What bike is right for me???..plz read

freakymadness · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

I took my cbt 6 months ago and then bought a gilera cougar 125, and have loved riding my bike for the last 6 months and and built up confidence, so i have just passed my bike theory test and have booked up for mod1 and 2 (direct access) and if all goes well, (fingers cross)...i will be looking for a bike, i have a wife that can't wait to get on the back of a bike but only a balance of apx ?1.500
I have looked at the suzuki 600 bandit which looks lovely and you can get them rather cheap, but i have no knowledge of what bike would be suited to me, like i said i like the look of the bandit so anything upright like this bike would be preferable, but i am open minded!
All thoughts and comments would be welcome Thumbs Up

Alexio · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Karma :

What is about to be recommended to you on this forum is that you make sure you test ride as many bikes as you possibly can from the dealers so that you can make up your mind properly as to which bike you prefer Thumbs Up

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will never give up his CG. I look at my fuel gauge more as a progress bar than a fuel gauge.
G: With my GSXR I do often effectively use it as a scooter with a clutch in town.
ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?

Banned Again · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Jan 2010 Karma :

Alex is right, i however my vote is for the honda hornet 600/900 cc .. but if you can tell us what your main usage is for inc bird on back ... Wink

, then that would steer some recomendations ... Thumbs Up

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We all choose what to think about ...

freakymadness · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

Banned Again · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Jan 2010 Karma :

I'm asking further for others to add really, as bar the Hornet, i don't know enough .. anyway how far is the commute, any motorways, and weekend touring ... or not ... ? ... Thumbs Up

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We all choose what to think about ...

SuperFurrySam · Nova Slayer Joined: 03 May 2009 Karma :

My Dads mate told me I have to get a Yamaha Fazer 600 when I complete my DAS. According to him, that's the best mid sized bike going - he said it performs well in every area, comfortable great fun to ride etc.

I think as others have mentioned though it's a case of each to their own, and just try sitting on a few different bikes and taking them for a quick spin if you can. One person loves this bike, the next guy hates it etc.

Banned Again · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Jan 2010 Karma :

Heard a lot of good things about the fazer ..... Thumbs Up

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We all choose what to think about ...

Keir · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

you cant really go wrong with a bandit, or a fazer for that matter. both are cheap and cheerful.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

freakymadness · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

freakymadness · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Keir · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

bandits are cheaper to run than the others but not quite as sporty. no coolant to change and lock nut valve things instead of shims.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Adrian · Spanner Monkey Joined: 06 Mar 2009 Karma :

What Alex said. Test ride all the equivalents of the Bandit from Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, Triumph etc etc. There's no better way to get to know the bike you want than taking it for a quick spin Very Happy

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DAS 18/06/09 Off The Kerb Motorcycle Training. Proud owner of a Honda CG125 & a Honda Hornet

SuperFurrySam · Nova Slayer Joined: 03 May 2009 Karma :

waffles · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Oct 2009 Karma :

When I pass my bike test I am getting a Fazer.

My boyfriend has a bandit, its pretty economical on the petrol and goes fast enough but has a few foibles. The exhaust for example, if you get one with an original not aftermarket exhaust there is a weak point that rusts through. It needs to be rewelded and the fix is roughly ?100. The part where the speedo cable attaches to the bit on the wheel is made of cheep flimsy plastic, in the year or so the bf has owned it the bike is now on its third one. At ?40 a go. Riding two up you will need to do something with the suspension, im a tall bird and admittedly 12 stone (its muscle, OK!) and I feel every bump in the road.

Other than that he says its easy to ride, very comfortable and has a lot more accelleration that he thought it would.

I guess the bottom line is to pick something that you like and sit on or test ride as many as possible.
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125