get me a new bike me thinks

[The Artist]

ok, im 17 in not very long and am looking for a bike.

I have a motorbike now but only 50cc.
I will be wanting to pass my big bike test, restricted to 33bhp, soon.

I don't want to spend more than £1200 so im looking for a used bike, preferably around 400cc+
I had a look at some vfr400 nc30 but they are quite expensive for anything decent and the nc24's are a bit old and i want this to last me at least 2 years without anything major going wrong. What i mean is some bikes are more reliable than others.

Has anyone got an idea what would be good as my first bigger bike. I have ridden big bikes before just not on road. I don't want anything like a 900 because they are more expensive, more expensive to fix and don't really want a massive bike just yet. (massive for me!)

Anyone been in my situation and ended up with a good bike?
Just to make it clear, I am not looking for a 125 or 250.

Thanks

[mad4it028]

£1200 will get you a decent cbr 600 and there bullet proof
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always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
currently riding kawasaki z1000 only bike ive ever loved

[Blau Zedong]

Or a pre SRAD GSXR750.....
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[M1ghtyDUck]

I was in your position after my NSR 125 got written off. Passed my test and bought a GSXR 400 for under a grand. Best decision I've made since deciding not to see what superglue tastes like.

[The Artist]

thanks for those. There is a gsxr 750 on ebay now for £950 and a gsxr 400 for £750 both need work but both run ok. I had a look for some cbr 600's and they seem more expensive but then again, they are nice bikes. I probably would prefer a cbr.

that seems pretty good considering my 50cc cost £700.

Im just looking around at what would suit me at the moment.
Any other bikes?

[The Artist]

are the zxr and zzr any good. they look a bit ugly but cheap!

[AppleJoe]

Well if you aren't 17 yet, you still have to do your theory and practical, which you had better book asap to try and avoid the new test in October. I'd advise getting a 125; I was in your position and am pleased I went for my 125, as it's got me used to riding without having the power to go mental I'm sure the jump from a 50cc to a sports 600 like the CBR would be too big. PLUS, and a big plus, I don't think you have factored in insurance. On something like a CBR it's very harsh, and I'm not sure you would even be able to afford the insurance for your budget, let alone the bike

Joe
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Full licence from 16/4/08
Previously: '56 YBR125 - Current: K1 SV650S

[The Artist]

I understand your concern but I am still probably going for a bigger bike. I know a 125 will be good to get used to but I have ridden bigger bikes, not just "a quick go" but days with friends off road and track (tarmac but not official track)

I may look for a 400 or maybe less.
Insurance i understand is expensive and I do have the money to get a bigger bike but to save on insurance, I only do third party and make sure I have as many security devices as sensible, e.g. brake disc lock, locked garage, I also tend to do something to the bike like unclip something so that it won't work. Anyway if it does get nicked then its not a really expensive bike and I won't mind as much.

Cheap bike, i dont mind third party insurance
expensive bike, i will feel like i need fully comp

I am looking at bikes around 300 aswell but 400 is my preffered. Not too big but not small. In a way im bored of changing 3 gears to get to 30mph and the noise of smaller engines

I like the look of the cbr's and the gsxr's