Help me choose a bike
Discussion
I have passed my test this week and am looking to buy a bike that will be used for the 5 mile trip to and from work each day. I will also use it for the odd weekend blast as I am lucky enough to live on the TT course.
The problem I have is that my drive at home is very narrow and on quite a steep slope, and getting the bike in and out each day without shuffling cars about is difficult, especially if the bike is too heavy.
For that reason, and also because as a novice I like the idea of having a limited top speed (although I am legally limited to 50 for the first 12 months anyway) I was thinking along the lines of a KTM LC4 640 or similar.
Has anyone here got any advice/wisdom they could share with a newbie?
Thanks
The problem I have is that my drive at home is very narrow and on quite a steep slope, and getting the bike in and out each day without shuffling cars about is difficult, especially if the bike is too heavy.
For that reason, and also because as a novice I like the idea of having a limited top speed (although I am legally limited to 50 for the first 12 months anyway) I was thinking along the lines of a KTM LC4 640 or similar.
Has anyone here got any advice/wisdom they could share with a newbie?
Thanks
I think the LC4 is an excellent bike, and once you get more experienced, you can supermoto it (for street use) and whack it round the island at a fair old pace!
Don't go for a sportsbike as a first bike. Even if you move on from another bike in 6 months, you will have had a chance to learn on something that won't get you in trouble at the first opportunity - especially if you're monkeying around over the mountain!! (Are they going to put a speed limit on the mountain this year?)
PS don't try and get 180 down bray hill - you may hit something!!
Don't go for a sportsbike as a first bike. Even if you move on from another bike in 6 months, you will have had a chance to learn on something that won't get you in trouble at the first opportunity - especially if you're monkeying around over the mountain!! (Are they going to put a speed limit on the mountain this year?)
PS don't try and get 180 down bray hill - you may hit something!!
fergus said:
(Are they going to put a speed limit on the mountain this year?)
They have said there will be no limit this year, but they are looking into it for the future. They will no doubt have the temporary 60 that goes in every year from Kates to Hilberry though.
I'm definately thinking a Supermoto is they way to go although finding one in my price range over here is proving to be a problem. All I can find in the 2 - 3K band is CBR's and Bandits.
rednik said:
I'm definately thinking a Supermoto is they way to go although finding one in my price range over here is proving to be a problem. All I can find in the 2 - 3K band is CBR's and Bandits.
Go heavier (and more practical) and you'll find a load of good used Tigers for that price....
for example
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=19935&s=138
or slightly more expensive...(same as mine)
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=22465&s=138
>> Edited by barry sheene on Thursday 13th May 11:43
You can pass your test for a full car or Bike license from 16. From then on you can drive or ride whatever you like (assuming you can get the insurance) but have to display "R" plates on the vehicle for 12 months.
These restrict you to 50. 6 points while displaying the plates and you loose the license and have to sit a re-test.
Edited to add There may actually be a restriction on the bikes until you are 17 but since it's not an issue for me I'm not 100%
>> Edited by rednik on Thursday 13th May 12:42
These restrict you to 50. 6 points while displaying the plates and you loose the license and have to sit a re-test.
Edited to add There may actually be a restriction on the bikes until you are 17 but since it's not an issue for me I'm not 100%
>> Edited by rednik on Thursday 13th May 12:42
Lived in Port Erin for 8 years. Great roads and pretty quiet too, when the tourists are at home.
BMW F650GS - ABS?
My first bike, good solid and safe and capable of speeds well in excess of 50 - in 12 months of course!
Reliable plodder and great for the roads on the IOM.
Not bad for roads over here either!
BMW F650GS - ABS?
My first bike, good solid and safe and capable of speeds well in excess of 50 - in 12 months of course!
Reliable plodder and great for the roads on the IOM.
Not bad for roads over here either!
Best advice when I got when I passed my test is buy a cheap bike first - odds are you will drop or crash your first bike 
Then trade up to something a wee bit nippier in a year's time when you've (a) trashed the first one
and (b) are allowed to go faster.
I don't know what the market's like over there, but in most big cities on the mainland there are plenty of ex-courier bikes that are dirt cheap because they've been thrashed and won't last much longer. I got a Honda VT500 which lasted me about 18 months for a few hundred quid.
Then trade up to something a wee bit nippier in a year's time when you've (a) trashed the first one
and (b) are allowed to go faster. I don't know what the market's like over there, but in most big cities on the mainland there are plenty of ex-courier bikes that are dirt cheap because they've been thrashed and won't last much longer. I got a Honda VT500 which lasted me about 18 months for a few hundred quid.
That is excellent advice, and matches the advice I was given 2 years ago when I bought my 125.
I was offered a race rep though which was too good a deal to turn down, and sure enough I threw it down the road in week 1, trashing the right side fairing. I have ridden it every day since and had no repeat, having said that I will be extra carefull on the way home tonight though.
I am fairly confident I won't make the same mistake again (fingers crossed) and had a ride on a Suzuki SV today which if anything is actually easier to ride than my little 125.
Whatever I do go for, will definately have minimal fairing and a decent set of crash bungs.
I was offered a race rep though which was too good a deal to turn down, and sure enough I threw it down the road in week 1, trashing the right side fairing. I have ridden it every day since and had no repeat, having said that I will be extra carefull on the way home tonight though.
I am fairly confident I won't make the same mistake again (fingers crossed) and had a ride on a Suzuki SV today which if anything is actually easier to ride than my little 125.
Whatever I do go for, will definately have minimal fairing and a decent set of crash bungs.
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