Finally fully road legal!!

[sharpee1984]

Hi All,

I’ve been an avid reader on BCF for the last 2 years, always keen to find out what’s happening in the biking world since I completed my CBT in Aug 08. I don’t drive, and at the time done my CBT to get a 125 for commuting. I got rid of the 125 in Apr 09 as I moved back down south from Manchester and carried on with my life. A few months back I dug out the CBT Certificate and realised it was due to expire on 30 Aug this year and thought ‘f**k it’, just do it and get on the road! So I did, and passed my Mod 1 (2nd attempt after putting foot down on Fig of 8) Monday this week and Mod 2 Wednesday this week! I am now fully road legal and can’t wait to get me some wheels!

I have to say that without the support and help of my instructors Matt & big Dave from M&D training in Guildford, I wouldn’t have been here typing this now. They were great and fully deserve a mention on this board. They went at my pace, gave advice and improved my riding no end! Most importantly of all, I enjoyed being taught by them! I would definitely recommend them to anyone in the Guildford area.

So, what next...I’m going shopping on Sunday for a bike. Still undecided on whether to go for a fully fared sporty 600 or a naked. I have a budget of £1500-2000 but may also look at the finance option if something takes my fancy. My downfall is I buy on impulse so the chances of my coming back Sunday with a £10k R1 are quite high Ideally, the first big bike after intensive research would be a 2001 CBR600 F/FS. It has the looks, the reliability, and is fairly cheap to pick up! I never used to like nakeds but then I saw a Yam MT-03......boy that thing is sexy!! So basically I’m open to suggestions!

So, that’s my introduction, I look forward to contributing more to the forum rather than just being a reader!

Lee

[pinkyfloyd]

as much fun as it is looking at bikes and thinking "man thats a sexy bike" you never know if it is going to be right for you or not. the only way to find out is try out as many bikes as you possibly can before making a descision.

you could come home with an R1 and a week later find that the riding position just isnt for you. same with the naked bike, you might not like the buffeting from the wind.

but think of the fun you can have sitting on various bikes in the dealers to see which you find comfortable

congrats on finally passing your test
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[sharpee1984]

That's the plan on Sunday, try as many as possible and find my perfect match!

I'll let you all know how I get on, I feel i might be persuaded by looks though...I'm vain like that!

If you had a choice, Looks Vs Comfort, what would you choose?
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PRESENT: HONDA CBR600F 2002
Past: Yamaha XJ600N 2001
Past: Hyosung GT125 2008

[pinkyfloyd]

im a 35 year old chef buddy, i have spent 19 years of my working life working long hours on my feet, i wake up in the morning with sore knees, ankles and back.

i'd go for comfort every time!

in saying that tho, i am riding around on a gsxr750 but thats only because i got it for free!

theres no reason you cant go for both, i like the look of the SV650 or the SV1000, while still sporty looking they are designed for touring also. so you get the comfort and sporty looks.

or the gsxf looks really nice, has all the looks of a sports bike with raised handlebars to give you more of a sitting up position rather than a slouched over the gas tank
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[sharpee1984]

Just a quick update,

I have been shopping for my first big bike and seen a few beauties. Sat on as much as I could and got plenty of advise from people in the know. I have heard a few sales speils on how I should get a bike on finance but have seen an ideal 1st bike...a 1998 R reg Yam Thundercat. Only thing is I think it is a bit overpriced. The small, but very friendly dealer has it up for £2000. It has done 31500miles, condition is good with a few cracks & scratches here and there on the bodywork. It has 2 new tires, full MOT, 3 months warrenty and SS downpipes but origional exhaust.
Looking on ebay I can pick up a Thundercat from between £1000 - £1500 and looking at Parkers price guide it has these priced from dealership at £1590. Hopefully I can haggle down but don't want to pay over £1600 for something like this when It is that much cheaper elsewhere.

So my question to you guys.....Would you pay more than £1600 for the mentioned Thundercat??

I have attached a picture.

Many Thanks,

Lee
____________________
PRESENT: HONDA CBR600F 2002
Past: Yamaha XJ600N 2001
Past: Hyosung GT125 2008

[sharpee1984]

Well, purchased my first "big bike" this weekend and had a great bank holiday blasting around on it, getting used to the feel and power! Unfortunately it isn't the above Thundercat...that would have taken a few months to save up for and I wanted one now! Instead, i opted for the cheaper Yam XJ600n - 2001. Got it for £750.

The plan is to have this for a 3/4 months, time to save up for something sportier and shinier, and go from there!

One quick question with it...the back light does not light unless i'm braking. It should be lit when I have my lights switched to 'ON' shouldn't it?

Anyway, here's a pic!

Lee
____________________
PRESENT: HONDA CBR600F 2002
Past: Yamaha XJ600N 2001
Past: Hyosung GT125 2008

[Nexus Icon]

Looks nice. I do like the XJ600 for looks.

And as for the light; if the headlight is on then surely the tail light should be on too? Have you checked the bulb?

[sharpee1984]

When the headlights on the tail light isn't, but it lights when braking. I'm pretty sure it should light as well but just wanted confirmation before I try and fix.

I'll look at it a bit more closely tomorrow, hopefully it is just a bulb change!

As for the looks, I like it too, even though I was never too keen on the 'Naked' style. I like the mighty look steel downpipes, which sound sweet too! For a first bike I couldn't go wrong for the price (as long as it lasts longer than a week!)

Thanks

Lee
____________________
PRESENT: HONDA CBR600F 2002
Past: Yamaha XJ600N 2001
Past: Hyosung GT125 2008

[el_oso]

probably wouldn't pay over £1600 for that thundercat.
they are meant to be good solid bikes. some thundercats have a problem with 2nd gear, however most problems with them would have shown up at that mileage.
the xj600 was a good bike except it was very boring to ride. did the job though. most things on it have began to rot and rust.
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Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[Bubbs]

[sharpee1984]

It was the bulb....easy fix!!

Thanks Guys!
____________________
PRESENT: HONDA CBR600F 2002
Past: Yamaha XJ600N 2001
Past: Hyosung GT125 2008