suitable motorbike for a novice [Archive]

emcf

08-09-2006, 01:29 PM

evening all,

I've recently passed my CBT (basic bike training) and have been driving a 125cc moped about - i'm absolultely loving it!!!!. I'm now wanting to do the direct access test (lets me ride a bike of unlimited power:eek: ). i am trying to think of what would be a suitable bike for me to get....something with a bit of oomph about it but not stupid levels of power as i don't want to wrap it round a lamp-post.

i'm currently thinking along the lines of a suzuki sv 650s or a bandit of some description....would these be too powerful for a relative novice? what about one of those groovy kawasaki ninjas?

i need a bike that is quite big as i'm about 6'2'' and 15 odd stone so don't want a puny 400cc effort and the bike has to be good for commuting thru london traffic as well as being fun on the country roads ......anyone got any recommendations/general advice for beginners?

KenHigg

08-09-2006, 01:43 PM

The thing that Col just bought sounded like a good deal - Pan European or something...

emcf

08-10-2006, 03:43 AM

The thing that Col just bought sounded like a good deal - Pan European or something...

hmm...that's a tourer of some sort is it? I'm wanting something a bit more dynamic. a tourer might be a bit fat & slow for getting through the traffic in rush hour.

Bodisathva

08-10-2006, 04:05 AM

You'd be surprised how much oomph is in a 250 crotch rocket (Suzi, Kaw, etc) not much for extended distances, but do they ever scoot in traffic and short hops:eek:

I used to have a Suzi 550L which was a great little bike. 6sp, sportster frame. Lots of vibration on long hauls because of it's diminutive stature. I think Suzi makes a 600-750 sized Intruder, Honda has some smaller Shadows in that same range, I believe. I prefer Hondas (I ride an old GoldWing myself), but if I were you, I'd stay at or under the 750 until you have some experience under your belt.

KenHigg

08-10-2006, 04:10 AM

a tourer might be a bit fat & slow

I can see that being Col's riding style now that you mention it - :p :p

Ron_dK

08-10-2006, 05:18 AM

......anyone got any recommendations/general advice for beginners?

As suggested in another thread , wouldn't this be something for a beginner :

http://www.usatoday.com/money/2005-06-14-hydro-cycle-usat_x.htm

ColinEssex

08-10-2006, 05:43 AM

KenHigg

08-10-2006, 06:11 AM

emcf

08-10-2006, 04:06 PM

You need to think about what the majority of your biking is going to be - commuting or touring or racing etc. Are you going to ride all year round (like me:D )?

If you ride all year, you need to think about weather protection (from the bike), accessories like heated grips and heated waistcoat. When its -6c its a bit brisk going to work.

If you are a summer softee:D ;) and just want it for June to September mostly commuting with the odd long run. You may consider a Yamaha Fazer - either the 600cc or the 1000cc, both excellent and easy to ride for a newer rider. Or the Honda CBR range.

I would personally avoid the Ninja / Fireblade types at this stage, insurance will be huge and you may well kill yourself.

My bike, the ST1100 Pan European is more for touring - I go to France and/or Spain every year. It top speed is only 135mph, but is extremely comfortable for the 750mile-per-day trips, plus it has a 250 mile tank range. I also have a Suzuki 400cc that I commute mostly on (although I did bring the Pan today)

Also, I'd advise an advanced course of some description. I did one in the safety of Cadwell Park racetrack - set up like roads with different situations and I've done advanced lessons on-the-road with a police instructor. Well worth it.

Whatever bike you get - enjoy it, its a wonderful feeling if its done properly. Ride safe, and don't be bullied into pushing things too far by peer pressure, there's been 11 riders killed so far this year in Essex. :(

Keep us posted as to your progress

Col

cheers col,

i'll be mostly using it for commuting and just driving around town, no touring but may consider taking it round a track once in a while and the odd spurt along the motorway.

hopefully i'll manage more riding than june-sept, although maybe not in jan/feb! never heard of the heated waistcoat though. might be a good idea though - i was coming back from rugby training tonight and was feeling a bit chilly at 30mph...god knows what it'll be like in the depths of winter.

i did my cbt with get-bike and will do the DAS with them too - the instructors seem a good bunch who know what they are talking about....may well do some sort of advanced course too as unfortunately i've only got the one life!

no worries re peer pressure...hopefully i'm old enough to resist that.

