Advice on first big bike

[Guest]

Hi all,

been a while since I posted on here, but as they kindly sent me a birthday message it prompted me to pop on.

I sit my Mod 1 tomorrow (fingers crossed - must remember to check that flippin shoulder, it'll save my life one day) and then hopefully I'll be able to go on to do my Mod 2 hopefully later this week.

Now I know I should be looking at bigger bikes, but it's hard not to thumb through a copy of MCN or similar and drool and now i'm totally stuck.

I've spent the last 18 months running around on a VL125 - it's been a great bike (although having spent the weekend on an xj6 the pedals seem in the wrong place) and I've loved riding it, but it lacks power and you don't have a very high road presence.

So i've started look around at what to get next (assume I pass). I like the cruiser style but they seem to jump from 125 through to 800cc and i'm already finding 650cc a bit wizzie (apparently I need to slow down a little - according to my instructer). So i've been looking at other styles. I quite live the V-Storm 650 (particularly as it has ABS) and the Verseys 650. I'm a big bloke (height and weight) and feel I need a proporitionate bike - hence why the VL125 has been so good for me.

Has anyone got any experience on the storm of the verseys that they can offer? Would either make a decent 1st big bike? I'll mainly be using it for commuting and the occassional longer ride. I'm also interested in seeing with the WK 650TR EFi is like (http://www.wkbikes.com/650cc_motorbikes_wk-650tr.html ) the reviews look pretty good and the price is decent - but I'm worried it's a big of a mongrel bike using slightly odd tech?

Any other suggestions for bikes to consider are also always welcome. I know I don't like the XJ6, so I'm pretty sure that sporty styles are totally out the window.

All advice and comments welcomed!!

Cheers

[klingelton]

im in the same boat as you mate. I'm looking at the kawasaki er6f, fazer 600, xj6, sv650, or a bandit. i'd love a street triple, but i don't think my budget will stretch that far.

i'm 6' and a bit portly as well and prefer the more upright seating position. i've kept my options open as i don't have the largest budget it the world and i don't think i'd be upset if i got any of the above bikes.

my advise is, if money is no real object, get the one YOU want, not what your mates say you want. which one would you go into the garage and look at and say "that's mine". That's the one you need to buy.

oh and you will never do that with a Chinese bike! (not that they make adventure bikes yet)

[rennie]

I voted for the v strom but really it's the one

that "feels" right to you

[Tango]

I voted for "other" as none of them are Triumphs......

But as Rennie says...you've got to go and sit on as many bikes as you can to find the one that "fits".....and a 800cc Cruiser will be a softer tune......so probably not as "whizzy" as the XJ6....more low end torque....so don't rule the cruisers out if that's what you like......

[Bonniebird]

I voted for "other" as none of them are Triumphs......

But as Rennie says...you've got to go and sit on as many bikes as you can to find the one that "fits".....and a 800cc Cruiser will be a softer tune......so probably not as "whizzy" as the XJ6....more low end torque....so don't rule the cruisers out if that's what you like......

Triumph Tiger 800 if you want an upright 'adventure' bike

Bonnies make great first bikes though

[Joeman]

Buy something you would see yourself riding in 12-18months time...

something you can grow into, rather than get bored of...they only go as fast as you ask them to.

[al_stu]

I bought an FZ6n, i love it, its a great first bike and very forgiving. But I havent stopped eying up proper sports bikes (GSX-R, CBRR, 749 etc) and I think the way to go is buy cheapish, reliable, learner friendly and know its just a stepping stone to get some experience and a years no claims, or buy whatever you want from the word go. If you don't buy whatever you want, you'll buy it as soon as you can afford it haha! Its a toy at the end oof the day, why not get what you really want? But definately sit on some and be sure you're comfy on there. See too many bikes being sold 6 months old cos the buyer can't put up woth the seating position