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First big bike

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Paulo87
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 12 Sep 2021
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PostPosted: 17:47 - 22 Apr 2022    Post subject: First big bike Reply with quote

Hello again,
After getting my YBR125 7 months ago, I want to get a proper big bike.

Around 650cc sounds sensible - not to big for a newb, not too small that I'll get bored.

I have been browsing Autotrader for things that may be in budget, and made a few trips to local 2nd hand bike dealers (CMC Cannock, Highway Wolverhampton)

The list of candidates keeps growing, so I'd like some help narrowing it down.

Practically, I need it for commuting (40 minutes each way) and for taking my wife/son out in summer for the odd afternoon trip.

Budget is £3500 ish. 15 years old is about my limit. Don't mind high miles on a reliable bike...

The pillion seat must be inviting (low and wide) not a perch - a stipulation from SWMBO.
Also, I'm 5'6 and slim, so nothing to tall or heavy is going to work for me.

That said, I like the look of the Triumph Bonneville the most (even with more than 650cc), otherwise I like a lot of the Jap bikes...


EDIT : thanks to Easy-X, I've crossed off a few due to weight / seat height

Triumph Bonneville 227kg, 29.5"
Suzuki V-STROM 650 214 kg, 33"
Suzuki GSR600 (K9?) - 208 kg, 31"
Aprilia SHIVER 220 kg, 32"
Suzuki Gladius 650 - 205 kg, 31"
Kawasaki Z650 - 187 kg, 31"
Kawasaki Versys 650 206 kg, 33"
Honda NC750 SA 216 kg, 31"
Suzuki SV650S - 202 kg, 31.5"
Honda CBF600 220 kg, 31"
Kawasaki W800 216 kg, 31"
Yamaha XSR700 - 186 kg, 32"
Yamaha FZ6 600 216 kg, 31"
Honda CB600F (thanks @Stinkwheel)

I haven't been able to see most of these in the flesh. It'd be great to knock some off the list that obviously won't be right.
Any recommendations would be appreciated too.

Thanks,
Paul
____________________
'09 Yamaha YBR 125, '10 Yamaha XJ6 Diversion, '10 BMW F650GS


Last edited by Paulo87 on 20:29 - 14 May 2022; edited 5 times in total
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Easy-X
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PostPosted: 18:49 - 22 Apr 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

I know the MT07, XSR700, SV650 very well and all of them are manageable for your size.

I would suggest striking off all the bikes over 33" / 84cm seat height and anything over 200kg (unless you hit the gym a lot!)
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to v or not to v
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Joined: 24 Nov 2020
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PostPosted: 19:13 - 22 Apr 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

the Royal Enfield 650 interceptor/continental is a popular bike. you might be able to find one around that price now?
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Paulo87
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Joined: 12 Sep 2021
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PostPosted: 19:28 - 22 Apr 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Easy-X wrote:
I know the MT07, XSR700, SV650 very well and all of them are manageable for your size.

I would suggest striking off all the bikes over 33" / 84cm seat height and anything over 200kg (unless you hit the gym a lot!)


Thanks.

Is there a good site to get all bike technical specs in one place?

Or just Google each one individually?
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'09 Yamaha YBR 125, '10 Yamaha XJ6 Diversion, '10 BMW F650GS
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A100man
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PostPosted: 19:28 - 22 Apr 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Confusing this - thought you were 'Three Post Paul' for a minute or two..

.. The Shiver would get my vote, cos Italian innit., and that's always cool. Plus the slightly rare factor..
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Nobby the Bastard
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PostPosted: 19:31 - 22 Apr 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your taller than me....
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha
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PostPosted: 20:11 - 22 Apr 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

i feel like the er6-f will be a bit lighter and generally easier - i.e. lower seat height, presumably - as the roadster i.e. 'normal' er6-f won't have as long travel suspension as some sort of 'adventure' styled bike i.e. the Versys version of the 650. Blah.
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Ayrton
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PostPosted: 20:40 - 22 Apr 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a sv650s and I think it makes a good first big bike. You can get a pretty good one for around £2k too. V-strom might be a bit heavy and too tall.
This website might help you see what different bikes are like for your size
https://cycle-ergo.com/
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struan80
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PostPosted: 20:57 - 22 Apr 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would go for the Z650 out of that lot, bugger the pillion. If they want a ride get their own blooming bike.

Also consider Ninja 650 or a CBR 650. Both can take pillions relatively comfortably. Modern bikes and they actually have a fuel gauge.
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Keithy
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PostPosted: 00:26 - 23 Apr 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

You need to try each, something I find uncomfortable may fit you perfectly. I’m 6’1 but short inside leg, I found the Shiver, which I love, quite intimidating as a potential first bike.

Couple of us here got the ER6-F, like it, and have lived to tell the tale. Personally I think it’s a great first bike. Try one.
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Diggs
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PostPosted: 11:46 - 23 Apr 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

You could do far worse than buying the latest, low mileage CBR600F you can (3k ish) and spending the rest on beer and a prostitute.
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Paulo87
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Joined: 12 Sep 2021
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PostPosted: 11:50 - 11 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Having had my first A-licence lesson last Wednesday, I was hooked.
I rode an old (T reg) Bandit, and a Gladius. Neither quite right for me...
The Bandit was fun but so old it was like riding a tractor (they seriously need to upgrade that bike). The Gladius was better - all that torque was awesome, but I was working my way around to wanting something with fairings.

