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Travis Bickle |
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Travis Bickle Banned
Joined: 06 Jan 2019 Karma :
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Posted: 00:36 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: Second Bike Suggestions Please |
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Hi guys.
I'll be giving my YBR to my dad after I've bought my second bike when I can afford it in a month or two... so I need to start thinking about what kind of bikes I should start looking at and considering.
I'm sure this is a question that has been asked a million times over, and inevitably the answer is going to be "it depends" but I'd really appreciate some input and suggestions.
Bearing in mind while I was doing my direct access course my instructor kept saying things like "you're not afraid to squeeze the trigger are you" and "I can tell you know these roads well". After passing and talking about bikes he advised me that, although I was happy with the speed and power of the bike I trained on, he said that I would most likely get bored of it very quickly as my ability and confidence improves. I can't remember exactly what it was but it was definitely either a 600 or a 650 and I'm about 80% sure it was a Suzuki. So I'm thinking something at least 700 but probably more like 800-1000, or would this be a bad idea? I don't want to jump into the deep end unprepared but I'm hopeful I have the skill and ability to jump straight on a big bike but also the cautiousness and self not control to go straight out and kill myself. Some people I'm speaking to are trying to persuade me not to get anything too big like a 1000 but to get something like a 600-800 instead and move up to something bigger after a while. Is this just a load of bullshit or is there some credibility to this notion?
Ideally it would be something Japanese or BMW although I wouldn't rule out Triumph and KTM completely. Preferably not Italian. Definitely not Chinese! Harleys don't interest me. Budget is £2,000 or less but preferably £1,000 to £1,500. Maybe spend big bucks next time in a couple of years or so.
I'm over 20st and have quite a belly on me, although I'm working on getting rid of this I have to be realistic and accept that with the best will in the world this may not happen for some time if at all. In which case I don't think a fully fledged sports bike would be comfortable leaning over a bulging fuel tank with my bulging belly in the way? Would a sports tourer probably be ok or would that also probably be uncomfortable for me? Would I be better off with an upright adventure style? I do want something quite sporty but I also want to be comfortable for at least a 2 hour drive as I'll be travelling from Kent to Cambridge once a week, all year round. Not really interested in a fully fledged tourer, too much weight and bulk. In short I'm after the holy grail - All-weather, light, nippy, sporty, comfortable.
Some off-road / dual purpose ability would be a bonus but not essential.
Anything capable of pulling monster wheelies EASILY would also be a bonus. ____________________ Must Go Faster
1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer |
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Travis Bickle |
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Travis Bickle Banned
Joined: 06 Jan 2019 Karma :
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Posted: 00:41 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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Also, as my budget is low and I'm planning on replacing it in a couple of years, I'm not too fussed about resale value or buying a dog. Obviously it needs to be safe and road legal but I wouldn't be too distraught it's a bit tatty around the edges or if I had to scrap it before long (it might force me into buying a better bike sooner LOL).
In other words I'd rather get a poor example of a better bike rather than a nice example of a worse bike. If that makes sense? ____________________ Must Go Faster
1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer |
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Bhud |
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Bhud World Chat Champion
Joined: 11 Oct 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 01:49 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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1000cc eh? So it goes without saying you can ride like this guy on his GS500:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAiUwm4PucA
Go for it, as your DAS bike could top the ton in seconds and it was too slow for you. |
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Travis Bickle |
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Travis Bickle Banned
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Posted: 01:56 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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Oh yeah I can ride like that on my YBR no problem! I'm just a noob. The idea is to get a bigger bike so that my ability and confidence can improve. I'm just concerned that if I go and buy a 600 am I quickly going to find that within a few months I'm getting bored of it as he suggested? ____________________ Must Go Faster
1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer |
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Riejufixing |
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Riejufixing World Chat Champion
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Travis Bickle |
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Travis Bickle Banned
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Posted: 02:01 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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Riejufixing |
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Riejufixing World Chat Champion
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Travis Bickle |
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Travis Bickle Banned
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Posted: 02:07 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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Sorry I'm a bit sensitive. I was the kid on school who went crying to the teacher if someone called me a doodoo head. ____________________ Must Go Faster
1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer
Last edited by Travis Bickle on 02:25 - 09 Jan 2019; edited 1 time in total |
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Travis Bickle |
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Travis Bickle Banned
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Posted: 02:09 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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Passed my car licence in a green Austin Metro.
Passed my HGV 2 licence in a blue DAF something or other
Passed my HGV 1 in the same DAF but with a drawbar trailer (the trailer was also blue!!!)
