First bike Choice :S

[philipchapman...]

before i start i apologise for my spelling,

so my mate has got me into riding, but im looking at doing my full test in the next month,i will be going straight onto a bike from pretty much zero experience.

but heres the struggle, im wanting a bike for when i pass, my mate thinks i should get a 250cc or a 33 bhp bike to start with or ill just end up killing myself on anything larger.......
he's moving up to a 600cc this fall and kind of dont wanna be holding him back so im tempted to get a 600 and get it restricted down.

does anyone think this is a good idea or should i continue to look at 33 bhp bikes.
if so which are the best and most forgiving and fun to ride.
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whooopa

[Paulington]

You shouldn't give a flying heck whether you'd be 'holding him back' or whatnot. It's YOUR test, YOUR bike and YOU are riding the bike. If he wants to ride with you then he will have to accommodate YOU. It is safe for him to ride slower than his abilities but it is highly unsafe for you to try and ride faster than your abilities will allow. So if he doesn't slow down for you and complains that you are holding him back, tell him where to shove it. !

Anyway, how old are you? If you are 21 I'd suggest passing your DAS so you are unrestricted straight away. Just because you are unrestricted straight away doesn't mean you can't ride a bike with less power to begin with. .

If you are <21, you have to be restricted to 33bhp and a power to weight ratio of <=0.16kW/KG as you have stated. Now I'd recommend getting a motorcycle like:

Suzuki SV650/SV650S
Honda Hornet (CB600F)
Yamaha Thundercat (YZF600R)
Honda CBR600F
Suzuki Bandit (GSF600)
Suzuki GS500
Kawasaki ER-6F
Honda CB500
Triumph Daytona 600/650
Yamaha Fazer 600 (FZR600)
Yamaha Virago (XV535)
Loads more...

Those bikes listed above can all be restricted from their stock horsepower (around 50-100bhp) down to the 33bhp required by your licence. A motorcycle like the above restricted to 33bhp will still do 0-60mph pretty quickly and top out at a real 100mph or so. It will cruise at 80mph on the motorway no problem. !

Don't worry about zero experience, that is what the test and training is for. If you do around two/three days training and then do your Module 1 and Module 2 tests then you will be a newbie on the roads but you will be 'competent'.

Hopefully to get out of this habit, you can kill yourself on a 50cc. On my first 600cc which could do around 145mph I nearly died in an accident doing 30mph which my old RS50 could do. Increased engine capacity does not equal danger.

You can get ANY motorcycle you want once you pass your test it just has to be restricted down tp 33bhp, so don't focus on 600cc motorcycles. These do tend to be the starting point however as bigger bikes such as litres (1000cc) and above don't take restriction very well.

Take a look on eBay at the bikes I've listed above and look for a fair few more too, see which ones you like the most that are in your budget and then go have a sit on them! See which is the comfiest.

When you pass, you'll go from a 14.6bhp 125cc to a 33bhp of a different cc and you will likely be completely fine. Just keep your right hand in check and practice good habits, keep your mirrors checked, do your blindspot checks when necessary and be a cautious yet confident rider.

If you want to do your test next month, you best get a move on and do your theory test as most motorcycle test centres are pretty busy and have a couple weeks waiting period before you can do both your Module 1 and Module 2 tests.

I wish you good luck, and you will be fine. You can pay for just your theory and module 1 and module 2 tests, this comes out to around £121.50 if I remember correctly. However, you do need to do your CBT first if you haven't done it already. But for someone like you with pretty much zero experience I feel you would benefit IMMENSELY from two or three days of training.

When I did my motorcycle test in 2009, I had been riding my RS50 for a year or so so had some experience. I paid £480 for three days of training on my own motorcycle and my tests on the last day. Even though I had some experience in those three days the instructors will give you invaluable input which will make you much more likely to pass first time and be a better rider for it.

If you need to know anything else or want advice on which bike to get/restrictor kits (SAY NO TO F.I. INTERNATIONAL!) or anything, just send me a PM and I'll reply quickly.

Cheers! !

EDIT: Judging by your username, ignore the DAS part! !
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Fifteen15]

I can't recommend the SV650 enough. I bought it as my first bike almost a year ago and I've never looked back. It does everything I want it to do. Not to mention it looks gorgeous and it's cheap on insurance.
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"Pain is weakness leaving the body, and blood makes the grass grow faster...but I'll wear my gear anyway"

[Dean-J]

Couldnt agree more with All of the above, and definately the SV650 for a first bike.

I now have a YZF600R Thundercat, which is a much better bike in every respect, however i feel that i learnt a lot more, a lot quicker, on the SV650.

I did full access straight away, didnt bother with the 33bhp malarky, and the sv was a great stepping stone

[UnspeedySam]

If he was born in 1991 then he is 21 some time this year. Wait for your birthday, do Das and get an Sv650 or similar. They are simple, fun and cheap to insure without being too powerful for a newbie.

I regretted not waiting a few months until my birthday. Now I'm lumbered with 2 years restriction or having to do my tests again...
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[philipchapman...]

thanks cleared a fair bit up yeah my birthday is in may so going to my DAS over the summer,

can't wait to be out there
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whooopa

[Paulington]

Depending on when your birthday is make sure you book it well in advance. If your birthday is in the last few months of the year then you will be short on time before the new licencing comes in (Jan 2013).

Good luck. !
____________________
"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Vincent]

I think 400s make great first bikes.
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Space Is Deep