I fell for a Fazer in a local garage. It was beautiful, just a bit too much money considering the age/miles.

So, still full of excitement, I went on ebay and bought this 2010 Yamaha XJ6 Diversion with 11k miles (advert says 18k, but it's km!), great condition... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255514756251 which at the time seemed like a good idea, and a bargain.

But I'm feeling a bit stupid now - I couldn't test ride it, as I don't have my licence yet, and I need to wait 6 weeks for my tests Rolling Eyes
The chap selling it was kind enough to deliver it to me...
Sitting on in and revving it is bound to get old soon Laughing
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blamski
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PostPosted: 13:38 - 11 May 2022    Post subject: Re: First proper bike Reply with quote

Paulo87 wrote:
Hello again,
After getting my YBR125 7 months ago, I want to get a proper bike.

l



I don't care about the rest of your post, but as a proud YBR125 owner I'm deeply offended by this
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ThunderGuts
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PostPosted: 14:05 - 11 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Noting you've already bought a bike, but weight alone isn't actually completely relevant as it's not as if you literally pick the bike up off the ground. Where the weight is make more of a difference; you discounted a Bonnie because it's 227kg (presume this was a Street Twin as I had one and it weighed that) But, it was easier to manage than the 178kg ER5 because the weight on the Bonnie was so low down. The only time you ever felt it was pushing it about.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 14:23 - 11 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

No Honda hornet on that list (CB600F). There should be.
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Paulo87
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PostPosted: 20:28 - 14 May 2022    Post subject: Re: First proper bike Reply with quote

blamski wrote:
Paulo87 wrote:
Hello again,
After getting my YBR125 7 months ago, I want to get a proper bike.

l



I don't care about the rest of your post, but as a proud YBR125 owner I'm deeply offended by this


Yeah tbh I like the YBR. Just the 125cc is lame.
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'09 Yamaha YBR 125, '10 Yamaha XJ6 Diversion, '10 BMW F650GS
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recman
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PostPosted: 20:53 - 14 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Spring for another 25cc on top of the 650.
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BRUN
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 10 Oct 2020
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PostPosted: 16:04 - 17 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

ive got a Bonneville and the weight is very low down, only feels heavy if your pushing it about, once your on it i dont really notice it, I can flat foot both sides at once too sat on it, although im 6ft+, i would have a sit on one, maybe a test ride ?

is their a particular style of bike you like, or would suit you best ?
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Irezumi
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PostPosted: 11:34 - 28 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Easy-X wrote:
I know the MT07, XSR700, SV650 very well and all of them are manageable for your size.

I would suggest striking off all the bikes over 33" / 84cm seat height and anything over 200kg (unless you hit the gym a lot!)

Sorry but going to completely disagree with this. I'm 5"7 and although I do use the gym I'm hardly big.

There are so many factors in play as to why I get on with a bike or not, this isn't related to being a beginner either. Seat width plays a massive part, one of my first big bikes was an old ZX-6R, wide seat which made it a bit more difficult. A bigger issue I have found is reach to the bars makes a big difference to how comfortable I am. The shorter the distance between bars and seat the better. Just sit on as much as you can and see which feels best to you.

At 5"6 you're going to have to learn to only put one foot down at a time, particularly if there's a camber to the road, it's fine. The weight is almost irrelevant as well I find, unless you're having to pick it up.

I'd definitely chuck the Bonneville back in as an option as it's low and easily manageable. Same with Kawa W800 and CBF600. Fazer/FZ600's are a doddle as well, good first bike and I would definitely take the Yamaha over a GSR600 which is just a bland bike. Out of those if I was in your position though I'd buy the best Suzuki SV650/Gladius or XSR700 if I wanted a naked bike and the Fazer if I wanted more wind protection.
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Nobby the Bastard
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PostPosted: 11:57 - 28 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Irezumi wrote:

At 5"6 you're going to have to learn to only put one foot down at a time.


That's bollocks. I'm 5'4 and the only bike I've had to do that with was a crazy enduro that I think Paddy brought to a bbq one year.
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grr666
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PostPosted: 13:25 - 28 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm 6ft and can't flat foot both sides on my MT09 but that said the sport tracker variant has a higher seat than the standard model.
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Easy-X
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PostPosted: 21:26 - 28 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Irezumi wrote:
Sorry but going to completely disagree with this.


Completely disagree with a suggestion?! I cite an SV650 as a potential bike and then you mention it as well. Make your mind up Wink
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struan80
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PostPosted: 23:46 - 28 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

CBR650R would be my favourite 650. R6 as my favourite 600. What are your thoughts now OP?
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Irezumi
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PostPosted: 11:34 - 29 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Easy-X wrote:
Irezumi wrote:
Sorry but going to completely disagree with this.


Completely disagree with a suggestion?! I cite an SV650 as a potential bike and then you mention it as well. Make your mind up Wink

Mostly completely disagree Laughing
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CorriganJ
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PostPosted: 00:59 - 30 May 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

I always liked the look of the XJ6 - they are cheap too. Something I have my eye on for a "one day" bike
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