The obligatory "I Passed!" thread

[TallPaul_S]

So, like many before me and many after me, I passed mod 1 (zero faults, a clean sheet) and Mod 2 today (2 minor faults).

L Plates have already been taken off the varadero and I'm now planning some test rides next week/this weekend if it's not pishing it down all weekend.

Got a few bikes on my list to test ride/look at/sit on/stroke/finger. These being:

F800ST/S
FZ6 Fazer
CB/CBF500
Hornet
CBR600F (2001 onwards, with FI)
SV650
Thundercat

BMW F650CS - there's one at a local dealer, £1700, factory heated grips, ABS, FI, Belt drive... they're weird as hell looking but god damnit I'm tempted to take a proper look, strange single that they are

And the Street triple, Aprilia Shiver (ducati hyper motard, 696/796, aprilia dorsoduro, KTM 950SM) but these are more for when I can get a nicer bike next spring, need something relatively cheap and winterproof at the moment (sub £2k and capable of doing 200 miles a week in all weathers). I paid £1700 for the vara so would love to do a straight swap at a dealer.
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00 Honda VFR800 | 09 Aprilia Tuono Factory
CBT 06/03/2014 | Mod 1 and Mod 2 passed 15/10/2014

[Rogerborg]

Nice one!

A world of possibilities awaits. I'm also intrigued by the CS, although do run it at speed so see how vibey it is.
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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

[Northern Monkey]

[TallPaul_S]

Yeah I'll give it a spin, will definitely take it on the motorway to see how vibey it gets. Only thing is I might need to wear a paper bag over my head, it's not exactly a beautiful bike is it
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00 Honda VFR800 | 09 Aprilia Tuono Factory
CBT 06/03/2014 | Mod 1 and Mod 2 passed 15/10/2014

[bikertomm]

Congrats.

For the bike, what purpose will it serve - commuting or just for fun - or both?

Budget?

Then I will proceed to post pics of my hornet.


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[TallPaul_S]

[bikertomm]

Oh right, in that case I won't say get a hornet then

Thundercat sounds a good option, can be had relatively cheap.

Infact most on that list will be fine, especially if you are looking to get another next summer.
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Matt B]

[TallPaul_S]

[TallPaul_S]

[TallPaul_S]

So looks like my budget is going up a little, due to the fact that I need to part-ex my varadero - don't have room for 2 bikes and I'd need to sell the vara pretty much right away after replacing it - and very few dealers have stock of bikes under £2k. Should only lose a couple of hundred quid of trade in (paid £1700) so now looking at around £2500 give or take a few hundred for haggle room.

This now opens up a fair few more bikes, everything from a 650 V-Strom (nice, comfy, big, but I don't think the style of bike I'm after) to an Aprilia Shiver (just in budget, sort of! ) which is much, much more like it

Shame VFR's are nearly a grand insurance as there's plenty of these about at that price.
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00 Honda VFR800 | 09 Aprilia Tuono Factory
CBT 06/03/2014 | Mod 1 and Mod 2 passed 15/10/2014

[Snowdonia Rider]

A grand insurance? Where did you get your quotes from? Should it be that high? Mind me asking how old you are?
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I want your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
Suzuki GP125 Suzuki GSX600F Suzuki SV650S KTM EXC250F SkyTeam Bongo 125
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SnowdoniaRider

[P.]

Thundercats are fairly decent, some prefer the CBR600F, I didn't.

If you buy one, make sure its got stainless headers.

For the trip you suggest, 200 miles a week, a triple would cost you £30 in fuel. Not bad given that you can have a laugh with it!

However, depends on what else you want it for, any bike can do commuting really, but if you want to have fun at the weekends or try a trackday, the triple or sporty-ish 600 is the way to go.

[Nash GT]

I was also intrigued by the F650CS, having owned a Vara during my CBT stint, saw a couple with plenty of factory toys at decent prices but upon closer inspection I decided it was too cosmetically challenged for me.

I went onto looking at a CBR600F and 2006 Fazer FZ6,
loved the CBR but wasn't able to find a tidy FI for the budget I had in mind, ended up with a 55 Reg FZ6.

So far it has been a good all rounder, gearbox could be a touch smoother though
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Suzuki GSF600N

[TallPaul_S]

[Snowdonia Rider]