Just Passed My Motorbike Test!

[notamondayfan 44]

Just passed my motorbike test this morn! (passed mod 1 on monday)

 

Only passed on my suzuki 125, so Im limitted for the 1st 2 years, but it feels so much better not sporting the L plates for the 1st time in almost 2 years!!

 

So now Im on the lookout for a bigger bike, so does anyone have sugestions? Budget upto around £700, so not a great deal to play with. Also power / size doesnt matter as if it's too powerful I can restrict it too.

 

Cant wait for the summer now and to get some good rides in!

[Rob Turbo 3]

Congratulations!

 

Completely different feeling to passing your driving test IMO, as for bike suggestions, it depends what you want, my first "big" bike was a VFR400, then a GSX-F750, then I stopped riding for a while, no real reason, just couldn't be bothered to get the bike out! Now I have a ZX9R, awesome bike, I've been spending my pennies on it over the winter, it's due an MOT soon so I'm hoping to have it back together by then, cost a bit more than £700 though!!

 

I did the direct access though, so never had any restrictions.

Edited February 18, 2011 by Rob Turbo

[tomcolinjones 26]

I doubt you would get a nice VFR 400 NC30 for the money you have, but if you can find one they are a great bike. not as fast as the kawasaki 400 (fast enough after riding a 250 tho) build quality is 10x better as they are HRC and it is a smaller version of the hugely sucsesful rc30 vfr750. the only problem is the 18" rear wheel which is a pain to get realy good tryes for... but not impossible. 17" wheels are available but at a cost.

the RVF 400 is a newer version and is a bit more refined with upside down forks and 17" rear wheel but imho not as good a bike. have both in the garage and i prefer the vfr.

the RVF's usual sell for a lot more than the vfr's

not an ideal bike if you are over 6' as they have quite a low seat and high pegs... hence why a lot of women tend to ride them.

 

it depends on what sort of bike you are after e.g sports/sports tourer/ non faired / faired e.t.c

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Please do not talk about NC30's or 35's, one of the sexiest looking bikes ever...single swing arm drool...... (obviously after the RC30) - I've wanted one for years, and have a full A licence, but Mrs Simes says I'm not allowed.

 

 

Grey Bike 400

Edited February 18, 2011 by Simes

[bucky 3]

As above a 400 is a good start. I started on a GSXR 400 which was a real fun little bike and you should be able to pick one up for around £700.

 

Depends what sort of riding style you like and roads you have around you. If you have loads of twistys like down here in Cornwall then get a supermoto and you will never want anything else! They are awesome to ride on the tighter roads but dont have the top end speed of a sports bike but whats the fun in just going fast in a straight line?

 

Might struggle to get a bigger engine sm for £700 but you will find insurance is a lot cheaper than a sports bike

Edited February 18, 2011 by bucky

[tomcolinjones 26]

As above a 400 is a good start. I started on a GSXR 400 which was a real fun little bike and you should be able to pick one up for around £700.

 

Depends what sort of riding style you like and roads you have around you. If you have loads of twistys like down here in Cornwall then get a supermoto and you will never want anything else! They are awesome to ride on the tighter roads but dont have the top end speed of a sports bike but whats the fun in just going fast in a straight line?

 

Might struggle to get a bigger engine sm for £700 but you will find insurance is a lot cheaper than a sports bike

 

also iirc bike insurance groups is mainly based on bhp, so get yourslef a big single or twin with low bhp and higher torque than a in line four/v four and you have yourself a fun bike with low insurance! and you wouldnt have to restrict it to 33bhp. just dont sound as nice, unles its a SP1 / 2 or a RSV but they are a bit more than 700 and a bit more poke than 33bhp.

Edited February 18, 2011 by tomcolinjones

[Mongo 0]

Your insurance will be based upon the bike you buy, doesnt matter if its restricted or not.

 

Never been a fan of the honda vfr400/rvf 400, i've ridden a few but never taken to them. If you get one you will really need to check the valve clearances on the rear cylinder head as these often get neglected due to teh awkwardness of checking the clearances.

 

Personally if you wanted a sportsbike that will be cheap enough to insure, i would go along the lines of a kawasaki zxr 400. Should have no problems picking one up for £700 thats in reasonable condition.

 

 

Whats the purpose you are going to use the bike for though? As ultimately this will maybe change what bike you want.

[toddydal 1]

CBR400RR NC29 gull-arm i had one of these when i passed my test awsome bike

[notamondayfan 44]

Wow Im so glad I passed my test yesturday, it's snowing today!!

 

Anyway, the choices seem endless!

 

I will be using the bike to commute to work, so needs to be comfertable and quite nimble. Top end speed isnt important, as long as it can get upto crusing speed quickly.

 

I dont like the supermoto's, too many chav's have them around here and they all look like total tools!

 

Other than that, just something easy to maintain, reliable, comfertable, etc!

 

Just had a quick flick through bike trader, and this is probably the type of thing I like...

 

Yamaha XJR 400

 

Cheers, Deano

[hcmini1989 16]

Well done mate ,and have a look at suzuki bandits.

[P_Monty 2]

If you want a commuting tool that will also put a smile on your face, I'd look at:

Honda CB500 / CBF 600 / Hornet 600

Suzuki Bandit 600 / sv650

Kawaski ER5

 

ie anything around the 500/600 cc mark (insurance permitting). I'd avoid race replicas as they are (for me anyway) uncomfortable for long distances, more nickable and expensive to repair if you bin them...

 

From personal experience I'd avoid the Yamaha diversion 600 it was too heavy and slow and had carp brakes...