Which bike is best for me?

[badger_warren]

Hi all!
Having passed my full test it is time for me to upgrade from the beautiful, yet titchy NSR125 to something with a little more grunt.

My dream bike is and always has been the Honda CBR 600RR, i dont know why i love it so, i just really really do!

However...i am 20. Although I have 2 years of riding experience, done a CBT, and Full Test and passed with one minor - a stupid one i may add, i mean imagine telling someone their emergency stop took a fraction too long in the pouring rain! - I am unable to ride anything much more powerful than the bike I have now!

There is no question I need a bigger bike, the 2 stroke engine has more flaws than fred flintstones car, i cant really get on a motorway and when i put my girlfriend on the back i have to avoid steep hills and the national speed limit!

I also am a big fan of sports bikes, the shape, look and feel is important - yes, im shallow, forgive me!

My real indecision is in whether to get an already restricted 400cc Honda CBR from the early 90's and ride it around for 2 years lowering my insurance and the price of the 04 CBR I so desperately want - and at this stage would probably kill myself on - Or do i spend silly amounts of money on the bike i actually WANT, then restrict it, then remortgage for the insurance...

It seems obvious but im loathed to make the choice so im asking you to do it for me - unless anyone can suggest a bike with the sleek sex appeal of the CBR600, the performance and comfort for a pillion passenger and an insurer friendly, young rider happy engine that would solve all my problems? Because I'm stumped...
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oh happy day

[pwntifex]

Why bother buying the RR when it'll cost you a bomb on insurance—so much that you'll have to go third party—and then crash it into a fence/small child? Not to mention the effects of restriction on the thing...
Go with something more manageable to begin with. That way, the '04 model will have lowered in price somewhat by the time you come to buy it.
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the warped one: This is a follow up from the thread 'my willy hurts'

[thegubner]

it aint at all like a modern sportsbike but my 89, GPZ500 is fucking mint!

[trevoriv]

Yamaha Thundercat - bit dull but cheap as chips and easy to ride.
CBR600F - Bit more insurer friendly than the RR.

Alternatively you could get one of the 600 commuters such as a bandit or hornet.

I got a Kawasaki ZX636R as my second bike after having a license for 6 months at the age of 22. Insurance relatively cheap via H & R at around £700 TPFT.

If you can afford it i wouldn't be hesitant about getting a sports 600 if that's what floats your boat

[badger_warren]

The GPZ500 is a nice looking bike, and is supposed to handle really well. Whats the insurance like on one of those?

The impracticality of buying a 600 is painstakingly obvious...it just makes me sad.
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oh happy day

[trevoriv]

I wouldn't write off a 600 straight away. Especially the Thundercat. Depends on your budget though to be fair. Thundercat's can be picked up cheaply these days and my insurance at 21 was reasonable.

I'd recommend https://www.insurance2000.co.uk/ to get some ball park figures for insurance. They tend to be one of the cheapest for young riders (ie under 25).

[thegubner]

I think its about 350 tp for mine

but im a divie twat, and i give my missus all my money and all the bills, so i cant really remember, think its about that though. (either that or she's ripping me off )

It is a mint little bike but my only problem with it is now I want a bigger bike, but it would be a good step from a 125 in my opinion.


cheers

andy

[badger_warren]

The thundercats not only very pretty but is named after my all time favourite cartoon show!
Its also depressing that a 2002 thundercat is the same price as a 92 CBR400! I shall definately be looking into that!
What about the CBR600F? its still most of what i love, and more practical...
I am a little worried about the effect of restricting something like that. Ive been informed that other than the top end it wont make a particularly noticable effect, it just seems like a sick joke that I have to wait 2 years before i dont have to worry about that kind of thing!
Iv also been steered in the direction of the SV600 if anyone has any interesting points about that?
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oh happy day

[badger_warren]

wow, i got a quote on the thundercat for £500, thanks! excellent advice!
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oh happy day

[bazza]

Suzuki GSX600F. Comfortable, practical and unremarkable. Low insurance group and quite capable of taking the two of you round while your NCB builds up.

Or just join in with the crowd and pay too much for a crotch rocket you'll never use properly before kids come along and you're pussy-whipped into selling it and buying a "family car" and spending the next twenty years boring the pants off everyone by telling them about the bike you once had, dreaming of the day when you can buy another one.

Easy choice, really.
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"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[trevoriv]

Yeah the thundercat is like half a tier down from your major sports 600s putting out around 90hp i think. Makes it a slightly more sensible option both power wise and cost wise for a first bike and should be okay when restricted. It's also very comfortable

Don't know much about the CBRF other than it's a slight step down from the raw RR and has the tell tale seat unit that indicates a more comfortable and sedate bike and importantly more suited to carrying a pillion

The SV is probably best suited to being restricted, they are very cheap to buy and insure and are a lot of fun and make a cracking first bike, lots of people on here rave about them. I personally found it a boring ride, but then i would after being on a zx6r for a bit. Although it's low down grunt was very impressive.

I think a thundercat / sv650 would probably be cheaper and more sinsible than a pocket rocket 400 GSXR/CBR/ZXR or a CBRR600.

[St0rmer66]

[badger_warren]

wow, you sound like my girlfriend...

But you have a good point! A scary and depressing point, but good none-the-less.

Ok, so we're fairly well resigned to a less sporty bike. Thats fine, so which one?

The quote on the CBR600F was similar to the Thundercat AND the SV, and to be honest werent far off a 400CBR, but the price of the bikes themselves almost removes the Honda's from the equasion...

Its just so hard!
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oh happy day

[badger_warren]

Just felt it was important to clarify
A nun powered shopping trolley with a broken wheel has more power than my 125.
Thats very interesting about the restrictions though, the SV and Thundercat style with the sporty look and comfortable ride are definately more suitable, im nearly 6ft tall and the tiny 400s were not comfy!
Did you get yours restricted at the dealers garage of was it done privately?How much does something like that cost?
Thank you so much for all the help guys, your great!
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oh happy day

[St0rmer66]