My DAS was done on a Honda CB500, which while it was a good sturdy bike of which I had allintentions of purchasing when I passed....I found myself dribbling at the mouth for a real racy number....and so I bought the VFR400, with its Valentino Rossi race colours and all its shiny bits in the right place .

On hindsight (I bet we all wish we had it) I went from a bike I had to fight with to go faster, to a bike I had to fight with not to! I think I should have maybe gone for something a tad more sedate to start with and build myself up.

Nevertheless, what I found difficult as a novice and only just passed, was how do I know which bike is best suited for me. I was still a bit of a scardey cat and didnt want to test ride anything in the event that I make a complete pratt of myself and they could look on rubbing their chin whispering 'women'

Whilst the VFR is a great bike, I found it to be flighty, maybe too light, coupled with the fact that I am only 8 stone, so it felt as though it couldnt take even the slightest breeze or I'd find myself on the wrong side of the road, which I did after hitting spillage while overtaking.....It hurt!

How do you know if its for you?

oops

sorry guys


pressed my button twice by accident!!

sorted hun no worries.

I think you should try and do a couple of test rides this time. The VFR isn't a bad sports bike for learners but most blokes weigh more than 8 stone, so you were probably seeing the performance of closer to a 600.

Don't worry about the test rides. just enjoy them. There are plenty of options out there but it just really depends on what floats your boat. There's got a be a bit of a spark there or else you won't be entirely happy with the new bike, so shop around. Half the fun is the looking. For most of us, its not very often that we get a new bike, so enjoy it and keep your options open. Its like going to a pub, when you're not sure what drinks you like. Try a few different ones and you'll eventually find one that you really enjoy.

That's not to say that you might start off with Millar lager and end up liking Stella a few years later.

Get an SV, That was my first big bike and I loved it to bits, They are friendly, fast and fun. The older model is prettier thant the new one. There are loads of mods for them and plenty of online and real world comunities devted to them. Most of my current biking mates have or have had at least one SV.
I will openly admit to missing mine sometimes

650 or 1000 then? I like the look of the SV650 until you get up close... then it looks a bit girly (I know, I ride a bandit... ) for some reason, yet the 1000 looks the dogs to me

Gislaine, I can't really help... I bought a Bandit after my DAS and have been very happy with it, even if it is a little slower than most 600s, it's nice, predictable and safe-ish... only the rider's a tosser

Ok I'll be specific, an SV650 or the SV650S which I had. Here's a few wee pics of my old bike.

Looks better there than in the flesh Banana,

I might re-visit these I think - faster than a Bandit sir?

Oh yes much faster than a Bandit in fact there's not much out there that'll out accellerate it off the line. A combination of low weight, low gearing and a torquey engine make it hard to beat. They slay my Triumph off the line and kill it in the really tight stuff too .
Much lighter too and more dedicated seating postion, although I done Skye a few times on it. Reasonably practical, bungee hooks, helmet locks under the seat. The under seat area can take a U-lock, waterproof trousers, luggage net, tools, chain. Ridden with restraint, I got around 140 to reserve, most of the time though I was lucky to see 110/120.
Its a great wee machine. Reliable as anything although unless looked after, it'll get tatty quick, but it IS a BUDGET bike.
Oh and cheap to insure, 2 yrs no-claims,kept in a shed, immobiliser, ground anchor, umlimited mileage, bad Glasgow post code. Fully comp for £390

I think I posted this some time back but here it is again..

In 1998 I decided to go for a smaller cc bike and ended up with a new ZZR600 and what an bike it was, Ideal for my short fat hairy legs,did almost every thing I asked it to and was pleased with it apart from the clunky gear change UNLESS you hit the revs spot on.

At ..CARNELLS.. ( can I mention that name )a young lady asked me if she could sit on the bike to see if it was the bike for her as she too had just passed her test and was looking around for a bike.

To cut short the story she did in fact get one as I saw in a local bike shop a while later and she was real chuffed with it, she said she could keep up with most bikes on twisty roads and liked it from day one and it was a very quick bike and a good all rounder..

Not sure about insurance tho it was £137 fully comp for me..

you can add my vote for a sv650 . i had one for 2 years and enjoyed every minute
I too miss mine sometimes even tho i own a gorgeous looking daytona 600 now.

There is something about a twin that make you go ooooooohhhh... aaahhhhhh when you rev it up !

