Bike options for Derbyshire roads

[PT1984]

So Belper over Beeley Moor to Chatsworth Farmshop for a coffee. Bakewell, Tideswell, Castleton, Buxton, Hartington, Ashbourne, Carsington then home. Side roads where possible which are covered with crap, and always worth a look online to see where the cameras will be. Only a fair weather leisure rider.

I currently do this on a CB125R which is excellent. Light and agile while I really like. Took the CBT last September. My dad has always ridden but waited until I was 38 which is when I trusted myself to be sensible and safe.

The main reason I wanted to try a bike was to get that connection we seek with an engine which is hard to find in a car these days, especially with a reasonable budget. But I have found it to be much more that that. I genuinely love it.

So suggestions for my first big bike. I started the DAS earlier in the year but put it to one side following unexpected mitral valve surgery. Sternotomy but I’m almost recovered and the surgery was a complete success. I now appreciate life a lot more, and the cherry on the top was the birth of my baby boy last week. DAS will recommence at the start of next year.

I’m looking at new or lightly used. I have never had a new car before so a new bike will be a treat. I like the thought of me breaking it in. Budget up to 11k but my wife would love me to spend less. A naked for sure. Engine wise I would like something that won’t get me in trouble but I won’t get bored of. Ultimately I want to ride sensibly, I have a family now. I also have a preference for quality suspension and brakes, but don’t mind upgrading in the future if required. Thoughts so far are-

Monster 821. Not new and will likely be the most expensive in the short term with the upcoming service requirements. A good one is still holding value. But it’s my childhood poster bike and looks incredible to this day. No question a feel good bike.

Monster 937. No longer a looker and will be a stretch. Technically an excellent machine and that Ducati emotion really does appeal. But it’s a lot of money to sit in the garage.

2022 MT09SP. Excellent specification out the box with the suspension and electronics. The CP3 is meant to be one of the all time greats. Again top of the budget and maybe too much bike for my requirements. And my god it’s ugly. Certainly function over form. The only thing going on that respect is that it’s made in Japan, which I think means something, and that’s reflected in excellent reliability reports.

Duke 890. Some good offers on these ATM. I have sat on all the bikes and at 6”1 this felt great to sit on. And I strangely do like the looks. I think I would always regret not getting the R.

But I also have a draw towards mid capacity bikes. I think there’s sometimes more fun to be had at being able to use an engine at 9/10ths.

Trident 660. Excellent looks and reviews. Triple engine sounds great. I think if they did an R version with better brakes and shocks this would be the go to option. I think this with a full Nitron upgrade would be excellent. I don’t know why, but the use of none radial brakes really bugs me. Also reports of poor throttle mapping.

CB650R. I love the look of these and the thought of the smallish capacity inline 4 interests me. I think agin with some trick suspension this could be a great thing. No real electronics. I think I want a QS.

The issue with the CB and the Trident, with the suspension outlay you are almost into the MT, which has the Swedish gold as standard, and the electronics and CP3.

Or is the answer, as always is, a lightly used Street Triple R.

The reason I’m asking now is that I still need something to focus on with my recovery (like a newborn isn’t enough!). Having something in the garage to look at would really help with that. But I know the sensible thing will be to do the DAS so I can’t properly swing my leg over.

Cheers all.

Edited by PT1984 on Sunday 30th October 10:39

[Sidecar Man]

I think your over thinking the suspension. Having ridden a CBR650r at Donington the suspension is fine. Soft enough to be compliant but handles great. Quick shifter fitting it not a problem.
From your list I've ridden most of them. Loved the MT09 motor But as a first big bike may be a bit much.
I'd go for the Cb650.

[robinh73]

Some good choices there and I don't think you would be disappointed with any of them really. The only two I have tried (very briefly I will add) was a friend's Monster 821,2019 model. I was genuinely surprised at how much fun it was and even on standard exhausts it sounded pretty good. I suspect though that for me, the suspension would be the limiting factor here maybe. I have ridden a 2015 MT09 and thought the engine was lovely but the whole bike tended to feel rubbery and made of cheese when pressing on. This was one of the early ones so I suspect that the MT09SP will be much better. The other issue I found was that the throttle was very jerky (it had from memory 3 riding modes) but I can't recall which mode made it smoothest.
The bike I would personally recommend is what I ended up buying, so slightly biased, a Triumph Speed Triple R. I bought a low mile 2017 model and absolutely love it. Superb engine, great handling and I think it looks stunning too. You could get a similar one for around the £7500 mark.

[Kawasicki]

I‘ve ridden my friends Monster 821 a few times.
Pros-engine, looks, build quality
Cons-handling, annoyingly cluttered foot position/ergonomics

Rode a Trident 660 a month ago, ride was pretty harsh at times, on sharp impacts…handling, brakes & performance was decent.

I‘d try a KTM 790/890… or even a 690 Duke

I ride an old ZRX1100… it’s a lot of fun, surprisingly agile with lots of stomp… but it’s old… did I mention it’s fun?

[popeyewhite]

Honda or Triumph for Peak District roads. I found my KTM 990 too snatchy. Good bike, though it suited faster roads more. Had an Aprilia once, which was a disaster, much too powerful.

[black-k1]

For the first year or two pretty much every bike on the market will be way more capable than you and after you've got a few more "big bike" miles under your belt you'll have a better understanding of what you want from a bike and, more importantly, what you don't want from a bike. Buy the one you like but in the knowledge you're likely to want something different once you've got some experience.

[A500leroy]

Ive heard the new CBR500R is a belter, and you have a new Honda delership in Newcastle under lyme who im sure would be happy to let you play with one.

[PT1984]

Thanks all. The MT would be the current 2022 model which seems to have all the shortfalls corrected. I’m certainly looking for something that feels special.

[TT1138]

I’m not sure Japanese counts for that much any more. From personal experience they still make incredible engines, but the build quality isn’t great. Cheap bolts, rubber brake lines, rusty spokes.

My left field suggestion would be a KTM 690 SMC R/ Husqvarna 701sm/ Gas Gas sm700. Choose the paint scheme you like basically.

Would easily get one new in your budget with plenty of change, hold their value well, good fully adjustable suspension, cheaper to insure for a newer rider and perfect for the broken roads we have in the U.K.

[PT1984]

@TT1138. I had looked at the SM701 and watched a few YT vids (as I have for all bikes). They do seem 100% hooligan 100% of the time!

There was something that drew me to a Japanese with a fancy engine as I never managed to own a B series R Type Honda engine.

[hiccy18]

black-k1 said:

For the first year or two pretty much every bike on the market will be way more capable than you and after you've got a few more "big bike" miles under your belt you'll have a better understanding of what you want from a bike and, more importantly, what you don't want from a bike. Buy the one you like but in the knowledge you're likely to want something different once you've got some experience.

This. And, with that in mind, I'd spend about a third of your budget with a view to changing in a couple of years time, or get the cheapest PCP deal on something that you fancy knowing near the end of the term you'll get rid, or buyout and keep.

[scorcher]

TT1138 said:

My left field suggestion would be a KTM 690 SMC R/ Husqvarna 701sm/ Gas Gas sm700. Choose the paint scheme you like basically.

Would easily get one new in your budget with plenty of change, hold their value well, good fully adjustable suspension, cheaper to insure for a newer rider and perfect for the broken roads we have in the U.K.

Cheap to insure? My 1290 modded Superduke R was £325 and they wanted £550 for my 690 smcr using all the same criteria. Managed to get it down eventually but still dearer than the 1290.

[PT1984]

hiccy18 said:

This. And, with that in mind, I'd spend about a third of your budget with a view to changing in a couple of years time, or get the cheapest PCP deal on something that you fancy knowing near the end of the term you'll get rid, or buyout and keep.

I’m not disagreeing with you. Any suggestions? Must be reliable, modern and a naked. Please don’t suggest a Fazer!!?

[KTMsm]

I had a 690 Duke as my first road bike and I would recommend one, I know it's done to death but I'm glad I had a relatively slow first big bike

I think I would probably have learnt more, faster if I'd had something even slower

[GreaseNipple]

I was in your position a couple of years ago, OP. I had started biking at 34, did my CBT and had 6 months on a 125, wasn't sure if biking would be for me but grew to love it. I had my mind set on a 690smcr as a first bike and test rode one as soon as my licence came back in the post but I found it a bit too uncompromising for a first bike and it was pretty grim on the motorway. I tried a Hypermotard and loved the engine and Ducati sense of occasion but couldn't justify the cost at the time. Tried a cb500x as I thought I didn't need loads of power but by the end of the hours test ride I had disabused myself of that notion. Also tried an Aprilia dorsoduro which I liked but I wanted more mod cons which is the same reason the MT07 was discounted. I ended buying a svartpilen 701. It's similar in character to the smcr690, has the same engine obviously, but more refined and like a normal naked bike. Has all the benefits of low weight for agile handling and is so easy to ride. Quality brakes and fully adjustable suspension with quite long travel so it's made for bumpy b roads, just enough power to keep things fun but not intimidating. Instant torque from the big single, quickshifter up and down, traction control. It's capable of light off roading, should the fancy take you. I put Dunlop mutants on it and it deals with wet greasy roads so well. I got an rsv4 a few weeks ago but having run it in and waiting for the first service Ive been riding it since and it doesn't disappoint at all. I'll be keeping it for winter duties, going in to town and b road blasts. I think 5-6k gets you a good one and for me that's great value for money.

[SilverB]

Think I'd be tempted to wait a few months and take a look at the new Honda Hornet, light weight, reasonable power, no doubt will be well built and decent quality, plus it will stand out from the crowd at least for a little while.

https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/street/h...

Edited by SilverB on Sunday 30th October 17:48

Edited by SilverB on Sunday 30th October 17:48

[Lambo FirstBlood]

I had a Trident 660 as a loan bike when mine was in for service. Thought that was a cracking little bike. Rides like a genuine baby Street Triple. Would have thought that would be a great first big bike.

[PT1984]

KTMsm said:

I had a 690 Duke as my first road bike and I would recommend one, I know it's done to death but I'm glad I had a relatively slow first big bike

I think I would probably have learnt more, faster if I'd had something even slower

I have my 125 for that!

[PT1984]

Lambo FirstBlood said:

I had a Trident 660 as a loan bike when mine was in for service. Thought that was a cracking little bike. Rides like a genuine baby Street Triple. Would have thought that would be a great first big bike.

It’s a great looking thing and felt comfy when sat on. Most surprising was the width. Felt quite narrow, especially compared to the MT where the tank felt too wide.

Did you notice any throttle delay or hang?

[PT1984]

SilverB said:

Think I'd be tempted to wait a few months and take a look at the new Honda Hornet, light weight, reasonable power, no doubt will be well built and decent quality, plus it will stand out from the crowd at least for a little while.

https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/street/h...

Edited by SilverB on Sunday 30th October 17:48

Edited by SilverB on Sunday 30th October 17:48

I’m going to the NEC show and am planning to take a good look. The spec and price is incredible. It looks to be everything you need and more. For me they missed a trick with the styling, the prototype looked incredible. The front light and surround is similar to too many of their commuter bikes. If it looked like the CB650R, or even my CB125R it would be a no brainier. But it may be better in the flesh. Or plastic.