Beginner bike?
Discussion
I talked my Mrs into getting an RC as her first bike and I couldn't stop stealing it. So I ended up buying one at Christmas.
It's not fast, but if you're looking at similar bikes you already know this. You have to plan overtakes and keep the momentum up for it to work but when your rag it everywhere at 10,000 rpm it's a hoot.
Reliability wise, I've had a front wheel sensor done in 1300 miles that was effecting my quickshifter and my Mrs bike at about 2,500 miles has some condensation on the dash, but they all do.
Handles great out the box, brakes are good, it's got a few riding aids if that's your thing, and it does about 75-80 mpg. They look better than the ninja I think and are also much cheaper. You can pick up a few new 23 plate ones for £4k on autotrader. The ninja is quicker but it's a twin not a single.
I was talking to a mate today at the bsb, he's got a 401. All we did was chat about how great they are for just taking out a spin, even just moving about the garage as they're so light.
I wouldn't want to do massive miles a day on it one, 200-300 miles would get a bit tiring I'd take something with more beef.
I'd like a shot of a R3 but they do look nice, I was considering the aprilia 457 but I think the price tag was £6,500.
It's not fast, but if you're looking at similar bikes you already know this. You have to plan overtakes and keep the momentum up for it to work but when your rag it everywhere at 10,000 rpm it's a hoot.
Reliability wise, I've had a front wheel sensor done in 1300 miles that was effecting my quickshifter and my Mrs bike at about 2,500 miles has some condensation on the dash, but they all do.
Handles great out the box, brakes are good, it's got a few riding aids if that's your thing, and it does about 75-80 mpg. They look better than the ninja I think and are also much cheaper. You can pick up a few new 23 plate ones for £4k on autotrader. The ninja is quicker but it's a twin not a single.
I was talking to a mate today at the bsb, he's got a 401. All we did was chat about how great they are for just taking out a spin, even just moving about the garage as they're so light.
I wouldn't want to do massive miles a day on it one, 200-300 miles would get a bit tiring I'd take something with more beef.
I'd like a shot of a R3 but they do look nice, I was considering the aprilia 457 but I think the price tag was £6,500.
Yeah that’s what I’m after something to have some fun for a few hours and power I can use at the top end as for price they sound good value ideally don’t want to spend much more than 5k. I feel like if I buy a 600 plus I won’t be using all the power need something to get confident on definitely.
Petrol Joe24 said:
Yeah that’s what I’m after something to have some fun for a few hours and power I can use at the top end as for price they sound good value ideally don’t want to spend much more than 5k. I feel like if I buy a 600 plus I won’t be using all the power need something to get confident on definitely.
.You could get a used 600 and a decent one for that money. I wouldn't rule them out, you don't need to use all the power but they are more focused than what you've mentioned at the start. Best bet as always is to go try a few bikes out.
Why go so new for a first bike, when you don't know what use you'll give it etc.? As suggested the Bandit/SV650 route is a good one for a first bike and tried by many. I'd go for a Hornet 600 due to the better build quality and because there's loads out there with low mileages in good condition. The earlier ones are still only mid-80hp so not super fast, but enough to learn some skills on without getting bored straight away, they're comfy, well built, easy for parts (new and secondhand) etc. Going older also minimises depreciation.
Spending less on the bike will also free up some budget to get better kit. Good kit will last a few years whereas your first bike is often gone after a year once you've realised what you actually want/need. If you've already budget for good kit then the freed up budget pays for a biking holiday to get some miles in!
Spending less on the bike will also free up some budget to get better kit. Good kit will last a few years whereas your first bike is often gone after a year once you've realised what you actually want/need. If you've already budget for good kit then the freed up budget pays for a biking holiday to get some miles in!
stang65 said:
Why go so new for a first bike, when you don't know what use you'll give it etc.? As suggested the Bandit/SV650 route is a good one for a first bike and tried by many. I'd go for a Hornet 600 due to the better build quality and because there's loads out there with low mileages in good condition. The earlier ones are still only mid-80hp so not super fast, but enough to learn some skills on without getting bored straight away, they're comfy, well built, easy for parts (new and secondhand) etc. Going older also minimises depreciation.
Spending less on the bike will also free up some budget to get better kit. Good kit will last a few years whereas your first bike is often gone after a year once you've realised what you actually want/need. If you've already budget for good kit then the freed up budget pays for a biking holiday to get some miles in!
I agree with this but I'd fling in late 90's 600's, these bikes by todays standard are very good all rounders, more road focused than track, and a bit more of a thrill than the above. A nice R6 or zx6r around that era, its finding a good one that's the problem. Which is maybe why the OP would prefer a newer bike being worried he gets someone else's sSpending less on the bike will also free up some budget to get better kit. Good kit will last a few years whereas your first bike is often gone after a year once you've realised what you actually want/need. If you've already budget for good kit then the freed up budget pays for a biking holiday to get some miles in!
te. moanthebairns said:
stang65 said:
Why go so new for a first bike, when you don't know what use you'll give it etc.? As suggested the Bandit/SV650 route is a good one for a first bike and tried by many. I'd go for a Hornet 600 due to the better build quality and because there's loads out there with low mileages in good condition. The earlier ones are still only mid-80hp so not super fast, but enough to learn some skills on without getting bored straight away, they're comfy, well built, easy for parts (new and secondhand) etc. Going older also minimises depreciation.
Spending less on the bike will also free up some budget to get better kit. Good kit will last a few years whereas your first bike is often gone after a year once you've realised what you actually want/need. If you've already budget for good kit then the freed up budget pays for a biking holiday to get some miles in!
I agree with this but I'd fling in late 90's 600's, these bikes by todays standard are very good all rounders, more road focused than track, and a bit more of a thrill than the above. A nice R6 or zx6r around that era, its finding a good one that's the problem. Which is maybe why the OP would prefer a newer bike being worried he gets someone else's sSpending less on the bike will also free up some budget to get better kit. Good kit will last a few years whereas your first bike is often gone after a year once you've realised what you actually want/need. If you've already budget for good kit then the freed up budget pays for a biking holiday to get some miles in!
te. Friend of the wife has a CBR500R after having had a few different A2 bikes and he loves it.
hiccy18 said:
moanthebairns said:
stang65 said:
Why go so new for a first bike, when you don't know what use you'll give it etc.? As suggested the Bandit/SV650 route is a good one for a first bike and tried by many. I'd go for a Hornet 600 due to the better build quality and because there's loads out there with low mileages in good condition. The earlier ones are still only mid-80hp so not super fast, but enough to learn some skills on without getting bored straight away, they're comfy, well built, easy for parts (new and secondhand) etc. Going older also minimises depreciation.
Spending less on the bike will also free up some budget to get better kit. Good kit will last a few years whereas your first bike is often gone after a year once you've realised what you actually want/need. If you've already budget for good kit then the freed up budget pays for a biking holiday to get some miles in!
I agree with this but I'd fling in late 90's 600's, these bikes by todays standard are very good all rounders, more road focused than track, and a bit more of a thrill than the above. A nice R6 or zx6r around that era, its finding a good one that's the problem. Which is maybe why the OP would prefer a newer bike being worried he gets someone else's sSpending less on the bike will also free up some budget to get better kit. Good kit will last a few years whereas your first bike is often gone after a year once you've realised what you actually want/need. If you've already budget for good kit then the freed up budget pays for a biking holiday to get some miles in!
te. Friend of the wife has a CBR500R after having had a few different A2 bikes and he loves it.
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