Looking For A First Bike Any Suggestions?
I'd like something pretty nippy and was thinking 600cc but I dont know what kind of speed I'd get out of it any ideas?
If someone could also reccomend a way to officially learn cause I only have a car licence not a bike licence.
Another little thing (or big) is that I'm a rugby player with quite a bit of bulk and weigh almost 20 Stone (120+kg), I'm pretty sure that will effect the choice of bike and the speed it goes at! lol.
Answers:
You'll need to get yourself onto something called a Direct Access Course. This is roughly a week long course, by the end of which you will have taken your motorcycle theory test, learnt to confidently ride and have passed your full practical test. The cost of this depends on the area you live- try shopping around for deals. This time of year is very quiet in the motorcycle world as everyone goes back to their cars because of the bitter cold and rain. This is probably the cheapest time of year to start biking.
With Direct Access bike and equipment hire is usually included, as is insurance. Where I live (Central London), Direct Access courses cost about £600 all inclusive. Which is excellent value; taking into consideration the tuition, hire and the fact that in a week you'll have gone from an incompetent to a comprehensive rider!
With regard to bikes: If you're a big guy then you'll want something with lots of torque, especially if you're putting a pillion on the back as well. Don't bother with something super revvy like any supersports 4 cylinder, not initially anyway. All a revvy bike will do is blow holes in your novice riding style. A big twin, a more laid back 4, or a chunky triple from Triumph will give lots of usable power everywhere in the rev range. There's no point in blowing thousands on a bike which only goes fast at 12,000rpm- you're not going to have the ability to access that kind of power delivery until you're used to bike power.
I would suggest getting a second hand sports tourer, or enduro. These bikes are quick, agile but not to aggressive. And don't worry- you'll still easily crack a ton without trouble. Something like a BMW Boxer might also be up your street- they're physically very big bikes, but are cutting edge, if expensive. Remember given your weight, and novice status you'll want lots of power everywhere, not just at the top third of the rev range.
I would definitely recommend reading Bike or Ride magazine as well as Motorcycle News. As well as bike reviews they talk about lots of other important riding issues.
honda cbr i would recommend as first big bike! would suit u better than average sports bike as seat is a lot bigger and your knees wont be having to crush themselves in!
edit: or a suzuki bandit (half feared) quite good too
however id recommed that you just go and try at diff bike dealers etc that u can try it out too before u buy
good luck
edit: not sure where u r but try
http://www.xlmotorcycling.co.uk.
have loads of info on about getting license etc
id go for the sv650 as it has alot of tork and is fast
I'd lose weight and get a mountain bike if I was 21 and 20 stone.
And is bulk another word for fat?
Hire a learner bike from your instructor - don't buy one. If you want something big, fast and cheap, try an old CBR1000 or a ZZ1100 Kawasaki. Yamaha FJ1200' s sell cheaply too and are v.reliable. If money is no object, buy a Honda Blackbird or a Ducati 900.
600's these days will be putting out about 100bhp and topping 150mph. pretty nippy.
CBR600's are good but, to be honest a lot of bikes are going to struggle with 20 stone. You don't say how tall you are. Assuming you are and are interested in something other than a sports bike you might want to have a look at a Honda Varadero, BMW GS or something similar. Powers about 100bhp and the riding position is better suited to taller people.
what I'd recommend is getting to the NEC for the bike show - you can sit them all too so that'll help. Its on till sunday
http://www.motorcycleshow.co.uk/.
Motorcycle News out each wednesday has loads of info about training, insurance, buying bikes the whole shibang.
feel free to email otherwise
A lot of really good suggestions especially if you get a larger bike like the cbr 1000 (my first bike -i then progressed to a blackbird cbr1100 -which when you pass your direct access (which is the best way to do it and takes about a week to pass) -you will be able to ride any bike as long as you are sensible (speed and control wise).
I would even consider an enduro bike -it is big, bulky and ideal for taller people too. The funduro 650 bmw or the ktm style. Its not just the price of the bike which is the consideration but the running costs - insurance, tryes etc. You need to look at the whole package plus your usage and where you are going to ride it.
when i first passed my test i was around the same weight, so i thought that a v-twin would be a good idea as they are generally more torquey than inline fours. i went for the sv650s cos its a v-twin and quite sporty, oh yeah and they are really cheap to pick up around £4000 new. on the license side of theings best thing to do is go to your local dealer and ask them to reccommend a training school for you, depending on where you live prices for the training are normally around £500. hope this helps
first of all you have to do your cbt test and it is easy but cost about £80 then you can only ride up to a125cc big boy no good ha ha i am 18st as well then you have to do a direct access that the costs between £200 to £400 depend on how many lessons you have and as for bikes Honda cbr every time and thay come in big or small fast or faster and one or two seats and this time of year you can pick them up cheap ebay it
I was going to suggest the SV650 until you mentioned your size. The SV will be too small for you. Then I would go for a Honda Hornet 900 or if you want faired a CBR600 (the old shapre not the not the RR). It has plenty of poke and is comfortable.
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