New and overwhelmed

[Peanut_Butter]

Hi all

Passed my MOD2 yesterday.. don't know what i want or what i want it for if i'm honest.
Dad had bikes and i always fancied one, did my CBT in 2010 and then did nothing with it.
Decided to try again and got to the end point. My first thought was to ease the commute into Manchester when the weather is better and then try make use of it on a weekend, the odd trip out or to make normal errands that bit more interesting!

I will confess to knowing nothing about bikes really and i don't know where to start.
My budget is 5k-ish but don't need to spend all of that.
I like the look of the retro stuff but not sure that's the type of bike i want or will suit what i need it for.
I also want something that I'm not going to get bored of.. but I'm not the most confident to go out and buy something scary.

Anyone recommend a good article to read on bikes for dummies? So when i do start looking i know what i'm looking at!

Thanks guys

[Freddyfruitba...]

Have you tried the sticky threads at the top of this very forum? A good place to start.
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[AldridgePrior]

Hello there.

You like the look of the retro stuff? Home retro are we talking?

[linuxyeti]

[c_dug]

£5k is a healthy budget, even half that will get you something nice enough to start on.

General good advice is to get a year or so under your belt on something cheap and cheerful, to get any slow speeds drops out of the way on a bike you wont cry over.

The rest of your money will sit nicely until the following summer, when you've learned a little bit more about what you like and are a bit more confident on two wheels.

Nice middle of the road option for a year or two would be an SV650 like so.
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[linuxyeti]

[Polarbear]

Well I will be the complete antithesis of linuxyeti and say don't get any of them as a first bike.

Get a machine from a mainstream manufacturer that is supported in your area.

There are plenty of retro/naked style bikes to chose from that will be reliable and fun to ride. Make some decisions on what you like. Go to bike shops and sit on them. Get a test ride if you can.
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[linuxyeti]

[CorriganJ]

[Polarbear]

[chickenstrip]

I think a good do-it-all bike is where you should start. Something that performs reasonably at most tasks. What used to be known as an all-rounder; a rarity these days.

I would suggest a Fazer 600, 98-03, or maybe a Hornet. These bikes will give you something of everything, and then you can find out what you like best about them, what you don't like, and hone a future choice that way. They'll at least be fairly reliable assuming you manage to pick a good, looked-after example, cope with any commute you want to do and give you a taste of the more fun side of things. And they won't break the bank to run or if you drop them.
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[Polarbear]

^^^ Agreed^^^

You can get a decent example of any of the all rounders, Fazers, Bandits, Hornets, ER6s or even SV's if you are so inclined. You can get a good example of any of them and still have change from your budget.

How about a pink Gladius

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/usedphotosna/70568742_614.jpg
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Andy_Pagin]

Another vote for the 'foxeye' Fazer. I got over fifty thousand miles out of mine. Really is a good all rounder and ideal first big bike.
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[andym]

Look for an old ratty bike for less than a grand that you won't give a shit about, thrash (what remains of) the arse off it then flog it for as close to the price you paid when you've got bored/destroyed it, then do the same again until you've got a bit of experience under your belt.

Use that first bike as a learning tool for riding, maintenance, dropping and basically fucking up in all weather conditions..... you'll find that no matter how bad the weather is, how miserable your commute is... you'll still reach your destination with a grin on your face

[chickenstrip]

[andym]

[Polarbear]

You can get a perfectly good bike for a couple of grand that won't leave you stuck at the side of the road once a week or whatever.

£2000 is a reasonable sum I would suggest. Plenty of decent bikes on ebay for that or less.
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[chickenstrip]

[Peanut_Butter]

Thank you for all your replies

I am torn between the practical and the pretty..
That RE is right up my street and is completely something that I would go for.
Someone said up above that it's all about how the bike feels, whilst learning I experienced a twin an a 4 and I liked the smoothness (if that's the right word) of the 4. But I can appreciate how the other "feel" would better suit another bike.

I'm thinking that the sensible thing to do would be to buy something cheap to learn to ride on then get the bike I really want in a year or two.
My dad (fortunately) could always help if I run into mechanical issues and my husband is technically minded so don't think it will be the end of the world if something goes wrong.

[chickenstrip]

[Riejufixing]

[Skudd]

£5k budget? That will be £3K for a bike and the rest on gear and security with a bit to one side if repairs are needed.

If you live near Manchester take a trip up to Superbike Factory. There are some good and bad stories about the place. I have had three bikes from there with no issues, the best thing about the place are that there are loads of bikes in all shapes and sizes just to try and sit on. See how they look and feel. Then if you see something you like you can either go elsewhere or get it from there. As for which bike, that's up to you as you are the one living with it.

As for gear... J&S in Northwich. Go in there and you will come out fully geared up to your needs. YOUR NEEDS not others. Set a budget and you will be fine. £500 is more than plenty for first time gear.
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[Peanut_Butter]

[linuxyeti]

[linuxyeti]