Help a new biker.

[Scrappy_Yapp]

I know this topic has been cover alot of times before. I have searched the whole forum but just couldnt find both of what Im looking for in one thread, so I just would like some info please.

I have newly got my licence. Im 20 and am looking for a first bike.

There are 2 bikes which I am considering. Ones a ZXR400 and the others a Yamaha thundercat.

Im looking for something to ride and gain handling/control experience on. Basically thrash it around corners ...etc

The thundercat looks great, and its a 600 which would probably be good to get used to the weight and handling of a bigger bike. Whereas the zxr is the smaller bike and have great handling and would would probably be more suitable for me to throw around. Both bikes seem generally reliable and insurance is pretty much the same. Just the engine size and weight which is the difference.

Considering that ones a race rep with a smaller engine and the other is a sports tourer with a bigger engine, what kind of advice would you give me?
I know the best option is to try both of the bikes out and probably will, but just wanting a point of view from some people..

Thank you.

[-Savage-]

haven never ridden a 400, but having been on a few 600s, i would say that if your not too mental, a restricted 600 should be a good choice. the extra power, comfort and respect a 600 has will last you longer than a 400, and if you have to step up in bike size, might as well go for the 600.
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My Bikes - - - Royal Enfield 500 with sidecar, VFR800, CBR600FX,
Peugeot Speedfight 100, Kymco Hipster 125, GSXR750K5, Jawa TS 350

[colin1]

it depends on what insurance quotes you get and what you intend to use the bike for.

a lot of young people go for 400's as it may be lower insurance but 400's tend to be more expensive compared with a similar age and mileage 600

Ive not ridden any 400's so I dont know how well they handle, but i got a 2001 tt600 for £1900 and that handles very well. thundercat has better engine but i wanted a 600 that handled well.

if you go for a tt600 dont get a 2000 one though

id leave it until the weather gets better now, and try out a few bikes and see what you like

have a look on ebay at what you can get for your budget. thundercats tend to be about £1500
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Scrappy_Yapp]

Restriction is not a matter. The bike will not be restricted.

Anyidea on which insurance group the tt is under?

Anyone have any other recommendations?

[Barney]

If you visit Bike Direct in Bristol, they have all sorts of 400 imports, like the cbr, rvf, zxr, vfr, yzf. I ride a 400 and they are fast enough for me, especially the zxr, probaly the fastest of the 400's, but as your abit older than me you might feel more comfortable on a 600. Insurance shouldn't be too high at 20.
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CG125|CB400SF|CBR600FX|Triumph Daytona T595|CBR929RR

[Muz_Capone]

Seem thou you are a new rider maybe getting a 400 would help you learn more quickly then a 600. i.e. Momentum, speed control, knee down balance, filtering because it will be easier to handle than a 600 would. Basically you would have more time and opportunity to play around on a 400 then a 600 considering its your first bike.
The advantage of the 600 would be the power and pillion friendlyness and probably more comfortable on long journeys as it is a toruer and thundercats are known for that.

I would say get a 400, a cheap zxr (around £1200-£1800) ride for a couple of years say about 1-2 years gain some NCB and valuable road, ride, bike sense and move on to a bigger bike i.e. R6, Gix 6, Cbr 6, zxr750, R1 which ever one suits you...

Take it easy...

[mchaggis]

How big are you? The Thundercat will be far more comfortable if you're any size at all, especially for pillions. The TCat is especially plush for back seat passengers. Personally, I would go for the Thundercat. You should be able to pick one up for between £1500-2000 without too much trouble.
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Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[Scrappy_Yapp]

I am about 5'11 - 6ft wight 75kg which is about 11.5 stones.

I sat on a cat, but it just felt really big.

[Muz_Capone]

You would eventaully get used to it..just take your time for the first couple of rides nad youll be fine.

But id still recommend a zxr

[bidman]

I'd have to recommend the zxr also, its a fantastic bike to learn on and as the front end is so planted gives you a lot of confidence and you can really play about with it and have a lot fo fun. The thundercat is much more of a heavy touring bike for carryin pillions etc.
It really depends on what you want the bike for, i think you would be best with the zxr
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Don't ride it, RAG IT!!

[wildcat]

Thundercat
I'm only 5'5" and only weigh 7 and a half stone, My zx6 felt heavy and bulky for a while, and yes I did have a few low speed offs because of the weight at the start, but as I've continued to ride her, my muscles haveadapted in all the right places.
Now I can jump onto most bikes confidently.
And the Thundercat is a nice bike to ride too.

[jimbobm]

From the small amount i know (learning) i would say the ZXR would be your best bet. See im not a gambler but i can see that the ZXR is not such a lump for new riders, it dusnt take experiance to know that

[NicM]

Thundercat

Without a shadow of doubt an ideal first bike/big bike. I passed my test in september doing DAS having never ridden anything other than the 125 on my CBT then jumped straight onto the Cat the day after passing my test. Has been very forgiving of my ham fistedness with the brakes, the acceleration is up there with other 600's and if ridden well can keep up with just about everything....as I found out as i went blatting past cbr rr's and zxr at cadwell the other week.

Comfort wise well I'm 6'2" and 15stone and have done 5k miles now in the last 2.5 months with no aches or pains, including riding up to edinburgh from leeds to see family on a few occasions. As for the pillion comfort well my Dad reckons its great as his car was out of action one weekend so did about 130miles with him on the back.

As your only 20 you could get it restricted untill you do a DAS or upgrade to full license when your 21....

[Muz_Capone]

[NicM]

[quote="Muz_Capone
Nice input. But as a first bike, out of what percentage are you riding the cat to its potential?

I would say the zxr would be more suitable as he will be able to ride the bike to its full potentian without pulling something off. Whereas the cat will be the biggger bike and maybe need more cautioan and ride it to its 60%potential whereas he could be riding the ZXR to its 90% potential making it easier to learn on.[/quote]

Despite the extra weight the bike feels surprisingly light on the move. As for riding it to it's potential as with any bike whilst starting off your not likely to ride to it's potential as say 60% potential in the Cat could equate to 90% on the ZXR400. So having the extra potential there to grow into could be a benefit, and was certainly one of my considerations when buying as I didn't want to be changing my bike within the first year or two.

Would certainly agree with you on the caution aspect, as it's got about 100Bhp and R1 brakes which can mean savage acceleration and braking. So far have scared myself a few time's one being the other night when i locked the front whilst filtering, but due to the VERY forgiving nature of the Cat managed to keep it of the deck as the front slid off out to the left and put me in direct line with the oncoming traffic leant over With Scrappy_Yapp being 20 he'd have to have it restricted to begin with so will step into the full power of the Cat having got used to the weight and handling thus allowing him to grow his ability in steps. In the end it comes down to personal preference and to some extent can you trust yourself not to go mental on whichever bike you get. ZXR4 or Cat will both bite if not treated with the respect they are due.

As for me what percentage well I've taken it to probably 80% top speed, pushed the suspension to probably 90% on it's standard settings, and as for its cornering I've taken it to probably 85% when pushing it hard on the twisties north of leeds from devils bridge over towards hawes and masham (one of my favorite routes so far) and on the track. So overall I reckon i'd average out at taking it to 85% of it's ability though that is purely subjective based upon my own riding experience. Though on a day to day basis I tend only to use 40% of it's capabilities as i use it for the commute into leeds so don't get the chance to push it hard. For an independent assessment as to what percentage I ride the bike to ask BlackNight or Extreme3d