Recommend A Bike! (+ Slip-on Exhaust)

[floppo22]

Hi All,

I'm about to buy my first A2 Bike and am lost for choice. I thought if I list some 'must haves' for a bike, you may be able to suggest something I should check out?

- Relatively thin/narrow, nothing too chunky (it's mainly going to be used for commuting to work and I'm always having to filter through dense traffic).

- Nothing CRAZY powerful (it has to be compatible with an A2 license and I don't particularly relish having to get a restrictor fitted)

- Awesome deep sound. I fully expect to fit a slip-on exhaust, so whichever bike + exhaust combination you can recommend. Reason being is the same as above, most of my time is spent filtering and it does add an element of comfort if I know I'm loud when doing so.

- Preferably non-shit stock tyres.

In my head I've currently got a CB500F/R in mind, with a Akrapovic/Leo Vince slip-on. However, presumably because of the relatively docile engine, the sound just doesn't do it for me.

Any suggestions?

[arry]

Yamaha MT03

[floppo22]

[M.C]

Which MT-03, you have to be more specific now (I know you mean the 660).

I feel like everyone likes these and I come along like Eeyore to pi$$ in everyone's cornflakes.

IMO it's a right moment bike, as in at the right moment it's a lot of fun. The rest of the time the heavy clutch, not so great fueling, and crap tank range make it a difficult bike to live with. It's also quite heavy for a big single, although it's beautifully balanced and you can almost control the thing using telepathy.

I like mine, but I wouldn't have another, and come April when the insurance's due I'm probably going to sell it. It's a well built but flawed machine, with iffy electrics.

£1500 ono

[Beehive Bedlam]

98 - 03 Fazer 600.

[RhynoCZ]

Read: https://www.dft.gov.uk/motorcycle-test-vehicle-list/ there are more motorcycles than that, of course. Nearly every motorcycle that's 70kW and less could be made A2 friendly.

Also, if commuting is what you are going to do often, I wouldn't really go for a too loud exhaust system. Excessive noise gets tiring pretty soon. Plus, all the neighbors are gonna start to like you even more.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[M.C]

[Val]

[Andy_Pagin]

[redeem ouzzer]

Fitting a noisy pipe for the sake of it is stupid (i.e. on it's own, not as part of an overall tuning package). Keep it stock.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[Rogerborg]

[Matt B]

[Snop Doog]

[redeem ouzzer]

[floppo22]

Thanks for your responses so far everyone, I'm jotting them down and will be visiting various dealers throughout the week to have a look!

Many thanks again!

[Andy_Pagin]

[Rogerborg]

[Alpineandy]

floppo22, I'd suggest getting the cheapest 'decent condition' bike you can find that fits your 'must haves', as it'll take you a while riding to decide on a definitive list of real 'must haves'.
Meanwhile you stand a fair chance of dropping your new bike in a car park or moving it around a garage etc.
The important part is to get your license and then you can take your time to decide what's right for you. If you change bike every few months, no problem.
Also you don't mention how long you're stuck with an A2. If it's not long then you may want to put off your decision until you're not limited in this way.
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Az]

Why don't you want to restrict a bike down to 47bhp? It's really not that difficult. Worse case scenario, you have a mechanic fit the restrictors kit... It'll take no more than an hour so you're talking £30/40 to have it fitted (+ however much restrictors kits are now).

My personal opinion is that the FZS600 or Duke 690 (dependent on budget) is the best A2 bike on paper. In my experience, the GSX750F (albeit unrestricted) was a cracking bike to ride, it's just a shame about the looks, but they are A2 compatable. I've ridden the MT-03 on my lessons and tests for my A2 and I think it'd come boring very quickly.

[Rogerborg]

[Az]

[M.C]

[Az]

[Matt B]

DRZ400 SM is worth a look too.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[M.C]