Genuine Question

Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

What do people generally believe is the best first bike to own? Thinking of safety mainly.

I would assume something light and without power.

Having not been riding my bandit for very long, and not finding that a breeze still with slow speed manuvuers, and still very much needing to be careful with my throttle, I cannot see how anyone can start safely on a 600cc sports bike ESPECIALLY a modern one

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

angryjonny · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Karma :

An ideal first bike from an "ease of use" point of view is a CB500 or an ER-5 or something; basically the sort of thing you do your DAS on.

You'll be wasting your money though because after a month you'll be bored of it and want something meatier. I did.

As G says, just get a bit of practice in. It's just a confidence thing. A Bandit 600 has about 70something bhp. A CB500 has about 50. There's not really that much difference.

Im-a-Ridah · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Karma :

Depends really, its fine is the bike has a throttle and clutch, if you've just got an on/off switch then a 600 could be a bit risky.

Walloper · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Karma :

JonnyFoxtrot · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Jan 2009 Karma :

Blau Zedong · Banned Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Karma :

Fucking Hell, is OP a faggot or what???

First on about ABS and then safety.

If you find a 600 Bandit's power delivery intimidating then may I politely suggest getting better at motorcycling, sooner rather than later.
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

And modern sports 600s tend be a bit easier to ride - go back a few years and the early R6 was a bit different, though still far from actually 'difficult' - it's just that thanks to the modern sharp steering, but no standard damper, that it could bite back. Add in a relatively less smooth delivery and you did need to know what you were doing a bit more.

P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

I reckon I could find someone who hasn't ridden before and have them riding the 750...although it might be heavy and twitchy to start off with, so is a car. Often takes a while to find a biting point. Learnt to drive in a 1.4 litre car, so there is in theory no real reason I couldn't learn on a 1.4 litre bike.

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Once upon a time a Honda CB250N 'Super-Dream' was a 'Learner-Legal'.... They weren't MUCH lighter than a modern 500 commuter twin; at about 25bhp, they were less powerful, though made little odds, what made them a 'better' learner bike than raucouse powe-banded two stroke was the soft power delivery.

I think the lack of low rpm 'umph' and the taller CofG of the bandit, may be making it a bit harder for you, but ought not be a biggie...

Confidence & clutch control.
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Cuchulain · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 14 May 2011 Karma :

P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

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

P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

I have such a stupidly loud can that to rev it at a level with the clutch partly in to maintain good balance seems crazy! I think that is that I am not used to, for one.

I also think the bike is a bit strange with its delivery of revs too, and isnt always completely steady (its an utter hack) and I need a new rear shock, since at the moment it is worse than a pogo stick.

There nowhere obvious to practice slow speed manuveurs on the island where I live (that I have found yet) but that is defo where I should go. I remember doing it on my DAS a year ago and it helped a lot.

Thanks for all suggestions

P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

Guernsey - built up everywhere, everywhere is a blind junction with those circular mirrors necessary and a national speed limit of 35mph...

I wanted a Breva...something satisfying to ride at 35mph....

P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

I can get to France from my house in 2 hours though Smile

Something to look forward to for the summer.

ninja_butler · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Karma :

First ever learner bike? A 4-stroke 125cc commuter/upright style bike with a low seat and disc brakes and decent lights.

The 600 Bandit is a good first full-sized bike but obviously it's lot more powerful and bigger and heavier than a 125. Have you seen Twist Of The Wrist 2? It's well worth watching to gain some tips on riding. I'd buy the DVD if it wasn't so damned expensive.

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Walloper · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Karma :

Mikey3 · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Karma :

Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

Can everyone not interested in addressing the question shut the fuck up and fuck off? Half of you dumb shits repeat the same old crap over and over its so tiresome. yadahdada