Hi all

Father Karras · L Plate Warrior Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Karma :

Hi all, I´m a newby in bikes. Well, I hold my DAS for 5 years, but, other than the bike of the motoring school, I´ve never ridden.

But the time has come when I really want to get a bike and start riding. I´m 34 years old and about 17st and 5'11''. I would use it for my daily commute (20 miles, a mix of twisty roads, motorway and town), and weekends. I would like a nice naked. I was thinking of a 500cc (I'm considering a CBF500), but I´ve heard different things about them. What do you think. Should I go for something bigger, or, do you think that it should be ok.

Others options I'm considering are: Monster 620ie, and SV650 (do you think these are 'too big' for a newby?)

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

If you're sensible enough and get some good training in, an SV650 should be fine - and will offer a lot of fun once you get some experience in, as well as being able to do all the commuting/town riding you need. Plus offer a great basis if you wanted to tweak/modify to your tastes.

Father Karras · L Plate Warrior Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Karma :

Yes, I regard myself as a sensible person, and believe me, as a fact I'm a bit afraid of getting into riding, although it's something I've always wanted to do since I was a kid (I know, it's taken me a while Mr. Green

).

The first thing I am planning to do is a "refreshment course" next week, before even thinking of getting the bike.

riichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Karma :

i say ZXR400 you wont look back>>>>> hehe my Penny Coin

worth

welcome Thumbs Up

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.......... PLOD ............ zx636 2004

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

The SV should be a good mix between userfriendlyness and power.

If you're wanting something sporty for fast riding, I'd look at a sports 400.

McGee · O RLY? Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Karma :

Sports 600 but gotta be a gixxer Wink

go with what you feel more comfy on and would enjoy to ride. And Welcome! Also if its its gotta be under 600 deff go for some sort of sport 400. ZXR is good start.
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◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

Father Karras · L Plate Warrior Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Karma :

I don't think I would like a sports bike, at least to start with. I was thinking more of a naked

BanditBitch · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Karma :

What about a good old naked 600 Suzuki Bandit. You can pick them up quite cheap.

suzi_bandit · Traffic Copper Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Karma :

kawashima · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

If you like comfortable one, W650 might be nice too.(Not so sporty as SV650/CB500). I think 4cylinder bikes prefer high revs, 2cylinder bikes prefer low revs.

Paracaine · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Karma :

A Bandit 600 is a great first bike Very Happy

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Bike: Suzuki Bandit 600, 2002, Blue
Type: Unfaired
Extras: Datatool Alarm & Immobiliser, Airblade Tinted Fly Screen, Motrax Crash Protectors

McGee · O RLY? Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Karma :

At the end of the day mate go with what your brain says. Or your heart and you will end up with the bike you will like for ages. Thumbs Up

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◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
◄◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙►◄◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙►◄◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙►
Its pronounced Jixxer!

Nolongerhere · Trackday Trickster Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

I am a faired bike person really but I love bandits they rock!

Father Karras · L Plate Warrior Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Karma :

I had almost completely ruled out 4 cylinders, but I really like the 600cc Hornet. Anyway, my shortlist would be CBF500 ABS, SV 650, Ducati Monster 620.

Do you think that the ABS option is worthwhile in the Honda?. And what about the new Monster's clutch (it's supposed to prevent the rear wheel from sliding in a gear reduction?) Is it really worth considering?

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

If you are going to use the bike for a daily commute, you could do a lot worse than the CB500. Comfy, reliable, well built, fast enough. Hold their value well too.

You seen the new kawasaki ER6? You are their exact target market for this bike.
https://www.er-6n.com/index.asp?LanguageId=1

I personally (having seen what happened to two of my mates ones) would not be using an SV 650 every day to go to work unless you think rust and furry alloy is a good look.

ABS, the jury is out. I would personally don't like the idea. I would worry that if your first bike has ABS you would get used to using it. If you buy something bigger at a later point without it you could come a cropper when you find it isn't there.

There is no need for a slipper clutch unless you are REALLY spanking the arse off it, if you find you needed one outside the confines of a racetrack I would say you are pushing it WAY too hard.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Russ · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Karma :

Father Karras rote
(I'm considering a CBF500),

You will get bored real quick. If you feel that is all you can handle at the moment fine, but don't spend a lot of money on one cos i asure you, you will sell it after about 3-4 months. I have been there. I have a commute of about 70 miles and have a ZZR600 not saying get one of these but they are well comfy.

Good luck and happy riding Thumbs Up

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knock on the devils door and HE will answer...............

Piccie · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 20 Aug 2005 Karma :

I started on a CB500 and ride a SV650S now.
The CB is a good little bike for commuting and so, but looking back it seems quiet small compared to the SV and the SV is not a big bike. Anyway i am 8stone1 and 5'7" and both bikes are fine to ride. The SV is certainly allot more fun i think. Just make sure you get used to the bike well and everything else will follow.
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Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

I personally would disregard the Monster.

A local friend had the 600 and she used it to commute to work every day, and it simply proved unreliable. I think she had it for a year, and used the bus more than she would have liked! She's returned to a faithful GSXR400. She loved the bike and said it was brilliant to ride, but not as a commuter.

For someone your size, I don't really think a sports 400 would suit. I think you are looking at the right kind of bikes, the SV, Bandit and Hornet are all popular bikes for a reason (plus you'll find them cheaper to insure than a 400 Very Happy

)

OOo, and WELCOME to BCF Thumbs Up

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I did Cadwell! Very Happy

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zephyrgirl · Spanner Monkey Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Karma :

zuluman · L Plate Warrior Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Karma :

Honda CB600F aka 599 aka Hornet

I use it for my daily commute.
It's a 2004.
It's a great bike.
If you have been practicing or riding another bike, you won't believe the Hornets handeling when you ride it.

It's very powerfull and very very manageable.
It handles very well.
It's comfortable.
Good on gas.
And it's got the Japanese reliability.

I personally avoided the Monster because of the maintenece/repair costs vs. the Honda. (a little thinking ahead aka longterm)

I don't know too much about the SV650, so I can't comment.
I've seen some SV's on the road and I like them, I think they're lookers, but I think anything naked is a looker. Shocked