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Hello from a Newbie

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Abaaba
Renault 5 Driver



Joined: 14 Nov 2021
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PostPosted: 07:31 - 14 Nov 2021    Post subject: Hello from a Newbie Reply with quote
Morning all,

I have passed my full A licence this week and has taken me under 3 months and a grand total of £904 (2 mod 1 retests included) so I thought the first thing to do is register myself with a forum to get some advice on a used bike.

I have narrowed it down to the below 3 bikes, what do you guys/girls reckon?

Honda CBF600
Suzuki SV650
Honda CBF500

No carb plz, fuel injection is the way and retro style lights/looks
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Easy-X
Super Spammer



Joined: 08 Mar 2019
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PostPosted: 13:04 - 14 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
First off I'd say you need the mindset of (at least) the first bike is a stepping stone, i.e. don't berate yourself if you don't pick your ideal bike right away.

What sort of distances and roads do expect to be doing? New or second hand?
____________________
Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter
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Abaaba
Renault 5 Driver



Joined: 14 Nov 2021
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PostPosted: 15:55 - 14 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
It is more of a weekend/evening ride and the odd long distance travel here and there in good weather.

Am definately aiming for a used one for my forst bike and know it will probably first of many.
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Easy-X
Super Spammer



Joined: 08 Mar 2019
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PostPosted: 17:30 - 14 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
Get the biggest bike you can handle is a good rule of thumb Smile A2 bikes (CBF500) just don't offer the "legs" for long runs and offer no advantage if you have a full licence. This I know from my time with Rebel which is basically the same engine.

Therefore if it were me I'd go with the SV650 from your list. I rode one as a insurance loan bike and, whilst not desperately exciting, it's a good base-line "bike experience" IMHO.

You might also consider the Kawasaki ER-6F, MT07/XSR700 (for a touch for torque) and then you're onto a Triumph triple or MT-09 if you need more of a giggle factor Very Happy
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter
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pinkyfloyd
Super Spammer



Joined: 20 Jul 2010
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PostPosted: 22:36 - 14 Nov 2021    Post subject: Re: Hello from a Newbie Reply with quote
Abaaba wrote:
first thing to do is register myself with a forum to get some advice on a used bike.




And there the mistake was made. Thinking BCF and advice go hand in hand!

Late model honda cbf hornet is Fi and a good fun bike.
But a Triumph Stripple would hammer the shit out of it for the whole package.
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Ayrton
World Chat Champion



Joined: 02 Sep 2010
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PostPosted: 22:52 - 14 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have a sv650s and it's a fun bike with plenty of power. They have a pretty good fanbase too with lots of people racing them, so plenty of info out there for upgrade mods if you are into that stuff. Cant see how you can go wrong with it as a first bike really. I'm guessing you are looking at the newest model?
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carbon90
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 10 Mar 2014
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PostPosted: 08:18 - 15 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
Welcome! Those are good choices for a first bike.
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Fat Angry Scotsman
World Chat Champion



Joined: 12 Jan 2021
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PostPosted: 11:56 - 15 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
If I could go back in time and tell my past self what to do:

1. You shouldn't have bought that 125cc, and,
2. Get the SV650 instead of the ER6F.
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PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.
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A100man
World Chat Champion



Joined: 19 Aug 2013
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PostPosted: 12:51 - 15 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
Fat Angry Scotsman wrote:
If I could go back in time and tell my past self what to do:

1. You shouldn't have bought that 125cc, and,
2. Get the SV650 instead of the ER6F.


Why so? Little bro (age 49!) is taking his Mod 1 today and has been looking at bikes, so I have a (vicarious) interest.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600
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Fat Angry Scotsman
World Chat Champion



Joined: 12 Jan 2021
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PostPosted: 12:55 - 15 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
A100man wrote:
Fat Angry Scotsman wrote:
If I could go back in time and tell my past self what to do:

1. You shouldn't have bought that 125cc, and,
2. Get the SV650 instead of the ER6F.


Why so? Little bro (age 49!) is taking his Mod 1 today and has been looking at bikes, so I have a (vicarious) interest.


