Motorbike choice after passing test

[R9XDG]

Hi everyone.

 

I'm looking for some advice and maybe get a discussion going about good bike choices after passing my test.

 

Eventually I want to get myself a 1000cc (or higher) sports bike, however I'm old enough (and hopefully wise) enough to know that jumping on a bike of that power straight after my test would be a death sentence.

 

So I'm looking for suggestions on what bike and power to get straight after my test to practice my riding on and become more confident and competent as a rider before moving up to a higher powered bike.

 

What I want to avoid is having to work up 3-4 bikes before reaching my "end goal" bike. I'd like to get something that is similar to the 600cc+ bike I'll be learning on, and something that once I make that leap to a higher powered bike won't feel like I've made that leap too soon.

 

I'm a confident driver and I believe I'll be a confident rider. As I've mentioned I'm also sensible and old enough to admit that if I need to take it step by step with bike upgrades I will, I'd just rather avoid it if possible as I don't want to have to buy and sell a bunch of bikes (I hate the hassle).

 

My flavor of choice is sports bikes so suggestions in that body type is what I'm looking for.

 

Any advice would be great. thank you.

[RideWithStyles]

Driving and riding are different and so must the attitude be towards. Its easier when young to go bike then learn car than learn car first to bike. 
 

Age? And flexible? Tall or short? Use case?
 

personally I’d avoid sports bikes after 2010 we’ll certainly new ones- engines and chassis are far too focused for track, too much of a pain in the arse and wasted on the road as you’d struggle to tap into their use without killing or prison while on the road.

 

road, roadsters, nakeds, half faired, gs even  would be a better advice.

Capacity only tells part of a story, it’s the configuration of the engine that counts with bikes not just dynamics but handling, cars less so. Bikes have more choices of singles, twins (flat, v, boxer), triples, or inline 4s,six’s, two stoke and four- all work different and have a great impact on how the bike works and engages with you….

[husoi]

I would say for you to get a trail type, Africa twin or the like.

They are really good teachers and forgiving when you go mental on the brakes.

Height will allow you to see further and hopefully see trouble before gets in your way.

They are also more comfortable than sports.

Once you're comfortable with riding then you can upgrade to a sport bike.

Personally I would upsize gradually instead of jumping on a killer machine.

[Steve_M]

This is a perennial question to which I have yet to see a definitive answer. A former colleague went from passing his test straight to a Fireblade and then to a Blackbird - both rather peppy bikes. He was fine with each - I used to organise post-work social rides and he turned out to be a good, safe rider straight out of the box, as it were. Others have struggle to adapt to 600cc bikes.

 

With that in mind, I would go for a mid-range, non-sports / sports tourer  bike - something along the lines of a Yamaha Tracer. Enough ooomph to be interesting, tractable, and comfortable. 

[Hairsy]

Given the way you're thinking, you don't have to complete discount the idea going straight for a litre bike. You're the best judge of you - but if you're truly sensible then you only turn the throttle as much as you're comfortable and people do it.

 

That said, there's a few things I suggest you consider. My personal advice would be not to go straight to a litre bike. But (and this is my most important point), you shouldn't be taking my advice because I'm some random on the internet and plenty of credible sounding people on the internet talk rubbish. Of course, I'm not one of them - but then I would say that wouldn't I! There is bad advice out there - talk to people you know and trust.

 

Anyway, my thoughts:

 

1) Be honest with yourself about what sort of riding you'll be doing. If you're going to be touring then you don't want to go too sporty - it's just uncomfortable and that's not fun.

 

2) I like the look of sports bikes - but you can get a pretty sporty look in a sports tourer. I love the look of my Z1000SX - and there's lots of other touring bikes out there that look quite sporty.

 

3) In the early days of riding your low speed (including stationary) bike handling won't be brilliant. I think this is one of the biggest reasons not to go straight to a big (and heavy) bike. Your strength may save you from dropping a 600cc bike but if you make a similar handling mistake on a 1,000cc bike then you might not have the strength. When I had a 600, I know this applied to me and I think my choice to have a smaller bike saved me more than one incident of embarrassment and expense.

 

4) Upgrading is fun and a decent 600(ish) bike will have more poke than you want to use in your early days. If you go straight to your litre bike then you'll miss out on the fun of the upgrade path. 

