[tsovimnpb]

Well, me and a mate are going on the Direct Access Biker course, which basically gives the basic CBT (therefore allowing you after 1 day to take upto a 125cc (14hp) out on the road for upto 2 years on your own as long as you have L Plates... however, that's the first session on the 8th April. Th remaining sessions are for the bigger 500cc bikes... so basically after 4-5 sessions, and a couple of exams... we should be ready to rock and ride anything we want to.

Now, with my sensible head on... I was going to just ride around on my mine/sons Honda CRB 125 which we currently own and neitehr can ride lol for a few months.... (see below)



However, a few biker friends etc, have said that 125 just isn't big enough for duel carriage ways and motorways and not powerful enough blah blah... also they said I'll get bored VERY quickly.

So, was contemplating onriding for say a few weeks after I've passed which should be start of May... then upgrade possibly to a Kawasaki Ninja 250cc (see below)...






Then said mates said the same thing... might not be powerful enough blah blah. Now, I know I'm doing my full test, and in theory should be ok on a 500cc... but there only seems a couple of 500cc in the UK, Suzuki GS500F and the Kawasaki GPZ500 (in the states this is a Ninja 500)





So, my question really is, once people had their full licence, what do they recommend, something powerful enough to be safe, look decent BUT not throw me off because it's too powerful for what will be little expereince?? How did they work their way up the power ladder etc? Also, any additional advice etc, go for it. Also, I'm 6ft 1" tall and normally weigh around 12st 2lbs... with a 32" inside leg... not sure if that would have any effect on bikes people may or maynot reccomend?

[gueremaisse]

Waits for-FuryX-,to reply..[popcorn]

[EjPWyPm4]

Get a GSXR600 and limit it to 33bhp (suzuki do a kit) then once you get bored take the limiter off.

[q9h9pPne]

I'm currently riding round on a 125cc on a CBT, and it'll do 60 no problem, but dont even bother trying to overtake, and dont try riding into the wind on a windy day, you'll be doing about 45mph. I wish i'd done all this years ago. I wouldn't buy a big bike til' after I had passed my tests the temptation to take it out would be too great, big mistake.

[strongjannabiz]

I started on a 84 GR650 and currently own a KLR 650, now neither one of those is a big HP producer but certainly heavier bikes with a little more power than a modern 250. For a guy of your size I would go with an older 500cc bike, not enough power to get you in trouble that fast, but enough that you can still have fun. I wouldn't recommend buying a brand new bike as your first, odds are you will damage it in some way, maybe not crash it, but dropped it at low speed or forgetting to put the kick stand down is less painful if its a little beat up in the first place.

[syptopsygieds]

Have you had the 125 out on the motorway yet to see if it does actually restrict you?

I would agree that it's probably a bit small for you but many years ago a GF had a 125 2 stroke and at the time I was just over 6' and a skinny 13st. It would hussle along pretty well and would have been a good learner bike as you got used to homicidal motorists - especially round town it was plenty good enough to keep up with traffic.
As for getting 500+cc bikes, that's going to come down to what suits YOU - you may find a 250 is fine if you're just using it for running around and light touring and you're not into street racing/high speed riding.
Similarly, you may find you prefer a motard or 'cruiser' style bike, rather than a sports bike - or may even decide a bike isn't for you after all.

See if you can borrow some of your friends' bikes, so you get an idea without having to buy something you may regret later.

[tiereenny]

I cant ride on the motorway at the moment, but I can drive on it, on a 125cc, I would find a lorry doing 50-60mph and just sit a bit behind it.

[tadacia]

Ive had several bikes but nothing is beter then my Africa Twin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9tPkA1ojNE

[sarasaraseda]

If you're getting a tourer then the two 500's would be ample. It all depends on how you want to ride.

I started with a VFR400 NC30 and I learnt more on that than my pals on the bigger 600 sports bikes, I could corner faster and was more confident on the limit.

If you're just using it as a mode of transport and the occasional squirt down the A roads then go with the bigger Engine bikes, they'll feel super fast at first but after a couple of months you'll be wanting more power.

Compared to the CB500's you'll (probably) be learning on they are light years apart and a darn site quicker.
Even going to the VFR from the CB500 felt like I'd jumped on a rocket ship.

Good luck and have fun!

[freevideoandoicsI]

Yeah basically it'll be for travelling to work most days to save money and then having a blast etc... I'm not sure how I'll take to it, but love fast cars... so, who knows... just don't want something I'll die within 1 week thats' all lol

[oemcheapdownload]

Well first off, you won't want a full on sports bike like a GSXR or Ninja if you are commuting on a regular basis otherwise within a month your back will be crying out for a rest! Not only that, but you will get a new ******** ripped in terms of insurance! What you need is something that does not require to lay over the tank, or want to run @ 10,000 revs all the time. I sell bike insurance for a living, and ride as well. Ideally you want something between 500 - 650cc which gives you power as well as fuel efficiency.

So some suggestions:

1. Kawasaki ER5 6- F
2. Honda CB 600F
3. Suzuki Gladius
4. Suzuki Bandit
5. Yamaha XJ6 Diversion
6. Kawasaki Er 5
7. Kawsaki GPZ 500

All of the above are cheap as chips to insure, have a good range of power, good fuel economy and a sensible first bike. Oh and forget the Ninja 250, I only ever sell insurance on them to girls under 25 [rofl]

[CxofxJFm]

From that, you may want to consider one of the Motard style bikes - they're quite popular here with people looking for a similar ride to you.
They can also be very effective back road weapons, from what those I know who ride them say.

Something like this as a commuter biased bike - http://powersports.honda.com/2009/cr...fications.aspx (BTW, 83mp(US)g is more than 100mp(UK)g.
For faster unning, something like - http://powersports.honda.com/2009/xr...fications.aspx.

All the main bike manufacturers make them and there would have to be one to suit your needs - just make sure they swap out the compromised 'motard' tyres for some decent road ones first.

You'll be doing this before you know it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7fn1...eature=related

[BartRonalds]

Waits for-FuryX-,to reply..[popcorn]

I'm a little late to the party, I think. And apparently, British motorcycle tastes and habits differ greatly from the Dutch ways! I started out on an FZR600, an old sports bike that would barely even be considered sporty anymore over here, but its racing genes are undeniable. Nothing wrong with power, it's all about your own wrist and control. Basically, any bike of 600cc or more should suit anyone just fine, and which type of bike you pick depends on personal taste.

Got an YZF750 now, though it's at the workshop for repairs...

[Lgcjqxlw]

Ok cheers everyone, did some insurance quotes and couldn't believe how cheap it was, a Suzuki SV650S 2002 model worth £2000 was £140 fully comp... not bad that was expecting alot more for a 650cc bike... so...

Well week tomorrow and it'll be the CBT... then start of proper lessons.

[TolleyBoymn]

I've been riding a 400cc bandit for 2 years now. I've considered buying something bigger and faster, but everytime I realize a 400cc is so much fun. Basically it depends on what you want from a bike. I like riding twisties and the 400 is perfect for that, so agile. It doesn't have a lot of power but the gearing is very short and it has non-linear power band so it's still OK. In fact i think it's a lot better than having a R1 which does 150km/h in 1st gear.

However if you're gonna do lots of highway or long miles something more than a 400cc would be better.
It comes down to:
1) fairing/no fairing
2) (v-)twin/4-cil (or maybe even 1 or 3 cilinder but less common)
3) budget
4) purpose

Fill it in

[heennaRaf]

Ok cheers everyone, did some insurance quotes and couldn't believe how cheap it was, a Suzuki SV650S 2002 model worth £2000 was £140 fully comp... not bad that was expecting alot more for a 650cc bike... so...

Well week tomorrow and it'll be the CBT... then start of proper lessons.

Yup, very cheap to insure ( all the ones I listed are mainly in that range too ) and a twin like my old ER5. However it has a bit of a reputation as a girls bike, and I mean that literally. If you are going to do a lot of motorway riding, you are defo going to want a screen and some fairing. Doing long distance without those on the motorway is not much fun!

[eI7iqNot]

So, my question really is, once people had their full licence, what do they recommend, something powerful enough to be safe, look decent BUT not throw me off because it's too powerful for what will be little expereince?? How did they work their way up the power ladder etc? Also, any additional advice etc, go for it. Also, I'm 6ft 1" tall and normally weigh around 12st 2lbs... with a 32" inside leg... not sure if that would have any effect on bikes people may or maynot reccomend?

My first bike was a '96 Suzuki Bandit 600. Personally, I'd never go anything less than a 500cc, but I weigh ~220lbs. If I were planning to have a passenger too, I'd definitely want ~750+. For a new rider a 500-600cc bike should be fine as long as you're careful, and be sure to let the engine warm up if it's carbuerated.

Trying to find a decent used sv650, sv1000, fz6, fz1 or something similar now. Found a 2001 Ducati Monster 750 Dark. Poster's asking $5000, but KBB retail is $3000... If I could get it for $2500-3000 I definitely would.

[AutocadOemM]

and be sure to let the engine warm up if it's carbuerated.

Also if it has injection

[Civilrecordzz]

Well, I've made my choice, as in the one I want (although this could change once I ride one next month assuming I pass my bigboy test lol).... and it's a Honda CBR600F Sport from around the 2001 era (as it was the change in shape to a more angular look) in RED/BLACK... cost around £2200 for a good one... infact something along these lines will do me fine as in below... although for some reason this looks orange, it's actually red... think this guys done a few things to this one... powder coated the wheels, nice can etc... however this will be mine... oh yes.. it shall be mine...



So, Monday marks the 4rd session of the Direct Access course... I've done around 350 miles on the CBR125 now, so feeling decent. Monday is the first time on the bigboy 600cc jobbies... think they're around the 65-70bhp mark, not massive BUT enough of an upgrade from what I've been riding lol... so session on Monday, then another 4 hour session on Wednesday... then it could be time for the tests?!?!

Cheers for the all help and possibles fellas... much appreciated... spent alot of time thinking of ones... came down to a few actually the Kawasaki ER6's, Suzuki SV650's... Yamaha XJ6... but think from what alot of "bike" people say the CBR600 is a bike that you could well keep for years... and isn't quite as insane as the RR, the R1's etc etc... performance when you want it but can be a little more subtle... sure it'd still kill me in a second though with 108bhp lol

[shihoodiacarf]

MMm, bike is nice but the paintwork is horrible lol, but hey it is personal taste. Be careful with modded bikes, the things you have listed are classed as modifications and you HAVE to declare them when taking out insurance otherwise it is invalid. I would advised against taking one out on the net if modded, best to call someone and declare over the phone.

Oh and white rimmed wheels, are you sure lol.