Hello :D - Newbie biker seeking a bit of inside knowledge

[jimmeh]

Hey Guys,

a couple of my more biker-oriented friends suggested this was a good place to look for some guidance and a nice community.

currently i'm in the process of moving to Fulham, London and looking to get into biking, i dont have any licenses for bikes yet though do have a full UK driving license for the last 5/6 years.

just sold my saab 9-3, that i miss already.. but its too expensive to run here in london, and ive been looking for an excuse to get on a bike for a few years (mainly for fun, but possibly once/twice a week commute to Tower Bridge area).

Initially, i've semi fallen in love with the newer Suzuki GSX 650F for a first big bike after DAS, and my friend, in a similar situation is looking at the SV650 (+bellypan heh).

Initially i wanted some opinions on good 600sized bikes for starters, as im not sure i should be buying the CBR600 RR / Daytona 675 that i really want quite yet , and i'm well aware i'm likely to drop anything i do buy!

Also, more obviously, im looking for a good place to get myself CBT & DAS'd up to standard. I've been to a few shops, and also had a look around Metropolis @ Vauxhall, and chatted to them about instruction, though they charge £950 for an all inclusive Newbie -> DAS program. Having come from the nottingham area, im slightly suspicious that it might be quite over the odds compared to the 650-800 prices i've seen elsewhere. As before, myself and my mate are both looking to do pretty much exactly the same and want any hints on good places to look for bike training / bike purchase. Obviously, if we can get a good respected course for ~£700ish then we'd rather pay less and travel a bit further.

oh, last minute edit: if there are any london based events we could come and have a chat to you guys at locally (and we wouldn't be too out of place.. i'd definately be interested!)

So, any suggestions or guidance much appreciated, im just digging through all the forums newbie guides and extensive threads, hopefully i can fill in some gaps in the IT/Techy forum, being my job

Many thanks,

James

[jimmeh]

If i did something wrong i dont mind if you tell me - does seem like ive scared everyone off.. im one of the only topics in the new bikers section without a response


- James
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noob.

[yuri2085]

This seems a nice enough post; the questions about which bike have been asked and answered about 10,000 times; try the search.
But I would NOT expect to pay 1000 quid almost for a DAS, in surrey area maybe 600-700 inc cbt and hire. (4 day course)

Perhaps lack of replies is because not many people check this section, so you just might not have anyone who did their training near you

[FerretFing]

Hi & Welcome I`m the other side of the country so can`t be much help on your DAS I`m afraid...but for £1000 I`d expect to be taking the bike home with me!

[Bucky]

Evenin' jimmeh

Did my CBT & DAS this summer. Up in the Midlands it cost me...
CBT: £130
MOD1 1.5Days training & test: £245
MOD2 3Days training & test: £445
Total: £820

This included bike, helmet, boots, gloves & jacket rental might save you some money if you've your own gear

plus an extra 3hour Mod 1 lesson (for piece of mind, told I didn't need it but wanted to make damn sure I passed the second time) and retest at £125.

So spent £945 so far...
In the next couple of days should have a Mod.2 retest & lesson booked
Nerves got the best of me on my mod2

I'd say DAS varies between £700*-£900

*from what i've seen £700 if you book them all in one.
ie, book mod1 & mod2 close together, main problem with that is if you make a silly mistake on mod1 (like me) usually you cannot retake mod1 before your due to take mod2, which means loosing then money spent on your mod2 test and having to pay for another one.

Also you'll need to do a motorcycle theory test
As for bike advice I'm in the same boat mate
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"You know, they say that, the wheel is the greatest invention ever. But I think it's probably the second wheel, because . . .
Have you ever seen a guy on a unicycle?..."

[metalangel]

Best advice for the bikes is to go and sit on them at a dealership. You might find that you feel cramped on the teapot (GSXF) but find a or Z750 or CBF600 more comfortable!
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[Clanger]

Hello and welcome.

Have you never ever ridden before? If I were you, I'd get myself a nice cheap 125cc to run about on, get to know the roads, do the CBT etc. Then go for DAS.

I have no idea how much DAS are these days, I did mine years ago. It was just under £400 for four days plus CBT.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[P.addy]

hey mate.

Personally i wouldnt have anything over 250 in london...
I recently went up with Alexio from here on a sunday..
even sunday evening, it was hectic traffic.
Him on his CG125 and me on my GS500... i was pissing petrol away just sitting in traffic, where as his CG was very very economical.

Definately dont recommend a big bike for staying/commuting within london!

With tests..you can limit yourself with a light motorcycle licence, but I guess for the cash, you could do a DIY mod1 + mod2..cheaper!

