|
|
| Author |
Message |
| skithepowder |
This post is not being displayed .
|
skithepowder
Borekit Bruiser
Joined: 27 May 2010
Karma : 
|
 Posted: 22:40 - 27 May 2010  Post subject: Advice on a 1st bike |
 |
|
Hi,
I recently took up riding in Nepal. I rode there for 6 weeks on the small 150cc bikes you can rent after doing both a riding course with a British guy whos set up a club over there aswell as a mechanics course.
I'm going about getting my license now in the UK, and have arranged my CBT for next week and am hoping to do Direct Access in the next few weeks.
I'm also having a look at what kind of bike I'm hoping to get after I pass my test. I have a budget of no more than £1000, ideally around £800 at the most, but could stretch to £1000 for the right bike. I've been mainly looking at ebay as the bikes seem to be cheaper there. I think from what I've read and been told so far the dream 1st bike for me would be a new Kawasaki Ninja 250R, however the new price is out of my league!
I've seen some old late 80s 250s for quite cheap, things like GSXR 250s, Yamaha TZR 250s, Suzuki RGV 250s etc. And then there seems to be quite a few more cheap 400cc sportsbikes available, there seems to be more cheap 400cc's than there are 250s... Is there any reason for this? For example I've seen late 90s Ninja 400s in my budget. Would these 400cc bikes such as the Ninja make a good beginner bike or am I likely to wind up as roadkill with something like that for a first bike? Any other bikes you would reccomend me to have a look at?
If this helps I weigh just over 10 stone, and I'm just under 6ft. I think its a sports style bike that I'm most interested in, I quite like adventure bikes too, but they're too big for me at the moment, maybe at some point in the future. |
|
| Back to top |
  |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
 |
| DrDonnyBrago |
This post is not being displayed .
|
DrDonnyBrago
World Chat Champion
Joined: 03 Jan 2010
Karma :  
|
| Posted: 23:29 - 27 May 2010 Post subject: Re: Advice on a 1st bike |
|
|
| skithepowder wrote: | Hi,
I recently took up riding in Nepal. I rode there for 6 weeks on the small 150cc bikes you can rent after doing both a riding course with a British guy whos set up a club over there aswell as a mechanics course.
I'm going about getting my license now in the UK, and have arranged my CBT for next week and am hoping to do Direct Access in the next few weeks.
I'm also having a look at what kind of bike I'm hoping to get after I pass my test. I have a budget of no more than £1000, ideally around £800 at the most, but could stretch to £1000 for the right bike. I've been mainly looking at ebay as the bikes seem to be cheaper there. I think from what I've read and been told so far the dream 1st bike for me would be a new Kawasaki Ninja 250R, however the new price is out of my league!
I've seen some old late 80s 250s for quite cheap, things like GSXR 250s, Yamaha TZR 250s, Suzuki RGV 250s etc. And then there seems to be quite a few more cheap 400cc sportsbikes available, there seems to be more cheap 400cc's than there are 250s... Is there any reason for this? For example I've seen late 90s Ninja 400s in my budget. Would these 400cc bikes such as the Ninja make a good beginner bike or am I likely to wind up as roadkill with something like that for a first bike? Any other bikes you would reccomend me to have a look at?
If this helps I weigh just over 10 stone, and I'm just under 6ft. I think its a sports style bike that I'm most interested in, I quite like adventure bikes too, but they're too big for me at the moment, maybe at some point in the future. |
Older 250cc two strokes are IMO more of an enthusiasts kind of bike, I'd stick to a larger 4 stroke tbh. The 250 isn't a popular market in the UK anymore, 125cc is learner legal and those with a full licence typically want more than 250cc, hence there are less of them and those that are available are 80/90's 250cc 2 stroke oil burners. The kwak 250 is very popular in other countries where licence laws are different, but probably a little pointless for the UK.
If you do DAS then you will be riding a gs500/cb500 or similar on your training so you would be used to bikes of 40-50bhp. I'd recommend a cb500, handles and goes good but also has honda reliability and build quality. Enough to keep you entertained for a while whilst limiting the chances of you punching holes in the scenery.
Depends on how old you are of course, if you are a young un (under 21) then you'll be 33bhp limited for 2 years  . |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| skithepowder |
This post is not being displayed .
|
skithepowder
Borekit Bruiser
Joined: 27 May 2010
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| arry |
This post is not being displayed .
|
arry
Super Spammer
Joined: 03 Jan 2009
Karma : 
|
|
| Back to top |
 |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| skithepowder |
This post is not being displayed .
|
skithepowder
Borekit Bruiser
Joined: 27 May 2010
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| Clanger |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Clanger
Stirrer
Joined: 27 May 2004
Karma : 
|
| Posted: 12:11 - 29 May 2010 Post subject: |
|
|
Was going to say the Honda Bros 400, it's a sturdy, forgiving bike, reliable and I'd say a good place to start. Though is a small bike, I could sit bended knee / flat footed, but really liked the riding style (not too much pressure on my lower back).
Best bet is to google image bikes that you've seen mentioned, then take note of the ones you like the look of, then go out and about and sit on some / test ride (if possible) and find what suits you.
I have been round some of the larger bike meets recently, looking out for bikes I like, and speaking to the owner and asking if I can have a seat...check things out like reach, peg to seat ratio, seat width and comfort, and chat to the owner...get a general overview. 
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
 |
Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 16 years, 19 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
 |
|
|
Help & FAQs
Search BCF
Members
Groups
Events Calendar
rating
rating