Progressing to a bigger bike

[sweeny-tom]

I've been riding a 125 for about a year now and I've just passed my mod2. I'm looking at getting my A2 licence within the next 6 months as it's my 19th birthday this year.

Once that's done, what size bike would be best for me to progress on to? I know that it's possible to restrict some 600s etc but I'm not really sporting the kind of cash to be getting an R6 or similar sort of standard bike. I'm after preferably a sports-style bike that's got a bit of kick to it but isn't gonna be really uncomfortable if I'm off on a 100 mile journey.

I might be asking the world but any suggestions?

[Rogerborg]

It's going to be a common question with A2 licensees.

How pov spec are we talking? The wallet-friendly option would be a GS500F, as late and as low mileage as possible.

Comes the "not a sports bike, bored in a month" commenters, but it's as much 35kW as any other 35kW bike and it won't need restricted.

Sticking with Suzuki, you're then looking at the SV650S which can be restricted down, and found with lower fairings to moisten knickers.

Above that, well, Suzuki again. GSX650F, a Bandit in a frock. Build like a battleship, which could be good or bad depending on your view. Roomy, should be comfy.

ER6-F, looks great, can be restricted, I'd be thinking of that. If you go pov, I enjoyed my GPZ500S. They can be restricted and you can find infill panels to make them look fully faired if that's your bag.

The new faired Diversion is likely out of budget, as is the brand new CBR500R.

And that's it, there's not much else. Await a flood of Hornet / Fazer / CBR600F / Thundercat, all of which claim over 70kW and are not suitable for the new A2 license.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[sweeny-tom]

Thanks man, nice comprehensive reply. I'll certainly be checking each and every one of them out. Couple of questions, (I don't know a tonne about bikes) what did you mean by go pov, fairings and infill panels?

I should probably point out that I'm about 6'2''

[bren_9311]

Old xj600s, mine is refusing to die and give me a excuse to get a new bike. Acceleration is good but runs out of puff The wrong side of 100mph.

I'm 6ft and the bike feels a good size, there so cheap to buy. People will say there boring because of the lack of top end speed and they look a bit shit, (with the front fairing on.)

I think you cant go wrong for your first big bike, its cheap and the chances or you will fall off at some point will hurt your wallet less if you do.

Edit; It will have to be restricted down to conform with A2 license, You can get the kit for £47 off eBay with certificate, its up to you if you fit them you will still have the certificate
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My opinion is neither copyrighted nor trademarked. If you like, I'll trade for one of yours.
Currently bikeless.
Ps4- bren_9311

[-Matt-]

At your age considerig you're probably going to be on it for a while until you get round to unrestricting it/get your next bigger bike i'd get something a bit 'fun' to be honest so you have something to tick all the boxes.

I know a couple of people with SV's who use them for weekend fun and commuting all year round with no problems, i'm not exactly sure on their height but they're fairly tall also so you will probably find its a comfortable option, particularly of the 'sports' styled bikes - but i'd definately go down a dealer and have a good seat on one first if you can get a chance, and while you're there generally have a little walk-n-sit on what you can to see how they feel comparatively

I ride a ZX6 which is quite 'aggressive' in its seating position and regularly do over 100 mile journeys on it with little trouble, on a motorway might need the odd leg and wrist stretch but other than that its fine, if you're thinking of huge 1000 mile tours the sports bikes can get a little cramped, but otherwise no problem [i'm 5''11]

[sweeny-tom]

Thanks for all the tips guys. In 100% honesty, actually buying the bike will probably be some way down the line because insurance will probably set me back at least fifteen hundred even with my year's no claims. If I can get around what I got my DT for then that'd make things easier, but yeah, probably a while before I can afford a new bike.

Appreciate the tips guys. The SV650 looks pretty schweet. My other issue is convincing the parents that buying a 600 isn't just asking for trouble. They both think I should get a 250, even though they are confident with my riding ability. they've heard to many stories about people on bigger bikes getting into trouble and they don't think a big bike would be suitable for someone of my age. I can understand where they're coming from, but what do you guys think?

[-Matt-]

Age has absolutely nothing to do with it, i can understand why they're worried as the horror-stories do get circulated, but thats all they are unless you have the mentality and lack of sense to become one of those stories.