[Moonie]

The main thing is that you're not so arrogant that you assume that after a 4 day course you can jump on a 600 sportsbike and be hunky dory, which is nice to hear

£1000 for a DAS is alot of money, other than that I can't really help other than to say tell your mate SVs are for ladies
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Don't practice it until you get it right, practice it until you don't get it wrong.
Presenting the one and only Chinkmobile

[jimmeh]

Thanks for all the responses

As far as the bike goes, i sat on the 650F and quite liked it, but im not experienced really so i wouldnt know how that compares on the roads.

The SV was pretty comfy too, but i prefer the 650f looks. (I actually found the ninja 250 was pretty comfy too! better than i thoguht it would be).

I will also likely not be using the bike IN london (much), more of a tool to ESCAPE (wonder down the M4 to the brecons, M3 to New forest, M1 to the lakes and enjoy the local roads there etc) im reasonably well UK travelled so i know where i want to take a bike, just need to get one that suits the job!

I dont want a 125/250 for the fact i don't think they'd be too great trying to do a long motorway journey (not that any bike is GREAT but .. sports tourer over a 125 streetbike i think makes sense). though i can totally understand getting a 125 for some learner practice - i'm just cutting costs on the hope i'm smart enough to not get hurt on a bigger bike.

I've heard the SV is a bit girly, and i've been told by various shops - but i cant see much of a problem with having a girly large bike for a starter. makes more sense than me passing CBT/DAS and buying a new CBR600RR .. however much i want one.. or a daytona 675.


How does a 2001ish CBR600 compare to the 650F ? they seem to be quite cheap, but dont look as cool imo.

In response to the DAS place i found, the 950 DID include 2 nights hire of a new 125 bike, and they do train on brand new XJ6N which is cool .. but i duno if they themselves are very good trainers.

Ive been looking at Advantage Wimbledon, they seem reasonable.
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noob.

[metalangel]

Nothing wrong with the SV, just make sure you like it for long journeys. I tell all chaps looking to buy one to sit on it first, as lot of us on the .org who've had them find the bars a bit low and needed to fit risers lest our wrists start to hurt. It's the Gladius you want to avoid, it's very girly.

When you come to Brecon make sure you stop in at the bus station in Abergavenny, that's where all the local riders go for their bacon rolls!
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[ThoughtContro...]

Pretty much what metalangel says. The SV's OK, tho it does get a fair slagging off from thoroughbred sportsbike riders. You may enjoy the fact that insurance-wise it's pretty cheap and it can be fairly economical with fuel if you aren't screwing the engine lots.

I don't think you'd get the long term discomfort angle from just sitting on an SV in a shop. You have to ride the thing for a good few hours, say 3+ at minimum to appreciate the "this could do with higher bars" comments, or 7-9 to really nail the viewpoint home. Tho at this point your arse will be as sore as your wrists
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Prize cunt
--
"In a world of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell

[EUMP]

ZX6R, ER500, SV650 (I like it) GSX for a starter isn't very ideal in my view until you get that experience riding.
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C.B.T - Expired
MOD1 04/08/10
MOD2 10/08/10

[jimmeh]

zx6r for a newbie? not sure if thats a good idea?:o

it was the GSX 600 F i was talknig about, rather than the GSXR, which would be a bit silly for a learner imo.

but yeh, the ninja 250 was rather comfortable, not sure it's capable of the long journeys though. shame there arent many sporty 400s under 5yrs old

been looking at some cbr600F's, not sure which F model is the best though, i assume they relate to how new it is, but whether say, the F3 or F4i are known to be better i dont know?
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noob.

[Noxious89123]

[EUMP]

[Moonie]

SV's are alright bikes, although myself I'd be more inclined to look into a Hornet, same sort of bike, but imo feel nicer to ride.

I wouldn't be ashamed of riding an SV, but you will have to get used to people telling you it's a girls bike.

Make sure you get test rides though, and if they won't let you, go somewhere else.
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Don't practice it until you get it right, practice it until you don't get it wrong.
Presenting the one and only Chinkmobile

[Murf]

I've got myself a naked SV650 which is fantastic (especially as I've just moved up from a CG125).

I tried a few SV650S bikes, but as the guys already said, even just sitting on them on the forecourt and my wrists we're aching.....

[Noxious89123]

[bacon]

i hadnt ever sat on a bike before my cbt in january, my first bike after my das 3 weeks after the cbt was a cbr600fs-1

Basically a cbr600f with some subtle changes but effectively the same. The bike was great, very comfortable. the cbr 600 is a far cooler bike than the 650f by a country mile

[kawakid]

WOW, Glad I don't live in London. Those prices are mental.

I didn't do DAS, but a colleague of mine did and her did it for under £300 all in. That was about 2 years ago.
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I've a twin and a 4.