Suitable and Unsuitable 1st Big Bikes

[Jez ZR]

I may have missed it on the previous pages, But I'd definitely recommend a Yamaha Fazer for a first big bike - the 600s. FZ6 or the older FZS600. Quite forgiving to ride if you take it easy, but plenty of power available so you're unlikely to get bored of it. It's a nice upright position as well, and the fairing is handy at higher speeds.    

[mikiboy]

Skynet.  An instructor WILL NOT train you to ride an R6.  He will teach you the basics of riding for the road.  To be able to use a bike like an R6, you need to be able to use gears and brakes properly.  Not even IAM/RoSPA etc will teach you that.  Go on a racetrack and then you will learn.  On a road, you will be lucky to use 20% of an R6 and over a couple of years, maybe 50%.
Buy a 400cc 1st and you have to use the revs so the transition is easier.  Its not just using the throttle, it is coming back down the gears for roundabouts, junctions, bends etc.  In reality, you could legally ride an R6 in just 1st and 2nd gear, not that you would.
Something like a 12 bandit is overkill for a 1st bike.  The 600 is more than fast enough as a 1st bike.  It will easily out accellerate a ferrari.
End of the day, being new to biking and passing your test does not mean for 1 minute you are a rider on a bike.  It just means you have pased your test and can legally use any cc if you can afford the insurance.
Sports bikes will get to most corners 10 seconds before your brain can calibrate it.  If you are having to then think, gears, brakes, position, vision, body position, accelleration etc at that point, it isnt exactly the safest position to be in when you find out the bend tightens; there is crap on it half way round,; a car is cutting the corner; you have gone in too fast etc and you are a passenger on a bike and not in control.
Bikes like bandits, fazers, SV's, sports 400's, GPZ500s, Hornets, Monsters, F650s........ are an ideal introduction to the world of motorcycles.  These are all fast compared to most cars by a fair in the real world.  You are seriously unlikely to get beaten form the lights by any car on any of the above.
End of the day, it is your choice.  iNSURANCE PAYOUTS ARE GREAT UNTIL THE RENEWAL.
Also should you be unlucky enough to do yourself a serious injury, no amount of compensation can ever make up for being housebound and unable to get about (I know and I didnt get ANY compensation).  My last 8 months, I was pretty much housebound and it was awful.
I was at Rospa on Sun and a new young lady has joined as she is not confident on her new Triumph 675.  Its the naked one and she fits it well.  She cant use the gears.  her road positioning isnt bad but she is then getting out of position as she is braking and changing gear too late and also not moving her head enough to read where the road is going.  her pal passed her test the same day.  Both are pretty much Sunday riders but after about 6 months her friend mis anticipated a bend and locked up and then was killed having a head on with an oncoming car on a bend.  You do not always get a 2nd chance.  
Buy something easy to learn to ride and build up your riding skills and no claims.  Chances are you will drop your bike at less than 5mph anyhow.  We all do it.  I have been rioding years and dropped mine a few weeks back at less than 1mph.  My last drop was at a similar pace.
I wont count my smash as that was on the track.  I wont say I dont make mistakes on the road, as I do, but I rarely if never end on the worng side of the road or be in a position where I scare myself or nearlt drop or crash the bike these days.  My 1st few years, I'll happily admit to often being in a situation where luck has saved me and the bike was my only form of transport so I was doing serious miles.  I hold my hands up and will admit, despite owning the fastest road legal bike on the road after 9 years of riding, it wasnt until I bought my 1st 400, that I learned to ride.  That came as a big shock to me as I thought I was fast on the GPZ which I suppose I was.  The 400 made me really fast though the riding styles are very different.
You will still get those saying I havent crashed/dropped it etc after buying a sports 600/750/1000 etc .  It happens!
You want to see good riders?  Watch some of the old guys on ancient BMW touring bikes lob them through the bends on crap old skinny tyres.  Ok, you may be able to blast them on the straights, but keep up through the twisties

[Booski]

Triumph TT600 seems a nice first bike, doesn't need ton of revs to get moving and nice riding position.

Seems to be forgotten but got good reviews.

[Potnoodle]

Guys/Girls I think we are missing a very big factor here, who are you going to be riding with?
If your going to be going out with a bunch of mates who are experienced and throwing their litre bikes all over the place, then you want something light and forgiving something from the "good first big bike list".
If you tend to ride alone and have a good degree of self control, common sense and a good understanding of bike control then no production bike should really put you off apart from a few hard core racers.

