Recommend me a bike (60yrs newbie)
Discussion
Hi folks
For some strange reason at 60 I decided to take the direct access course and get a bike license. Cbt, theory, mod1,
and I passed mod 2 on Friday so I’m now officially a biker , albeit as green as grass !
I always fancied a GT Suzuki , 250, 380 or maybe
a 550 but having ridden a good few miles on the training schools Sv650 I’m wondering if a smaller 2 stroke will be what i want/need .
The instructor pointed out the difference in power delivery ( which I realise) and the lack of modern niceties like electric start , abs , tr control, electronic ign and the list goes on .
I’ve felt quite comfortable on the 650 Suzuki in riding and performance so I’m using that as a bench mark for suitable bikes .
One suggestion was a Bonneville T100 .
Lovely classic looks,
It has similar dimensions and power to the sv650 ( although heavier) and I can get a 6/7 yr old low mileage one for the same money as a 1970’s GT 380 .
I know the obvious suggestion is probably a Suzuki sv650 but whilst I have really enjoyed riding the bike and felt the performance was right for my experience and capabilities I found it a bit ‘clunky’ and I’m not mad for the look tbf.
This is to be a dry weather toy only, I have little interest in high speeds but enough umph to safely overtake etc. And something to gaze upon as well as ride out on .
Open to any advice and suggestions ,
Thanks
Dave
For some strange reason at 60 I decided to take the direct access course and get a bike license. Cbt, theory, mod1,
and I passed mod 2 on Friday so I’m now officially a biker , albeit as green as grass !
I always fancied a GT Suzuki , 250, 380 or maybe
a 550 but having ridden a good few miles on the training schools Sv650 I’m wondering if a smaller 2 stroke will be what i want/need .
The instructor pointed out the difference in power delivery ( which I realise) and the lack of modern niceties like electric start , abs , tr control, electronic ign and the list goes on .
I’ve felt quite comfortable on the 650 Suzuki in riding and performance so I’m using that as a bench mark for suitable bikes .
One suggestion was a Bonneville T100 .
Lovely classic looks,
It has similar dimensions and power to the sv650 ( although heavier) and I can get a 6/7 yr old low mileage one for the same money as a 1970’s GT 380 .
I know the obvious suggestion is probably a Suzuki sv650 but whilst I have really enjoyed riding the bike and felt the performance was right for my experience and capabilities I found it a bit ‘clunky’ and I’m not mad for the look tbf.
This is to be a dry weather toy only, I have little interest in high speeds but enough umph to safely overtake etc. And something to gaze upon as well as ride out on .
Open to any advice and suggestions ,
Thanks
Dave
I usually recommend getting something sensible and comfortable as a first bike, then after a year or two deciding what you like or don’t like about it and getting something more focussed.
To be honest the bonneville would do that quite nicely, they’re a pretty good mix of the modern bits you’d want with classic looks. If the looks work for you and you find them comfortable there are heaps available.
Even if you keep it a year or two they’re popular bikes and you’re likely to get most of your money back if you fancy something else.
To be honest the bonneville would do that quite nicely, they’re a pretty good mix of the modern bits you’d want with classic looks. If the looks work for you and you find them comfortable there are heaps available.
Even if you keep it a year or two they’re popular bikes and you’re likely to get most of your money back if you fancy something else.
Thanks guys , gives me some ideas . Royal Enfield eh ! Or the Kawasaki?
I’ll be honest I’m a little hesitant in going into a bike shop and saying ‘hi , I’ve just passed my test , can I take that £10k bike out for a ride .
It’s difficult judging what is going to be right for me , although I can judge the size and feel of the bikes I guess .
Looking forward to going shopping though .
I’ll be honest I’m a little hesitant in going into a bike shop and saying ‘hi , I’ve just passed my test , can I take that £10k bike out for a ride .
It’s difficult judging what is going to be right for me , although I can judge the size and feel of the bikes I guess .
Looking forward to going shopping though .
Edited by R TOY on Saturday 11th June 19:08
The SV is an excellent first bike choice, but the best choice is the bike you like. From reading your post I'd recommend getting a secondhand Bonnie, look after it and you won't lose much, if anything, when it comes to moving on to what you really want, whenever you figure out what that is.
