New to Bikes

[Lupo]

Pretty soon I will need a private means of transportation, using public transport in London so far. So I decided to go for a motorbike, I do have a car driving license from Spain that I am in the process of exchanging for a UK one.

In terms of license, after much debating (only experience is a 49cc scooter in Spain) I am going for a full license.

- Get my provisional license
- Do the CBT
- Go for the full license

In the motorbike department is where I need some help, going for full license and almost no experience means a second hand motorbike to start with. I am male, 44 years old, 5 feet 10 inches and weight around 13 stones.

I would like a motorbike for travelling around, eventually making a London - Spain (Alicante) over 2000 km trip. The budget can go up to £2500 or so, I would like a comfortable bike to ride, while I am thinking of riding long distances it will not be very fast, as a beginner I don't think a big bulky bike will be a good idea. So I would like some recommendations on second hand tourers/cruisers or bikes that will fit the bill, and what is a good mileage to look for in those bikes. I really appreciate your help as I found plenty of info on 125cc bikes, but couldn't work out the better options in bigger motorbikes for long trips.

[Magnet]

First of all welcome to BCF I would recomend something like a ER6n, they are a 650cc twin, very comfy upright riding position and great on fuel. You should be able to pick up a reasonable example within your budget. If you could afford another 1k you easily pick up a low mileage ( 2-3k ) model. Of course other people will have differing opinions on this, this is just my humble opinion.
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[harscot]

Welcome bud to the mad house!!!! Honda Deauville is worth a look, bullet proof, shaft drive, comfy, built on panniers, 180 - 200 mls to the tank, some might say boring, I disagree cause I own one, any bike can be boring if you want it to be, use the search engine on here, it will help you out, you can also look at Yamaha's diversion, honda's Crosstourer, Suzuki Gladius, the list go's on and on, have a look at some in the dealers to get a fell for a suitable one and good luck to you
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First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........

[Lupo]

Thank you very much guys for the suggestions, the Honda Deauville really looks like the kind of bike I am after. Found out Ad Block was messing with the search on the forums, so now I got the relevant results, so pouring over them. Thanks again.

[Teflon-Mike]

Well, your first job is to get a licence. Without that you cant really have any bike. So at the moment its all a little bit accademic.

Real question is how you want to learn to ride and whether a 125 while on a provisional and learn slow and steady before taking bike tests, or not.

125 for a newb would be good way to start, and a good way to get about London.

THEN when you have got the tests out the way, you would be much more informed, and have more experience to make bike buying decissions on.

Two roles you have in mind for a bike suggest machines at opposite ends of the biking spectrum.

Round town, city commuting, would favor a small, nible lightweight machine, a 125 or 250, thats easy to weave through traffic and cheap to run.

Long haul continental touring would suggest something big and lusty, with lots of comfort for relaxed mile eating riding, a 1000cc heavyweight like a Pan-European or similar.

Trying to find something that can fulfill both roles 'adequetly' means a compromise somewhere in the middle, and a bike thats heavier and less manageable round town and more expensive to run, while at the same time, not so relaxing or comfortable on a long tour.

Depends whats most important really....... 500 commuter twin would seem like a reasonable compromise, but not going to be 'best' in either role.

Personally; I'd reccomend a 125 as your starting point; get some miles in; enjoy the ecconomy; get used to the traffic, get some training, get you tests, get some experience, THEN decidide what to do.

Bikes aren't like women and dont demand exclusivity, either; once you have got some miles under your belt and the licence in your pocket, you could, get yourself a bike like a Pan Euro and KEEP the 125.... £16 a year to tax, possibly £50 a year extra to put it on a two-bike insurance policy, best of both worlds; tiddler for getting about town, tourer for getting accross continents!

But, here and now.... you are looking at, and trying to solve problems you haven't actually encountered yet, that dont need solving.

Getting the licence and taking tests do.
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[C1REX]

Suzuki VanVan and Honda Varadero are good commuters and 125cc tourers.

Not sure about bigger ones but any of London couriers favourites should be comfortable and reliable enough and still fit the bill. Most likely a Honda.
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