I've been looking at an SV650 but want the faired version with the unfaired version handle bars. (I like the more upright stance)... insurance bad slough postcode, no NCB licence under year, garaged no alarm specified around 550 fully comp.

However now looking at ER-5's and CB500's as I dont want to kill myself, and the SV is at the top of my £4000 budget.

Wayne

You can pick up the ER-5s for buttons. I've ridden one and found the clutch to be a bit heavy but apart from that, they weren't a bad bike. Good cheap transport but keep it clean because the finish looks a bit thin. Between the two I'd probably go for the CB but they are more expensive from what I've seen. Nice looking bikes though.

Are you sure?
Acording to MCN (Sept 17th) they quoted the new range of CB bikes as follows...

CBF250- £2'500
CBF500- £3'500 (estimated)
CBF600- £4000 (not a typo).

And that's brand new- if you wait for a bit then the 2nd hand prices will have a massive drop, so will the End-Of-Line/old version.

I don't think they can sell the old version "new" as it doesn't meet the new regs (hence the new one). They may have pre-registered it though so although it may not have done any miles it is still technically second hand and therefore should be cheaper. I had a CB500 back in '96 and it is still running around now as a training school bike after one of the SB's bought it off me for his finance (sorry fiance) and she then sold it on. Great little bike, never let me down once.

I though CBF500 was not available until Feb 04? anyone know when CB's stopped? might go 2nd hand for a low mileage version. Saw a lovely Hornet for 3200, (forgot year) but have been quoted 1100 for fully comp. Trouble is I have the money now in bank account, but dont wanrt to buy until I have licence... 8 lessons away..... but dont want to wait till feb for new CBF. Also (lots of also's here!!! ) Also dont want to buy new bike in new range... why do I have to pay for them to find out it fall apart in 50 miles... rather go with known designs.


Wayne

There isn't that much new technology on these, its virtually all been tried and tested elsewhere so I wouldn't worry too much about being a guinea pig.

Wayne,G.T. motorcycles in Plymouth have a brand new,latest model SV650,un-faired version,in the window for £3750 on the road.Good price but I`m not a fan of theirs,upset them once over something I wrote in a mag and again 2 days ago when I hacked-off one of their mechanics on Ridersite(anyone who knows me wont be at all suprised).I dont know if this is a Suzuki promotion or just from G.T.,probably worth phoning around and using their price to negotiate if it`s a one-off from them.Naked SV with a flyscreen?Should still be within your 4 grand limit.

Feck, that ain't a bad price. there was used ones going for that price not long ago.

Just checked there site........I live literally down the road but I`m not welcome in the shop........and they`ve got the faired one on there for £3999,bike in the showroom window is latest model and o.t.r. but a recent bit of business they tried to pull on a mate means I`d want that confirmed unless you`re actually there in person and see the bike.They told someone none the wiser that the 600 Hornet he wanted was for sale at £600 off list "because it`s black and no-one wants black bikes".The minor detail that it was the old model and not the up-dated version must have slipped their minds.SV prices are very good there but check out other places to see if they can match it.

Moko! Are you still mad at GT's after BW's eloquent little reply to you????

That was eloquent?More like chucking the dummy out of the pram and if you read what he said in his second reply he basically backed up what I said,the guy who now runs his own business left for exactly the reasons BW was moaning about.Seems like when he realised that slagging this bloke off isn`t a bright idea he back-pedalled on that as well.They are known locally as Cowboys,fact.A mate of mine,also of the ex-mechanic ,just bought a 900 Ninja from them,the immobiliser packed up after a week and he was told "it`s not part of the bike,nothing to do with us",despite having the immobiliser pointed out to him by the salesman.He`s a man known locally for resorting to violence rather than making complaints but seems to have taken their word for it rather than "the usual".I actually see BW`s points as they`re exactly those made by the other guy,except rather than get wound up over it he set himself up,this guy said,as BW did,"they wont let me do a decent job,just want stuff in and out of the workshop a.s.a.p." So I cant see his argument really.

Feck Thought you were talking about me for a moment there

Nahh BlandWit, its my mate Billy Whizz from Ridersite.
Calm down mate, its only a bike forum


Oh and Moko I was being a wee bit sarcy hehehehehe

saw an africa twin in the showroom today :tounge: .... but also like the transalp....


Wayne