Returning to riding. Help me chose a bike.

[samjlevy]

So I’ve not ridden from probably 5 years. My last bike was a 2010 CBR1000RR that I owned for 6 years, 30,000 miles with a few track days in there. I’ve decided I really want to get back in to riding but have no clue on what bike to buy, I’ve been out of the game for so long.

I’m a big super sport / superbike fan but would possibly look at something different. I’d rather start back up again on a cheaper used bike to keep for a couple of years. End goal would be an RSV4, but not for a good while until I’m confident.

Ideally looking for a 600 sports bike or similar, like I say, most likely used with a budget of probably around £6k, no idea what this would get me so budget isn’t set in stone, would go up to £10k but as it’s my first bike in a while the cheaper the better. I really liked my old 2007 R6 but would like something different I think.

Thanks!

Edited by samjlevy on Wednesday 8th June 22:38

[Alex@POD]

I'd say of you want an RSV4, get that, you'll get used to it soon enough.

I used to ride a Ninja 600, then had a break for about 10 years. When I started riding again I wanted something that would be good with a pillion, so I bought a Blackbird. It was a learning curve for a couple if weeks, then it was as if I'd never been away...

[JJ55]

Gsxr 750 could suit & in budget

[samjlevy]

Alex@POD said:

I'd say of you want an RSV4, get that, you'll get used to it soon enough.

I am considering it, just concerned it will be too much bike for so much time away from riding. It’s definitely not a beginner bike, think I’d like a year or two on something a little less powerful to get back in to the swing of things.

JJ55 said:

Gsxr 750 could suit & in budget

Good suggestion, will take a look.

[carinaman]

2011 to 2013 Hornet based CBR600F - supposed to be easy to ride, cheap to run and friendly and forgiving for newer, less experienced riders, £4K so £2K in the pocket for insurance and new clothes, possibly including the airbag lifesaver waistcoat thingie and a new lid.

[samjlevy]

carinaman said:

2011 to 2013 Hornet based CBR600F - supposed to be easy to ride, cheap to run and friendly and forgiving for newer, less experienced riders, £4K so £2K in the pocket for insurance and new clothes, possibly including the airbag lifesaver waistcoat thingie and a new lid.

Not really for me, thanks for the suggestion though!

Looking for something more supersport / superbike.

Also can a mod edit the topic due to atrocious spelling…!

Edited by samjlevy on Thursday 9th June 00:19

[carinaman]

Get an RS660 on PCP and chop it in at the end of the term for an RSV?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wiCX4TsrwU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNUb_MFERtw


That RS660 handlebar yoke looks great to my eyes. I also like blingy gold forks that the RS660 has and the Tuono 660 doesn't. I was in a dealers looking at a £7999 Tuono 660 a few weeks ago, but no price and availability for the optional IMU made me concerned about parts availability.

Edited by carinaman on Thursday 9th June 00:23

[Wombat3]

I'd go & test ride or hire some bikes & try some different stuff. Bikes have moved on such a long way in the last 5-10 years. The stuff you can do on something like an S1000 XR, Speed Triple or an MT10 etc might surprise you (and in much more comfort!)

[Jules Sunley]

Get an old in demand/iconic ports bike as they hold their value so you won't lose out when you come to sell. Something like a ZXR750, or a ZXR400 if you want not as fast and aren't too big for it. No riding aids like traction or anti wheelie, good to learn skills on again and not as ballistic fast as a modern 1000. Back in the day a ZXR750 was my first big bike after two 125s and I've lived over 20 years since. I had another years later but now have 3 bikes (600/1000/1300) but still have fond memories of my old ZXR's

[Zarco]

I'd get a Daytona 675. Cream of the Supersport crop for the last few years.

[trickywoo]

As someone else has already mentioned a gsxr 750 fits your requirements perfectly.

Like a 600 super sports in a way but different, not a 1000. Cheap.

Any model from K4 on would be my choice but would go K6/7 ideally. 2011 on saw them get Showa bpf and brembo branded brakes but I personally don’t like the overall styling.

[samjlevy]

Jules Sunley said:

Get an old in demand/iconic ports bike as they hold their value so you won't lose out when you come to sell. Something like a ZXR750, or a ZXR400 if you want not as fast and aren't too big for it. No riding aids like traction or anti wheelie, good to learn skills on again and not as ballistic fast as a modern 1000. Back in the day a ZXR750 was my first big bike after two 125s and I've lived over 20 years since. I had another years later but now have 3 bikes (600/1000/1300) but still have fond memories of my old ZXR's

Probably looking for something a little bit newer.

I'm thinking a GSXR750 is a good idea to get me used to riding again.

None of my previous bikes had rider aids so that will all be new to me.

[SteveKTMer]

samjlevy said:

. End goal would be an RSV4, but not for a good while until I’m confident.

If you've had a litre bike in the past and you really want an RSV4, I'd just miss out the 600 which will bore you quite quickly and get a good RSV4 right away. Throttle is analogue and starts off small, no need to thrash it to start with. It takes a good few months to get used to a bike and feel confident with it anyway so just get what you want.

[samjlevy]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am still considering going straight back to a litre bike, but I think I’d probably rather go for a 600/750 to start with for the first year then move up to a litre bike, either an RSV4 or treat my self and go for a Panigale V4S, both of them are a lot of bike so I’d rather have something much cheaper to start with. I’ve narrowed it down to a few options so will go and try some out over the next few weeks.

Triumph Daytona 675

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20220604...

GSXR750

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20210928...

GSXR600

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20220427...

ZX6R

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20220602...

I think top of the list for me are the 675 and GSXR750.

[conkerman]

I'd say just buy the bike you want.

[carinaman]

I thought Aprilia were the masters of electronic throttles and modes partially due to how long they've been doing them?

Doesn't the RSV4 have a rain mode that softens the throttle and map? Just get at RSV4 and ride around in rain mode until you've got your eye back in?

O/T Pidcock Triumph get some nice stock in for their adverts.

[Waynester]

Jules Sunley said:

Get an old in demand/iconic ports bike as they hold their value so you won't lose out when you come to sell. Something like a ZXR750, or a ZXR400 if you want not as fast and aren't too big for it. No riding aids like traction or anti wheelie, good to learn skills on again and not as ballistic fast as a modern 1000. Back in the day a ZXR750 was my first big bike after two 125s and I've lived over 20 years since. I had another years later but now have 3 bikes (600/1000/1300) but still have fond memories of my old ZXR's

I was in the same position last year.. Hadn’t ridden a bike for many years, but back in my late teens and 20s bikes were everything, and I owned loads.

I was always a big V twin fan having owned a 916 & TLR, so I thought a gen 2 RSV would fit the bill.. Nope, it’s a tall seat (I have relatively short legs), and riding a tricky v twin with rusty bike skills was almost enough for me to consider scrapping the idea of coming back to bikes altogether! It felt awkward, and my slow speed abilities, roundabouts etc were frustrating to say the least.. But slowly it came back to me, slowly I got myself re-accustomed to my old bike road craft.

That being that, I’ve come back in a bigger way, purchasing another 4 bikes.. including the above, a ‘90 ZXR

[shirt]

samjlevy said:

Alex@POD said:

I'd say of you want an RSV4, get that, you'll get used to it soon enough.

I am considering it, just concerned it will be too much bike for so much time away from riding. It’s definitely not a beginner bike, think I’d like a year or two on something a little less powerful to get back in to the swing of things.

JJ55 said:

Gsxr 750 could suit & in budget

Good suggestion, will take a look.

I think with doing 5k a year and trackdays you won’t take long to get comfortable with the v4

[samjlevy]

I'm going to go and test the ones I listed above, but also have a look at a an RSV4 and possibly a Panigale V4, still think it's possibly too much bike for me.

Does anyone have any experience with the Panigale V2? Get's rave reviews, really like the look of it.

Obviously it's well above the budget above but it's something I like.

[MC Bodge]

5 years? You're not exactly a born-again biker who last rode a BSA 250 in 1969!

I haven't ridden for about 4 years (and tempted), but I recently jumped onto a scooter and razzed around a field - it was like I'd not been away. I then rode a quad on an MX track. It comes back to you quickly.