If you respect the fact its a bit of a jump up from your last bike and keep that in mind before twisting the throttle too much you'll be fine.

I was also told many of the same stories and advised against going from my 125 to a ZX6 [33bhp restricted at that time in accordance with the previous legislation - sadly these can't be restricted anymore ], but never had any problems, never accidently wheelied as many tell you is 'really easy to do'. If you go ringing the neck of the throttle like a chicken it will of course become a bit lairy, but otherwise they feel little different at slow speeds than a 125.

A 250 will feel barely any different from your last bike, and you'll be bored shitless of it within a couple of months and want to upgrade again, all costing yet more money you could just spend on the insurance for the bigger bike

Do some quotes first though it may not be quite as bad as you think especially with one years no claims behind you, it'll be steep, but i'd think you can get it under 1k fairly easily.

The extra weight actually helps you often with riding in wind/cornering and chucking the bike around VS a 125's weight many people find.

[bren_9311]

[sweeny-tom]

Thanks for the tips Matt it does make sense.

Well you say the insurance is that cheap but my insurance for my DT this year is being quoted at around £700, so I'd be pleasantly surprised at insurance on a 600 going under that. Which company are you with?

[bren_9311]

[P.]

Fuck em, was on a litre bike at that point. Was lols.

Generic Bandit/SV comments, I'd stick to the proven ones. Perfectly fine bikes for beginners.

[-Matt-]

I've been with bikesure also the last few years, can often haggle a bit on the phone if you say another company you don't wish to name gave you a cheaper quote but doesn't always work much.

Are you looking at TPFT or FC.

I've been TPFT to date due to FC being so much more and not really being able to justify the yearly cost vs likelehood of accident/repair costs should i have to cover them etc.

Its worth considering, even if you aren't FC, if you ride safely, presuming any hypothetical accident is likely to be the fault of some careless idiot, you will often be likely to get compensation which will cover some/all the bike repair cost anyway. Not a guarantee by any means, but another reason to really consider if the full cost of FC insurace is worth it.

[groovylee]

[Rogerborg]

You'll be surprised how much insurance is on a 125, especially an offroad-stylee one in any sort of high crime area. I swapped a 125 to a GPZ500S for the sum total of £0.00 on my insurance.

The GPZ500 is a decent bike but it might be a bit cramped for you and would need restricted anyway. The infill panels I was talking about fill in the gap between the top and bottom fairings to make it look sportier.

Likewise, you can get lower fairings for the SV650S if you want that sportsbike look. I'd be looking for reasons not to get one, actually. There are loads around, plenty of parts, insurance is reasonable, and they look great. Yes, there are better bikes, but not for less, and a lot of the real sportsbikes (like the ZX6) are over 70kW and not suitable for A2.

It's perfectly sensible to start smaller and move up, I've gone 125 -> 250 -> 305 -> 500 -> (detuned) 800. However there are relatively few bikes in the 126-500cc range around so your choice is compromised and you'd have to bag whatever comes up rather than choosing from several examples of a given bike.

Anyway, you'll be in a better position to decide once you're licensed up, since you'll be doing that on a 500cc+ bike anyway.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[MC]

[bikertomm]

Well, I would say this...

Whoremode on..

https://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o520/bikerrtomm/20130820_192911_zpsce017205.jpg

But seeing as you've just passed you're under the more retarded laws. My god what a joke..

Good luck finding a bike!
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Rogue_Shadow]

^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Gorgeous bikes ... But
The fly screen makes the headlight look like its got it's own helmet

[Blau Zedong]

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

[Slacker24seve...]

[Rogerborg]

Hornet, Fazer, CBR600, Thundercat... Fireblade, '98 R1, yes we know they're great bikes, but it's not helpful to list them for A2 license holders.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Muldoon]

GS500 , CB500 or GPZ500 can't go wrong fast enough smoother than 125 and probably cheaper to insure. Look after it, sell it on in 2 years or whenver you can upgrade licence.
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CG125 then 13yr gap..

[Mark 37]

Here's one for you.

https://m.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/searchresults/detail/Yamaha/R1/1998/_/R-NXGN-3085568



Mark


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No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[-Matt-]