good starter bike?

[Shnozz]

my new job may lead to the loss of my beloved TVR as I have been told the amount of travelling may be quite high. If this does turn out to be the case I am thinking I might split the value of the chim on a sensible Beemer for doing the miles and a bike for weekends, summer time and track days. Would need to be rapid, preferably a sports bike, but not ridiculous to insure (25, no bike NCB but full car NCB, although seems to make no difference, garaged and good area)

any suggestions?

[T.K.E]

Maybe something like a Suzuki SV650? A friend of mine bought one after passing his test through Direct Access and said he thought it was great.

[veetwin]

Ducati 748 and stomach the insurance!! Makes you feel like Carl!! (albeit without the riding talent)

[RichardD]

Do some online quotes to see what the insurance will be like.. Try www.bennetts.co.uk/ for a guide...

When looking for a bike early next year I discovered that TPFT insurance wasn't bad (me 30 with no NCB, license 2 years ish) for mid range bikes with a value of less than £5k....

[dick dastardly]

My starter bike was a CBR600F. Amazing all-round bike - I couldn't recommend it highly enough!

Was £900 to insure (I was 22 at the time) and cost £2300.

[Steve_T]

H&R were the cheapest for me (www.insurance2000.co.uk) and the SV is an excellent starter bike. Still enjoying mine after 10k miles and it sounds nice with an appropriate can. I'd love a Ducati, but not to pile the miles on as servicing costs are on a par with insurance costs - i.e. a good bit steeper than a Japanese built bike.

Steve.

Edited to say: I need to get on with advanced rider training - there are no slow bikes above 600cc but some riders are a lot quicker than others.

>> Edited by Steve_T on Tuesday 6th January 17:38

[_DJ_]

A Laverda 750s (mine preferably!). They're not that quick, but handle brilliantly, sound fantastic (twin) and are cheap to insure. With 2 years no claims mine cost 190quid to insure and I'm 26.

DJ

[Badapple]

I'd say a R6 or CBR600FX (I may have one for sale soon)

[Shnozz]

Badapple said:

I'd say a R6

insurance i think we kill me on that.

[Badapple]

Hmmm, you might be right.
This on the other hand will be ok.

FSH, New MOT, 18,000miles, alarm immob datatag, absolutely mint.
£3000 to you sir

[hertsbiker]

T.K.E said:

Maybe something like a Suzuki SV650? A friend of mine bought one after passing his test through Direct Access and said he thought it was great.

hmmm, I'm getting one in a few days. £3999otr, and fast enough for an 84,000 miler like me. Been fast, done that. Raced everyone, beaten most. The SV is no wimpy machine, it'll still toast most Tiv's on the 0-60, and outcorner / keep pace with some quite expensive machines.

[FunkyNige]

Lots of people have reccommended for me to get a Suzuki Bandit. They seem quite cheap and I've been getting VERY reasonable insurance

[Tim2100]

I've just sold a 600 Bandit, the faired model.

I couldnot recommend the bike highly enough for a first bike, very forgiving, will keep on taking loads of stick. your high enough so you can see over cars, but with the faired model you've got deent wind protection to.

Get a Bandit!!! Simple

Tim.

[stooz]

The bandits are expensive to service, especially older models.

As your looking for a track machine, you will need to consider something like a Honda CBR600RR, yam R6, or Suzuki GSXR 600

[ledger]

hertsbiker said:

T.K.E said: Maybe something like a Suzuki SV650? A friend of mine bought one after passing his test through Direct Access and said he thought it was great. hmmm, I'm getting one in a few days. £3999ot

that's a pretty good price, is that for the naked or faired version ?.

[Tim2100]

What is your budget for the bike?

If you want a new sports bike then a GSXR600 is the way to go, it is as quick as all the latest 600's they are a group lower than the other supersports (group 14)

I'm 24 with no experience paying about £650, very very quick and can do the miles & track days.

I've just brough a brand new GSXR600 for £5k.

Tim.

[Racefan_uk]

Anyone mind if I ask a question on here too? I am looking to get a bike just before spring. Passed test in October and want something I can hold onto for a couple of years and get used to biking on. All rounder.
Have been thinking and looking at the Yamaha Fazer (600, not the R1 engined beastie!) as it seems to be good for everything, quick enough when pressed and good for a little bit of touring.

Have also glanced over the Suziki Bandit as its in the same class. But not sure about it.

Anyone got any other ideas or advice? Oh, I'll be buying second hand too.

[Steve_T]

Fazer over bandit without question. You might also want to consider the Hornet 600 and SV 650.

Steve.

[VickiVX220T]

I passed my DAS last Feb. and went straight out and bought an R6, insurance was about £850 TPFT with MCE in wellingborough compared to about £2k everywhere else.

I thought that was pretty good. I was 22 and had held a bike licence for a week!

[Mad Dave]

OOh! Theres hope for me yet! (im 22 also!)