i'll have a closer look at the fazer/CBR bikes...seen a few on the roads and they look the business...hopefully something around insurance level 10-12 will be the one i get...not too powerful but enough fun. one day i will get to the kawasaki ZX-10R!!:eek:

i'll let you know how i get on.

emcf

08-10-2006, 04:09 PM

As suggested in another thread , wouldn't this be something for a beginner :

http://www.usatoday.com/money/2005-06-14-hydro-cycle-usat_x.htm

looks a good idea but may be a bit too quiet for my liking! i'm not sure how many hydrogen pumps we have in blighty...seen a few LPG pumps but they are few and far between. although $3 (about £1.50) for 100 miles is fantastic value - a big engined car probably burns that amount of petrol sitting at the lights for 1 minute!

Ron_dK

08-11-2006, 02:52 AM

..seen a few LPG pumps but they are few and far between.

Here in the Netherlands it's quite common to run cars on LPG, although its becomming less and less popular. Diesel starts to ake over.
But actually ,I have never seen a motorbike on LPG. Might be a new market !:rolleyes:

Rich

08-13-2006, 10:33 AM

.god knows what it'll be like in the depths of winter.

Basta*#in freezing! :mad: ;)

Mile-O

09-01-2006, 03:49 AM

How about this one?

http://www.jacksons-camping.co.uk/kidstuff/injusaimages/desertbike.jpg

emcf

11-11-2006, 11:05 AM

Oldsoftboss

11-12-2006, 02:02 AM

Things I bet they didn't teach you...

How to ride through the hills... (2.33mb)
http://www.predatorsoftware.com.au/files/country ride.wmv

Bike balance.... (2.19mb)
http://www.predatorsoftware.com.au/files/bike tricks.wmv

Carrying a pillion... (858kb)
http://www.predatorsoftware.com.au/files/didnt hang on.wmv

How to stop... (488kb)
http://www.predatorsoftware.com.au/files/williebrake.mpeg

How to park it... (192kb)
http://www.predatorsoftware.com.au/files/load_your_bike.wmv

Dave

statsman

11-12-2006, 01:30 PM

As a large sized person myself I would stay away from crotch rockets. They are murder on the back for a large framed person.
You can usually pick up somthing second hand in the 500 to 750 cc touring bike. Check your local police to see when or if they auction off their used bikes. They are generally a good deal an have usually been maintained well.

Oldsoftboss

11-12-2006, 11:50 PM

My Rig.... an 02 XJ900

She's a bloody beudy

http://members.dodo.com.au/predatorsoftware/images/bike09.jpg

Dave

Oldsoftboss

11-12-2006, 11:53 PM

As a large sized person myself I would stay away from crotch rockets. They are murder on the back for a large frame.
You can usually pick up somthing second hand in the 500 to 750 cc touring bike.

Ditto (except for the largish bit :D )

ColinEssex

11-13-2006, 01:31 AM

right...to re-instate a motorbike thread instead of hijacking other threads

phase two of project learn to ride a motorbike commenced today with a geared conversion course. my ped is twist and go so i found gears pretty hard going.....i was thinking so much about them i was forgetting about simple stuff like turning off the indicator. guess it'll just be a case of getting used to it and it will start to happen automatically. got assessed for the DAS course too, need 3.5 days training for that, one more day on a 125 then i get two days on a 500cc bike:cool:

not sure that i need the stabilisers....but i guess i jumped the gun a bit today and walked out of the bike school having put down a deposit for a yellow bike without stabilisers....

suzuki sv650s (http://getbike.net/seebike.php?bike=179)

Good luck on the DAS. I did it in 1996, a freezing day in January:rolleyes: . The gears will happen automatically in time, stick with it.

My little 400 was in for a service the other day, and the company gave me a a new sv650s for the day.
It was very good, a high revving engine, 6 speed so there's plenty of gears to choose from! I found you need to be in exactly the right gear all the time, the torque was not very forgiving:rolleyes: With no wind protection, I found it was fairly "breezy" out on the dual carriageway, also I missed having somewhere to carry stuff. On my 400 I have a huge underseat area that swallows a laptop and shopping, and the Pan has the 2 panniers each capable of taking a full face helmet.

Ignore the remarks about being a "wuss" if you have heated grips - believe me, in biting winds and cold they are a godsend, as is a heated waistcoat - I use that for long trips during winter. This is mine. (http://giali.com/mod/product/id_prd/90)

Get this book. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roadcraft-Drivers-Handbook-Home-Office/dp/0113408587) - its the bible of motorcycle riding, ignore the "police" bit, police riders are the most advanced and safe you will learn alot, this is their riding techniques shown. It explains everything and is just brilliant, it will help you before and after your test. It is the way to ride a motorcycle. Remember the learning doesn't really start till after you pass the test.

Ride safe - keep alert;)

Col

Rich

11-13-2006, 05:44 AM

Ignore the remarks about being a "wuss" if you have heated grips - believe me, in biting winds and cold they are a godsend,

But what about the backs of your hands?:confused:
oh and please don't mention religion in the cooler;)

ColinEssex

11-13-2006, 05:56 AM

But what about the backs of your hands?:confused:
proper bikes have wind deflectors attached to the front fairing near the mirrors - plus of course you have your winter gloves on.

oh and please don't mention religion in the cooler;)

I forgot:rolleyes:

Col

Fifer

11-13-2006, 07:10 AM

I had the same problem when I passed my cbt and when I passed my bike test as I was too short for bandit etc. I got a Yamaha virago 535 and had to put a restriction on it for 2 years. didnt make any difference and had the oomph when needed.

Good luck and enjoy your bike what ever you get

Rich

11-13-2006, 10:50 AM

- plus of course you have your winter gloves on.
Col
Can't get them big enough for my hands:(

emcf

11-13-2006, 12:21 PM

Good luck on the DAS. I did it in 1996, a freezing day in January:rolleyes: . The gears will happen automatically in time, stick with it.

i'm hoping for half decent weather on the 1st dec.....anything but chucking with rain will be fine (although obviously no snow/frost!). Going up the gears is not too bad, its coming down i have trouble. found myself in a gear too low occasionally and when i then let the clutch out it really made the bike squirm....i guess doing that on the sv would result in a rather embarassing and dangerous incident practice,practice, practice....going to hire a geared bike for next week to get used to driving it about.

My little 400 was in for a service the other day, and the company gave me a a new sv650s for the day.
It was very good, a high revving engine, 6 speed so there's plenty of gears to choose from! I found you need to be in exactly the right gear all the time, the torque was not very forgiving:rolleyes:

yup...i'd better get sharper on the downshifts then!

With no wind protection, I found it was fairly "breezy" out on the dual carriageway, also I missed having somewhere to carry stuff. On my 400 I have a huge underseat area that swallows a laptop and shopping, and the Pan has the 2 panniers each capable of taking a full face helmet.

i had a look about the sv in the shop and i reckon i will be able to store a neatly folded fiver in the underseat compartment!

Ignore the remarks about being a "wuss" if you have heated grips - believe me, in biting winds and cold they are a godsend, as is a heated waistcoat - I use that for long trips during winter. This is mine. (http://giali.com/mod/product/id_prd/90)

Get this book. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roadcraft-Drivers-Handbook-Home-Office/dp/0113408587) - its the bible of motorcycle riding, ignore the "police" bit, police riders are the most advanced and safe you will learn alot, this is their riding techniques shown. It explains everything and is just brilliant, it will help you before and after your test. It is the way to ride a motorcycle. Remember the learning doesn't really start till after you pass the test.

Ride safe - keep alert;)

Col

cheers for that, i've ordered the book and some other IAM book that amazon threw in for a couple more quid & no postage. i also heard about a decent police run training course that only costs 30 quid for a day's riding/tuition/skills, reckon that will be on the agenda soon after the test (although they seem to stop doing them from nov-feb).

i reckon all this wuss stuff from rich is nonsense....bet he actually rides a vespa with one of those stylish leg blankets!:D not too sure re the wind deflectors though, i'm only travelling for 20 mins each way so i may just try to bear gloves only. although in january i may have changed my mind!

emcf

11-13-2006, 01:44 PM

emcf

11-13-2006, 02:02 PM

Check your local police to see when or if they auction off their used bikes. They are generally a good deal an have usually been maintained well.

i never even thought of that. although i do vaguely remember that the uk police have had trouble with one of the models and have dropped it after a few fatal incidents. not sure what model or what incidents but do remember reading it somewhere.

