Just passed DAS, what bike now ?

[Smithy500]

Hi all, new to the forums.

I'm 23 and just past my DAS test, i rode a small 125cc motorcross bike when i was 18, till i was rammed by your typical blind car driver pulling out at a junction. After this, it put me off bikes for a few years, but recently did one of those 5 day courses to pass my test and get me back on two wheels.

I'm looking for a first big bike. My dream bike at the moment is a Yamaha YZF R6, presumably it is not an ideal bike for someone who does not yet have much experience, and would not be very forgiving. I don't wish to smash up such a beautiful bike, or indeed myself, again.

Had my eye on a bike thats for sale up the road from me, something a little less powerful and more suitable for a beginner. A 2005 Suzuki GS500 F, your thoughts on whether this would be a good first proper bike ? If not what would you suggest?

I'm only really interested in sports style bikes, don't particularly like any bikes with an upright seating position

Many thanks.

PS where would be the best place to get a good helmet, which is properly fitted. I think the one i own now does not fit properly.

[Teflon-Mike]

GS500F?
Is pretty 'upright', its basically a regular GS500 with a full fairing!
Might have slightly lower bars than the unfaired or half-faired version, but it wont make that much difference.
The 500 Twins are the defacto reccomendation for a Post DAS 'learner', and its a pretty good choice, I'd say.
Alternatives would be the Honda CB500, or the Kawasaki ER5. Both available with more or less 'plastic' standard or after-market, to suit your taste.
Slightly older, theres also the Kawasaki GPz500S, which is a little more frenetic. Its in a higher state of tune than the ER5 which was based on it, and has more sophisticated suspension. It was Kawasaki's idea of a true 'sports' lightweight four-stroke, back in the day that 350 two-smoke twins ruled!
Not too many 'good' ones about any more, but they are fairly cheap, and may be worth a look.
But if you like the GS5-F then I cant REALLY suggest anything much 'better' really.
Nice solid little mount, with easy power delivery, enough weight to be stable, and enough performance to be useful, while coming in the cheaper tax and insurance brackets, as well as benefiting from ruggest robust and pretty simple design, needing less essential or expensive maintenence.
Only worry with that particular model is if you drop it, you have a hefty repair bill to fix or replace the pretty plastic, over one of the naked models; but that's pro's and cons. Plastics CAN be replaced, much more difficult to replace a broken cylinder fin or polish out a gouged alternator cover!

But try before you buy. Go view, sit the bike and test ride if you can, dont buy blind.

Likewise helmets.

You dont say where you are located; so the simple answer I'm afraid is a helmet shop.

You want to find a hat that is comfy, and you need to try it on your head before you part with cash. So unless you have tried them for size and got a make, model and size already sorted, mail-order isn't really the answer, if you were thinking on-line or e-bay kind of pointers!

I mean, if you needed a pair of glasses, would you buy out of the back of one of the sunday supliments, or would you go to an optician?
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[Smithy500]

Thanks for the reply, I've heard good things about the GPz 500 too, I don't want to rush into buying anything, but likewise im eager to get on the road ! Good to hear the suzuki sounds a suitable bike, didn't want to be jumping on something only to find out there are bikes out there which are much better for my needs ! I'm ok on the helmet issue now, a friend has put me in the right direction to a good helmet shop.

[Dazbo666]

Another vote for the GPZ. I had one as my first "big" bike after my DAS. Powerful enough to be plenty of fun, and to be able to expand my experience, but still controllable for a novice biker.
It was cheap to buy, cheap to run, and much more forgiving on the insurance than any 600.

The engine is known to have bombproof reliability, but there's plenty of them around, so parts are easy to get if you should need them.

For the record, the first bike I rode after passing my DAS was a test ride on a brand new CBR600RR, and apart from being nervous at riding a new bike, I also found that the power delivery was too aggressive for me at the time.

I'm now riding a 600, but I'm more than happy that I took the time to gain my initial experience on the 500 first.

As for choosing the right bike for you, I'd suggest going to a few dealerships and/or bike shows and sit on a few first, to find out which one(s) have a suitable position for you.
Also, any reputable dealer should be more than willing to give you some help and advice about fitting a helmet
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[adama]

Buy my restricted gsxr 600 k4 :p
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[Minty]

Man up and buy the R6 if that is what you want.

Unless you do not trust yourself?

If so, buy it anyway and die having fun

I would even go as far to say that the crash you had imposed on you may even have solidified the feeling of vulnerability and will help you ride within your own safety limits.