Alternatively get the old stroker, but I suspect half of the pleasure of that experience will be spent with spanners in your hand. For a new rider you might prefer to spend the time riding rather than fettling.
Alternatively get the old stroker, but I suspect half of the pleasure of that experience will be spent with spanners in your hand. For a new rider you might prefer to spend the time riding rather than fettling.
Congrats for passing the test. I did mine in March after 30 years of thinking about it!
I had intended to get a Street Twin but I think the Hipster wannabe old fart stuff kind of put me off. Ended up with a 2018 SV 650, yes I know a riding school type bike but... That V twin is a lovely thing, sounds great with a Yoshi pipe - I love it and it goes well when you give it some stick.
I had intended to get a Street Twin but I think the Hipster wannabe old fart stuff kind of put me off. Ended up with a 2018 SV 650, yes I know a riding school type bike but... That V twin is a lovely thing, sounds great with a Yoshi pipe - I love it and it goes well when you give it some stick.
I’ve really enjoyed riding on the schools sv650 (although I don’t have a lot to compare it with )
Nice punchy acceleration and it feels easy to lean into corners . I’m sure a newer less abused bike would feel smoother than the schools bikes and I have considered getting a second hand sv just to get some more miles in, but as said I may as well be riding the classic type bike I want , or think I want !
I am a bit concerned that a 44-50 yr old Gt will be a mechanical pain . Although looks gorgeous!
Also I wonder how the extra 25kg on the Triumph will feel .
I’ll have to check out the Royal Enfield range ,
The Kawasaki looks awesome and although it has switcheable power outputs I think it may be a bit more than I’m looking for .
Nice punchy acceleration and it feels easy to lean into corners . I’m sure a newer less abused bike would feel smoother than the schools bikes and I have considered getting a second hand sv just to get some more miles in, but as said I may as well be riding the classic type bike I want , or think I want !
I am a bit concerned that a 44-50 yr old Gt will be a mechanical pain . Although looks gorgeous!
Also I wonder how the extra 25kg on the Triumph will feel .
I’ll have to check out the Royal Enfield range ,
The Kawasaki looks awesome and although it has switcheable power outputs I think it may be a bit more than I’m looking for .
ChocolateFrog said:
I wouldn't get cut up about things like engine capacity, horsepower, even weight to a degree.
Get the bike you really want. If it's got 200hp then that's still moderated in the same way a 40hp bike is, via your right wrist.
Very true in my experience. There’s no need to be too picky when choosing a first bike. Within reason anything you chose will work out just fine for enjoying gaining some experience.Get the bike you really want. If it's got 200hp then that's still moderated in the same way a 40hp bike is, via your right wrist.
R TOY said:
One suggestion was a Bonneville T100.
Check out the Triumph Street Twin. I've had my head turned by the first generation in a silver tank with orange and black strip though I started a conversation with a chap on a yellow Cafe racer Street Cup a few years ago. The first gen. has 54 bhp and the 2019 second gen. has 64/5bhp but they're all about torque and due to the 270 degree crank sound nice too. I am not a riding god and like torque. So nothing like a 2 stroke and more like a diesel car or Honda NC700/750.
I don't know how they compare to a used T100 price wise.
I'm selling my SV650 to a dealer next week. Dealers appear to love them like crazy (high customer demand). I had lots calling me. Only one private customer. Why are people scared to buy private?!
I think it's because they are very popular with new riders.
They are quite low, very reliable and easy to self spanner.
I'd chose one of those or......my preference a 2016 onwards CB500.
We had one in our riding school and everyone including me who threw their leg over rated it far higher to ride than the sv.
The SV is quite agricultural and dated. The gears jerk/snatch due to the engine/characteristics annoyed me on early am riding.
I think it's because they are very popular with new riders.
They are quite low, very reliable and easy to self spanner.
I'd chose one of those or......my preference a 2016 onwards CB500.
We had one in our riding school and everyone including me who threw their leg over rated it far higher to ride than the sv.
The SV is quite agricultural and dated. The gears jerk/snatch due to the engine/characteristics annoyed me on early am riding.
Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Sunday 12th June 07:48
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