new to motorcycling

nurseynoo · Nova Slayer Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Karma :

Hello.
I am a female biker new to biking and I have just completed my CBT & direct acces course. I take my motorcyle test next week & I was wondering what size cc bike would be a good choice for someone who hasn't had any motorcycle experience up till now. Also could you give me some advice on the most reliable and best make of motorcycle out there.
thanks

Whosthedaddy · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Karma :

Hello and welcome from another nurse Thumbs Up

I had no experience of riding a bike before my DAS and jumped straight onto a 750 sports. The DAS will teach you to ride and manage a big bike in the GS500 or ER5 so one of this cc or size should be ample to start with.
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

Hi

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your test.

Try not to limit yourself to a specific capacity, although as Whosthedaddy said you can't really go wrong with a commuter 500. It's generally recommended to go for a naked bike as a first bike as bike plastics are very expensive if you drop the bike.

Other bikes worth looking at would be bikes such as Suzuki Bandit 600, SV650, Honda Hornet etc.. Best bet would be to get yourself to a nearby dealer where you can have a look & sit on quite a few bikes until you find one that you like the look & feel of.

Then go and buy on privately.

michael j · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Karma :

Hello

Joe must be asleep......... Wink

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Ducati 996

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

Hi and welcome! I can only assume this but I imagine you will be having lessons before the test on the bikes provided by the centre? This will give you a better idea of what you are looking for. I passed my DAS about 6-7 months after my CBT and spent the rest of the time riding an RS125. Getting on the instructors GSX500 was like being strapped to a rocket, but its all relative. You didnt say how tall you were (you could be a four foot nowt size 6 or a 6 foot amazon!) but you should look at physical size more than the bikes engine capacity. The power can be controlled but the weight of it can catch you off guard especially as a beginner! See how you enjoy the DAS then have a think about what style of bike your after and what CC!

Good luck with the test! Thumbs Up

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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

Racheldawn · Scooby Slapper Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Karma :

I have no advice as Im sure I have less experience than you at this point, but welcome and good luck with your test. Thumbs Up

gemma1675 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Karma :

Hi there,

My first bike was a Kawasaki GPZ 500S and I think it was perfect to start on, even though like you I hadn't ridden anything else when I bought it. It sounded like a bag of nails but it never let me down. But any of the usual suspects would be fine - CB500, ER5, GS500 etc. Honda's are said to be the most reliable. If you are doing DAS to have a full licence there is no point getting anything smaller than a 500 imo. Thumbs Up

Speaking as a lady, I have found that my restricting factors are the weight of the bike and the height of the seat. Riding the bikes is easy, but I struggle when it comes to maneouvering them. Getting mine out of the garage, and down a sloped driveway between two cars, is a constant source of worry for me! Embarassed

So you may need to take account of your size when chosing your bike.

Good luck!
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Suzuki SV650S K5

Nobody puts baby in a corner