I went from a 125cc to a big bike and haven't died recently. I really couldn't be bothered with the ball-ache of buying this bike and the other and then having to sell them to slowly inch my way to the bike I actually wanted.
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[a3rox]

hey,
You got to remember your the one that controls the bike, if you ride a fast bike you can still ride it slow and keep to the speed limits about the streets and busy areas.
A car pulls out on you at a junction again doesnt matter what bike your riding, you will be coming off, its not because of you and what bike your riding its because of someone esle that forgets that there is bikes on the road.
Get the r6 mate just take your time on the roads till you get used to it, like what you do with any new bike. Hope this helped
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Rob

[pinkyfloyd]

[Paxovasa]

CBR600 F
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[Bubbs]

Get the R6!!

I would have if I didn't have to take the O/H pillion.

Friend of mine bought one right after his test having never owned a 125 and he got on fine with it. Just depends how stupid you are really.
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[Michael47]

I would recommend getting the R6 or the cbr600rr (would prefer the Honda myself - but depends on taste)

If you get any of the 500's i think you'll find them pretty boring after a week and since you're not 18 anymore you should be able to restrict yourself in the beginning and get to know the bike before you allow your friends' taunting to have you go full throttle all the time.

[dextersaurus]

This is useless for comparing without pics where looks are important.

So you want an R6?

https://www.yamaha-motor.es/designcafe/en/Images/10%202008_YZF-R6%20PS%2010%20med_tcm71-228298.jpg

Pretty awesome bikes, but they ARE pretty small, will depend on what height you are etc if you suit it.

You did kind of contradict yourself, saying you're interested in the GS500f but don't like upright riding positions... you could buy an R6 and find it comfy for a whole 10 miles then your wrists/back will be agony, whereas you could find it a hell of a lot comfier than an upright bike. it's all about what suits you.

You should really go sit on a few bikes - see what riding position you like.

Then you have the GS500F

https://articlebiz.org/gallery/2007/4/2007-suzuki-gs500f.jpg

And a regular GS500

https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2001models/2001-Suzuki-GS500E.jpg

As you can see, the GS500f is Pretty much the same as a regular GS500, just with a fairing.

You could also go for the GPZ500s (which i think you'd like most as a first big bike)

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Kawasaki%20GPZ500S%2001%20%201.jpg

People saying there isn't any good models left are talking shite, i've seen plenty immaculate ones. Even my one was a steal at £300 with the damaged fairings.

There is also the CBR600f which i think would be a good choice as it's a bit more forgiving than the RR and still looks good - the FI ones are coming down in price just now too

https://www.triumphchepassione.com/honda/hornet_cbr600f/honda-cbr600f-prova.jpg

If you do change your mind and like the upright riding position, maybe could think about a bandit 600?

You can get the faired versions:

https://www.gagandeeptiwana.com/images/Suzuki%20GSF600S%20Bandit/Suzuki%20GSF600S%20Bandit%207.jpg

And there is also the ER-6f

https://www.motoservices.com/selection/Kawasaki-ER-6f06EX650A_04.jpg

And then there is the other well known 600 nakeds if you decide you like the position and the feeling of the wind against you.

Bandit
https://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/suzuki-history/2001/2001_GSF600_Bandit_600.jpg

Hornet
https://beautifulwallpapers.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/honda-hornet-900-blue.jpg

ER6


https://ninja250r.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/2009_er-6n.jpg

There is a lot of things that can change what you want i.e:

Fuel economy
Speeeeeeeeed
Comfort, what riding position is best for you?
and much more...

So basically, go to a dealer, and have a sit on each bike that takes your fancy... is it comfy? or can your legs barely fit onto the pegs?

Cost could be a factor in this too - It will depend on your budget.

Dunc

[Smithy500]

Wow guys, thanks for all the detailed posts. Im 5"9 so 80kg so height shouldnt be a problem, I think im going to have to sit on a few different bikes and see what i like. The excitement is getting to me !

[Inkognito]

Get whatever bike you like the best.
Just keep in mind that an R6 won't be as comfy on long rides as some of the other bikes mentioned

Go and have a sit on the different ones you like. Get lots of test rides too. It will only do you good

[Clanger]

As I say to most people, look around this forum, there are tonnes of 'what bike next threads', write down the list of bikes you have seen listed, go onto google images, look at all the bikes. Cross off your list the ones you don't like.

Then go out to a few bike shops and look at the ones you do like, and if possible go for a test ride, (if able) if not, at least sit on the bike and get a feel for it - distance from seat to footpeg, how long the reach to handle bar is, that sort of thing...

Then make an informed decision based on what suits YOU.
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