Rich

11-13-2006, 02:21 PM

..bet he actually rides a vespa
That's boiled rice isn't it?:confused:

ColinEssex

11-14-2006, 01:06 AM

i never even thought of that. although i do vaguely remember that the uk police have had trouble with one of the models and have dropped it after a few fatal incidents. not sure what model or what incidents but do remember reading it somewhere.
The UK police usually either auction their "old" bikes at the big auction place in Oxford - or they sell them direct to Force Motorcycles (http://www.forcemotorcycles.com/) (which is where I bought my Pan Euro)

The problem you describe was with the new Pan European ST1300. It took over from the ST1100 in 2003. As the ST1100 was always the standard choice for the police, they continued with the new one.

The problem came from a high speed weave (above 95mph) it caused a "tankslapper" and couple of bikes to crash and 3 police riders have been killed as a result. The police discontinued the ST1300 and Honda got onto the problem.

Honda brought in design engineers from Japan and they all met up at a test track for a few days with a bunch of fully kitted out bikes and police riders. They tried various things, suspension settings, etc etc. They established that due to the weight of all the equipment, the front fork oil needed to be a thicker viscosity. When this was done, the weave disappeared.

I think the problem has now been solved, although the UK police have returned 130+ bikes to Honda under the 'sale of goods act' because of other issues - electrics, grounding of the bike on a kerb would knock a stud off the bottom of the engine and you lose your sump, swinging arm was flexing and they made a retofit kit for stiffening the whole rear of the chassis, heat shields for cooked legs and a safety recall for the Brake valve for the dual braking.

Honda are revamping the ST1300 wholesale, and are bringing out a new version in 2007

Col

ColinEssex

11-14-2006, 01:24 AM

not too sure re the wind deflectors though, i'm only travelling for 20 mins each way so i may just try to bear gloves only. although in january i may have changed my mind!
I don't think you can get wind deflectors for yours. They're mostly available for the bigger tourers which have the front fairing.

Gloves will be ok if they're good ones. You'll want to go out for a days "scratch", then it'll be a bit nippy:D ;) You'll need to check the battery and alternator has enough "oomph" if you do fit heated grips. Daytona (http://www.daytona.co.jp/motorcycle/export_p/heated.html) do some excellent grips, I've had these in the past, no probs and a good price at around £70. My heated grips are the Honda ones that come with all ex police bikes.

You'll be ok, as I say, just enjoy it, especially filtering through stationary traffic:D ;)

Col

ColinEssex

11-14-2006, 01:35 AM

hmm...that's a tourer of some sort is it? I'm wanting something a bit more dynamic. a tourer might be a bit fat & slow for getting through the traffic in rush hour.
I forgot to comment on this:D

A top speed of 135mph is slow? it'll get up to 70 in 2nd gear! True its not meant to be a Fireblade or Hyabusa but it does shift if you want it to:rolleyes:

Traffic? if you can get the mirrors through the rest will fit - see a gap and go for it - with a "police" bike the cars part like the red sea:D ;)

Col

emcf

11-14-2006, 10:24 AM

That's boiled rice isn't it?:confused:

here's one that is about the size of a bag of rice....

mini pink vespa (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PINK-VESPA-STYLE-ELECTRIC-SCOOTER-Mini-Moto-ATV-Bike_W0QQitemZ130044853018QQihZ003QQcategoryZ13789 5QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

although i'm not too sure about kiddies riding things like these:confused:

Rich

11-14-2006, 10:26 AM

here's one that is about the size of a bag of rice....

mini pink vespa (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PINK-VESPA-STYLE-ELECTRIC-SCOOTER-Mini-Moto-ATV-Bike_W0QQitemZ130044853018QQihZ003QQcategoryZ13789 5QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

although i'm not too sure about kiddies riding things like these:confused:

I see the design's been improved

emcf

11-30-2006, 07:55 AM

right then.....the big day is tomorrow, got my DAS test in the morning at Pinner....i've had two and a half days solid riding instruction on a cbf500....it is so much more fun than the 125s i've been on, completely different machine to ride:D :D

u-turn is good and emergency stop not too shabby either so all i'm hoping for tomorrow is a nice dry day. if everything goes to plan i'll be on the sv tomorrow afternoon:cool: still a bit nervous about the test but i guess that is good.