Passed my PSV in a white Volvo something or other
Passed my motorcycle on a red thing with two wheels!
Passed my category G in a big yellow steam roller (technically that had three wheels and a max speed of about 5mph) from circa 1920! ____________________ Must Go Faster
1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer
Last edited by Travis Bickle on 02:24 - 09 Jan 2019; edited 4 times in total |
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Bhud |
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Bhud World Chat Champion
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Riejufixing |
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Riejufixing World Chat Champion
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Travis Bickle |
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Travis Bickle Banned
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Posted: 02:36 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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Err yeah it's categories C and CE now and what was PSV changed to PCV and then to category D. Damn those meddling brussel sprouts!
I'd say do it. Dunno what made me wanna do it, juts woke up one day and decided I wanted to put numbers in all those empty boxes on the back of my licence. Call it a midlife crisis if you like. Only thing left to do is category H (tracked vehicles i.e. some tractors, combined harvesters, tanks etc.) then I'll have the full set (I done a freedom of information request to the DVLA and there's currently only 27 people in the whole of the UK with all licences LOL!). Funny cos two wheels never appealed to me until I actually went and done the training, I only booked the course to get it ticked off on my licence, now I can't seem to think about anything other than bikes and being on two wheels. I caught the bug and became obsessed.
Anyway, the HGV and PSV, it's worth doing even if you're not planning on using it for work. If, like me, your industry's destiny hangs in the balance and knowing whether it's still going to be profitable in the next 5-10 years time remains to be seen, it would be a nice extra string to have to your bow just to have something to fall back on if necessary. I don't think this is just trying to see it through rose-tinted spectacles either but I have it on good authority that once we come out of Europe there'll be a surge in demand for HGV drivers within the UK. If nothing else at least it'll give you the +E on your car licence as you're not allowed to tow anything over 750kg without it. ____________________ Must Go Faster
1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer |
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kgm |
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kgm World Chat Champion
Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :
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Travis Bickle |
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Travis Bickle Banned
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Posted: 11:55 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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kgm wrote: | Might get a pre VTEC VFR800 or vfr750 in your budget. Good all rounders, with bar risers can be fairly upright. Not particularly rabid so might not float your boat but good for learning smooth riding habits. IMO whilst a litre bike might be fun and perfectly fine in the hands of some newbies you're likely to learn more skills (particularly cornering) on a smaller bike where you don't have the same power of to compensate by blatting up the straights. Straight line acceleration becomes boring after a while and in the twisties a smaller bike you have to work a little can be more fun. Bear in mind that even an er6 will eat a lot of performance cars <100mph. |
Hi thanks so much for your input. Was considering the VFR800 but being a sports tourer do you think I'd have a problem with my belly? LOL! Maybe I'm just getting paranoid but I'm thinking maybe an upright adventure style bike would be better? But like you said I guess I could get bar risers.
Now you mention the ER6 I'm pretty certain now that's what I done my DAS on. Ok so not a Suzuki after all but I was right about the cc. Yeah it was plenty quick enough for me, very exhilarating, but like I said my instructor shook his head when I mentioned about buying something similar saying I'd get bored of it quickly which has just put me off getting anything under 700. I know I'm not looking to spend mega bucks at this point but I don't wanna get a bike that I'm finding I'm getting bored of after only a few months.
kgm wrote: | The CC figure isn't the whole story either. A litre varadero isn't equal to tuono which isn't equal to a fireblade. All very different characteristics so it depends what you want. Likewise smaller bikes. Do you want a revvy engine where you need to keep it on the boil to access the power or do you want lots of low end torque? Personally I prefer torque to revvieness on the road. |
I'm with you on this one, I'm not after a bike I have to rev the bollocks off to keep in the power band, I'd rather low down torque for lazy overtaking and power right across the rev range. In which case, does that lean me more towards the higher displacement engine bikes or is that not necessarily the case? Can you get smaller engines with plenty of torque?
kgm wrote: | You probably won't get much from BMW, Triumph or KTM in your budget anyway tbh but if your choices are down to reliability then triumph are as good as the rest and (most) KTM are fairly reliable now too (although require more regular fettling to keep them happy). BMW have their share of reliability issues, and when they break out of warranty can be expensive to fix).
Other things to look at - TDM850/900, bandit 1200, cbf1000, fzs600, lots of others. Really at your budget you're best just looking to see what is available reasonably locally for your budget and pick the one that is the best condition and that appeals to you. |
I am considering raising the budget. It's not cos I can't afford it I just didn't want to spend much on my first proper bike in case I either pick a lemon or just get something that doesn't suit me and I end up wanting a change before long. Looking on Auto Trader (well, Bike Trader) if I up the budget from £2,000 even to just £2,500 a shit load more bikes start cropping up. Thinking maybe something like a V-Strom 1000 or do you think that would be very unwieldy, ok in a straight line and for commuting/touring but crap round the bends??? Triumph Tigers coming in around £2,200 to £2,500 what you think about these??? ____________________ Must Go Faster
1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
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Posted: 12:49 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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I was going to suggest a VFR750 or a 900 hornet.
If you feel you can trust your right hand, a ZZR1100 would come in that price range. Although they are getting old now.
EDIT: Actually. Given your sig. Do not buy a ZZR1100. They are too more-ish. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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ThunderGuts |
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ThunderGuts World Chat Champion
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kgm |
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kgm World Chat Champion
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Posted: 16:27 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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I rode an er6 for 3 years and didn't get bored. It had limitations which annoyed me (poor handling with pillion, suspension not up to higher speeds on rough roads, etc.) But power wasn't one of them most of the time. It depends how and where you ride. For the often tight and twisty roads I like, a lighter lower powered bike can be more fun.
VFR should be ok ergos wise, it's not as lean over as a supersport, and bar risers are cheap. Typically 600cc in line 4s are quite revvy. They are great when getting on it, but I prefer a 650cc twin for the flexibility it offers around town and on tighter roads. They feel more pokey to me I'm general use than the 600s, which are noticeably quicker if you rev them out. Others will disagree, it's just preference.
Adventure bikes like the vstrom are fine in the twisties, easier even in the tight stuff than many bikes with clip on bars, as the big wide bars offer lots of leverage. If considering the big Strom, consider the 650 too. Considered to be the better bike by many, especially when considering previous generations. The big varadero might suit if you have length to your legs.
The only issue with the big adv bikes is height and weight. No problem if you are tall but some can be a bit top heavy which makes slow control a little harder and can make it easier to drop. This includes the tiger 955 which I'm assuming is the one you were looking at. Not really a problem for me personally, just an adjustment. I'm not that tall but have grown comfortable riding tall bikes just through experience.
The most important thing to decide is what style of bike appeals to you most? What do intend to do with it? Commuting, touring, short hooligan blasts? A bit of everything? That'll narrow it down a bit. I don't think power should be the primary concern and you can always sell it and buy something else at a later date anyway. It's likely what you want from a bike might change in a year's time. Fun can be had in any bike with the right attitude, and improving your cornering is part of that. Any fool can go wide open in a straight line. Some folk need the shove of a litre bike, others have gone back to smaller bikes and found more fun but I think any new rider (and that includes someone in the first few years) probably would struggle to honestly say they've outgrown a middleweight in terms of power and performance (comfort, space, suspension, etc. notwithstanding) |
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The Shaggy D.A. |
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The Shaggy D.A. Super Spammer
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Posted: 16:36 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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The only thing I'd say is that "You'll be bored of it quickly" is subjective. You could get something like a CB500 and die of boredom in a month, or it might keep you satisfied for a couple of years. Everyone is different, and since you're a tinkerer you might find that a basic bike with some decent suspension, brakes and tyres added will keep you grinning for quite a while. You'll then have a better idea of what YOU like in a bike by then, and shop accordingly for the next toy.
Or buy the ZZR1100 ____________________ Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5 |
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myvision |
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myvision Scooby Slapper
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ThatDippyTwat |
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ThatDippyTwat World Chat Champion
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Posted: 19:34 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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I'll second the VFR750. Cheaper than the 800, readily available, cheap, plenty of spares about, and lots of people have/had one, so plenty of advice if soemthing does come unstuck. You can still have fun with one. They are heavy, but you only really notice it at low speeds. 94-97 is where you want to be looking. Ignore mileage (Mines on 113K), loot at how well it's looked after. Make sure the exhaust is solid.
I'll second avoiding a ZZR1100 - They might be old, but they can still jkeep up surprisingly werll with modern kit. Slouch, it 'aint. Might be a but much for a first "proper" bike though, if you're a bit heavy on the right wrist. I keep having to stop myself buying a D model that's local to me. I'd lose my license, again, pretty sharpish on one, they're a fucking hoot. ____________________ '98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine) |
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stevo as b4 |
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stevo as b4 World Chat Champion
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andym |
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andym World Chat Champion
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Posted: 20:19 - 09 Jan 2019 Post subject: |
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Just so happens I'm thinking of punting my zx9r for around £1500 |
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ThatDippyTwat |
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ThatDippyTwat World Chat Champion
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 5 years, 147 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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