Help & FAQs    Search BCF    Members    Groups    Events Calendar
Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


2 wheels at last..

 Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> New Bikers
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

Rich003
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 17 Sep 2016
Karma :
PostPosted: 17:53 - 21 Sep 2016    Post subject: 2 wheels at last.. Reply with quote
Finally got around to getting on 2 wheels, only taken a few decades!

Looking around for my first bike,
A couple I'm thinking about,
Kawasaki ZXR 400 - 14yrs old
Kawasaki ninja 250r - 7 yrs old

Old and new, I've seen a few 250r so far and like them, yet to have a look at the 400 though, haven't counted out other sport bikes, I will be using it for a bit of commuting and the usual weekend fun, with a £2k budget.

Hopefully get something soon.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

arry
Super Spammer



Joined: 03 Jan 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 18:26 - 21 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
What licence do you have?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Rich003
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 17 Sep 2016
Karma :
PostPosted: 18:46 - 21 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Full-Category A
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

UncleFester
World Chat Champion



Joined: 30 Jun 2013
Karma :
PostPosted: 18:57 - 21 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
FireBusa Smile
____________________
2017 Z1000SX
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

arry
Super Spammer



Joined: 03 Jan 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:16 - 21 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rich003 wrote:
Full-Category A


Then what gives with the small capacity?

Nothing wrong with it, just be interesting to know why you're thinking that way, as we can probably steer you a bit better on alternatives.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Rich003
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 17 Sep 2016
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:29 - 21 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Steer away please. No reason really for a smaller capacity, but as I'm about 5'5 I would like a bike with a lowish seat height.
But would appreciate more ideas.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

arry
Super Spammer



Joined: 03 Jan 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:33 - 21 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rich003 wrote:
Steer away please. No reason really for a smaller capacity, but as I'm about 5'5 I would like a bike with a lowish seat height.
But would appreciate more ideas.


TBH, with full A licence and £2k in your sky rocket, I'd not be looking at the smaller capacity 300's and the like, nor the older 400's which you'll be struggling to find a good example of anyway.

Just grab a 600. Presumably if you've gone full A then you're not a particularly young chap, so insurance won't be too much of a killer. In that category there's much more choice.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

UncleFester
World Chat Champion



Joined: 30 Jun 2013
Karma :
PostPosted: 06:09 - 22 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rich003 wrote:
Steer away please. No reason really for a smaller capacity, but as I'm about 5'5 I would like a bike with a lowish seat height.
But would appreciate more ideas.


Once again, it ain't your height that defines seat height, it's inside leg measurement.

If you're of normal proportions with an inside leg that isn't < 28" then you've a wider choice of bikes that will fit.

Take yourself down to the local bike shop and put your leg over some stuff and see what feels right.
____________________
2017 Z1000SX
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Rich003
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 17 Sep 2016
Karma :
PostPosted: 06:38 - 22 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
I know that the seat width will be different etc, so the only way is to try some different models.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

UncleFester
World Chat Champion



Joined: 30 Jun 2013
Karma :
PostPosted: 07:19 - 22 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
https://cycle-ergo.com/

Wish BCF would just sticky this site Smile
____________________
2017 Z1000SX
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Holdawayt
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Karma :
PostPosted: 07:26 - 22 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
As the others have said, I went for a '99 hornet 600 and have loved it. But my budget was a quarter of yours.

Do you plan on doing much touring or just pottering about? Naked 600s are great for a mix of commuting and weekend blasts.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Rogerborg
nimbA



Joined: 26 Oct 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 08:55 - 22 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rich003 wrote:
Full-Category A

So you passed your tests recently on a 600+ bike? Then I'd suggest that you get a 600+ bike. If you fancy fairings, then you can get an ER6F in budget. Slap a "Ninja" sticker on it, job done. Or the default choice is the CBR600F if you want to swap roll on torque for more revs and top end.

You can go smaller, and some of us do. I'm currently commuting on a 250R and actively enjoying it, but you do need to be active on it, staying in low gears and chasing the limiter to make progress.

A biggish twin will be a lot more relaxed and flexible. You don't have to ride it any faster, it won't even necessarily use more fuel when ridden at the same speed as a smaller bike, but you will be able to tap into instant acceleration when you need it. Switching between my 800GS (or even the Enfield) to the 250R sometimes catches me out and leaves me twisting for acceleration that isn't there.

Why not get the smaller bike and work up? Because you're already used to the power and torque of the bigger one, and because there isn't much of a market for small capacity bikes so you may take a bath on one when you do decide to move up.

Bear in mind that you can always try a smaller bike later, or add it to your stable. I love having a range of bikes to ride to suit my mood and the weather. The only wrong answer is to have no bike. Wink
____________________
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
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Rich003
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 17 Sep 2016
Karma :
PostPosted: 09:17 - 22 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks Rogerborg, what you say makes a lot of sense. I'm trying not to get to 'hung-up' on the cc's, as they all deliver the power/torque in different ways & which is why asking for other people thoughts is so helpful.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Rogerborg
nimbA



Joined: 26 Oct 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 09:42 - 22 Sep 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
It's very much a matter of personal preference, so I would urge you to try before you buy.

If you're particularly tall or short or have any joint issues, I'd also suggest having a look on https://cycle-ergo.com/ - the riding position on a ZXR 400 is much more radical than a Ninja 250 / ER6, or even a CBR600F.
____________________
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
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 9 years, 144 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> New Bikers All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
 You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 
Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.08 Sec - Server Load: 0.5 - MySQL Queries: 14 - Page Size: 79.73 Kb