[Tidds]

I'm not so sure the ZX-6 should be in the suitable list.  I've been riding for quite a few years now and have had my ZX-6R for 6 months.  I find it a little frisky from time to time (every time I'm out on it) and it would be dangerous in totally inexperienced hands.  I know it's not true for everyone though - Morpheus' first bike is a CBR600RR and he seems to be doing alright so far (apart from dropping it)

My first big bike was an ER-6n and I totally agree that this is an excellent post DAS bike.

my first big bike was a 636....needless to say at 23 years of age.....
my dads "i told you so" was already going around in my head as i picked myself up

[Canary Wundaboy]

I've always wondered, how come the Z6XR is considered safe while the other 600cc sports bikes aren't? Surely the performance is fairly similar across all of them?

[Wheelspin]

Depends on which ZX6 you get.  Like most sports bikes series, the older models are less powerful, more stable and more comfortable.

I'd have no problem recommending a CBR600f but not a CBR600rr for example.

[unfazedkev]

Yamaha Fazer 600 is a superb first "big" bike, As it happens, I have one for sale at a price to match most newbie bikers  http://www.gbbikers.co.uk/gbb/index.php/topic,43526.0.html

[Canary Wundaboy]

I guess I'll just have to test drive everything that takes my fancy then. Pity. 

[zxr john]

My xj 600 has been a fantastic first big bike.would recomend them highly

[nimpy]

I found my GPz a great 1st bike, cheap enough to sort, forgiving, and fast enoughto keep you entertained. Plus very simple to work on and learn your way round a bike

[philb120]

What are peoples thought's on the BMWR 1200RT? The reason I am considering this once I have passed the test is that I will be doing a 220 mile commute each way on the motorway every other weekend or so. I would also be using it to commute 20 mile each way during the week to work.
I'm not after something really really fast- fuel economy and something easy to ride that will laugh at the miles I will be doing would be really handy. I have plenty of time to think about it- looking to do the DAS sometime during October 1/2 term- (am 40 by the way and vertically challenged 5"6 if that has any bearing)
If not the 1200RT what would people suggest- like the tourer style !

[notoriusb.e.n]

Its a bit weighty, but I'd reckon you'll quickly get to grips with that. Once you bear in mind what you've paid for it, you'll become surprisingly adept at keeping it upright.

Can't think of any particularly light tourers anyway. Weight seems to be a staple of the genre.

Theres also the Pan euro, Yam FJR, Honda Deauville, Suzuki bandit 12, but these are also quite heavy.

[motobiker]

R1100RT

R1150RT


Both are available for less than a 1/3rd the price of a brand new 1200. are they a 1/3rd the bike? no.

[mikiboy]

Think you should get something smaller to learn to ride on.  You have only passed your test, and will take you ages to learn to ride.  Part of the learning is where to distribute your weight when you stop, especially on unplanned stopped.
Thats a lot of bike to write off if you drop it at at 0mph.  Plus if it lands on your leg, you wont have a hope in hell of getting out by yourself.
Do your apprenticeship on a cheap bike that you feel comfy on.
40 miles is nothing on most bikes.
My mate bought a GS as his 2nd bike.  He wouldn't admit it was too big for him until it was finally stolen and destroyed for the 3rd time. He loved it but kept dropping it.
His 1st bike was a Bandit and he did 7000 miles in 3 months on that.
He's a bigger lad, and now has a ZX1100 which he looks comfortable on.

[Ellie-Cat]

Hi Everyone!!

I passed my test two years ago and got myself a Thundercat.....he's been restricted for two years, which gave me real confidence to get the hang of a bigger bike ....he is now de-restricted and im loving it


I would recomend  the Thundercat to anyone, and its also one of the best restricted apparently.


Ellie x

[philb120]

Thanks for the advice- its the regular motorway commuting that worries me- hence the tourer idea- will look into the ones suggested

[greg]

some fairing, and an engine bigger than 500cc is probably all you need for the motorway

comfortable seat, torquey, and an upright position might improve it

[motobiker]

Thanks for the advice- its the regular motorway commuting that worries me- hence the tourer idea- will look into the ones suggested

You're on the right track. it all depends on what level of luxury you want. The RT is just about as good as it gets for weather protection, the screen sets the standard. And the bike will love doing the miles. Call me a luddite, but I'd rather the simplicity of its earlier incarnations than the current model 1200. Service costs long term would be my biggest worry. But if you have the cash and can justify buying new or nearly new "BMW Approved" then go for it. The engine itself is a stonker. The level of comfort offered by this bike makes real long distance riding a pleasure. And thats before you start playing around with its toys.

[carperjake]

For motorway commuting try to go for something with shaft drive, Divvy 900 maybe? Or if you can find one an unthrashed/couriered CX500 with a fairing. Get your experience and NCD built up then look at something bigger.

In general I'd suggest a Zephyr 550 or an RF 600 as ideal first bikes if you haven't got too much £££ and aren't too fussed about following fashion. I had both and found them an ideal way to move up and gain experience.

