Passed DAS...what bike to get?

rcf · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

Hi all,

Passed my DAS today on a Kawasaki ER-5 with a clean sheet. Done my training at Faversham Motorcycle Training in Kent...was great fun and I always felt safe.

Now, I need some advice on which bike to get. It will mostly be used for Sunday rides in the country but I have family in France so it must be capable, comfortable and reliable enough to cope with long distance runs both on the French nationals and motorways. Obviously, it has to be a good looking bike but am willing to sacrifice looks over quality if required. Finally, it needs to be able to carry a pillion and ideally nippy around town too.

Suggestions please!

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

CBR600F
https://www.axelcgn.de/bilder/motorrad/cbr600f.jpg

GSX600F
https://www.koups.com/sales/suzuki/images/1999_models/GSX600F-Blk.jpg

ER6F
https://www.lecarnetdumotard.com/photosaccueil/er6f%20(15).jpg

GPZ500S (If you can find a good one)
https://www.edinburgh-kawasaki.co.uk/gpz500s.jpg

GS500F
https://www.sulas.se/bilder/suz_04/gs500f.jpg

GSF600 (Faired)
https://www.sulas.se/bilder/suz_04/gsf600.jpg

I think you're looking for a non sport faired 600ish bike, but let me know how you get on with them.

rcf · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

Cool! That should start me off nicely.

darrens_here · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Karma :

Hi,

well done on passing your DAS, great feeling eh !

I did mine 3 or 4 years ago, and got a Fazer. It was a perfect bike from the DAS. A year later I bought my thundercat, which to be honest was only a tad fdifferent to the Fazer, and TBH I wish I had gone with the cat first time round - its a better looking (IMHO) full faired bike.

NOW, without sounding like a salesman or trying to SPAM (as Ive been accused of!) your thread, I have a thundercat for sale.

It would seriusly make a great bike for you. Tour, scratch, two up. Is cheap to insure............................... Im in Thurrock, and can easily arrnage for you to see the bike.

Its just had MOT and is taxed for a year. Im dying to pass it to a good home, as I need the space in my garage ......£2300......

Rookie · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Karma :

Without trying to flog you mine, Laughing

I think a Thundercat should be on your shortlist too. Get a test ride.

Delvard · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Karma :

03 Yamaha Fazer 600. Could do a lot worse Wink

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/andrewdelvard/DSCN0810.jpg
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syl · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Karma :

rcf · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

I'm 21, will be 22 on the 2nd July. Right now I have zero cash but will be looking to spend around £2000 on a used bike. As for insurance, it costs what it costs.

So I've had a look at aa few of the bikes you guys have mentioned and my fav has to be the CBR 600. Just watched a little movie of the history of the CBR 600 down at MCNNEWS.COM.AU so my plan is just to review the different models Honda have released, find a job (I graduate from uni in July) and save up to buy one in 2-4 months time.

Any specific threads on this forum on the different models of Honda's CBR600? (Search returns too many hits).

I do just have one reservation though regarding the CBR600's capability to cover long distances in terms of reliabaility and comfort. Any insight?

Having said all that, UBG do give a good review of pre-98 Thundercats. Pre-98 because the cost is more realistic for me.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

rcf · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

Just thought I would share the mcnews.com.au video presentation link on the history of the CBR.

https://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Honda/2005_cbr600rr/intro_video.htm

rcf · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

Based on the initial criteria, how would a GSXR600 SRAD suit?

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

As with all the bikes, comfort depends on whether *you* find it comfy.

Some people like having their knees round their ears, others like to sit up and beg. Go and sit on a load of bikes, get test rides if you can... you'll gel with something, you won't be so keen on others.

APNess · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

With 2 grand forget a VFR - you'll only be able to buy a big mile 750 and I was warned off them for servicing costs (hard to work on at home?) even though I really wanted one.

Thundercat is a decent choice in my opinion, I'm not keen on the looks of the GSX but beauty in the eye of beholder etc. ZZR600 is another worth considering in your price bracket, more of a tourer than ZX6r, which will hammer your spine into submission after a short run on a bumpy road Sad

I don't know if an SV650 will drop into your price range - I suspect not, but what about a Bandit 600s? Do anything go anywhere easy to ride easy to work on bike.

Well done on passing test anyway Smile

rcf · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

My maximum upper limit will be around £2650. But it better be a damn special bike if i'm gonna fork that out from my wallet what time forgot.

I really don't mind putting up with a few scratches and/or knocks and maybe even small cracks in the fairing. So long as the bike has reliable components (engine, alternator, brakes, etc) then thats what is most important to me. But then measuring those is rather difficult given what checks can be made at a viewing. But when that time comes I'll probably ask you guys for advice anyhow.

As I don't have the money right now anyway (or a job for that matter), I'll be looking to purchase a bike either at the end of summer or late winter/early spring.

Is the bike market more buyer friendly during the winter months?

syl · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Karma :

rcf · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

Fantastic info dmahon.