I have the module 2 test on wednesday as the final stage of getting a full bike license so, all being well, I am about to start looking around for my first 'big' bike. Ok ok, I actually started looking around some time ago, so I have a few ideas of my own, but I am interested in what people here think.

I have a budget of roughly 3k and I'm looking for a machine mostly for a daily 30 mile commute, but also for some fun around the back lanes and the odd longer trip. I'm thinking of something around the 600cc mark.

The bikes I have considered so far, in order of preference from favourite to least favourite:

Yamaha MT-03 - Quite enamoured of the looks of this thing and have read very positive reviews on the whole.

Suzuki GSF Bandit 650

Yamaha Fazer 600 (I understand that the 2002/2003 models are the ones to looks for)

Kawazaki ER6-N

Suzuki SV600-S

Something else?

Many thanks.

Have you considered trailies?

In the lower range you have the 400c.c. stuff like the Suzuki DRZ400 and Honda XR400 range, mid size you've got the likes of Yamaha XT660 or Honda XR650. These are a bit of a handful off road, but on road make an interesting alternative to the run of the mill. Not the fastest thing out there, but great fun, and excellent for commuting, and you shoudl be able to pick one up in budget.

If you're planning on lots of miles I'd maybe consider something with a decent fairing :)

Can't really make sensible suggestions without knowing how tall you are. In general I'd say the ER6 and the SV are recommeded first big bikes - but you won't like the SV if you're a long-leggedy-beastie!

Best advice is, don't get carried away with the look of a bike, sit on them and see what feels best (you are unlikely to be allowed a test ride as a new biker - shops have had too many written off!)

I fell in love with the Bandit when I was first riding, and was saving up to buy one, but as soon as I sat on one and took it off the stand, I knew it wasn't for me.

Being slightly biast I would add a CBR600 F to that list.

Great all round bike and been really good for me doing the commuting and still having a blast at the weekend. Should still have change from 3K too!

I loved it so much so I just bought another CBR as the wifes getting the old one when she passes her test.

Cant really comment on the others having never riden any but I had thought about the SV but when looking at the one in the works car park next to mine I am glad I never.

Another one to consider might be the Thundercat?

CBR600 F noted, thanks :) Is it quite an upright riding position? I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for the usual sporty position.

Oh, and I'm 5' 11"

i had an sv650s (curvy) and it was a cracking bike, really forgiving great fun, power when you want it. good brakes. all in all i loved mine...

of course i then threw it down the road on ice and it was no more :'(

on the bright side my better half fluffyfay just got one as her first big bike :)

THe F versions of the Hondas are the less sporting versions. So yes, the CBR600F is a forgiving riding position with a "proper" seat rather than the small pad sports bikes have, and high bars relatively* speaking. They're easy to ride, reliable, and if you get an early one they're pretty cheap and have a good spread of the power they've got (for an inline 4). Once Honda joined the race for the lst few BHP and started heading towards the RR version the delivery gto a bit more peaky, but a mid to late 90's 600F is still a good buy if it's in good nick.

and yes, the Thundercat, if you can find one in good nick, is probably nearly as good an all rounder. Well recommended by a friend of mine who had one.


(*) Aside: It is all relative, sort of. When I dropped my RC30 off at the dealer's for some work, I got a lift back home and immediately got on my Fireblade. It felt like it had high bars and forward set pegs!!

The best thing to do is go to some dealers and sit on some bikes - I wouldn't recommend the SV to an almost 6 footer, for instance!

And now a complete curve ball - a late 90's Triumph.

Maybe not the old, "T3" style, although my first big bike (errr, well actually my first bike after passing my test) was a 900 Trident, but maybe a Sprint ST 955. Being fairly long stroke triples, they don't make as much power as a screaming four of the same capacity, but they have more torque. Easy to ride, and they're sports tourers so not as "committed" as some other bikes.

Of course, If you like the relaxed look, how about a Harley 1200 sportster sport? Seriously. Or maybe an Honda C90 with pedals? Or a BMW 1150 GS? GSX1400? CB1300?

These are all big engined, heavy bikes, but they're not tuned for power, they're tuned for usability. Of course, the Harley and the GSX and XJR are unfaired (and there's an unfaired CB too), and that might be a problem if you intend covering serious miles, and the BMW is, realistically, only partly faired, but I have friends who cover long distances on their "gnarly" beemers. It was good enough for Ewan and Charlie.

Thanks for the suggestions, but all those litre plus bikes seem a bit too big for what I need. I'm really looking in the 600 - 650 range.

Another one which has been suggested to me is the Kawasaki Versys. Anyone have an opinion on these?

Have you considered a Honda 600 Hornet? Plenty to choose from in your price range, and very comfy. Uses the CBR 600 F motor, (a little detuned though) - plenty of go. Nice and forgiving to ride too for a new rider.

One thing to consider against the hornet is lack of fairing if you are commuting and range is under 100 miles - thats the only 2 reasons I never bought one (well one reason as I think you get a Hornet sport or something that which does have some fairing)

Others have already answered the CBR question, I am just hoping I have not done the wrong thing going for an RR now but the litre bikes were too much insurance and the GXSR750 just didnt handle as well.

Not having a fairing isn't so bad once you are used to it, and besides - it stops you getting carried away and losing your license! I recently rode 600 miles in one day back from Le Mans in France on mine - no real bother.

The comics (Bike, in particular) love it.

OK, who edited the posting and inserted that?

Cos it wasn't me.

It's the swear filter. I bet you mentioned the xjr-1300?

Hilarious.

Well, first I followed Bikergran's advice and buzzed round a few local dealers and sat on a few bikes. And, the decision came down in favour of the CBF600 as noted by AlanK! This one in fact:



It just felt right somehow; like a well built bike. It's a 2006 ABS model with a bunch of extra goodies. It's done a few miles (like 31k), but has been well looked after by the look of it (FSH and stuff)

Looking forward to a long and happy relationship with it...

Congratulations - looks like its well looked after and will no doubt suit you well.

Nice.

Don't drop it, eh?

That looks like a bike that anyone could live with, good choice exelant starter and fast enough to put a smile on your face.

Looks nice, hope you enjoy it,



How many litres is that top box? Looks to be a fair size.

[quote name='Drum' date='Aug 19 2010, 12:07 PM' post='403382']
Well, first I followed Bikergran's advice [/quote]
*smug*


It just felt right somehow[/quote]

That's exactly it - you sit on a load of bikes, some you like, some you don't like, then you sit on one that says "I'm your bike, buy me! "

It looks great, love the paint with those touches of contrast, here comes that grin factor!