First Bike for Big guy

[BarryA]

Hi All

Just wanted some advise from all the experience on the forum.

I have wanted a bike for many years, but due to various responsibilities and what not, I stuck to driving a car. But now, at 31yrs old, it is time to realise this dream.

I am a great fan of starting small, because obviously there is greater forgiveness in throttle and weight, and gives you a bit more space to come into your own before straddling a bigger bike.

However, I am 152kg (335lbs). As much as I want to do the responsible thing and start smaller, I fear a 125 or 250cc may lack the torque I require to realistically learn on, due to my size.
Second problem is due to my size, I have had a few manufacturers say ideally I would need a more sturdy frame and suspension which I wont find on a smaller bike.

Lead me looking at the KTM Duke 390 perhaps? Must admit, I don't like the styling much, but is ok.
Then I heard that a person can restrict a bike, so thought perhaps I could buy a 600cc and restrict it down to a more "Learnable" power?

I really like the superbike look, and was thinking maybe the Kawasaki ZX6R. I am not a speed freak at all, I just love the aggressive styling and fairing as in comparison to the naked bikes or Dakar looking bikes.

Like I say, I am 31yrs old, good career, not a speed freak, and have a profound and healthy respect for power. But more importantly I have no willingness to kiss the tar being a fool.

Fastest way to kiss the tar is to ride outside your skill level, or power readiness, and I don't want to be a statistic. Is the restricting possible, or any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much.

[Rogerborg]

You have two routes:

Do your CBT, get a Honda Varadero 125 / Derbi Terra 125 or similar big 125, tool around for a bit, then do your training and tests (and immediately realise that time on the tiddler was largely wasted).

Or

Do your CBT, then go straight to your 'A' training and tests. You'll be learning on something 600cc+ like an ER-6 or MT-07. After that, I can't see why you'd want to go back down to a 390, when KTM do a 690.

Honestly, at your age and size, I'd skip the tiddler and go straight on to 'A' training. I had fun on a 125 and buy the point about small being forgiving, but things have changed now and you need to spend some time training on a 600+ sooner or later - and it might as well be sooner.
____________________
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

[BarryA]

Thank you for your advise.

Might be pertinent to note that I am in South Africa (we don't have particularly active bike forms here) and we only do one license, and training is not the norm.

We simply have one license. a 16-17Yr old is restricted to 125cc, but once you turn 18, you can get whatever you want. There are third party places you can go for training, but isn't a norm here.

Being 31, I can purchase and ride anything I want here in SA, so no need to do levels, if its just a case of buying a tiddler to do so, and chucking it first chance.

I will however, and do plan to take up the training though on whatever bike I get. My point was just to identify that we have no prerequisite levels or training...etc

[Rogerborg]

Aaah, got you. In that case, something like a Duke 390 might be viable, although I'm not convinced by the quality of that platform.

I might look at the Honda CB500F or X as well - it's pretty much a do-anything machine designed for user friendliness.

I'd definitely skip the 125, it is going to struggle a bit. Even a 250 offers substantially more torque.
____________________
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

[BarryA]

What is your opinion on restricting the Kawasaki ZX6R down to a 400?

That way after 6 months to a year after training and riding experience, I can just have the restrictor out instead of buying a new bike.

[herulach]

[BarryA]

@herulach - The restrictor restricts not just throttle, but power and torque. So off the mark power would be lowered as well, not just the top end. It is easy to say "Just don't open the throttle as far", but I'm sure most people in accidents did not intentionally do something wrong like pulling back on the accelerator when the bike jerks them back. But these things can and do happen, and seem silly to a seasoned rider that can put these things into logic and practice now.

I'm just trying to make an informed decision, mitigating as best I can, potential for difficulty in learning, and being as safe as possible.

Could you maybe explain a bit more on the technical side on why an inline 4 wouldn't be for me, and what you advise alternatively?

