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Karma :

jonboy22 · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Karma :

K4 all the way!!

But I would say that as its what I've just purchased. Much cheaper than the equivalent 2004 Yam and Kwak and an insurance category lower!! How can you top that!! Plus the Yam doesn't come with all the trimmings, i.e no USD forks or radial brakes like the Suzi and the Kwak, and only the Suzi has a steering damper as standard (certainley eliminated the tank slaps I had on a cb500 booting it out of a dual carriage way roundabout)

But to be honest if you're anything like me and still have less than 3 years experience I doubt you'll be pushing any of those bikes to their maximum potential so I'd follow your heart...........oh and your wallet.

Hope that helps

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

Cat or CBR6 98> model. if you want less of a typical IL4 sportsbike, then look at your SV's and Hornets etc. The Fazer6 (pre04 version) isn't much of a bike in comparison to these other two IMO. I liked riding a CB500 more than the Fraser!

I originally wanted a CB5S or an SV650S, but then im glad i didn't get a new one of either now. As 2years later i wouldn't have been able to buy the ZX6R J1, ive had since 2001, if i had of got one of first bike bike choices. Im glad i got my ZX6 tho, as until last year iv'e never wanted a different bike seriously, but then ive been carefull not to test ride many other bikes since, just in case!

My point, is basically don't spend too much on your first 600cc bike, if you have a good idea that you will want to change it after a year or less. Only even spend serious money on a bike £5k+ if you aim at the time to keep it long term, which is what ive done with my bike, and im happy that i made the decision i did, and got a bike ive been so happy with for so long!

Ive seen lots of people that buy bikes and don't get on with them so they sell them again quickly, or else they buy a bike, then ride their mates bigger 'thousand' for example, and then decide they must have one like it too! All fine of you like spending yer money, and the hassle of changing bikes and all the paperwork frequently, but if money is tight, it's a right old waste of your hard earned, and much more hassle keep buying and selling too! Maybe some people like the new bike every year approach? But it don't work for me at all!