thealphabeta Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 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) Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadog13 Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 if i had to choose between the two bikes...i'd go for the Ducati... BTW...have you ever ride that kind of bike or you are at your first lessons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealphabeta Posted May 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 Im just having lessons at the moment. Why do you ask? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highflyingclive Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 (edited) 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 May 21, 2006 by Highflyingclive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dani Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 New Gxr600. Ducati is a show of bike expencive and not close to the Jap bikes performance and durabilty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highflyingclive Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 True... but it has a soul. Duke reliability is much improved over the bad old "I have a Desmo... currently in bits" days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duokpenkis Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 Performance...so you have problems with chatter in midcorners, when you drive on the street?-)) New Gxr600. Ducati is a show of bike expencive and not close to the Jap bikes performance and durabilty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGambleur Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 Ducati is the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dani Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 Performance...so you have problems with chatter in midcorners, when you drive on the street?-)) i dont have a bike this days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest overboosted Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 Ducati! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duokpenkis Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 Ducati or take a look at a Honda Hornet! Ducati! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealphabeta Posted May 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slay Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 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: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dani Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 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. Honda Hornett is a great beginner bike dont do like me and buy R-Bike they are very addictiv bikes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slay Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 for beginners, a 600 is way too large IMHO. 125 is just right. insurance is cheap, and it wont go faster than 180km/h! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highflyingclive Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 (edited) 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. Edited May 22, 2006 by Highflyingclive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dani Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 and always use a back protection Dainese Wave is the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Understood Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 If I may, allow my bit of advice? To really stir the knickers you want a Vespa. Then take it to Jay Leno for his turbine power upgrade (hello dear Jay, this is your transparent advertising plug). Whoosh whoosh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadog13 Posted May 23, 2006 Report Share Posted May 23, 2006 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Center Posted May 23, 2006 Report Share Posted May 23, 2006 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. Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealphabeta Posted May 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2006 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostfaceZX Posted May 23, 2006 Report Share Posted May 23, 2006 I've always been partial towards Kawasaki...They have a new Ninja 650 which is nice, or you can go with a Ninja 250 or 500 for a beginner bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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