New and overwhelmed

[Riejufixing]

Another vote along the lines of c_dug's comment above, first page.

[Peanut_Butter]

I'm ashamed to say I always Intended to look at what the bike was but I used several and if I remembered to look at the start of the lesson I'd forgotten it by the end. It was black 😁 with some red I think haha. Think it was a Kawasaki ER6-N but can't be 100% I intend to go back to the school anyways with some 'treats' as they were so nice to me. So I will ask them.

This thread has been confusing but I've been steered in this direction at least.
1) Decided to buy a cheap run around for a year or two to learn how to ride, as others have said I'm gonna drop it or bash it putting it away (I'm clumsy).
2) Have a think about how much I'm using it and how much time I've got to tinker/clean and how much I can be arsed.
3) See if I can spike my husband's interest in learning.. this again may send me in another direction as then it will probably be used more and he would be the one tinkering haha

4) Going to go have a look around the superbike place to see what's what and what these suggestions all feel like to sit on. I'm fortunate enough that bike size/height/weight is not a long term issue with me as I'm tall and strong.

Another stupid question..generally how does test riding work? I know it will differ from place to place. Do they let you off on your own or are you with someone etc?

[wr6133]

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Polarbear]

Agree with above.

It's actually easier to get a test ride on a new bike from a franchised dealer. They will have dedicated test bikes.

The second hand ones in somewhere like the Superbike Factory probably won't even go into the workshop for the cursory oil change until they are sold.

Many years ago I went to potentially buy a bike from Midland Superbikes. (long since gone - crooks that they were). They wanted a non returnable deposit paid up front for them to check it through the workshop prior to a test ride.

I was told that was normal.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Undinist]

I think a chunk of this 5k should go on an airbag jacket or vest. It ought to be top priority. Especially with the OP being married.
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Current bike: K1100RS. Previous: CD200, GSX250, GT550, VFR750, K100LT, K1100LT, R1100GS, R1150GS, ZZR1100, Hayabusa, RSV Mille, MV F4 750S, R1, ZX-10, KTM Adventure 950S

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

https://media.giphy.com/media/ANbD1CCdA3iI8/giphy.gif
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Peanut_Butter]

[Undinist]

I was talking about your death, which is fairly serious. An airbag is like a helmet for your chest. Before helmets became compulsory, head injury was the leading cause of death. Since then it's been chest injury. So if you think a helmet is an essential safety measure, you should also wear an airbag.
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Current bike: K1100RS. Previous: CD200, GSX250, GT550, VFR750, K100LT, K1100LT, R1100GS, R1150GS, ZZR1100, Hayabusa, RSV Mille, MV F4 750S, R1, ZX-10, KTM Adventure 950S

[Bhud]

[Undinist]

I'm not saying that an unmarried person's life is worth less. (I'm not married.) I'm saying that if you're married, your death is especially damaging to your partner, and it can be seen as selfish to risk your life unnecessarily. (This is not exactly an unusual opinion, is it?)
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Current bike: K1100RS. Previous: CD200, GSX250, GT550, VFR750, K100LT, K1100LT, R1100GS, R1150GS, ZZR1100, Hayabusa, RSV Mille, MV F4 750S, R1, ZX-10, KTM Adventure 950S

[Peanut_Butter]

I understand what your saying completely and I know people can die riding motorbikes I'm not denying that or trying to minimise the risk of that.
My husband has been against me getting a bike for as long as we have been together, he thinks they are too dangerous. Humour is how we get passed that and stop it affecting our relationship because at the end of the day married or unmarried i am my own person. Yes he loves me and would be devastated if anything were to happen but he's not dependent on me. Whatever happens with me his life will continue.

Anyways this is all too morbid... Back on topic I think!!

I will need to purchase a helmet. The one I wore whilst learning was really annoying. Lid shut and it would fog up with two breaths even when moving. Couldn't open it a crack, it was either half or full.
Full and I got eyes full of wind and rain and half and I couldn't see!

[Undinist]

Gotcha. Ali I'm saying is that an airbag is as essential as a helmet. Hardly any bikers would agree. Airbags are new and bikers are conservative. Most see an airbag as a boring uncool overpriced overhead, like insurance. You clearly don't want to reduce your bike budget with this new-fangled airbag notion. You haven't factored it in. Noobs don't. They don't factor in a rather long list of stuff, e.g. advanced training. I was exactly the same. Many things happened, but somehow I'm alive. In fact none of my many, many crashes have needed hospital treatment. I am just trying to forewarn you about things which I have miraculously got away with so far.

Have you been to any bike shows? Have a look at all the people with a limp or a walking stick. They are hugely, massively outnumbered by people who are not at the show because they're dead, crippled or gave up biking after a scare.

Another tip is to get Google News to email you motorcycle stories every day. Lots of deaths and injuries. Here's a good one: https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/rayleigh-biker-who-died-after-3845060
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Current bike: K1100RS. Previous: CD200, GSX250, GT550, VFR750, K100LT, K1100LT, R1100GS, R1150GS, ZZR1100, Hayabusa, RSV Mille, MV F4 750S, R1, ZX-10, KTM Adventure 950S

[hellkat]

If it helps you feel better, I've been riding over 20 years now and I still know stuff-all about bikes except how to ride them.

But what I do know is that they are fun and they can change your life, usually for the better.

I flew to Milan once, bought a bike and rode it back to London. I can't be arsed finding the thread (which was started by someone else not brave enough to buy it herself) ... but it was an adventure on its own.

I do agree with him ^up there^ that its a good idea to have a go on a few different sorts, cos the engines can be really different, not to mention the riding position - and it does affect your perception of how much you are enjoying riding it.

But that's the main thing : enjoying it.
Cos you will: it gets in your system and you can't get it out again
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Easy-X]

[Easy-X]

Also, how dodgy do you fucks look?! I went into the Honda dealer and I didn't even have a licence - just the bit of paper from the Mod 2 - and they let me out on a bike no problems... was only a Rebel though
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[hellkat]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[chickenstrip]

Peanut_Butter, what drew you to motorcycles in the first place?
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Peanut_Butter]

Family always had them growing up and I always wanted to ride, I loved being a passenger but I like to be in control.

It's taken so long because of uni, money, injuries and other priorities. I have a 50 mile round trip into Manchester daily for work and timing and money is good and thought this would help. My husband has a hobby which means he's stuck at home all day and I thought I could disappear for a few hours and have some me time.

I also have a stupid romantic notion of warm summer evenings riding to Southport etc

[seeyalater]

this forum is great for ideas on getting your head in the right zone, youtube also a great tool.

5k is huge for a starter bike, in my opinion anyway, i saw some shite for under 2k but also saw some beauties. one was 2001 bandit with less than 5k miles for £1300, i missed it as couldnt get it home..but fot a 2007 bandit for less than 2k. my mate for a retro cafe racer bmw for £1500.
depends where you are maybe but search preloved, ebay and biketrader and then look at insurances to narrow it down.. although with cash spare your ok.. another mate got nearly new speed tripple for 6k and his insurance is about 1k per year, but hes happy.

[chickenstrip]

It's not a stupid notion at all, and bikes are really all about 'me' time

And although I've never been a great fan of commuting, if you have to do it, a bike can certainly make it more enjoyable.

If an ER6 is what you learned on and you don't remember anything about them you didn't particularly like, seems as good a place as any to start. They've been around long enough that you should be able to find something in good nick and well within budget, and should also tick all your initial boxes until you learn a bit more about bikes in general.
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[seeyalater]

[hellkat]

[Teflon-Mike]