Advice please - returning after a big crash....

mikey · Derestricted Danger Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Karma :

Hi folks,

I passed my DAS 3 years and bought a 600 Bandit, then 2 years ago (well feb 05) I hit a volvo that pulled straight out in front of me to turn right. Hitting drivers door and flying through air...

A shoulder reconstruction and 6 months off work followed before returning to as normal a life as possible...

Now 2 years on I fancy getting another bike, but not to sure on what I want... I'm thinking of either GPZ500 or similar or maybe Aprillia Pegaso BMW F650 type, or maybe another bandit. Fancy a cheapish bike first to rebuild some confirdence and them will upgrade at the end of the year whem there are some bargains about...

Gonna spend a grand ish...

all opinions / advice greatly recieved

Cheers

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

Proberly be better off with something that has some sort of fairing that will give you a bit of protection and help to keep the strain of the shoulder, but not something that has you leaning too far forward.
Really you need to sit on a few to see how they feel.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

Chriss · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 May 2005 Karma :

I've suffered from a back injury last year, so I wanted something that wouldn't cause me to lean too far forwards, but wanted to be protected by the wind, and I got myself a SV1000, but an SV650 would be a cracking bike I would have thought, and you can pick them up for sensible-ish money these days.
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

wikiwiki · Scooby Slapper Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Karma :

depending on your height you may want to consider an XL650v,
i'm biased though.

spadge · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Hey, good to hear you are wanting to start riding again after your ordeal. My das instructor warned me in particular of volvo drivers - so did my dad actually seeing as 3 have hit him and 2 whilst he was stationary. Not that i am saying volvo drivers are all bad before people start attacking me!

anyway apart from welcoming you back i will say that i personally think the gpz is a great bike for getting your confidence back. It's narrow, light, has good handling and does have a bit of power there too. there are also lots of them knocking about so shop about and you are bound to find one in your price range.

good luck with whatever you get.

mikey · Derestricted Danger Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Karma :

Hi folks,

well yesterday was spent trawling bike shops and sitting on a number of machines to see what felt comfy....

I ended up going for a XV 535 virago, was nice and cheap and I reckon i can sell it for more than I paid for it if I decide to upgrade to something else....

Thanks for the advice

Mike