I've put thousands of miles on my ER6F since I got it and to be honest, the thing that stands out for me is how terrible the brakes are on it compared to the SV650 I used when I was doing my DAS.

Don't get me wrong, I love my ER6F and could happily recommend it to anyone, but in total transparency I would get the SV650 instead just for the better brakes. It might just be because I am such a heavy rider that I notice the differences and a lighter rider might not though.
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PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.
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Prawny
Nitrous Nuisance



Joined: 22 Jun 2019
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PostPosted: 09:46 - 17 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
I’ve not ridden an sv650 but I have ridden several Er6 variants and the brakes were certainly much better on the mk2 onwards. The front brakes on my mk1 are wooden AF and don’t inspire any confidence at all. Headlight is shite too, but then what older bike doesn’t have a crap headlight.

The brakes on the one I did my test on were great and I bought my bike from the riding school so I’d expect they were maintained in the same way.
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Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom
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Zen Dog
World Chat Champion



Joined: 11 Aug 2004
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PostPosted: 17:13 - 17 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
Having ridden both (SV650 and ER6F), I can't honestly say I noticed much difference between them, or that either were particularly good or bad on the brakes front. The brakes on both seemed....fine. That's not taking into account that there are multiple versions/revisions of both bikes though.

May just be your brakes need a bit of TLC?
____________________
Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011
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Fat Angry Scotsman
World Chat Champion



Joined: 12 Jan 2021
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PostPosted: 11:01 - 01 Dec 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
Zen Dog wrote:
Having ridden both (SV650 and ER6F), I can't honestly say I noticed much difference between them, or that either were particularly good or bad on the brakes front. The brakes on both seemed....fine. That's not taking into account that there are multiple versions/revisions of both bikes though.

May just be your brakes need a bit of TLC?


Well, it is a 12 year old bike so there's probably some truth in that. It got through it's MOT though and since I am probably going to replace it sometime next year I don't think I will throw money at the brakes just yet.
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PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.
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Zen Dog
World Chat Champion



Joined: 11 Aug 2004
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PostPosted: 12:19 - 01 Dec 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
Fat Angry Scotsman wrote:

Well, it is a 12 year old bike so there's probably some truth in that. It got through it's MOT though and since I am probably going to replace it sometime next year I don't think I will throw money at the brakes just yet.


You can give your brakes a basic service yourself in about 30 minutes with a little brass brush, some copper grease (where appropriate) and a couple of basic hand tools. A little bit longer if you want to flush the brake fluid too. I'm a mechanical muppet and I can manage it, surprising the difference it can make. There'll be a load of vids on youtube showing the basic process.
____________________
Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011
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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 12:44 - 01 Dec 2021    Post subject: Re: Hello from a Newbie Reply with quote
pinkyfloyd wrote:


And there the mistake was made. Thinking BCF and advice go hand in hand!

Late model honda cbf hornet is Fi and a good fun bike.
But a Triumph Stripple would hammer the shit out of it for the whole package.


Can't go wrong with a hornet. They are very capable and almost vice free. The bike will be more capable than the rider for a good few years.
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“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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Fat Angry Scotsman
World Chat Champion



Joined: 12 Jan 2021
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PostPosted: 14:30 - 01 Dec 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
Zen Dog wrote:
You can give your brakes a basic service yourself in about 30 minutes with a little brass brush, some copper grease (where appropriate) and a couple of basic hand tools. A little bit longer if you want to flush the brake fluid too. I'm a mechanical muppet and I can manage it, surprising the difference it can make. There'll be a load of vids on youtube showing the basic process.


I might actually do that, I thought you meant changing the pads and disc Embarassed
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PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.
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BRUN
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 10 Oct 2020
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PostPosted: 16:58 - 01 Dec 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
do you have a rough budget in mind ?
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struan80
World Chat Champion



Joined: 04 Nov 2014
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PostPosted: 19:55 - 01 Dec 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ninja 650? basically the newer ER6F. Pretty good value. It's nicest looking 650 in my opinion. Pre 2019 are very reasonable.
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