First big bike advice...

[Jarlak]

Hi guys,

I've been riding a Honda CG125 for about 4 months now and am about to complete my DAS course. I've enjoyed riding the CG because:
- It has an upright sitting position
- It's got a custom big wind screen
- The foot pegs are right below you, giving legs the 90 degree angle
- There's room for luggage
- It's really quite nippy!

With this in mind, what sort of bike would you recommend? I'm no speed freak and I'm not looking for a sports bike. If anything, I like the touring style. I'm not ready for anything over 600cc and am ideally looking for around 500cc. Also, I'm 6ft 1, so piddly bikes wont do!

Any ideas?

Thanks

[bikertomm]

Hmmmmm... Do you like supermoto's? I guess they are (kind of) touring like and are certainly good for taller people Would a DRZ 400 be too small?

Have a look on MCN website at all their reviews and see if any bike takes your fancy
____________________
07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Kwaks]

Blandit, Fazer etc etc.

Good for commuting and suitable for touring.
____________________
Fallen Angel "Nae sniffing my seat now!!!!! "
www.cliqueycuntsmcc.co.uk
I AM NOT A FAST RIDER!!!!!!!!!

[Carvel]

Either a GPZ500, cb500, ER-5, gs500.
In that order.
____________________
2002 Aprilia RSV1000R, Cbr600Fs, Mk1 B12, Vfr400 NC30...

Matt B: I can deal with crushed nuts to beat Ollie.

[N cee thirty]

fazer
____________________
'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[Jarlak]

Cool, thanks for the advice. I'll have a look at them.

[Teflon-Mike]

Tend to agree that the ER5, GS500 or CB500's would be the logical step-up from a CG.
HOWEVER!
Why dont you feel ready for anything bigger than a 600?
Its a bit of a mental block that one, and so many people say the same and are advised as much.
BUT, why?!?
I have a CB750. There are 250's that offer as much power as it has.
A CBR600 has about 100bhp and weighs 400lb.
A 1200 'Bandit' twice the capacity has no more power and carries only 70lb more mass.
An SLR650, offers only 44bhp and weigs in at 350lb.
Capacity alons is no real indication of whether a bike may be 'too big' too power-ful, too heavy or too intimidating or what-ever.
And these days, even insurance premiums aren't so tied to engine capacity as they used to. ONLY thing that capacity really influences is the rate of road tax.... up to 500cc you pay less!
REALLY, it should come down to what you want out of the bike, and by the sounds of it, you like the idea of a commuter / tourer.
The 500 Twins mentioned are a good start, the CB500 is often called 'The Big CG'.
One I'd suggest you have a look at though is the NT 650 V Deauville
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[multijoy]

BMW R80/100 (or k, for fairing goodness)?
____________________
'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

[crowe]

I'm certainly happy with my ER5 as it's comfy and is relatively versatile for a 500

Crowe
____________________
Kawasaki ER-5

[robocog]

Recently gone from a CG125 to a GPZ500

GPZ feels a billion times bigger and heavier when I first sat on it
(I say sat on it..in comparison you sit in them)
Turning circle when just man handling it around is attrocious in comparison (can 3 point turn the CG in my back garden...GPZ takes lots of full lock back and forth moves and several attempts at getting it through the tight corner into my back garden, where the CG could be ridden straight in)

As soon as its moving and your sat on it though it feels just as light and nimble as the CG..if not more so, cornering is also bliss in comparison, cant describe how much "nicer" it feels

foot angle is slightly further back (only slightly and definately not superman style or cramped up)
Bars feel slightly less high, but definately more "sit up and beg" than the other big bikes I sat on

Not a stretch at all for me over the tank that seems massive in comparison and plenty comfy for longer journeys
Sat upright enough that my neck doesn't hurt/ache, even after being on the motorway and the stop start traffic commuting and not had neck/arm or wrist ache yet

The windscreen doesn't look like it would really do much, same for the bikini fairnings....they definately do work for me
even beyond warp speed 10 hardly any wind blast to the legs or chest

Mine is restricted and I've not yet felt compelled to take em out
Completely different ball game to the CG, where snapping or pinning the throttle does nothing dramatic, think the GPZ in restricted form has plenty enough power to keep me happy beyond the restriction period TBH
It has certainly taught me steadier throttle and clutch control!

(I'm not a boy racer or a wannabe, being that I'm a bit of an old fart)

Heard a few people complaining about the brakes, but I've come from a drum braked CG125 and a 76 CJ360....trust me the GPZ's brakes are bloody marvelous and a compete revelation in comparison

I asked ref a suitable bike for me a while ago and GPZ500 popped up a few times and am so glad I listened to the advice
Awesome bike

Wouldn't hestiate to recomend one and I absolutely love mine

Regards
Rob
____________________
Needs a bigger garage...