@Rogerborg - we tend not to get a lot of the engine ranges you guys do.

For instance, we get the 125cc, the new 300cc, 600cc, limited dual purpose 750cc bikes, and 1000cc and over.

We don't get the 400cc or 500cc motor sizes here. If they do exist, they are grey imports and you battle for parts and servicing.

The Honda CB500F you mentioned, for example, doesn't exist here. We start that Honda range at the 750cc, and is quite a jump.

[arry]

You're circa 24 stone if my maths is right - you've not mentioned height as a factor of that weight so I'm guessing you're a portly chap.

Have you actually sat on a sports bike? I'm 10 stone lighter than you and struggle to comfortably fit on some of them. I'd suggest something more upright, bigger, more roomy.

[Rogerborg]

Capacity is only half the story, it's about how bikes deliver the power. On the inline 4s that I've tried, you have to chase it, which encourages "spirited" riding. Twins and singles deliver lower down, and reward being ridden more sedately.

It looks like you can get the Honda NC750X? It's got a low revving, low powered engine designed to deliver lazy torque. It's not a light beast, but the weight's down low and I doubt you'll have any trouble handling it. It's pretty much the definition of "biggish sensible bike for biggish sensible chap".
____________________
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

[BarryA]

@arry - Ha ha, yes, 24 stone, I like them rocks! Im 6ft 1". Blew out my shoulder during rugby training and finally had to stop playing. I am indeed a reasonably hefty chap. Ill attach a pic of me standing next to what I think was a CBR1000 Corona styled. Should give you an idea of size and weight for a bike.[/img]

[BarryA]

@Rogerborg - Thanks for the info. We do indeed get the NC750X and NC750XD here in SA. One of the few 750cc we do get. Just really no a fan of the styling. But if that is the safer option to start on, I can most definitely live with it for a year or so.

[herulach]

[Pjay]

Get yourself a nice old Super Tenere.

That's what I would buy if I lived in Africa, real old school cool. Much better than the new ones in my eyes.
https://www.super-tenere.net/images/admin/s10net_fp_750_1200.jpg
*Yes I know SA is largely urbanised.

[BarryA]

Much appreciated herulach, makes sense.

So to summarise so far:
1. ZX6R power delivery is dependant upon a more high revving rider and probably not a new rider, realistically. Indicative of the inline 4.

2. Restricting the ZX6R would just make learning with it more difficult as the power delivery wouldn't be there as readily as it needs to be.

3. Twins and Singles deliver more low down power without needing to rev as high, and more often than not, come in bikes with a more comfortable riding position.

@Pjay - We only get the 1200 Tenere here. Bit much for now, and must be honest I don't like the styling. Very popular bikes here are the BMW GS range. Yes, we are debatably urbanised, dependant on where you are, ha ha ha. Its more the "High danger areas" you need to watch out for than non-tarred roads. But arguably, no bike will outrun a bullet, so best to steer clear. We have taxis here that take aim at motorcyclers, which has forced a lot of riders to go the dual purpose route and stick to local commuting only, and majority riding done in mountains and trails. Once again though, I just don't like the look of the dual purpose bikes. If I were to want to do offraod, I would buy a specific bike made for it. I just don't see the appeal, personally, to want to try get a 1200 BMW through the sand and along paths. A nice YZ250 2 stroke would do a better job.

[Pjay]

[BarryA]

There are some great trails out here. Drakensburg, Cape mountains...etc You don't need to go far to find amazing scenery. But we don't really have many old school bikes except for collectors. problem out here in the wild west is that if you break down, you are in danger quickly, in a car or bike. Stuck on the side of a road here is like signing a death wish.

So we keep to newer bikes with service plans and warranties...etc to try as best we can to not let that happen. Unfortunate, but true.

[Val]

[Pjay]

[arry]

[chris-red]

TDM900 would be a fair shout lightered and less powerful than the tenere but in the same style.
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