First 600+ cc bike
Discussion
Hoping for a little advise, going for my Cat A licence soon and was wondering what the masses would recommend for a 600+cc bike.
Something that has a standard riding position.
Also, how easy is a bike proned to being nicked and kind of what security measures can I take if it's parked outside?
Something that has a standard riding position.
Also, how easy is a bike proned to being nicked and kind of what security measures can I take if it's parked outside?
Bikes are very knickable, so if keeping it outside and on the street anywhere near a city is going to be a headache.
I’m rural, can’t keep a bike off road so I’ve got an old CB500 anchored with a decent chain to a lamppost. Satisfies my riding urges but would not be too upset if it’s pinched. Would love something more exotic but it’s just not worth the hassle.
Reckon anything not too new or attractive but with a bit of poke should be what you’re after.
I’m rural, can’t keep a bike off road so I’ve got an old CB500 anchored with a decent chain to a lamppost. Satisfies my riding urges but would not be too upset if it’s pinched. Would love something more exotic but it’s just not worth the hassle.
Reckon anything not too new or attractive but with a bit of poke should be what you’re after.
I had an FZS600 years ago and it was a smashing bike, although the Mk1 had dreadful headlights, the later 'Foxeye' had much better lights. I had an SV650 up until last year and loved it, really nice bike, dirt cheap to run and really cheap to buy; I'm planning on sticking another "middleweight" bike in the garage in the next year or so and another SV is in the running, but right now an STR is topping the list, because I haven't had one and the Moto2 bikes sound great.
If you have to ask, you need to think about what you really want.
My first big bikes were Bonneville (1960), BMW R90, Guzzi.
Would not recommend any of those to someone who had not made up their own mind to want them.
But I loved them.
"600cc +" covers an awful lot of options. Everything from big trail bikes through 'retro' to race reps.
New. old, DIY servicing, cheap servicing, comically expensive servicing.
Are you going to ride it to work, just the odd Sunday outing, tour with mates or what?
Pillion often/rarely/never?
Luggage?
Theft is a huge problem in some places. When I lived in a City, I rented a share in a lock up.
My first big bikes were Bonneville (1960), BMW R90, Guzzi.
Would not recommend any of those to someone who had not made up their own mind to want them.
But I loved them.
"600cc +" covers an awful lot of options. Everything from big trail bikes through 'retro' to race reps.
New. old, DIY servicing, cheap servicing, comically expensive servicing.
Are you going to ride it to work, just the odd Sunday outing, tour with mates or what?
Pillion often/rarely/never?
Luggage?
Theft is a huge problem in some places. When I lived in a City, I rented a share in a lock up.
My first bike was a GSX-R600 (K9) which I reckon is a good first bike for a rider with some self control/awareness of their mortality!
Bare with me..... The GSX-R600 is very high reving (~16k redline) and below 8k the bike produces moderate power and torque which means you have to chase the power if you want to access it as opposed to a 1000 where you have lots of power everywhere. In addition the GSXR-600 is also light (165kg). The downsides are the riding position is very aggressive (need to ride using the core rather than wrists/shoulder checks can be tricky!) and the turning circle would make the Titanic proud.
Still it's what I wanted and I enjoyed it very much! And for me that's one of the over-riding factors is choosing the bike you wan to ride, if you really want to ride the bike you'll find reasons too and I think riding a lot immediately after passing is important!
Bare with me..... The GSX-R600 is very high reving (~16k redline) and below 8k the bike produces moderate power and torque which means you have to chase the power if you want to access it as opposed to a 1000 where you have lots of power everywhere. In addition the GSXR-600 is also light (165kg). The downsides are the riding position is very aggressive (need to ride using the core rather than wrists/shoulder checks can be tricky!) and the turning circle would make the Titanic proud.
Still it's what I wanted and I enjoyed it very much! And for me that's one of the over-riding factors is choosing the bike you wan to ride, if you really want to ride the bike you'll find reasons too and I think riding a lot immediately after passing is important!
OutInTheShed said:
If you have to ask, you need to think about what you really want.
My first big bikes were Bonneville (1960), BMW R90, Guzzi.
Would not recommend any of those to someone who had not made up their own mind to want them.
But I loved them.
"600cc +" covers an awful lot of options. Everything from big trail bikes through 'retro' to race reps.
New. old, DIY servicing, cheap servicing, comically expensive servicing.
Are you going to ride it to work, just the odd Sunday outing, tour with mates or what?
Pillion often/rarely/never?
Luggage?
Theft is a huge problem in some places. When I lived in a City, I rented a share in a lock up.
Being that it'll be my first bike, I wouldn't be looking at anything above 700cc.My first big bikes were Bonneville (1960), BMW R90, Guzzi.
Would not recommend any of those to someone who had not made up their own mind to want them.
But I loved them.
"600cc +" covers an awful lot of options. Everything from big trail bikes through 'retro' to race reps.
New. old, DIY servicing, cheap servicing, comically expensive servicing.
Are you going to ride it to work, just the odd Sunday outing, tour with mates or what?
Pillion often/rarely/never?
Luggage?
Theft is a huge problem in some places. When I lived in a City, I rented a share in a lock up.
Definitely not daily commuter, more for the weekend summer weather, no pillion or luggage.
Something that I could learn to work on for myself.
Retro, naked for what I was looking to ease myself into.
Currently looking into Z650rs, but anything that comes close to that I'll entertain.
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