Which bike?

[Asa600]

I know you get alot of people asking this questions but i really do need a little bit of help.

The bike is going to be for when im 17 soon and so its going to be restricted to 33hp.

I would prefer that the bike is a 4 stroke as i prefer the better reliability.

Also i'd prefer a sports bike because of the looks and performance.

Its got to be something bigger than a 125 as they are not comfortable for pillions and look rather pathetic with the thin tires and thin fairing, let alone the sound of them.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

I

[Clanger]

Well you wont be able to take pillion till you've passed, so that shouldnt be a priority...
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[fuzz]

[APNess]

It really depends on several factors:

1) What it costs you to buy
2) What it costs you to insure
3) what will you fit on and handle comfortably

At your age I can only assume that point 2 will be crippling on any sort of modern sports bike. 250cc or 400cc will be quick enough/cheap enough to run/insure I'd have thought - I'm sure someone will come along with some decent suggestions. (I went straight to a 1000cc but then I am an old fart...)

[Asa600]

I was thinking about a kwak 250 or 400 but there getting pretty dated now 10 yrs +.
At the moment im thinking a yzf 600 thundercat '96 - '99, i've heard there a pretty good all round bike, i just just dont know how it would perform at 33hp. There pretty nice on the eyes to, but some people class them as more of a touring bike.

[Groove]

Couple of points:

You can only ride up to a 125cc 14.6bhp bike when your 17 with a CBT, if you want more then you have to do a test, A2 is the 33bhp one.

Perfomance from any restricted bike will be the same whether it be sports or naked.

Naked bikes are generally more comfy seat for pillions, but no one complains about mine when its poping wheelies
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|| Past: 1991 Kawasaki ZXR 250 ~ 2003 Honda CBR 600 F Sport ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1999 Yamaha R1 ~ 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R J ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1998 Honda VTR1000F Firestorm ~ K1 GSXR 600 Track bike ~ K6 GSXR 1000 ~ 2006 Speed Triple 1050 || Current: 2005 R1 https://www.adrucore.co.uk

[_Will_]

I hear these are excellent first big bikes.
Clicky[/u]
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[Asa600]

Yeah i have my cbt and will do my A2 after my 17th, if anyone here owns a thundercat 600, could you give me a little review of it or something?
Thanks for replies

[fuzz]

pm Rookie, he has a 'Cat

Or read my review of a test ride: https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=75101
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Bikes: '99 NSR125R, '00 SV650S, K1 GSX-R600, '97 CB500, K3 SV1000S, '16 VFR800

[APNess]

https://www.bikersoracle.com/thunder/forum/

Thundercat and 'ace forum

Only thing I would say about a restricted bike is that they can't all be as fast/slow as each other as it depends on gearing/weight of bike/rider etc, but I think a Thundercat is a nice bike, reliable, plenty about for spare bits and should be cheap on insurance even for a new rider (the Thunderace was cheap to insure for me with no no claims or riding experience, Thundercat is several groups lower, but you'll have to shop around - a lot - if you want to get insurance reasonably priced for your age.)

[Aikman666]

Im in the exact same situation as you mate (but im probably a large bit bigger!) And so far im looking at a ZXR400. If you want any information ( i found full size specifications ) just type "ZXR400 review" into google
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[Jackyboy]

Hyosung Comet GT250. Puts out 30bhp and is muck cheap to insure. Built around a Suzuki Sv650 frame so has got plenty of room to stretch out on, and is fully faired. www.hyosung.co.uk
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Insurance Beehatch Supremo- Direct any grumbles about repudiated claims my way
Yamaha SR125 - Scrapped 13/06/2006. Hyosung GT125R - Totalled 18/11/2006.
Honda VFR400R NC30 - Totalled 09/02/2007. CBR600F - currently in 1 piece...

[Jackyboy]

https://www.hyosung.co.uk/images/gt125r/large1.jpg
____________________
Insurance Beehatch Supremo- Direct any grumbles about repudiated claims my way
Yamaha SR125 - Scrapped 13/06/2006. Hyosung GT125R - Totalled 18/11/2006.
Honda VFR400R NC30 - Totalled 09/02/2007. CBR600F - currently in 1 piece...

[paulthewitt]

that bike above is not built around an sv650 frame.

i would however recommend an sv650 as a first bike. just get it restricted. It handles it fine, and cos they are useable motors anyway all is good. They look quite nice. and are sporty enough for a beginner. Oh and i wouldnt say the power would be too much, even derestricted. so not like you are aming a beast or anythin silly!

Paul

[mikeoldcars]

[Asa600]

I just got a quote from bike insurer:
TPF&T
£300 comp excess
pillion cover
1 years no claims
kept on driveway
bike value of £1500
yzf 600r thundercat
..............................................£905 with h&r insurance services

[fuzz]

[Asa600]

Heres a few other quotes for different bikes (same criteria):

gsf600 bandit '99 £640
yzf r6 '01 £1140
aprilia rs250 '98 £703
gsxr 600 '99 £905
H&R was the cheapest every time by about £80.

I dont know too much about big bike insurance but are these quotes pretty average or insanly expensive. Cheaper than for me to insure a car anyway

Omg i just got a quote for a busa lol, £9,999, i think thats the highest the quote machine thing goes up to lol.

[APNess]

Surprised it would give you a price on a 'Busa!

I found bandits (In my case 1200s) cheap to insure as well.

Whilst they aren't sporty, what about GS500/CB500 with a full fairing on to make it look sportier/protect from wind? Cheap, reliable, should be cheap to insure and ok to build up a few years no claims on. Gotta be cheaper than those other quotes you've had, and all will be heavy bikes for only 33hp to lug about (hence my initial suggestion of 250/400 - they would still be most sensible choices I guess, though the GS500 might be a low group).