KalelGmoon

11-30-2006, 08:26 AM

good luck on your test, hope the weather holds for you

emcf

11-30-2006, 08:39 AM

good luck on your test, hope the weather holds for you

thanks....was pretty gusty out on the road today - i found myself sitting at a traffic light in the safety position (i.e. right foot up on rear brake, left foot on ground)....big gust of wind blew the bike so much i had to drop the right foot! i can do without that sort of complication tomorrow!

Oldsoftboss

11-30-2006, 11:31 AM

Don't forget the minor details

http://members.dodo.com.au/predatorsoftware/helmet.jpg

Dave

emcf

11-30-2006, 12:10 PM

Don't forget the minor details

http://members.dodo.com.au/predatorsoftware/helmet.jpg

Dave

yeah....i think i've managed the 'put on the helmet correctly' procedure adequately!

it's the swerve out of the way of the porsche cayenne/bmw x5/big merc that is carrying darling tarquin to polo lessons that i've got to watch out for.....

emcf

12-01-2006, 04:16 PM

way hey! passed with no minor faults! u-turn went well (just!) and e-stop good. all that with a nice steady drizzle...i think i done good:D had a minor slip on a wet manhole cover on a slow right turn but front wheel gripped once it hit the tarmac thank god. been out on the sv most of the afternoon....haven't had it above 50 yet but it still scares the bejeesus out of me:eek: scary in a good kind of way though.

ColinEssex

12-05-2006, 04:38 AM

way hey! passed with no minor faults! u-turn went well (just!) and e-stop good. all that with a nice steady drizzle...i think i done good:D
Well done em. Now the learning really starts!!

had a minor slip on a wet manhole cover on a slow right turn but front wheel gripped once it hit the tarmac thank god.
Yes, manhole covers are always placed on the bike riding line, its council policy to do so.

Watch out for diesel spills at roundabouts in this wet damp weather too. I never take a roundabout on the outer line - always the inner line. You can smell the diesel before you get there fortunately.

Col

Rich

12-05-2006, 04:45 AM

Yes, manhole covers are always placed on the bike riding line, its council policy to do so.

Col
and the utilities policy to dig bloody trenches there too:mad:

ColinEssex

12-05-2006, 05:15 AM

and the utilities policy to dig bloody trenches there too:mad:
Yes, the black tarmac edging or "binding" to trenches is really nasty on a bike.

Question.

In Bristol and here in Colchester, motorbikes can use bus lanes quite legally. Anyone else got this? I know in London you can't (yet)

Col

emcf

12-05-2006, 04:51 PM

Question.

In Bristol and here in Colchester, motorbikes can use bus lanes quite legally. Anyone else got this? I know in London you can't (yet)

Col

depends what bus lane it is in london, some only operate part time, some allow bikes too and some are 24 hrs and no bikes at all. just got to make sure you don't ride in front of a bus with a camera:D

sv is great at commuting.....filters so easily. i'm now being held up by riders of fat slow panniered bikes;) they struggle to fit through the gaps.

a workmate's ducatti got lifted by thieving scumbags when it was parked on a central london street last week during work hours. lots of passers by called the cops but they did not respond in time. hope my colleague has theft cover!

ColinEssex

01-24-2007, 05:26 AM

emcf

01-24-2007, 01:55 PM

so hows it going Em? bit brisk on the bike these days eh?

We had snow forecast today - I whimped out and got the bus, first time this winter though!:o I felt the bike slippy on the ice on the way home last night

Col

hi col,

sv going great:D :D i'm really enjoying this bike! no riding for me today (or tomorrow prob)...got up and looked out the window to see 1 inch of snow. i was forced to endure the central line for the first time in a long time....not pleasant

done a fair bit to the bike so far -
oil & oil filter change (very needed by the look of the stuff that came out)
air filter change (old filter looks ok but replaced anyway and kept old one as backup)
rust-prone bits coated in acf-50 (but not the rust prone brake parts!)
chain degrease and lube (ideally i want to be able to renew chain and put on different sprockets...ones that will give a quicker take off!)

got new spark plugs and a fenda entender too which i may fit over the weekend if it is naff weather. i had a nasty experience in a rain storm over christmas where the front cylinder kept on cutting out and jumping back to life at random......pretty scary power surges during corners were the inevitble result:eek: managed to limp home ok in the end but the fenda extender is a must!

can't wait for long, hot summer days!:cool: