Best bike for an absolute novice?
Discussion
Hey chap/esses i'm going to be doing my direct access course soon and I need to get an idea of what decent bikes are out there (I know less than bu66er all about bikes). I'm looking for something a bit like a harley or what I would consider a muscle bike (ducati monster? but not necessarily as powerful!) edging towards a harley as they sound cool and don't go very fast (used to a Ginetta G33 
) but can anyone point me in the right direction? any recommendations? handy hints? etc? thanks 
) but can anyone point me in the right direction? any recommendations? handy hints? etc? thanks Your pretty safe when it comes to things like Harleys as the power is quite controllable and the bikes are relatively stable.
Whatever you do, DO NOT get a sports bike without any prior experience or indeed any bike with over 80bhp.
It's always best to work your way up so you get used to the power.
I started with a 50, then a 125, then a 600, 750 and now I'm on a 984cc beast! (Next one is a 1200 Bandit).
I know and have heard of so many people doing a DA, buying a sports bike and then wondering why they are cooped up in hospital or are left bikeless!!!
Whatever you do, DO NOT get a sports bike without any prior experience or indeed any bike with over 80bhp.
It's always best to work your way up so you get used to the power.
I started with a 50, then a 125, then a 600, 750 and now I'm on a 984cc beast! (Next one is a 1200 Bandit).
I know and have heard of so many people doing a DA, buying a sports bike and then wondering why they are cooped up in hospital or are left bikeless!!!
There's a wide variety of cruisers out there, so you've got plenty of choice.
IMO, Harleys are all show, and no go, but if that floats yer boat, good for you. They do hold their value but need a lot of looking after. A friend of mine bought a Sportster 883 last year and he spends more time polishing than he does riding. I had a go on it and it was like riding a tractor - lumpy power delivery, harsh gearbox and totally gutless. He likes it though and it's his first bike so he doesn't really have anything to compare it to so he's happy.
Sorry, you might have realised I don't like Harley's much.
IMO, Harleys are all show, and no go, but if that floats yer boat, good for you. They do hold their value but need a lot of looking after. A friend of mine bought a Sportster 883 last year and he spends more time polishing than he does riding. I had a go on it and it was like riding a tractor - lumpy power delivery, harsh gearbox and totally gutless. He likes it though and it's his first bike so he doesn't really have anything to compare it to so he's happy.
Sorry, you might have realised I don't like Harley's much.
MrsMiggins said:
There's a wide variety of cruisers out there, so you've got plenty of choice.
IMO, Harleys are all show, and no go, but if that floats yer boat, good for you. They do hold their value but need a lot of looking after. A friend of mine bought a Sportster 883 last year and he spends more time polishing than he does riding. I had a go on it and it was like riding a tractor - lumpy power delivery, harsh gearbox and totally gutless. He likes it though and it's his first bike so he doesn't really have anything to compare it to so he's happy.
Sorry, you might have realised I don't like Harley's much.
TBH my bag is fast dangerous cars, if I thought like that about bikes all my friends would stop me from buying one! I like the idea of a loud shiny bike which has a little (0-60 in 7 seconds from a harley website sounds adequate enough for me!!
) go but not enough to encourage me to do anything silly in...something similar to my mini in fact! Here here to that! Harleys are a bit....well....poo to ride. But great to look at.
Mind, I ride a Buell XB9R which is based on a Sportster engine with a multitude of changes and its very responsive with over 100bhp and 86ft/lb of torque!
Great bike.....but not for a beginner! No no!
Why not look at a Bandit 400, or even a 600. They're an easy bike to ride and very controllable. Plus when you start becoming more experienced, you can either flog it or tune it with stage 1 kit, and plenty of other bits and pieces.
Result is a great road bike! (Not the best handling but looks the dogs bo**cks!)
Mind, I ride a Buell XB9R which is based on a Sportster engine with a multitude of changes and its very responsive with over 100bhp and 86ft/lb of torque!
Great bike.....but not for a beginner! No no!
Why not look at a Bandit 400, or even a 600. They're an easy bike to ride and very controllable. Plus when you start becoming more experienced, you can either flog it or tune it with stage 1 kit, and plenty of other bits and pieces.
Result is a great road bike! (Not the best handling but looks the dogs bo**cks!)
If you posted in general gassing.....
I've got a race bike, and I want a car for posing in, I was thinking something like one of those huge American 4 wheel drive things with LOADS of chrome and a decent sstereo
What do you think ?
IMHO if you like fast cars that handle OK that's what you'll eventualy get as a bike. First bike, any mid size roadster will be fine, depends on how much cash you've got; 600 Bandit probably favourite
I've got a race bike, and I want a car for posing in, I was thinking something like one of those huge American 4 wheel drive things with LOADS of chrome and a decent sstereo
What do you think ?
IMHO if you like fast cars that handle OK that's what you'll eventualy get as a bike. First bike, any mid size roadster will be fine, depends on how much cash you've got; 600 Bandit probably favourite
minimax said:
TBH my bag is fast dangerous cars, if I thought like that about bikes all my friends would stop me from buying one! I like the idea of a loud shiny bike which has a little (0-60 in 7 seconds from a harley website sounds adequate enough for me!!
You need to decide if you actually want to ride the bike or just look at it. If you enjoy the driving process then you'll probably want to feel the same when you're riding. I'm not sure that a Harley will give you that.
On the other hand, if you want to park it in the town centre and get admiring glances and attention from people who know bu
er all about bikes then the Harley is the one to go for! BTW, 7 seconds!
The bike you do your direct access on will probably be faster. It'll certainly handle better!My first bike was a BMW F650 GS and recommended by someone on here. It was a great first bike.
If you want something Harley'ish and there's a dealer near to you, you may consider a Moto Guzzi California EV.
Reasonably inexpensive yet similar riding style and sounds good too. I had one as my second bike and, aprt from a few false neutrals, it was great.
Pity the dealer went under, near here, and the nearest then was in Colwyn Bay some 55 miles away.
They had spares availablity problems but, since being taken over, this may have improved.
I'd buy another if I could get local service and parts.
>> Edited by Davel on Monday 6th December 14:44
If you want something Harley'ish and there's a dealer near to you, you may consider a Moto Guzzi California EV.
Reasonably inexpensive yet similar riding style and sounds good too. I had one as my second bike and, aprt from a few false neutrals, it was great.
Pity the dealer went under, near here, and the nearest then was in Colwyn Bay some 55 miles away.
They had spares availablity problems but, since being taken over, this may have improved.
I'd buy another if I could get local service and parts.
>> Edited by Davel on Monday 6th December 14:44
Good luck on your DA! It'll be interesting to see what you think of a Harley after you've spent a week or so on a CBR500/ER5.
A Harley owning friend of mine claimed that people interested in accelerating, going, turning and stopping with any degree of certainty or speed - should not be buying Harley's! Looking good and sounding like a world war II fighter plane were the reasons he had them (owns 2).
I'd plumb for a 600 retro for best insurance, re-sale and gaining skills as a first timer. Once you've done a few 000 miles you could get one of those Arlen Ness (sp?) custom choppers or stick with a 5 year old 600 Fazer. Good luck.
A Harley owning friend of mine claimed that people interested in accelerating, going, turning and stopping with any degree of certainty or speed - should not be buying Harley's! Looking good and sounding like a world war II fighter plane were the reasons he had them (owns 2).
I'd plumb for a 600 retro for best insurance, re-sale and gaining skills as a first timer. Once you've done a few 000 miles you could get one of those Arlen Ness (sp?) custom choppers or stick with a 5 year old 600 Fazer. Good luck.
Davel said:
If you want something Harley'ish and there's a dealer near to you, you may consider a Moto Guzzi California EV.
Reasonably inexpensive yet similar riding style and sounds good too. I had one as my second bike and, aprt from a few false neutrals, it was great.
All I will say about the Guzzi is:
My friend has one and although he loves it, the bike always breaks down. The build quality is at best; Lada like and it handles like a slab of concrete. Not to mention it'll rust to pieces before it reaches it's first service!
But as I said, he loves it and that's fair enough and the same to anyone else that likes them. (I ride a Buell afterall), but I would in all honesty avoid them like the plague!
Mad Dave said:
Bandit 600 is a good choice, and they're very cheap nowadays. Good stable bike to learn on, but still has a good bit of power and handles ok for a budget bike.
Sounds fab Dave. Any idea where there might be one available? Say, two careful PH owners. Modified frame and front end. Never abused or maintained, regardless of cost. Bargain price?
Mon Ami Mate said:
Bandit 600 is a good choice, and they're very cheap nowadays. Good stable bike to learn on, but still has a good bit of power and handles ok for a budget bike.
Sounds fab Dave. Any idea where there might be one available? Say, two careful PH owners. Modified frame and front end. Never abused or maintained, regardless of cost. Bargain price?
LMAO@ 'never abused or maintained'. I maintained it!
The frame is fine, just the forks that are bent
If anyone offers me about £700 for it (apparently thats what its worth), they can have it now. Slight cosmetic damage, bent forks. Either that or i'll stick new forks on it and ride it. When the weather gets warmer.
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