Just a beginner

[nurseynoo]

Hello Everyone,
I am a female biker who is new to biking & I was wondering if you could give me some advice as to what size bike would be best to start off with as I take my test next Week. I have never been on a motorcycle up until i'd taken my CBT & direct access course and some people have told me not to start off on a 650cc bike because it would be too big for me. Is what they are telling me right?
It would be nice to hear your views,
thanx,

[Davo]

Hi

I took my direct access and went almost straight on to a Hayabusa (1300cc) as I said in my other post don't pick a bike specifically on capacity (as certain 250cc's e.g. RS250 would be a worse bike for a beginner than say a 650cc Bandit/SV).

[Whosthedaddy]

[nurseynoo]

Hello Davo,
thanx for the advice, don't think I would be as brave as you jumping straight onto a 1300cc bike but i'm quite keen on Honda 650cc bikes.

[Louise]

I lernt on a 500cc ER-5 bike, But as im 5'11 I found the height a little to low. Would have small ammount of trouble getting the foot on the break/gears ect.
I got my first big bike GSF600 Bandit. Perfect height, nice ride - Its not to fast unless you really do the throttle.
Altho, a little top heavy for me, other then that I would say there good to get some experiance on them

[short1uk]

Hello!!! fello female biker here too.

I had a 125 YBR for a year, did my CBT rode the YBR for a year then did my DAS. On passing bought a Hornet 600 and I have never looked back since. Traded the YBR in for it.

That being said the YBR gave me a lot of road experience and I felt comfortable riding the ER5 on my DAS/test because I had been riding my YBR for a year. I am a car driver too so having 8 years in a car also meant that I could concentrate on the bike more because I was not figuring out road positioning etc.

However once I had tasted the power of the 500 and passed my test I went home and got on my YBR and....

Hated it so much, just did not feel safe at all, could not over take people as it was simple not fast enough didn’t feel like I could get myself out of trouble if i ever needed too.

So even thought people said the Hornet was too much for me they were wrong. Wrong by miles. The Hornet is well I don’t have words to describe it really it takes my breath away riding it. Its so agile yet stable, turns easily, low so I can get on ( I am about 5ft 5 I think) Not too leaning forward so I can reach yet enough so I am not sat upright loads. It’s just great.

I almost bought and ER5 and thank the lord I didn’t. There are times now that I think the Hornet is too slow LOL when racing down the link road. I realized the 500 was not quick enough on my DAS. I got stuck at a round about and the instructor said catch up when you can so I nailed it down the fly over to catch up. (Thought I would give it some beans) and it just topped out at around 80 to 90 and I thought eh where has all the power gone it had none left!! So that made my mind up there and then must get something bigger.

I bought a second hand hornet 03 plate but the 02 model for a little under £3k. Now ok may be a tad expensive but I don’t know shit about bikes mechanical wise and so went to a dealer and they delivered the bike to my house. First ride blew me away it was so fast made me smile lots! Now 6 months on still makes me smile and when I am sat in my car in the rain I still wish I was on my bike. (It’s in the bike shed all warm and waiting for me)

Defo go for a bigger bike mate, don’t buy the 500 you would regret it! Have a look at the Hornet or the SV. My first choice was the SV but tbh it hurt my bum! Hornet is soooo comfortable to sit on!

I have a naked one my missus has a faired hornet.

Hope it all goes well for you drop us a pm or summit and we can chat if you like on msn.

Catherine

[veeeffarr]

[short1uk]

I dont think I could get my leg over any of them!

[G]

Don't get caught up on capacity.

A (highly tuned) 125 can actually make similar power to some 1200cc models!

A lot of people find the bigger capacity bikes to be a bit easier to ride than a 125 - as they have a broader range of power less gear changes are needed.

Most of the Honda 650cc bikes would make decent first time bikes, so I'd say go for it. All that I can think off make a lot less power than sports 600cc bikes (which may be what people are thinking of when they warn you off them); easily half the power of a decent sports 600, even less for the trail-style 650cc bikes.

[veeeffarr]

[G]

NTV/Bros (Hawk)/Dullville?
The FMX wasn't that big either for a trailie, I thought?

Oh and reading your post... NTV a 'handful'? Not the lightest of bikes, but then not massive and it's not going to try and throw you off every time you open the throttle or 'owt.

Varadero isn't available in 650cc as far as I'm aware by the way?

[DaveW]

What bike did you take your DAS on, sometimes its the weight rather than size.

I did my DAS on a Hornet 600 and found that more stable and easier than the CB125, apart from getting used to the throttle response.

[veeeffarr]

[sickpup]

[J0Al1]

[G]

[sickpup]

[G]

It groups them under 'isn't fucking massive', as it was in reply to Toby's post.
You will note I separated the trail style bike I mentioned which is significantly taller.

I've sat on NTVs/Dullville's and know that while they're bigger than the rather tiddly BROS, I definitely wouldn't be describing them as that.

[nurseynoo]

Thanx for the valuable advice from everyone about what size bike I should buy when I pass my test. I think I need to sit on a few bikes to see which ones are comfortable and I think it's a case of being sensible until I get more experience handling the bike.
I do like the Honda 650s but I would need to sit on one first to see if I'm comfortable with one. Can't wait to get out on a big bike it's been such a buzz so far even on a 125.
Thanx everyone!

[veeeffarr]

[G]

Have you sat on a Bros? While the other two are a little bigger, the BROS is pretty tiny.

From random googling, so may not be too accurate, seat heights:
Bros: 770 mm
NTV:780mm
FMX 650: 875mm
Transalp:843mm

As a comparison:
NSR125: 800mm
CBR250: 735mm
CBR600rr: 820mm

So, yes the BROS should be easier to touch the floor on than a NSR125 and even Anna used to have a NSR .

Not a great example, but the same rider on a CBR600Y, RS250 and Bros 650:
https://www.evilbendy.co.uk/gallery/albums/300504/thumb_PICT0127.JPGhttps://www.evilbendy.co.uk/gallery/albums/300504/thumb_PICT0088.JPGhttps://www.evilbendy.co.uk/gallery/albums/300504/thumb_PICT0238.JPG

[Pete.]

Yah the Bros makes an ideal 1st bike.

I think that choosing a light bike, or at least one that disgises it's weight is important. Heavier bikes can be overwhelming. Bikes like the Africa twin/Transalp might dominate an inexperiencd rider with their high CofG.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Annabella]

[Bendy]

[angryjonny]

I wouldn't want to be seen in public riding this:
https://www.entecker.ch/uploads/bros.gif





Sorry... someone had to do it. Might as well have been me.
.