Hi There!

[WhyNot]

Hi!

My names Mi and I'm looking for my first bike. I've got my theory and cbt this month, and provisionally booked my direct access for May so fingers crossed!

I'm looking for some advice on a first bike, I'd be using it for pleasure only and I like the sports look, my heart was set on a CBR500 after visiting my local dealership last weekend but I don't fancy a brand new bike as a first, no doubt I'd do something stupid like drop it!

So what would you guys recommend? I'm 24, female, 5'8 and no stranger to speed (albeit in a car) but equally just as careful! I'm really struggling to find something either 400cc or 500cc, what would your advice be on a 600 as a first?

Sorry for the essay! But any advice is much appreciated, bike or test wise!!

[Grimeric]

Hi, welcome to the forum. I just recently passed my das and found it more easier then I had built it up in my head. Just relax and trust the bike, learn how it feels between your legs and enjoy your journey.

[pinkyfloyd]

It would all depend on your budget. There are a whole lot in the 600cc range that are fantastic new rider bikes.

Standard entry models are Suzuki SV650. Kawasaki EN6, Suzuki Bandit or Yamaha XJ6. Most are available with or without a fairing.

A little more powerful is the Honda Hornet.

All easy to ride, all forgiving and all do exactly what it says on the tin.
____________________
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.

[-Matt-]

Hi and welcome

No reason you cant get a 600 (or even bigger). A 400 or 500 can be just as lethal of you go wild twisting the throttle straight away, ultimately though it only goes as fast as you tell it so of you're confident you can take it easy at first and get used to it i'd get what you like.

Definately better buying used like youre planning too, particularly while youre 'learning' on your first bike, youre likely to drop it and go through the inevitable process of swearing and struggling to pick it up again as most people do sometime or another, all part of the fun

Pick a few bikes you like to start with and compare insurance quotes thebikeinsurer.co.uk wickedquotes.com and the usual gocompare comparison sites are all worth checking - if youre on a budget this might well decide for you

Try sit on various bikes down a local dealers too to see whats comfortable. At 5"8 you should be fairly okay with most but it all depends on your leg length ultimately.Good time of year to do it all though, should get lots of dry sunny days riding

Try watch plenty of youtube videos for the mod1 to get a good idea whats going to happen on the day.

Good luck

[Tamsin]

Hi Mi

I've not got anything to add on bike choice, but welcome to the insanity that is BCF

[WhyNot]

Thanks for the replies guys!
Gimeric - did you have much riding experience prior to your test?
I think budget wise I'm looking at no more than )3.5k for my first. Insurance is coming in at around £250 for a 600cc but I'm never to trusting of online comparison site quotes...
I say on the cbr500 and was able to put my feet flat on the floor no problem, leg length is 34inch so I'm guessing it'll be difficult to find something I'd be on tiptoes on?

Can anyone recommend any used bike dealerships in Wiltshire/Berkshire area? I've only been to Honda & Ducati in Reading so far.

Thank you for the advice so far guys! I'll definitely check out some test videos

[Grimeric]

Not really. I had a couple of 125's in my late teens and a t5 in my early 20's. So not really ridden anything for about ten years.
The hardest part for me was actually finding test slots that I could fit in between working. The stuff that I was fretting about didn't even turn out to be a problem. I was convinced that everything would be harder then it was. You have driving experience so you know how the road works, you just have to convert your skills to being on a bike. Learning to ride does make you more alert when driving a car I believe. I got hold of a book called pass the bike test (and be a great rider too) I found this to be very helpful as it explains every manoeuvre and what the examiner is looking for, although I'm sure a good instructer will teach you this too.

[-Matt-]

The comparison quotes are generally reliable. Most link to the insurers site if you go to buy it a lot of the time too so you see the clear price on their own website but i'd expect to pay what you see generally - just be careful to check what the excesses are, some can be very steep.

If you're buying used id consider buying private - usually a lot cheaper than dealers used bikes, just do a bit of research before/ask on here for common problems with whatever bike you go to view to check it all looks as described. Ideally do a little test ride up and down the road - although obviously this is technically breaking many laws and killing kittens

Biketrader / MCN classifieds even ebay and gumtree are good for used bikes. Lots of dealers will have their stock on biketrader too.

If you are tiptoeing on anything its probably still totally useable, and you can lower most bikes a little if really needed

[MC]

I'd be looking more at power than cc, for example my bikes only 45bhp , when an R6's well over a hundred. Having a sports bike for your first could get expensive, if you end up dropping it fairings aren't cheap.

My advice's a bit boring, see how your CBT & DAS goes. You'll gain an idea of what you like and dislike about the various bikes you'll (probably) ride. Personally my DAS course corrupted me, had I not experienced the power of a bigger bike I wouldn't have started lusting after one

P.S. Jealous of your legs I'm 5'9" but only a 30 inch leg, which restricts the bikes I can ride without falling over at traffic lights.
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[WhyNot]

Gimeric - You've had more experience than me! I agree though, finding time to learn whilst working is difficult, I'm currently working across 3 time zones at the moment so my lessons are going to be mid morning and weekends.

Matt - Thanks for the heads up about comparison sites, I havent found them very reliable/trustworthy in the past but then I was insuring modifications on cars as a young driver - not a good idea online!

MC - Thanks for the bhp/cc advice, however most adverts do not specify the bhp, would I just have to go online to find the bhp/cc conversion for that bike?

Up until now, ive always wished my legs were shorter, buying jeans & trousers is a nightmare

[WhyNot]

Also quick question - when doing my theory will I have to do a hazard perception test? I have a full UK road license so i've done one before, when booking the bike test it only said 60 minutes, which is the time for the multiple choice main test....

[wr6133]

[ficedula]

[Matt B]

[WhyNot]

Thanks for the replies guys. Obviously I know I have to take my theory, and I have booked it, but on the test confirmation it didnt mention anything about a hazard perception, and I was unsure if I need to book this separately or whether it is incorporated fully into the theory.

[Clanger]

[WhyNot]

I am potentially going to go and look at this at the weekend, what do you think?

https://pro-bike.com/used-bikes/yamaha-xj-599-cc-xj6-diversion-f-abs-great-first-bike-4/

[Matt B]

[wr6133]

[-Matt-]

[Grimeric]

[Rogerborg]

Same answer as in your other thread: license first, then bike. You'll be far better placed to decide based on what you like and don't like about the DAS training/test bike.

Do take the opportunity to cane it a bit as well.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[MC]

[Az]