 

Finally, let us know how you get on.

[KiwiBob]

How old are you and what is your budget?

[bonio]

3 hours ago, R9XDG said:

What I want to avoid is having to work up 3-4 bikes before reaching my "end goal" bike.

I'm not sure this is the best way. Bikes aren't like cars: they are so different from each other, and riding one can often be completely unlike riding another. (I've two bikes at the moment. I've had them both for a few years. They are so different that I still have to make conscious adjustment about how to ride when swap from one to the other.)

What I'm getting round to is this: if you went straight to your "end goal" bike, you'd miss out on all the glorious variety that bikes offer. And who knows what you might find out about what you like as you follow that path? 

As an aside, this is the essential problem faced by nearly all bikers, and why the ideal number of bikes to have is n + 1. 

[daveinlim]

After passing my das I got a 2012 honda cbr600f. 

Cheap bike that has plenty of go, 100 bhp so a little more than the current 650, I think it looks well and is a sporty bike without being back breaking and insurance wasn't asking for a kidney or my first born.

 

Being a 600 I4 it does take some working the gears to get the most from it but that's part of the appeal. 

 

I've had 2 now and will probably change up next year to the new 1k hornet. 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2024 by daveinlim

[S-Westerly]

I hadn't ridden a bike for best part of 20 years then came back to it with a 950 Multistrada.  Now on a Guzzi V100S. Tried a sport's bike - Suzuki GXR and the whole body position was just too uncomfortable for me. Don't be obsessed with a particular type or brand, try a variety and get what you are comfortable with. 

[onesea]

I started on a 600cc, (FZ6N) then jumped to a 1200 sports tourer. 

On most roads solo the 600 was quicker.  

I agree with a tall bike.

 

IMHO if you value your licence big sports bikes are off little use on the roads. 

 

It's not about the bike it's about you the rider 

 

 

[Capt Sisko]

To chuck my two pennies worth in, I'd go for something that has a lot of mid range grunt rather than something that has you needing to be in the power band / right gear to get a response. Passing your test is just the first part in learning to ride so riding something that is a little more forgiving has its advantages on what is a steep learning curve.

[R9XDG]

Thanks for your input everyone, it’s really appreciated.

 

I’m leaning towards getting a Yamaha MT-03 660cc. It ticks all the boxes for me and seems like an ideal “beginner bike”.

 

Thank you all again for your replies, it’s given me a lot to think about moving forward.

[Steve_M]

3 hours ago, R9XDG said:

Thanks for your input everyone, it’s really appreciated.

 

I’m leaning towards getting a Yamaha MT-03 660cc. It ticks all the boxes for me and seems like an ideal “beginner bike”.

 

Thank you all again for your replies, it’s given me a lot to think about moving forward.

That seems like a good starting point. Based on my experience, it has similar power to weight of my first “big” bike - which was a fine introduction - with more up to date features. I’m not one for modifying bikes but I would consider adding a screen to it. Naked bikes are all very well but a bit of weather protection  is always welcome. 

[muldoon74]

Leaning towards a Honda CB500X atm... 

 

I'm 50 and been driving for 28 years, also have a  class 2 license which I think helps with my concentration and throttle discipline when out on my 125. 

 

I don't need a 100mph pocket rocket or to be able to take on the world on a big adventurey thingy.. 

 

I want a good seating position, comfort, ability to get out of bother (enough power) should I need to and a decent tank range as I hate having to refuel (as my 125 is giving me unrealistic expectations for fuel economy I want in my next bike).

 

150-200 mile days, the odd 3/4 day tour or a quick hour blast to clear the cobwebs. 

 

Budget top end £4000, hoping not to have to spend that though. 

 

I realise the CB500X holds it value well and haven't seen any, even earlier models, under £3000.

 

Lower end of the budget looking at VStrom 650 (seen a few examples under £3000, good mileage service history etc), SV650 (including Gladius) and a few others. 

 

 

 

 

[RideWithStyles]

Been up and DOWN capacity bikes 125 8hp -1000cc 150hp for years. The previous bike was a 500cc 46hp twin, to shall I say torquie 600s inline 4s (the old ones) 3bikes ago are more than enough on the road with pillion too with few actual downsides. The higher you go the less benefit you get out of it for the negative.

Edited November 22, 2024 by RideWithStyles