Newbie Biker Starting out.....

Torino101 · 06-10-2008, 03:21 PM

Currently this is a bit hypothetical, but due to a recent move to the outer rings of London (Staines), and the fact that I work in Central London every day (Covent Garden), my commute has become rather expensive - £240 a month. Which i'd much rather be putting towards a bike, than to some rail company. Especially as we have underground motorbike parking at work.

So, i'm planning to do a direct access course in the near future. my question is firstly to buy new (and take advantage of 0% finance / free insurance offers), or second hand, (as i'm probably bound to drop it or worse in my first years riding).

Then secondly, which bike? I have my eye on the Kawasaki ER-6f, as my favourite of the sane starter / mid range bikes. Is it any good, is there something better you would suggest (Sv650, Hornet, etc.), or is it too much as a first bike??

Your thoughts.......

SamD · 06-10-2008, 03:26 PM

I am currently going though the exact same decision process. For me it will be a new bike, just because I don't think nearly new bikes are sufficiently cheaper to bother. My current shortlist (have been to the local dealers and looked, sat one and generally fondled) are (in no particular order):

1. Honda CB600F Hornet
2. Ducati Monster M696+
3. BMW F650GS (which is the bike I am doing my DAS on in a couple of weeks)

At the moment, heart says Ducati, head says Honda or BMW. What I plan to do is take a back to back test ride of the Honda and Ducati soon after I pass my test (whenever that may be!), and I will have had a good few days on the BMW to compare them with. I'll see which one feels right based on that.

Chri5 · 06-10-2008, 07:06 PM

Walk before you can run guys.

It's a bit like turning up at St Andrews with £4k of clubs, £2k of extras and having never played before

.

Get the basics out the way, budget on a sub £2k bash about and see how you go.

If after 2-3 months you haven't bashed it about, sell it for the same cost (every 'new' biker likes a sub £2k bash about) and then get the bling.

A decent, fast new £5k

+ toy isn't the way forward the day after you pass your test.

Even Luke in Starwars had to be an apprentice

SamD · 06-10-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chri5

Walk before you can run guys.

It's a bit like turning up at St Andrews with £4k of clubs, £2k of extras and having never played before

.

Get the basics out the way, budget on a sub £2k bash about and see how you go.

If after 2-3 months you haven't bashed it about, sell it for the same cost (every 'new' biker likes a sub £2k bash about) and then get the bling.

A decent, fast new £5k

+ toy isn't the way forward the day after you pass your test.

Even Luke in Starwars had to be an apprentice

I've had the sub 2K runabout 125 for the last few months, riding it alot

pingpongpo · 06-10-2008, 10:04 PM

At a risk of repeating myself, may I suggest a nice secondhand CBR600F?

shark_90 · 06-10-2008, 10:11 PM

Haha!

I just bought a £1300 Bandit 600. Certainly plenty for me to be getting my head around. I felt the same about dropping/breaking/God forbid crashing and so I bought a cheap bike that I can run over the winter and build up the confidence on, and then towards the summer I can think about getting something new(ish).

Get the DAS done ASAP because I imagine many places are getting booked up especially after the 6 months extension to the standard test

Mort · 07-10-2008, 06:30 AM

The Kwak ER6 is a great bike - I love its simplicity, the chassis and the design of it. Its a good bike..... Do you need a really fairing for commuting ? .... and have you looked at the Versys - that would be a cracking commuting bike and take you anywhere else (nearly got one myself)....

danksy · 09-10-2008, 02:04 PM

I looked at the ones you shortlisted, apart from the Duke, as I was concerned about maintenance issues. I also looked at a Bandit and a fazer.

I settled on the CB600F which is a very easy bike to ride, forgiving, and can keep up with most bikes (I am led to believe

).

I am getting to grips with mine, but only having 600 miles on the clock I am still learning the very basics.

I have to say though it has a nice load of low down torque, but enough oomph from 9k to the redline to genuinely scare you

There are some cracking deals on new ones to be had, or second hand get a good 'un from about £4k for a low mileage example in good nick.

The Honda's are fairly well bullet proof as well!

danksy · 09-10-2008, 02:32 PM

Also check this out it was what i read a few months back, and that as well as commong sense talked me out of anything more than what I got!!

So you've decided to buy your first bike but don't know which... - bcsportbikes.com

Torino101 · 13-10-2008, 12:08 PM

Thanks Dansky - very Handy!

