Advice on first 'big bike'
Discussion
Dear fellow bikers of PH
I have recently done my DAS and now I'm looking to buy my first bike! I want a street/naked style bike, and i've a budget of around £4-5k.
I'm on the larger side, 6ft3, 100kg, and as such, i find a lot of the 'middleweight' bikes quite small. I did my training on an mt-07 which gave me knee pain after a short time and generally felt like a bit of a toy! I have had a sit on an er-6 and a street triple r which also felt small, although the triumph less so.
My question is, is there a bigger size middleweight bike ideal for a beginner? I do have the option of a bigger capacity bike, I'm 30 so i can get reasonable insurance for an mt09 for example, but i've never sat on one, so i don't know if bigger capacity bikes are generally more spacious for bigger riders? Then theres the question of whether getting something bigger would be a bad idea from a 'not knowing how much power there actually is' viewpoint. I back myself to be sensible though.
Cheers!
I have recently done my DAS and now I'm looking to buy my first bike! I want a street/naked style bike, and i've a budget of around £4-5k.
I'm on the larger side, 6ft3, 100kg, and as such, i find a lot of the 'middleweight' bikes quite small. I did my training on an mt-07 which gave me knee pain after a short time and generally felt like a bit of a toy! I have had a sit on an er-6 and a street triple r which also felt small, although the triumph less so.
My question is, is there a bigger size middleweight bike ideal for a beginner? I do have the option of a bigger capacity bike, I'm 30 so i can get reasonable insurance for an mt09 for example, but i've never sat on one, so i don't know if bigger capacity bikes are generally more spacious for bigger riders? Then theres the question of whether getting something bigger would be a bad idea from a 'not knowing how much power there actually is' viewpoint. I back myself to be sensible though.
Cheers!
Can't help with a specific bike, but the site below allows you to select bike, enter your measurements and see how it looks. (Well done on passing, stay safe.)
https://cycle-ergo.com/
ETA...I'm 6'4" and ended up with a FZ6 Fazer, not quite what I wanted, but I fit ok.
https://cycle-ergo.com/
ETA...I'm 6'4" and ended up with a FZ6 Fazer, not quite what I wanted, but I fit ok.
I'm 6ft 4in and about the same weight. I do look stupid on small bikes probably like you. When I 1st passed my test the Mt10 had just come out and my brother-in-law bought one. It was perfect for me. The MT09 looked and felt small in comparison.
I ended up in the end with an Aprillia 750 v-twin called the 'shiver' it was pretty much like sitting on the MT10. I loved that bike and have had faster bikes since but I still say to this day that the shiver was the bike I enjoyed the most.
Its around 94bhp and lots of torque being a twin. It also sounded lovely and was the 1st bike ever to have rider modes.
I ended up in the end with an Aprillia 750 v-twin called the 'shiver' it was pretty much like sitting on the MT10. I loved that bike and have had faster bikes since but I still say to this day that the shiver was the bike I enjoyed the most.
Its around 94bhp and lots of torque being a twin. It also sounded lovely and was the 1st bike ever to have rider modes.
6’2” and I get on fine with my FZ1, although it is cramped after a while, but then I stuck higher rearsets on it to give me more ground clearance.
MT10 is very comfortable, though that has standard pegs.
If I was in your position, however, I’d look for a 950 (if ULEZ not an issue) or 990 SM. My 950 was very comfortable and a proper ‘big’ bike, without the heft of a GS or something.
MT10 is very comfortable, though that has standard pegs.
If I was in your position, however, I’d look for a 950 (if ULEZ not an issue) or 990 SM. My 950 was very comfortable and a proper ‘big’ bike, without the heft of a GS or something.
MrSpanky49 said:
Then theres the question of whether getting something bigger would be a bad idea from a 'not knowing how much power there actually is' viewpoint. I back myself to be sensible though.
Don't worry about this. I was in a similar position to you a couple of months back (albeit 5" shorter). Looking at the likes of MT07s.Some serious budget creep later and I've just taken my brand new MT09 in for it's first service. Loving every minute of it and I'm glad I followed my instructors advice getting the 9 over the 7. It doesn't feel like "too much" at all.
Easy choice in my opinion, with your budget a Honda CB1300F will fit the bill, proper retro looks, build quality off the scale, fabulous engine, great handling and brakes, tend to be owned by sensible mature types and hard to see them losing any value.
I owned one for from 2016 until last year, the only reason I got rid was because I couldn't take it to America when I emigrated last year, but roll on 2028 when i'll import one.
I owned one for from 2016 until last year, the only reason I got rid was because I couldn't take it to America when I emigrated last year, but roll on 2028 when i'll import one.
Amused2death said:
Can't help with a specific bike, but the site below allows you to select bike, enter your measurements and see how it looks. (Well done on passing, stay safe.)
https://cycle-ergo.com/
ETA...I'm 6'4" and ended up with a FZ6 Fazer, not quite what I wanted, but I fit ok.
Thank you for this! Quite amazing when you see the physical difference between and supersport and a street bike!https://cycle-ergo.com/
ETA...I'm 6'4" and ended up with a FZ6 Fazer, not quite what I wanted, but I fit ok.
WarnieV6GT said:
I'm 6ft 4in and about the same weight. I do look stupid on small bikes probably like you. When I 1st passed my test the Mt10 had just come out and my brother-in-law bought one. It was perfect for me. The MT09 looked and felt small in comparison.
I ended up in the end with an Aprillia 750 v-twin called the 'shiver' it was pretty much like sitting on the MT10. I loved that bike and have had faster bikes since but I still say to this day that the shiver was the bike I enjoyed the most.
Its around 94bhp and lots of torque being a twin. It also sounded lovely and was the 1st bike ever to have rider modes.
Just had a look at these, look really smart. Did you have any reliability issues with it? for some reason I've always viewed Aprilias as maybe not as good as the Jap bikes...I ended up in the end with an Aprillia 750 v-twin called the 'shiver' it was pretty much like sitting on the MT10. I loved that bike and have had faster bikes since but I still say to this day that the shiver was the bike I enjoyed the most.
Its around 94bhp and lots of torque being a twin. It also sounded lovely and was the 1st bike ever to have rider modes.
samdale said:
MrSpanky49 said:
Then theres the question of whether getting something bigger would be a bad idea from a 'not knowing how much power there actually is' viewpoint. I back myself to be sensible though.
Don't worry about this. I was in a similar position to you a couple of months back (albeit 5" shorter). Looking at the likes of MT07s.Some serious budget creep later and I've just taken my brand new MT09 in for it's first service. Loving every minute of it and I'm glad I followed my instructors advice getting the 9 over the 7. It doesn't feel like "too much" at all.
tdm34 said:
Easy choice in my opinion, with your budget a Honda CB1300F will fit the bill, proper retro looks, build quality off the scale, fabulous engine, great handling and brakes, tend to be owned by sensible mature types and hard to see them losing any value.
I owned one for from 2016 until last year, the only reason I got rid was because I couldn't take it to America when I emigrated last year, but roll on 2028 when i'll import one.
This is a great shout. My dad had one (as well as a bandit 6/1200, XJ1300, GSX1400) which i think is why this style appeals to me so much. I had discounted the likes for a couple of years due to insurance being daft but having been surprised by a couple of quotes already i'll have a look!I owned one for from 2016 until last year, the only reason I got rid was because I couldn't take it to America when I emigrated last year, but roll on 2028 when i'll import one.
MrSpanky49 said:
Yeah my instructor was the opposite, said start small, cb500 was recommended, but i'm probably not going to ride it if I don't like it/feel uncomfortable.
Then want to trade it in in 6 months time... It's ok if you know you want to try out a few different bikes. The MT09 feels like there's plenty to grow into, not intimidating, slightly higher seat than the 07 and a pile of rider aids to boot.I know ABS can cut in a bit early, but I just about managed to activate it on my mod1 emergency stop on an MT07. Given my inexperience, I'm very happy I've got ABS. The fact it has traction/slide/wheely control means that given time, I can start to explore limits with a bit more safety too.
Similiar position though I have my Mod 2 on Friday and my budget is slightly less.
I'm 6'1 and about 95kg. Been round a few dealers to see what would suit and best I've found so far was a Suzuki Bandit 1200/1250, just felt "right".
FZ6 was abit too small, I felt like I might break it and the SV650 felt like it might vanish somewhere I'd never want it to... CB600F Hornet felt surprisingly comfortable though.
I'm 6'1 and about 95kg. Been round a few dealers to see what would suit and best I've found so far was a Suzuki Bandit 1200/1250, just felt "right".
FZ6 was abit too small, I felt like I might break it and the SV650 felt like it might vanish somewhere I'd never want it to... CB600F Hornet felt surprisingly comfortable though.
I had the same problem. I went for a Aprillia Shiver 750. Absolutely loved it as a first bike. Stick the fly-by-wire throttle in Touring mode, and it's very forgiving. Sport is a bit snappier. Rain is about half-power. It's a great first bike, really is. Bonus, it looks brilliant and you don't see many around.
A few months ago there were some new Shiver 900 Nav models being advertised for £6500. The Shiver 900 wasn't being updated for the latest, now current EU emissions standard.
There are some used Shiver 900s being advertised for £5500ish. The reviews say the power feels the same as the 750 but the 900 has more torque. The MCN review likens the Shiver 900 to an SV650 with more go.
They appeal to me, but in reality the weight and the way the weight is distributed make them less than ideal for my manual handling abilities and confidence. I like the bling of the gold calipers on the earlier model year 900s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwwLu2EVsBo&t=...
There are some used Shiver 900s being advertised for £5500ish. The reviews say the power feels the same as the 750 but the 900 has more torque. The MCN review likens the Shiver 900 to an SV650 with more go.
They appeal to me, but in reality the weight and the way the weight is distributed make them less than ideal for my manual handling abilities and confidence. I like the bling of the gold calipers on the earlier model year 900s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwwLu2EVsBo&t=...
Edited by carinaman on Sunday 11th July 21:40
Fishlegs said:
I had the same problem. I went for a Aprillia Shiver 750. Absolutely loved it as a first bike. Stick the fly-by-wire throttle in Touring mode, and it's very forgiving. Sport is a bit snappier. Rain is about half-power. It's a great first bike, really is. Bonus, it looks brilliant and you don't see many around.
Going to have a look at one of these over the weekend- looks like it could be a great buy! Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff