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Which motorbike?


thealphabeta

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Hi all you bikers!

Im looking to buy my first motorbike. Im in the process of having lessons.

What do you suggest for a first bike...i've been looking at the suzuki bandit and ducati monster 600's.

Im 22 so need to be careful on insurance, plus i need something forgiving (dont want to screw this riding up) :unsure:

Cheers

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Hmmm... go easy on the aspirations. Both are great bikes - I'd go for the Duke every time... but you are still wet behind the ears - get some more experience before you leap from a 125 to a 600.

Best advice - book a days tuition at the Donington race track. You will learn so much ... and it will stand you in good stead.

I know what I'm talking about. I've held a motorcycle licence for more than forty years, own five bikes and spent two years as a London motorcycle courier. Despite these credentials, I learned a great deal from Donington (it taught me that I'm a really crap rider :-) and had a marked improvement on the way I ride on the road.

Another tip: Follow police patrol bikes through traffic... they don't hurry... but they get through very quickly. Do what they do... and so will you. When I was a courier, these guys taught me a lot about riding in thick traffic. Free lessons from police motorcyclists... that has to be a bargain :-)

Next tip: Get out of the way of motorbike couriers. They know what they are doing - you don't. Don't try to race them - you'll just make a prat of yourself. Especially, don't get in their way when running between lanes of traffic 'cos it pisses them off to be delayed by a set of L-plates.

Final tip: If you see a motorcycle courier with L-plates, really, really get out of his way - fast. These people are complete nutters anxious to demonstrate their riding skills to the rest of the two-wheeled community. Such people are dangerous! They have something to prove - you don't. Don't be part of their accident.

Edited by Highflyingclive
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Ha cheers everyone. I think a Ducati is a little out of my league!!!

Clive, thanks for the advice its very sound although i will still be getting a 600! Not a true racer though something more forgiving like the hornet or bandit.

I was reading about the donnington day in Ride actually and i agree it looked well worth it.

One thing that worries me (and my mum :)) is the danger factor. What are your views on this. Obviously i know its dangerous but im teetering on the edge of is it too dangerous kinda thing...

Dave

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Cagiva Mito is one of the best motorbikes for beginners. it looks awesome and is just a 125/150ccm bike (means it doesnt have much power, but it still HAS a lot of power!)

I loved that bike when I was young... It is soooo awesome! I had it in yellow, but was involved in an accident and since those are very rare (and had to be imported from italy back then) I got a black one as replacement!

pic:

52947-35982.jpg

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What do you suggest for a first bike...i've been looking at the suzuki bandit and ducati monster 600's.

I have a Ducati 748. If I were 22, I'd need to sell it to pay for insurance.

My advice, for a Ducati feel, but a lot easier for a beginner/newbie: Suzuki SV650. You can get older ones (a few years) for good money and they have that twin feel.

52954-35980.jpg

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DaveR@

Its dangerus to ride bikes trust me this is one thing people cant argue on..

I have had 2 crashes both end up in hospital one time my fault other type i was gunned down by a car.

Just thake a look at my ninja after the crash this pic only show 30%of the damage.

52966-35979.jpg

Honda Hornett is a great beginner bike dont do like me and buy R-Bike they are very addictiv bikes :Jumpy:

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Go out and buy a cheap in-line 4 tourer first. Great learning bike and if you dump it you won't sweat it. :) Whatever you do, always wear a helmet and leathers (at least Kevlar coated jeans in the case of pants). I will testify, Road Rash sucks. With full leathers on I bounced up off the tarmac with nary a scratch after a 70-80 mph spill. The spill I took, without a leather jacket, at 25 miles an hour after being bumped by a car left road rash which bothered me for weeks. No broken bones though. :)

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I have had a bike since I was 16. I am now 59. Take my advice and look at the many used bikes you will see at large dealers. Pick up a 125 to 250 will be low in price, easy to learn on and plenty of fun. I drove a Honda 160 from Illinois to Colorado when I was 20 - 18 hours on a bike. It rained all the way through misouri and I dryed out half way through Kansas. Great fun.

Then, after you have layed in down a few times, hopefully at low speeds (and this wil happen), then think about a 600 or there abouts.

Buy a Honda if you want to ride and not tinker on your bike. very reliable.

Usil

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Make sure that there is body armour in the knees, forearms, shoulders and back of your riding leathers.

It makes going down the road on your [censored] - and you will - a lot more like fun.

And you won't spend so much time in hospital afterwards.

BTW - I'm actually a brilliant rider. The life expectancy of a London courier is eighteen months - I lasted two years. 80,000 miles, fell off once, got knocked off once and got one speeding ticket. Quite a result.

Oh, yes... and I had a trainee taxi-driver, doing the knowlege on a step-thru, off his bike and onto his bum. :lol:

Edited by Highflyingclive
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Im just having lessons at the moment. Why do you ask?

i am asking because if you are just taking lessons...go easy!

bike & cars are dangerous toys...if they are powerful and you are without experience....

take a smaller bike and learn for a year or more...and then get the beast when you'll have enough experience...

after that get yourself a bike like this...53369-35912.jpg

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This probably isn't an option for you, but if it is, I would give serious consideration to buying a Harley, even second hand. More power than you'll ever need, and a "wow factor" that's off the scale.

53577-35864.jpg

Les

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Cheers guys you've all been so helpful and full of advice.

Thing is in the UK you learn on a 500, thats just the way it is. If i go on the 4 day training course then that is what they put me on.

Most of my friends ride a 600 hornet, fazer or bandit. I think the SV is definately a nice bike to learn on so thanks for the advice.

I know its dangerous and that does scare me a little but i just cant help but want to ride!

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