Advice gratefully appreciated!
Discussion
Guys and Gals
I am soon to be flush with the trappings of an inheritence and after passing my bike test last October, I'm looking for a learner/starter bike to keep for a perios of about two years until I find my level.
I'm looking for something mid-range (600 ideally) and will use it for occasional commute (I work from home but have to travel various places at weekends and during the week) and for rideouts. I also want to do a bit of touring, so something that I can maybe fix a couple of luggage panniers (sp?) to or a top box might be good. I would also like it to have enough of a pillion seat in case the better half wants a go too!
I've been looking at the following but would appreciate some advice from owners and riders for pitfalls and good stories.
Yamaha Fazer
Suzuki SV
Honda CBR600 (Is the F the touring styled one?)
Can anyone give me advice on any of these, or something else instead?
Come on, I'm sure there are horror stories and jokes to be had about learner bikes out there!
Thanks
RF_uk
I am soon to be flush with the trappings of an inheritence and after passing my bike test last October, I'm looking for a learner/starter bike to keep for a perios of about two years until I find my level.
I'm looking for something mid-range (600 ideally) and will use it for occasional commute (I work from home but have to travel various places at weekends and during the week) and for rideouts. I also want to do a bit of touring, so something that I can maybe fix a couple of luggage panniers (sp?) to or a top box might be good. I would also like it to have enough of a pillion seat in case the better half wants a go too!
I've been looking at the following but would appreciate some advice from owners and riders for pitfalls and good stories.
Yamaha Fazer
Suzuki SV
Honda CBR600 (Is the F the touring styled one?)
Can anyone give me advice on any of these, or something else instead?
Come on, I'm sure there are horror stories and jokes to be had about learner bikes out there!
Thanks
RF_uk
Afternoon mate. Im going down a similar route myself - although ive not got my license yet.
Im told that a Bandit 600 is a good starter bike with a good blend of power and ease of riding. For this reason ive gone out and bought one and they can be had for some good prices, so maybe thats a good suggestion?
Im told that a Bandit 600 is a good starter bike with a good blend of power and ease of riding. For this reason ive gone out and bought one and they can be had for some good prices, so maybe thats a good suggestion?
The Honda you've been recommended, based on the other two, is likely to be a Hornet (CB600F, I think). The CBR600 is a sportsbike and if you're thinking of a less focused machine, I wouldn't recommend it.
I'm biased as I have an SV, which was my first bike, it was great for me as a newbie and is still a good ride but my Triumph is the one I use daily.
The Bandit is an older model, nothing wrong with that but comparison tests with the newer Fazer/SV/Hornet do say it's outclassed. Still a good bike, though, there are plenty on the street.
You might also want to consider a 650 V-Strom, which has the same engine as the SV650 but a less sporty riding position, and has been touted as good for touring.
I'm biased as I have an SV, which was my first bike, it was great for me as a newbie and is still a good ride but my Triumph is the one I use daily.
The Bandit is an older model, nothing wrong with that but comparison tests with the newer Fazer/SV/Hornet do say it's outclassed. Still a good bike, though, there are plenty on the street.
You might also want to consider a 650 V-Strom, which has the same engine as the SV650 but a less sporty riding position, and has been touted as good for touring.
I've looked at the SV, although none of them close up for a while as I haven't been round the dealers yet for closer inspection.
I know this sounds piccy, especially for a first bike, but I want it to be comfortable and look right too. I'm too fat to be squashed up on a sports bike for long periods. So a decent riding position will be a good starting point.
I know this sounds piccy, especially for a first bike, but I want it to be comfortable and look right too. I'm too fat to be squashed up on a sports bike for long periods. So a decent riding position will be a good starting point.
I'm about 6ft and was trying to decide between the SV650S and a 600 hornet, the riding position on the hornet was more comfortable for me, but I still preferred the SV. General consensus seemed to be that the honda is a better quality bike (i.e. will fair better after 3 years), but the SV was voted as "the best all round bike" or something similar recently.
One thing I did find though was that the brakes on the hornet were pretty bloody poor, apparently braided hoses etc would help.
I discounted the bandit as it seemed too old technology compared to the others.
Hopr this helps, by the way I bought neither as I ran out of time before my daughter was born. But I'm starting to look again now
>> Edited by ledger on Friday 13th February 09:54
One thing I did find though was that the brakes on the hornet were pretty bloody poor, apparently braided hoses etc would help.
I discounted the bandit as it seemed too old technology compared to the others.
Hopr this helps, by the way I bought neither as I ran out of time before my daughter was born. But I'm starting to look again now
>> Edited by ledger on Friday 13th February 09:54
don't knock the Bandit, might be "old technology" but they are pretty much bomb-proof, there's a lot around to choose from and parts (including plastics) are easily available and plentiful (a serious consideration because you will at some point drop your first bike.)
I passed in Aug'02 started on an SV but I'm a funny shape (long torso, short arms) and found it uncomforatble on my wrists. I traded (up?) to a Bandit after 2 months but decided on the 1200 as I knew I was going to be doing lots of commuting and two-up touring and I thought the extra power would come in handy. Nearly 18000 miles and 16 months later and I don't regret it.
I passed in Aug'02 started on an SV but I'm a funny shape (long torso, short arms) and found it uncomforatble on my wrists. I traded (up?) to a Bandit after 2 months but decided on the 1200 as I knew I was going to be doing lots of commuting and two-up touring and I thought the extra power would come in handy. Nearly 18000 miles and 16 months later and I don't regret it.
Gerrard said:
don't knock the Bandit, might be "old technology" but they are pretty much bomb-proof, there's a lot around to choose from and parts (including plastics) are easily available and plentiful
no offence intended. That was the advise I was given, horses for courses realy, I just wanted a weekend toy, not a workhorse.
Gerrard said:
(a serious consideration because you will at some point drop your first bike.)
very good point, that was one of the things that was making me favour the SV650 against the SV650S
ledger said:
don't knock the Bandit, might be "old technology" but they are pretty much bomb-proof, there's a lot around to choose from and parts (including plastics) are easily available and plentiful
no offence intended. That was the advise I was given, horses for courses realy, I just wanted a weekend toy, not a workhorse.
Gerrard said:
(a serious consideration because you will at some point drop your first bike.)
very good point, that was one of the things that was making me favour the SV650 against the SV650S
That just says to me keep a bit of cash back for crash bungs mate - see the other thread.
Steve
g brilliant bike Steve_T said:
Gerrard said:
don't knock the Bandit, might be "old technology" but they are pretty much bomb-proof, there's a lot around to choose from and parts (including plastics) are easily available and plentiful
no offence intended. That was the advise I was given, horses for courses realy, I just wanted a weekend toy, not a workhorse.
Gerrard said:
(a serious consideration because you will at some point drop your first bike.)
very good point, that was one of the things that was making me favour the SV650 against the SV650S
That just says to me keep a bit of cash back for crash bungs mate - see the other thread.
Steve
Or crash bars? Mine has them - should stop too much damage being done?
I know MechSympathy dropped it once (left the disklok on!) and it just bent the front brake lever.
Thanks for all the info guys. Went out to a couple of the dealers local earlier today for the first time and had a sit on a few. Bandit was ok, but, and I kjnow I'm being snobbish here, I wasn't that keen on the 'naked' bike look. Then had a sit on a Fazer in the man showroom (Yam dealer) and the seating position was superb for me. He offered a test ride there and then, but I had to be elsewhere so couldn't (didn't have lid or jacket with me either!) but have said I'll go in next week (weather permitting, I'm not testing a bike if its slinging it down, it'll be slinging me down the road if I do!)
So, I'll keep you informed.
Thanks again.
So, I'll keep you informed.
Thanks again.
Racefan_uk said:Just out of interest, why would you buy a fazer when you can buy a thundercat? I'm not trying to be funny, I'm just interested. Is it a fashion thing because the thundercat is surely a better bike in every respect to the budget fazer and given that most people seem to do about 8 miles a year you'll probably get a thundercat very cheaply indeed in very nice condition for more or less the same price as a fazer albeit a year or two older.
Thanks for all the info guys. Went out to a couple of the dealers local earlier today for the first time and had a sit on a few. Bandit was ok, but, and I kjnow I'm being snobbish here, I wasn't that keen on the 'naked' bike look. Then had a sit on a Fazer in the man showroom (Yam dealer) and the seating position was superb for me. He offered a test ride there and then, but I had to be elsewhere so couldn't (didn't have lid or jacket with me either!) but have said I'll go in next week (weather permitting, I'm not testing a bike if its slinging it down, it'll be slinging me down the road if I do!)
So, I'll keep you informed.
Thanks again.
I can see the point if you must have a brand new bike but otherwise I'm a bit confused.
Mark
Mad Dave said:
Or crash bars? Mine has them - should stop too much damage being done?
I know MechSympathy dropped it once (left the disklok on!) and it just bent the front brake lever.
Got them too on my 1200...
but they don't stop your plastics taking a beating, only your engine covers...
Hey,
In the same position as you - just about to take my test and looking for a 600 to start. Had the same shortlist as you and at the moment the SV650S is at the top of the list. Def. want a fairing, want something not too heavy and with decent styling. At the moment SV looks good as it is lighter than the bandit/hornet, has better looks (in my opinion) and is reasonably priced.
Went to look at one in the showroom today and had a sit on it. Feels great, riding position doesn't seem too hunched and pegs are well placed. Was quoted £4150 OTR for a new, unregistered bike.
Keith
In the same position as you - just about to take my test and looking for a 600 to start. Had the same shortlist as you and at the moment the SV650S is at the top of the list. Def. want a fairing, want something not too heavy and with decent styling. At the moment SV looks good as it is lighter than the bandit/hornet, has better looks (in my opinion) and is reasonably priced.
Went to look at one in the showroom today and had a sit on it. Feels great, riding position doesn't seem too hunched and pegs are well placed. Was quoted £4150 OTR for a new, unregistered bike.
Keith
CBR 600 all the way - of all the bikes I've owned from 100cc numbers up to a fireblade this was by miles the easiest to ride, most versatile and forgiving of the lot. One piece of advice 'though, whilst you can happily potter about on it, you can also get some serious performance out of them so, if you do go for one, ride it straight to an advanced riding skills course and bgin to learn how to ride it properly.
Oh - one other thing (and a bit of a hobby-horse of mine, as other PHers will know) spend some of that inheritance on the best bike clothing that money can buy and ALWAYS wear it (the surface of the road is just as hard and abrasive when you hit it, whether you're just popping to the shops or in the middle of a 1000 mile tour)
Oh - one other thing (and a bit of a hobby-horse of mine, as other PHers will know) spend some of that inheritance on the best bike clothing that money can buy and ALWAYS wear it (the surface of the road is just as hard and abrasive when you hit it, whether you're just popping to the shops or in the middle of a 1000 mile tour)
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff