First Bike after passing your mod 2

First Bike after passing your mod 2

Author
Discussion

Chamon_Lee

Original Poster:

3,863 posts

153 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Hi Everyone,
In the fortunate position of having passed by Mod 2 last week and I am itching to get a new bike and I am a little confused on what to get.

Some quick background about me is I have wanted to ride for over 15 years and never quite got round to it/also knew deep down I wasn't mature enough to yield. I am now 36yo family man if that helps picture my current frame of mind for anyone.

As soon as I knew I wanted to really go ahead with this I bought a 125cc 2 months ago and started to use it and practice on it, day 2 I was pretty bored, great around town and that is about it.

Done my Mod 2 on a MT07 and it felt lovely and always looked forward to getting back on one in my lessons.

I am now at a stage I don't want to buy a bike that I will quickly get bored of and not want to use but I also don't want to get silly and get a bike that will bite me.

I am looking for advise on what bike below should be off my radar and if anyone has a bike that should be on my radar ( I do lean towards super sports style looking bikes)

MT07 - I liked it very much but just doesn't make me look back
R7 - Seems to be a sportier version of the MT07 but safe enough option and I like the looks which is important to me
Aprilia RS660 - I know this is on the upper limit of first bike but I like the fact is can come with so many rider aids including cornering ABS that I BELIEVE can be useful


Initially I was looking at a ninja 400 or a cbr500r but I am now concerned that they will be a 3-4 month and I will be bored again looking for something bigger and wasting time, money and effort.

I am also conscious about the fact that you do always drop your first bike and I also don't want to be naive and think I won't so need to take this into account to some extent.

At the moment the R7 is in the running unless someone has experience to say its a bad idea

Edited by Chamon_Lee on Sunday 3rd September 11:03



Edited by Chamon_Lee on Sunday 3rd September 11:08

LunarOne

5,703 posts

143 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Triumph Rocket 3. Obvious first bike.

https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/motorcycles/r...

Chamon_Lee

Original Poster:

3,863 posts

153 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
LunarOne said:
Triumph Rocket 3. Obvious first bike.

https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/motorcycles/r...
biggrin lol I am fully aware of these - that is a hard pass.

TheInternet

4,877 posts

169 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
What are you going to be using it for?

How much are you prepared to spend?

Chamon_Lee

Original Poster:

3,863 posts

153 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
TheInternet said:
What are you going to be using it for?

How much are you prepared to spend?
This bike is completely for enjoyment. No commute at all.
Love cars done lots of road trips in the UK , I enjoy twisties. Hopefully that paints enough of an image of what I am looking for.

Hugo Stiglitz

38,038 posts

217 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Buy the bike that you'll be happy learning and safest on till you learn what you like longer term.


For you, that's the MT07

GreaseNipple

424 posts

247 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Just take them all out for a test ride, I was in the same position and changed my mind from what I thought I wanted to what I ended up with after actually riding a few bikes. Of those though I'd go RS660, I was thinking of one as a second bike but didn't think it was enough of a step up from my first,but really enjoyed the test ride and like you say it has all the electronics and tech you could want. I wouldn't buy a bike with an up/down quickshifter if a similar bike had one.

KTMsm

27,432 posts

269 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
MT07 isn't a bad first bike although if you prefer sports bike looks I'd suggest an ER6F

Add a couple of crash bungs - job done

Slowboathome

4,460 posts

50 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
I've had an MT07 for 7 years.

I agree it's an ugly fker, but it's bloody good fun to ride.

Chamon_Lee

Original Poster:

3,863 posts

153 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Slowboathome said:
I've had an MT07 for 7 years.

I agree it's an ugly fker, but it's bloody good fun to ride.
Lol! Yeah it’s no looker and it’s no shocker either but agreed I found it bloody great fun. However looks are really important for me too. So it’s a real stumbling block.

danashby

236 posts

53 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Try as many bikes as you can, different types, even the ones that you wouldn't normally go for.
Sometimes all you need to do is to sit on one to have a rough idea on your position and comfort.

Slowboathome

4,460 posts

50 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Chamon_Lee said:
Slowboathome said:
I've had an MT07 for 7 years.

I agree it's an ugly fker, but it's bloody good fun to ride.
Lol! Yeah it’s no looker and it’s no shocker either but agreed I found it bloody great fun. However looks are really important for me too. So it’s a real stumbling block.
Fair enough!

7 years ago it was the best bike for me - absolute no brainer - but if I was buying now I'd probably make a different decision.

Go for the bike that gives you good feelings.

LunarOne

5,703 posts

143 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Gone are the days when the Bandit 600 was the default answer to this question!

JulianHJ

8,785 posts

268 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Mine was (and still is) a Triumph Tiger 800, the road version rather than the off-road variant.

It's well-built, does everything I need, and has more than enough power for me. I did my DAS on an MT-07 (7 years ago) and much prefer the Tiger. In terms of downsides, it can be a bit top-heavy, and main dealer pricing is steep, but I used a well-known independent for servicing. Gen 1 bikes (2011-2014) can be had from around £3.5k. Gen 2 bikes (2015-2017) added various electronics and Gen 3 bikes (2018-2021) added more electronics including a TFT display.


epicfail

214 posts

141 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
SV650....maybe a Monster of some sort, proper V twins. Loads of engine braking which I really like. Enough poke to have fun but not too much.

I did my das on an SV and bought one after my test. There is a lot to be said for being on something familiar - there is still lots to learn.


Orchardab

472 posts

132 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
OP. I was in the same position last year and went XSR900.
Loving it and looking to change to MT10 soon as there is a load of cracking deals about.

hunt123

282 posts

67 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Out of OP's list i'd go for the RS660 but i have no experience of them, i'm going by how i like its looks.

vindaloo79

994 posts

86 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Congrats!!!

Something with 94-100 bhp minimum that is easy to sell on when your bored of it come spring next year!

CB650R and street triples have been great learner bikes. I have found Honda bakers most easiest to manouvre. XSR900 was a good shout too I suspect !

Love the ninja 1000 sx but it’s prob a bit quick and slightly harder to manouvre when starting out.

G321

600 posts

210 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
I was in a similar position about a month ago after passing my Mod 2. I did my tests on an sv650 which was a nice bike but the looks didn't do it for me. I looked at loads of bikes online, changing my mind every other day. In the end I bought an MT07, after doing around 300 miles on it I can't see myself getting bored with it.
Whatever you get, you'll enjoy it and it will be a learning curve

I think they look pretty good, although I'm obviously biased!

Salted_Peanut

1,507 posts

60 months

Sunday 3rd September 2023
quotequote all
Congrats on passing your test – welcome to the club!

Chamon_Lee said:
At the moment the R7 is in the running unless someone has experience to say its a bad idea
The bike choice matters less than how much training you do to boost your skills, such as BikeSafe, Blue Riband and Rapid Training.

Enjoy the bike, whichever you decide to buy thumbup