[Allard]

having been conservative in the past i wish i had ignored this way of thinking. pass your test and get a cbr1000 rrr rrr if you want. It will only do what you make it do.
600ccs arent that powerful anyway but there are massively exagerated

dont get a bike because its learner friendly. try a bit of every animal.
types of bikes: sports, cruiser, naked muscle, enduros, supermotos, touring,
types of engine: twins, Vs, in line 4s, V4s, Parralel twins.

try them all before settling on a bike.

[radicalrabit]

For long rides in inclement (read------"gateaux") weather  Pan European or K1100 LTSE If you can find  good ones    serviced and inspected with no collector box issues,  They wont cost as much  so wont hurt as much " when" you drop it... not if.... and   have someone handy to help you get  the animal back on its feet .  If you feel it going   run away  dont try to catch it.. easier to repair a bike than  tendons ligaments muscles  etc,,,,, says the voice of experience.....    spend lots of time going really slow  and get used to the weight and balance at slow speeds and leaning it to get it round they will lean well and remain stable.. see the short films of police riders on big bikes...... Anyway  thats my uneducated ten peneth bit I Wouldnt be spending more than £2k on a big bike you are going to use in all weathers in winter months  BUT BIG FAIRING  BIG SCREEN  HEATED GRIPS AND GOOD RADIO ..... warm  and dry  V fashion ????

[P.B.]

I've not dropped a bike yet so I tend not to take that into consideration deciding what bike to buy, but at 5'6" as a brand new rider you'll be risking it on an 1200RT.

Agree that a Pan would be better starter, just as heavy if not more so but with that weight lower down. Once you know what you're doing they're as fast as anything on the road.

[philb120]

Okay- lots to think about then- Honda Pan european sounds good or the k1100s, or the older bmw tourers. Think I need to do some test rides.
Contacted a bike school up in Aylesbury to sort out the DAS- hopefully I'll be able to get it done quickly. In the meantime I will practice on my little 125 Daelim Daystar to get used to the bigger bikes. I might ride it up to Wendover in a couple of weeks to help add to my experience and to see what the daily commute is like.

I hope this hasn't derailed the thread too much- but it is sort of about big bikes

Thank you to all that have given me much to think about

[madasaskaven]

I'm only little and have no problems with my K1200GT, I accept that I bought a GSX650F after passing my test but changed it for the beemer after 6 months. I don't think you should ever discount any bike, It's all about you trying lots of different bikes and find the one You find the best for you.

Mick

[sibby87]

What tests do you need to take before you can ride on one of the bigger bikes?

[philb120]

What tests do you need to take before you can ride on one of the bigger bikes?

I now have a full motorcycle licence and so can ride whatever size I like. For that I had to pass the Mod1 & Mod 2 on a 500cc bike. Have managed to get hold of an old Pan European for £1800 so will be able to practice and it wont be too bad when I drop it lol

[radicalrabit]

TRINI IS DOING HER MOD 1 ON A BMW F800ST. Its a factory lowered one with a low seat  as she only has short legs but it is light, nippy , easy to handle   but does 0-60 in 3.5  so its no slouch either, pushes the ton before you get into 4th gear   and So far she hasnt explored the top end of the scale.   expensive bike  but a real gem to ride. There are some  used ones about that are not  so costly.... just a thought .  MY R1200RT is  taller  more springy  and to be honest a bit of a handful to get used to but now I have its a dream.  I had 35 years off bikes and only came back to bikes in March  this year  so have had a 125 Honda for a couple of days, a Honda VF1000F2F (DEF NOT A FIRST BIG BIKE) and now the two BMW'S.   I am still re-learning a lot!

[westmidsbiker]

Right. I've been away for a bit, but now the time is upon me to actually go out into the big world and buy a bike. Here is my situation and my current thoughts. I'd welcome your opinions.

I've recently comleted my direct access licence (no minors.. thank you very much!) have been set a max of 3k by the boss (the missus) but ideally I want to spend 2k or under. I flan on using my bike year round as my main means of transport for both short and long journeys. It needs to be economical and reliable. I don't want much do I?

Here are the bikes I've looked at so far and their pro and cons

Yamaha FZ6 Fazer - Pro: I only like the newer shape, with the twin exhaust. This is my favourite looking bike and reviews seem promosing. Con: Expensive to buy

Honda Hornet - Pro: Honda Reliability Con: The Honda reputation means they hold their value well and as a reuslt its again at the expensive end of the market

Suzuki Bandit - Pro: Decent all rounder. Con: It looks okay, but pretty average. There seem to be loads out there

Honda CBR600 - Pro The Looks! Con: The cost. the Insurance quotes were massive!

Yamaha Thundercat - As above really

Suzuki GS500 - Pro: Cheap to buy and insure and looks good Nice. Con: According to reviews the build quality isnt great and they rust like nobodys business

Any thoughts?

[unclegrim]

kawasaki er6 n.belting bikes. i have a 98 fazer that i use everyday. good runner not bad on juice and cheap insurance.