Too much choice.

[ipip]

I'm not quite there yet, but having just passed Mod1 I'm starting to narrow down the new bike search. I expect there's a good chance that I'll buy more than one over the next couple of years until I figure out what kind of riding I'll mostly be doing. Right now, I'm looking at everything from naked to mid tourer. The primary aim is to avoid something that I'll get bored with in a month. I'm not a speed demon by any means, but I won't be ferrying Miss Daisy around either. I will hopefully convince the wife to at least go out for the day eventually; I don't think we'll be touring Europe any time soon. I'm not sure whether taking her out on the 125 beforehand is a good idea or not, but ultimately it will influence the final choice.

Unless I have 2 of course

Ideally I'll get to test ride some, but the local multi-brand shop in Bristol doesn't allow test rides until you've had your license for a year apparently

So, the short list so far:
Street Triple
F800ST/GT
ER6-F
MT-07
XJ6 Div/F
R6
Bonneville

Any others I should look at?

[arry]

[ipip]

Yeah, I know I've just about opened up the options to everything!

I guess my shopping list will be:

1. Relatively easy for a new, smallish rider to handle, but still put a grin on my face for a while.
2. Not too old/must be reliable. Not planning on buying new, but will if it gets me the right bike.
3. I'll be (short) commuting on it just to build up the miles/experience, but it's definitely a toy, not a tool.
4. Budget is not a limiting factor, but I don't want an eternal money pit.

I cycle a fair bit and the usual number of bikes is N+1, where N is how many you currently have. I can see this might be the same

[Llama-Farmer]

If the local dealer is saying you can't test ride bikes until you've had your licence a year, make it clear to them that you won't be buying one without riding it first, and can they speak to their insurance to see if something can be worked out, or else you'll be going to another dealer who can.

Might do the trick, might not.
____________________
Current Bike: 1999 Honda CB600 FX Hornet
Next Bike: I want a CBR-RR. And I want an F800 GS-A. And a VFR 800. Can I have all 3?
Dream Bikes: Honda VFR750R RC30, Honda NSR500, Ducati 996 R

[Rogerborg]

[Baffler186]

If that Bristol dealer won't budge on the test-ride thing, then I'd consider going to other dealers? I only had my license for 3 months and they didn't mind - but there was a £1000 excess (understandable really).

Just sit on a few, think about what you actually need, and look at MCN reviews etc so you get an idea of fuel consumption/insurance/BHP etc - they won't be dead accurate but will give you an idea. And like others have said, make you DAS training bike you point of reference - you might find that you hate flat bars and upright position, in which case you could narrow it down to the sport-derived bikes.
____________________
Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[P.addy]

Just buy an MT09 and forget about the others.

[ipip]

On paper (and YouTube!) I want the Street Triple. I love the sound, seating position feels ok and the weight doesn't look too intimidating. But, then I started to do some net searching and found lots of posts saying it's not a good first big bike and instant death is probably certain!

Since then, being the internet, I've found an equal number of opposite opinions so, it's back near the top of my list based on buy what you really want now.

I've used 2 bikes for training so far, a Fazer 600 and SV650. I prefer the SV (not just because I passed the Mod1 on it) as I find it easier to control at low revs and the lower weight makes it feel more agile. To be fair, at normal speeds both bikes were fine and the bit of fairing on the fazer was welcome at dual carriageway speeds.

I had a quick look at adventure bikes, but found most of them felt unwieldy for a short arse like me. I know static tests aren't a good measure, but there wasn't enough enticing me to look closer.

Thankfully, I'm in no rush and will pootle around on the 125 until I get some test rides and if that means traveling a bit further for a decent dealer who will let me then so be it.

[Rogerborg]

[-Matt-]

Presume you're going the direct access route some of those won't be restrictable otherwise I think Best bet to start off with is get a sit on as many of them as you can, at least then you will get an idea how comfortable they are size/weight/position wise, although that can be quite different once you've been sat on it riding for a few hours keep in mind.

You have quite a varied list there, as a new rider and someone whos not majorly into the speed for example the R6 might be a little intense, or on the other hand you may be a bit overwhelmed by it and just potter around at low revs on it, which will be the opposite and feel a bit lifeless [did this with my ZX6 at first, although I eventually got more confident on it and don't regret buying it in the slightest now]. If you're thinking of more long distance riding/commuting/touring something a bit more upright and capable of luggage might be more in order for example.

I'd have a look at insurance quotes across the range of bikes too, as a new rider some might hit your pocket a fair bit more. May not be significant if you have a sizeable budget but it will likely make a fair bit of difference particularly in the first year or twos ownership.

Also - if this dealers happens to be Fowlers I personally wouldn't buy from them. They usually overprice everything quite badly and from personal and a few other peoples experiences are a bit shoddy with their customer service at times. I've had a bike returned to me scratched, parts misordered and friends have had problems claiming on warranty issues. May well be lots of happy customers as someones keeping them in business but can only go from my own experience with them.

[stuey2407]

[Clanger]

[aidy_b]

I passed my test in January and considered many of the same bikes, with the Honda Hornet thrown in as well.
Then I broke my leg 2 days after passing and am still waiting to get out and go on some test rides

I don't think it is that important for a first bike - I just want to get some miles under my belt and see what I like/dislike in a bike. Still fancy the Street Triple though...

[karidian]

My 1st "big" bike was an er6f. I can recommend them to new riders. Sporty styling, v-twin excellent for commuting and out for a blast. Quite light weight and if i remember right a fairly low seating position.
Each to their own and as has been said try for a test ride first. Best of luck in your choice.
____________________
G reg Honda CB1 400; 06 Kawasaki ER6F abs, X reg Bandit 600sy. 1998 Cb600f Hornet. 08 zx6r current.

[Rogerborg]

[arry]

[Quornholio]

[karidian]

My bad - wasnt really concentrating while typing. still a twin. Sorry Roger . The rest of my statement still stands.
____________________
G reg Honda CB1 400; 06 Kawasaki ER6F abs, X reg Bandit 600sy. 1998 Cb600f Hornet. 08 zx6r current.

[ipip]

Ok, I've sat on them all, done some tank stroking and generally pontificated about this and that and narrowed it down to a top 2. If I go naked it's got to be the Street Triple, if not then an ER-6F. The local Kwak dealer is happy to let me test ride so I just need to see if I can get a ride on the ST at Cheltenham or Swindon as Fowlers in Bristol won't let me.

Just need to pass the Mod2 now

[recman]

I did basically the same as you, except I did get to ride a few bikes before I bought mine which I though was most important.
You really cant tell a bikes characteristics just by sitting on it.
See if you can get a test ride on a new Hornet, I found it very easy to ride around an unfamiliar area and didn't have to concentrate on controlling the bike at all.

[ipip]

Street Triple it is

[Northern Pirate]

Ive just done my CBT.Have you had a sit on the ER6-N, feels good for a short arse like me.Can then move on to a Street Triple or a Bonny.NP

[DottyDuck]

[Northern Pirate]

Sorry but Ive looked back along all the posts and can not find a ops post.!

[ipip]