Hi there! Another new biker

[garthunkle]

Hey there

Thought I would introduce myself properly. Have been looking round this site for a while, getting advice etc.

I'm a 3rd year uni student at York, and having passed my CBT on the 26th of Jan got the Varadero 125 (pic below) last Saturday. Haven't had a chance to take it out on a long ride yet with lectures and bad weather, but looking well forward to when I can.

Planning on taking my DAS after my exams in May and before I move to central London. Any advice on a good bike to look for? Potentially going to do a tour of Europe before I start work in July.

To give an idea to potential new bikers, this is how much and what I have spent:

Bike (04 plate, 18.5k) - £1370
Comprehensive Insurance (mce) - £280
Shoei XR100 Helmet - £165
Hein Gericke PSX Track 2 Leathers - £280
Alpinestars SMX Plus Boots - £140
Alpinestars GP Pro Gloves - £100
Oxford Nemesis Disc Lock - £40


https://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj2/garthunkle/Varadero125.jpg

[deanoet]

Welcome to the forums

As for bikes, find one you like the look of and that is comfy.
I prefer the naked style of bikes, so would recommend the GS500, ER-5, Hornet, Bandit, ER-6 etc etc
Not a lot of use if you dont like the look and want a sports style bike.


I double take at the varadero's with the L plates on, they look way to big to be a 125.
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[garthunkle]

Cheers deanoet,

I like the styling of the new Hornet, looks really aggressive but haven't seen one in the flesh yet!

I did my CBT on a CG and there is so much of a difference between that and my Varadero. Seeing as I'm going to get a big bike soon, thought it would be a good idea to get used to the riding style of one.

[deanoet]

Yeah, i went from a CG straight to a full powered hornet.
Havent got anywhere near to using its full potential yet, and probably never will

Saw the New hornets in the dealer when buying mine (05), look good. more pointy than the older shapes
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[garthunkle]

Do you find that you can do motorway riding easily without the fairings?
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CBT Passed: 26th Jan 08, Current Bike: Varadero 125

[deanoet]

Only done short blasts on it so far (blackpool - bolton and back), so cant really answer that fully.

At 70 / 80 i dont find it uncomfy, get above that and you do feel like you are holding on a bit.
Dont get achey arms or anything, worst bit is life savers when changing lanes as helmets arent a streamlined when sideways to the wind so you feel it blast against your head.
The hornet only has a small tank so i will only be going about 100 miles before i am looking for petrol anyway, so it isnt like i will be riding for hours on end in 70mph winds

Will be doing a Blackpool - Cardiff run in may, which will be a nice test for it.


Even though i dont find it uncomfy on the hornet, I havent ridden a faired bike to compare it too. So it could be shocking wind blast for all i know.
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[nick606]

You can do 100 miles on your hornet ? i only get to about 65-70 and im on reserve. after 90 i start to feel the strain on my neck its ok but its a bit uncomfortable.

Nice bike mate and good luck with your test.

edit: 05 has a bigger fuel tank then mine.

[Gixajane]

Welcome to the site and biking garthunkle.

Rode in France last year much better than riding in the UK and the motorists are biker friendly, I'm going to Germany this year looking forward to going on the Autobarns.

Just remember disc locks are good but the bike can be lifted get a chain through the swing arm and lock to something stable I know thats not always possible 'carryng chain' but keep it in mind all we can do is try to make it as hard as possible to detur any theiving scum to take your pride and joy - bit of negativity to end my welcome to you but forwarned is forarmed.

Enjoy your bike and the fantastic feeling of riding.

[garthunkle]

Thanks for the advice Jane. Do you think a hornet would be good for international travel, i.e. can it be ridden easily with panniers etc?

Will be getting a full on chain for the big bike as I will be living near Liverpool Street. Can only imagine how expensive the insurance will end up being!

If I was to go for a faired bike what would you recommend? Is there a big difference in power between a 600cc sports bike (say a CBR?) and a 600cc Hornet?
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CBT Passed: 26th Jan 08, Current Bike: Varadero 125

[Gixajane]

Oh baby yes!!!!

CBR is a speed demon compaired to a hornet which by the way is a nice bike, I personally like them too.

If your not used to a lot of power be ready to take off with a CBR 600. I had a loan bike, Honda Fireblade while my gixa was repaired that bike was awesome, OK is was a 1000 sure theres a consoderable difference from a 600 to 1000 but the 600's are extreamly fast (my previous bike was a gixa 600, that was fast) remember its all in the throttle twist.

Hornet, fast yes
difference......
CBR, - sportsbike mental!

I can't quote the BHPof each bike, I'm sure someone on here will know that off hand but there's one hell of a difference.

Practical terms, Hornet for the touring, I did 2k on the gixa last year in France, I found it OK but then again I'm used to doing a lot of miles.

Let us know what you get and post a piccy

[garthunkle]

Would probably make sense to go for the Hornet at first then, especially when I'm using it in London. Then once I've got some good experience on it, switch over to a CBR!

Hornet vs. Bandit? Which one's better and are there any others I should consider?
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CBT Passed: 26th Jan 08, Current Bike: Varadero 125

[Gixajane]

Can't say, I'm biased as I prefer the Hornet.

Sensible decisian gathering experience first, you've got plenty of time for tanking it later...

[Moonie]

personally I'd take the Bandit although I've never ridden either, but dear God don't go across Europe on a CBR600, I went across Hungary pillion on one and i was still aching by the time we got there.

[deanoet]

Maybe go for a bike in between the Fully Faired and the naked bikes. A naked bike like the hornet doesnt have any wind protection by default.
Unless you meant the Faired Hornet.

The actual horsepower difference between a CBR and the Hornet wont be massive as they use the same engine
But the CBR has the more highly tuned engine along with better suspension, gearbox and clutch.
As well as being around 40kg lighter
The Hornet develops 97bhp i think, the CBR is around 120

If you like the looks of the CBR have a look at the CBR600f, that is the Sports Tourer which isnt as hardcore as the full fat CBR, it has a slightly more comfy seating position and importantly keeps the fairing for wind protection
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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