06-10-2008, 03:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Torino101 Audi S3 Join Date: May 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,357	Newbie Biker Starting out..... Currently this is a bit hypothetical, but due to a recent move to the outer rings of London (Staines), and the fact that I work in Central London every day (Covent Garden), my commute has become rather expensive - £240 a month. Which i'd much rather be putting towards a bike, than to some rail company. Especially as we have underground motorbike parking at work. So, i'm planning to do a direct access course in the near future. my question is firstly to buy new (and take advantage of 0% finance / free insurance offers), or second hand, (as i'm probably bound to drop it or worse in my first years riding). Then secondly, which bike? I have my eye on the Kawasaki ER-6f, as my favourite of the sane starter / mid range bikes. Is it any good, is there something better you would suggest (Sv650, Hornet, etc.), or is it too much as a first bike?? Your thoughts....... __________________ Nick Motor Insurance Quotation Comparison Tool

06-10-2008, 03:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
SamD Mercedes E55 AMG Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 5,290	I am currently going though the exact same decision process. For me it will be a new bike, just because I don't think nearly new bikes are sufficiently cheaper to bother. My current shortlist (have been to the local dealers and looked, sat one and generally fondled) are (in no particular order): 1. Honda CB600F Hornet 2. Ducati Monster M696+ 3. BMW F650GS (which is the bike I am doing my DAS on in a couple of weeks) At the moment, heart says Ducati, head says Honda or BMW. What I plan to do is take a back to back test ride of the Honda and Ducati soon after I pass my test (whenever that may be!), and I will have had a good few days on the BMW to compare them with. I'll see which one feels right based on that. __________________ My Videos Last edited by SamD; 06-10-2008 at 03:49 PM.

06-10-2008, 07:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chri5 Audi R8 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 8,153	Walk before you can run guys. It's a bit like turning up at St Andrews with £4k of clubs, £2k of extras and having never played before . Get the basics out the way, budget on a sub £2k bash about and see how you go. If after 2-3 months you haven't bashed it about, sell it for the same cost (every 'new' biker likes a sub £2k bash about) and then get the bling. A decent, fast new £5k+ toy isn't the way forward the day after you pass your test. Even Luke in Starwars had to be an apprentice

06-10-2008, 10:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
shark_90 Audi R8 Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 8,770	Haha! I just bought a £1300 Bandit 600. Certainly plenty for me to be getting my head around. I felt the same about dropping/breaking/God forbid crashing and so I bought a cheap bike that I can run over the winter and build up the confidence on, and then towards the summer I can think about getting something new(ish). Get the DAS done ASAP because I imagine many places are getting booked up especially after the 6 months extension to the standard test __________________ My 18 cylinder garage: 1985 Audi 90 quattro - Project quattro 1994 Audi S2 Avant - Project track monster 1998 Suzuki Bandit 600 S - Two wheeled fun 2003 Bora Highline TDi - Because someone's got to

09-10-2008, 02:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
danksy Porsche GT3 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: king my diff Posts: 10,131	I looked at the ones you shortlisted, apart from the Duke, as I was concerned about maintenance issues. I also looked at a Bandit and a fazer. I settled on the CB600F which is a very easy bike to ride, forgiving, and can keep up with most bikes (I am led to believe ). I am getting to grips with mine, but only having 600 miles on the clock I am still learning the very basics. I have to say though it has a nice load of low down torque, but enough oomph from 9k to the redline to genuinely scare you There are some cracking deals on new ones to be had, or second hand get a good 'un from about £4k for a low mileage example in good nick. The Honda's are fairly well bullet proof as well! __________________ The Hack - Black A6 2.0Tdi avant Sline, Bose, ARP, DVD Nav on a "57" For Fun - White and Black Honda CB 600 FA Hornet -(HRC carbon tank protector, Ermax nose screen on order) ona "08" Last edited by danksy; 09-10-2008 at 02:32 PM.

06-10-2008, 10:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
pingpongpo TVR 350C Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,310	At a risk of repeating myself, may I suggest a nice secondhand CBR600F?

07-10-2008, 06:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mort BMW 330d Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auckland NZ Posts: 1,560	The Kwak ER6 is a great bike - I love its simplicity, the chassis and the design of it. Its a good bike..... Do you need a really fairing for commuting ? .... and have you looked at the Versys - that would be a cracking commuting bike and take you anywhere else (nearly got one myself)....

09-10-2008, 02:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
danksy Porsche GT3 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: king my diff Posts: 10,131	Also check this out it was what i read a few months back, and that as well as commong sense talked me out of anything more than what I got!! So you've decided to buy your first bike but don't know which... - bcsportbikes.com __________________ The Hack - Black A6 2.0Tdi avant Sline, Bose, ARP, DVD Nav on a "57" For Fun - White and Black Honda CB 600 FA Hornet -(HRC carbon tank protector, Ermax nose screen on order) ona "08"

13-10-2008, 12:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
Torino101 Audi S3 Join Date: May 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,357	Thanks Dansky - very Handy! __________________ Nick Motor Insurance Quotation Comparison Tool