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New biker here from Reading

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pompousporcup...
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Joined: 15 Apr 2015
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PostPosted: 15:00 - 15 Apr 2015    Post subject: New biker here from Reading Reply with quote
Hi All,

Figured i'd introduce myself here instead of lurking in the shadows until i eventually need advice from one/some of you Laughing

Did my cbt a month ago and have just started my DAS course last week which is spread out over the remainder of this month. Fingers crossed i should be on the road at the beginning of may! Very Happy Can't wait.
I did the "road rider" day with the local training school and it was a lot of fun. 65 on a 125 cbr.. which i might add is as fast as it will go without the wind behind you Laughing, was a LOT of fun on the country roads between Reading and Oxford.

Have been a bit unsure on what to get bike wise. Choices are currently an sv650, a gpz500 OR just skip those completely and get the nc29/nc30 that i've wanted since i was a kid.

Anyway.. A jolly hello to you all.

Looking forward to not being in a cage Thumbs Up

Cheers
Dan
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angryjonny
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PostPosted: 17:45 - 15 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Who are you training with?

My wife did her DAS with Lightning (having not got on with another school) and thought they were great. If things are now as they were then, you'll be doing that run from Reading to Oxford a lot.
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JonE
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Joined: 11 May 2010
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PostPosted: 19:18 - 15 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi Dan,

I've just had my first days training with Lightning I'm back on Friday for mod 1 in the morning then the rest of the day training for mod 2 which is booked for next Wednesday.

They seem like a good bunch and I'm very happy with the training so far although I'm knackered this evening.

Cheers

Jon
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 09:41 - 16 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yep, am with Lightning Smile

They are a good lot and i've enjoyed their training so far.


Good luck with your mod1 Jon
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Nexus Icon
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PostPosted: 13:24 - 16 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
JonE wrote:
Hi Dan,

I've just had my first days training with Lightning I'm back on Friday for mod 1 in the morning then the rest of the day training for mod 2 which is booked for next Wednesday.

They seem like a good bunch and I'm very happy with the training so far although I'm knackered this evening.

Cheers

Jon


Lightning that were near the old Greyhound stadium? Is the bloke with a ponytail and half a set of teeth still there? Nice guy.
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Munday
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Joined: 17 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: 13:36 - 16 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hey Dan,

Just wanted to say hello as I'm not a million miles from you!

I live halfway between Oxford and Reading and have just recently got back into motorcycling since passing my test back in 2004 (I just didn't buy a bike after passing). Bought a Honda CBR250R at the weekend to ease myself back into it and am loving it so far! Smile

Can't really advise on what bike to get but good luck!

James
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pompousporcup...
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Joined: 15 Apr 2015
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PostPosted: 15:27 - 16 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nexus Icon wrote:
JonE wrote:
Hi Dan,

I've just had my first days training with Lightning I'm back on Friday for mod 1 in the morning then the rest of the day training for mod 2 which is booked for next Wednesday.

They seem like a good bunch and I'm very happy with the training so far although I'm knackered this evening.

Cheers

Jon


Lightning that were near the old Greyhound stadium? Is the bloke with a ponytail and half a set of teeth still there? Nice guy.


Err.. perhaps. Don't know oxford that well, but im going to say yes Smile
Lightning have a Reading based training centre as well but the actual tests are in oxford
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 15:34 - 16 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Munday wrote:
Hey Dan,

Just wanted to say hello as I'm not a million miles from you!

I live halfway between Oxford and Reading and have just recently got back into motorcycling since passing my test back in 2004 (I just didn't buy a bike after passing). Bought a Honda CBR250R at the weekend to ease myself back into it and am loving it so far! Smile

Can't really advise on what bike to get but good luck!

James


Hello to you too Smile

I've heard only good about the cbr250 (other than they're a bit slow once you get used to it). Are you commuting on it or is it just a weekend/weeknight ride?

Choosing a bike is so damn difficult.. Old or new.. sport or comfort.. there is a lot to choose from
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Munday
Renault 5 Driver



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PostPosted: 16:57 - 16 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
sharpe2002 wrote:
Hello to you too Smile

I've heard only good about the cbr250 (other than they're a bit slow once you get used to it). Are you commuting on it or is it just a weekend/weeknight ride?

Choosing a bike is so damn difficult.. Old or new.. sport or comfort.. there is a lot to choose from


Yeah going to be using it for my commute (45 mile round trip) so it should save me a lot of money on fuel (car gets about 35mpg). Also using it for the occasional pleasure ride Smile

It's a great bike, but yes, it's not that quick really however it's plenty fast enough for commuting on and handles really well. The engine is quite torquey so you don't have to thrash its nuts off all the time.

There are just too many options for bikes, I'm keeping mine for a year and then will move up to a 600.
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wr6133
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Joined: 31 Dec 2013
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PostPosted: 17:01 - 16 Apr 2015    Post subject: Re: New biker here from Reading Reply with quote
sharpe2002 wrote:
Choices are currently an sv650, a gpz500 OR just skip those completely and get the nc29/nc30 that i've wanted since i was a kid.


Get the NC you want. Warning though the NC30 is really designed for midgets, if you are 6' the 29 is probably a better choice (also it doesn't use a stupid size rear wheel). Good ones are only going to get rarer and more expensive so if it's your dream the sooner the better.

Last edited by wr6133 on 17:02 - 16 Apr 2015; edited 1 time in total
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Ste
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Joined: 01 Sep 2002
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PostPosted: 17:01 - 16 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
BCF used to be from Reading but not anymore. Sad
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 13:48 - 17 Apr 2015    Post subject: Re: New biker here from Reading Reply with quote
wr6133 wrote:
sharpe2002 wrote:
Choices are currently an sv650, a gpz500 OR just skip those completely and get the nc29/nc30 that i've wanted since i was a kid.


Get the NC you want. Warning though the NC30 is really designed for midgets, if you are 6' the 29 is probably a better choice (also it doesn't use a stupid size rear wheel). Good ones are only going to get rarer and more expensive so if it's your dream the sooner the better.


Still weighing up the pros/cons.. It'd be used for commuting(20 miles a day) as i plan to take the car off the road so i'm not fussed about it being a minter. Not entirely sure about parts availability or service costs, although i'm handy with a spanner i'd rather let a pro touch the innards. I also like a bit of a project but in my experience, the terms daily driven and project don't go hand in hand Laughing

I dont know. Too many options.. someone pick for me.
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wr6133
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PostPosted: 14:12 - 17 Apr 2015    Post subject: Re: New biker here from Reading Reply with quote
sharpe2002 wrote:


Still weighing up the pros/cons.. It'd be used for commuting(20 miles a day) as i plan to take the car off the road so i'm not fussed about it being a minter. Not entirely sure about parts availability or service costs, although i'm handy with a spanner i'd rather let a pro touch the innards. I also like a bit of a project but in my experience, the terms daily driven and project don't go hand in hand Laughing

I dont know. Too many options.. someone pick for me.


The Honda 400's have easy parts availability mostly (just bang nc29 in ebay and see). You can even get Chinese fairing kits for them. The NC30 (VFR) uses an odd size rear wheel though and I think tyre choice is limited, also it's a very cramped bike. NC29 (CBR) doesn't have those issues.

There are also the older versions of each NC24 (VFR) which is apparently less cramped than the 30. Also NC23 (CBR), I may be wrong but I think this also has silly rear wheel. There is also an earlier bike called NC23 as well which is a 400 version of the old Aero CBR.... parts are not as common on that hence they often sell for peanuts as "spares or repair".

Other 400's are the FZR (I know feck all about). ZXR, parts seem available and they made the bike all the way till 2003. ZZR, I have one, it's bigger and lardier than the others but all day comfy. GSXR, orgasm on wheels, not sure about parts. Then the naked ones CB-1, CB400 SF, XJR400.

What's your budget? Prices vary a lot, mint NC29/30's can go for a few grand but at the other end of the scale scruffier ones can go for hundreds.
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 15:30 - 17 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
price wise, the lower the better Laughing Sad

I'd rather not spend over the odds on something that's going to be ridden a lot.. been there done that, lost the cash when reselling. As long as it starts, drives and stops as it should that's good enough for me.

Any of those from '89 onwards would be fantastic i think, i only specified the Honda as i like Hondas. I have a Cr-x project on-going and have not driven much else since i bought my first one in 2009. Brilliant little cars with so much potential.. Its possibly why the 400s grab my attention. Small engine.. lots of potential to embarrass (not that i will be or expect to embarrassing any big bikes or a long while )

I also hadn't realised just how different the cbr and vfr sound Shocked Shocked

Also, seems like a silly question regarding a "sports" bike.. but what sort of mileage are you getting from the zzr?

The xjr is also something i've considered if one came up at the right price Cool
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wr6133
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PostPosted: 17:01 - 17 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
sharpe2002 wrote:
price wise, the lower the better Laughing Sad


Really set a budget. There are IL4 400's on gumtree for a few hundred quid but unless you are very confident at spotting issues on inspection before buying you may end up with a shed.
Quote:


Any of those from '89 onwards would be fantastic i think, i only specified the Honda as i like Hondas.


If you specifically want Honda I'd probably go for an IL4 (CBR) over a V4 (VFR). Easier to maintain and the CBR400's I've ridden/sat on are more comfortable than the NC30.


Quote:
Also, seems like a silly question regarding a "sports" bike.. but what sort of mileage are you getting from the zzr?


assuming you mean MPG? Depends how I ride it.

Generally though, if I keep it sensible and away from the redline (boring) I can see mid to high 50's. If I keep it between 7 - 14k RPM which is where 400's become fun that figure can drop to mid/upper 40's.

Quote:
The xjr is also something i've considered if one came up at the right price Cool


CB400 Superfour, more common and can be had cheaper.
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 23:39 - 21 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Zzr600 seems more common than the 400 atm and for the price compared to the cbr equivalent it looks like a shed load of bike for the money. Wrong time of year to be buying though me thinks

Out of interest, what would you guys be prepared to pay for a zzr6..'98, reasonable condition(couple of scratches here n there, 30-40k on the clock with or without mot?

Seems to be a winner over the zx6r of the same year for what I would use it for.

Don't know enough about the bike market at all :/
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Ste
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PostPosted: 23:45 - 21 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
How much is your bike buying budget?
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 00:03 - 22 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Up to around £1500
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weasley
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PostPosted: 07:27 - 22 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you're looking at ZZRs then there is the Thundercat too... same kind of bike, same kind of prices. Don't forget to look into insurance.
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wr6133
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Joined: 31 Dec 2013
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PostPosted: 09:27 - 22 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
sharpe2002 wrote:


Out of interest, what would you guys be prepared to pay for a zzr6..



'90-'92 D models. Shop around £500 and under depending on condition. £500 should get you something with a years ticket and not too scruffy. All consumables are still commonplace the only thing that's hard to get is replacement fairings. A no MOT project with a laundry list of small jobs can be had for pocket change.

'93 onward E models. Only noteworthy change from '93 - end of production was in '95 they gained adjustable front forks. Scruffy early E models can be not a lot more than a D model. Pristine low mile, late production ones can be asking over 2k.

A '98 like you mention, with MOT I'd want to pay somewhere around £800 (private sale), depending on condition.

If you want a ZZR take your time there are shit loads of them about so there is no reason to over pay or rush.
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 08:25 - 23 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
weasley wrote:
If you're looking at ZZRs then there is the Thundercat too... same kind of bike, same kind of prices. Don't forget to look into insurance.


are you on crx-uk by any chance Question
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 08:28 - 23 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
wr6133 wrote:
sharpe2002 wrote:


Out of interest, what would you guys be prepared to pay for a zzr6..



'90-'92 D models. Shop around £500 and under depending on condition. £500 should get you something with a years ticket and not too scruffy. All consumables are still commonplace the only thing that's hard to get is replacement fairings. A no MOT project with a laundry list of small jobs can be had for pocket change.

'93 onward E models. Only noteworthy change from '93 - end of production was in '95 they gained adjustable front forks. Scruffy early E models can be not a lot more than a D model. Pristine low mile, late production ones can be asking over 2k.

A '98 like you mention, with MOT I'd want to pay somewhere around £800 (private sale), depending on condition.

If you want a ZZR take your time there are shit loads of them about so there is no reason to over pay or rush.


thanks Thumbs Up there are a fair few about for sure. I'l be patient about it.. like you say, no point rushing or over paying

Good news is i passed Mod1 yesterday with 1 minor for being 1kph under on the swerve. I let off too early -_-

Mod2 on tuesday next week. Bit o' luck and il be road legal Very Happy
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 13:44 - 28 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
YaY! Passed my Mod2 this morning. Was a nervous wreck before hand but did fairly well considering all the dickheads driving around oxford.

Now to get the bike Very Happy
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Nexus Icon
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PostPosted: 13:45 - 28 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Congratulations. Thumbs Up
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Aceslock
Spanner Monkey



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PostPosted: 15:35 - 28 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
congratulations! Thumbs Up Thumbs Up Thumbs Up

Another vote for the Thundercat for me (not that i got anything to compare it to), but i love mine! Mr. Green Mr. Green
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