[Closed] First motorbike?

Suzuki sv650, 70ish bhp, get the naked version, not having a fairing naturally limits your speed to sensible levels.
70 bhp is plenty, there’s a forum for these bikes https://forums.sv650.org/

I have a scrambler. Use it pretty much how you describe. Fast enough and loads of low down torque so being in too low a gear isn’t a huge issue. It’s my second ‘big bike’ and way prefer it over my kwak ER6 which I’d equate to owning a Ford Focus. Useful bike but boring and it didn’t inspire me to want to ride it.

Your boyfriend sounds like a terrible rider! If you’re worried about dropping it perhaps look second hand. Just be sensible and remember what you’re taught to start off with.

Dropped my first big bike the day after my test. At low speed, going (wobbling) round a bend that could easily be taken at 60mph+ in a car.
That was the only accident i had though.
Total cost of repair was £5.99 for a sump plug, my mate had a spare brake lever blade.

Haha no he’s a very good motorbike rider but he’s quite brute force of a bloke, bish bash bosh and think later.

Do you find the scrambler quite snatchy as I’ve read reviews that say so.

I’ll definitely be going second hand but £5-7k is still a significant amount to me to consider dropping it. I also don’t want to be the motorbike rider who goes out and buys a Santa Cruz when they’ve only been riding for five minutes. I’d rather progress naturally.

Your cycling experience will also help with riding so you shouldn’t be a wobbler.

Snatchy how? Throttle? It’s a v twin and needs to be up in the rev range, it may get lumpy at lower speed if you’re in the low gears but it sorts it self out quick enough. It’s never been an issue. If there is you’ll adapt. In terms of handling. For how I ride it is fine. Goes around corners ok and smoothes out some bumps. It’s great though

Save a few quid for advanced training. You could learn by falling off and near misses like I did many years ago.......

The old Ducati Monsters are good.

My old bike instructor believed you should buy the bike you want, because then you’ll ride it more and improve. Better that than old Bandit that you bought just because you thought you might drop it.

I bought a Monster as my first bike nearly 12 years ago. I still have it.

What Simon said. When I was looking for my first bike I wanted it to be something I wanted to ride and take care of. So I bought my mates TL1000.

It was a big hulking V Twin, steep learning curve but I never dropped it. Now riding an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory.

Buy the bike you want, I was going to suggest an SV650 aswell, cracking little bikes. What about a Street Triple?

I really liked my BMW f650 single, unrefined but fun. The G650 is a more modern version. It's a light, chuckable bike which isn't fast but is quick enough. I'm 5'10 and could have both feet flat on floor, you can lower them too.

I’d rather progress naturally.

30 - 40 bhp bike for your first bike - you will learn to ride properly much more quickly

I had one of the earlier bonnevilles, great bikes for what you describe. Easy to manoeuvre and fast enough.
Not had a Ducati but will the scrambler not be a bit high of seat, it may be fine in a showroom but you have to factor in scrabbling around on an adverse camber to get your foot down.
Maybe a guzzi v7 (very pretty looking bikes)?

The sv650 is nice. I have a mate selling a black one as it goes for not a lot of dough. He's gone bigger.

I demoed the street twin and it was nice and all but a little bit too modern and refined for my tastes(plus I couldn't afford a new bike anyway)

There are loads of decent 'older' bikes out there selling for relatively little that you could get a taste on. I hate the modern transformer robot wasp look of the majority of new bikes too.

Also don't like fairings. Never trust a bike you can't look through.... 😃

I've got a 2000 GSX750 Inazuma. Cost about £1300. It's a great bike.
Plenty of power. It's still a bit too modern looking for me and I'm very slowly making it my own but for the money it's been amazing.

I had a look at the moto guzzi v7 stone and it’s a nice looking bike but wasn’t sure if it was a bit too under powered.

Yeah the reviews say the throttle on the scrambler is very snatchy, will find out today. Have seen a street twin going for £6.3k and it’s the 2019 version and looks to have been taken care of well. Good point about getting one you want as you’ll ride more. Have put a fair few miles on my 125 now so think most of my wobbles are out of my system and riding bikes for as long as I have I think I do okay.

Ducati seat height is still quite low, only a couple of cms above the street twin actually and thankfully not as tall as the fellas ktm supermoto which feels like riding a fence panel!

Well I splashed out on the new Triumph Trident for my first big bike, so what do I know?

But, I'd give the SV650 a proper shout. I learnt on one. Great bike, very forgiving and will just keep going. Has the retro look with the round headlight and trellis frame. Loads knocking about, and even buying new you can get some great deals. I'm sure plenty of dealers will have 2020 stock they will get rid of at bargain prices.

Good luck for the test, it's a great feeling once you have passed and can ride back to the training school with no headpiece in 🙂

Sv 650 or the Mt07 that crossplane cranked twin sounds immense.
I’m currently on a 2021 Ninja 650, not super exciting but it’s great for the daily commute.
Engines not the most exciting though.

Zx6r or Cbr600rr

Both light amazing handling bikes that are super easy to ride.

My first bike was a '93 VFR750.

Save a few quid for advanced training.

+1

Our local Council and Police ran a free scheme where you had lessons with a Police motorbike rider. Still remember all of it 20+ years later, was very insightful. I don't ride motorbikes anymore, but everytime I see just about any mortorbike on the roads I can pick up half a dozen mistakes watching them ride only a few 100 yards. The only people who ride properly are Police motorcyclists! No one else seems to be able to read the road ahead and position themselves accordingly.

As others have said, ride the one that makes you feel happy! I inherited my Dad's 1990s Honda NTV650 as my first post-125 bike. I ride like an old lady (according to my instructor) (actually, that was one of the kinder things he said about me) but even so it's got more than enough speed and power for my needs. The step up from 125 felt massive.

If I could ever pull the trigger and actually do my bike license rather than crapping out at every turn, i'd go for the Royal Enfield Interceptor:

Not Fast - check

Classic looks - check

Not a Transformer - Check

And the custom scene for these is pretty healthy too

I’m about a month ahead of you, passed my MOD2 a month ago today.

I wasn’t sure what to get either and very budget limited, in the end I stuck with what I knew for my first bike and bought a battered but functional ER6n

It’s fine, I wanted an adventure style bike but when I sat on a few in dealers I was slightly concerned about the seat height while I’m still learning, I’ll probably get something I want in a year or two.

Only been out on it a couple of times so far, it’s a commuter primarily and a 2nd car substitute. It’s plenty quick enough I give it a twist, nice and docile if I’m easy on the throttle. Doesn’t look too bad either IMO, but not a classic.

If you want a classic that won’t cripple you financially I hear very good things about the Royal Enfield Interceptors. In fact they were on my list but until I’ve got a garage sorted I’d be too worried about it getting nicked.

If you are looking at a scrambler it's worth looking at a Yamaha xsr700 too - engine is a peach and riding position is very similar to the scrambler. I nearly bought one before I found my Guzzi Griso.

I found the KTM Duke 390 a good stepping stone onto a bigger bike but it has transformer type looks rather than classic. Lots around the £3k mark if you want to try something cheaper before stepping up. Handles brilliantly on tight lanes and makes good power too so won't be left wanting on faster A roads.

Lots of people like the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and they're less than £6k brand new OTR and has the classic looks you're looking for.

Lol 3 in a row for the interceptor.

Has anyone suggested an SV650?

I bought one 3 years ago as I got back to biking after a 25 year hiatus (previously had Ducatis, big Suzuki's etc). Lovely engine, very easy to get the right power delivery, light enough, low enough, fast enough on A roads.

I think I'm about ready to move on again now so it's been a great way of re-learning all I'd forgotten. I'll likely wait until winter approaches and see if there are any bargains.

Have looked at the interceptors and looks wise they’re spot on but the huge amount of chrome and our climate makes me think they’ll soon corrode. Had a sit on an xsr700 a good few months ago and liked it at the time. Might give one a try next.

I read an owners review of an interceptor and they were saying it was corrosion free after a years riding. I can’t remember where I saw it, I looked at far too many reviews in the run up to my MOD2 🤦🏼‍♂️

I wouldn’t write them off just yet, and the orange looks fantastic.

I’m actually quite tempted by a Himalayan even though (or maybe because) they’re absolutely gopping.

Other "Classic" options

The new Guzzi is rather nice, and you can pick up V7's from the last few years for not bad prices:

And the more obvious choice:

I’m 5ft7 and only 62kgs so need something that work for me.

In my bikeie mates i've long lost touch with was Sonny, who was about the same height, and I guess only a bit heavier. His choice was a Fireblade, which I think is 1000cc And he was a hell of a good rider, by which I mean he could really move it.

Not suggesting you go 125 - 1000 😆 that would be nuts, but height and weight shouldnt hold you back. I'd a Honda 250 when I was down living in Wales. Cant really tell you much about it, it was a loan bike and I dont have a license 😆 But I fount it fun to ride and although it put me at the back of the group, I got on fine.

Word of warning, which came from a mate who went 125-550 was beware of speed, in that you find yourself doing every trip at high speed because you've got the ability, like 90mph down to the shops etc.

Suzuki sv650, 70ish bhp, get the naked version, not having a fairing naturally limits your speed to sensible levels.

This ^. They are excellent bikes, though I would go for the faired version myself.

I'm 5'11. you should be ok with the scrambler

30 – 40 bhp bike for your first bike – you will learn to ride properly much more quickly

This, and as a short/light rider look for a small light motorbike.

I'm old school - rode a 50mph moped at 16, an RD250 on 'L' plates and then an RD350LC before I was 18. Got through 3 RD300LC's...

Then slowly worked my way up the sizings/speeds from 350's through 600/750 etc to Superbikes and ended on 1050 Triumphs - rode from 18 to 47 without having an accident - including up to 20k pa commuting in/around London.

Ignore everyone who tells you to buy something big & fast, also based on your size, ignore the Adventure machines I see folk wobbling around on. Oh, and avoid singles.

Something like this Yamaha R3 sounds ideal:

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/features/bikes/best-a2-licence-motorcycles

Oh, and avoid singles.

No don't, they're great!

I got my full license over 20yrs ago and didn’t get a bike. Started using a 300cc Vespa a few years ago and love it.

Did a refresher motorbike day last Sept with the intention of buying an R1250GS and ended up with a Triumph Bobber as I fell in love with the looks - couldn’t me more different! Totally impractical but I come back with a huge grin after every ride.

I think a Triumph Bonneville is possibly a good call if you like the Ducati Scrambler. Clutch is very forgiving and they sound great.

If you’re riding a lot which I have done you very quickly get used to the bike and start thinking what next….

Not suggesting you go 125 – 1000 😆 that would be nuts, but height and weight shouldnt hold you back.

This… very much…

On a road bike, you really only notice the weight of the thing when it’s stationary or in slow speed manoeuvres. I’ve seen people smaller than you riding 350kg Harley’s, BMW R1200GS’, all sorts. That said, a lighter bike is easier to handle when stationary for sure, but I wouldn’t get too hung up about being “small”… 5ft7 and 62kg is well within the design remit of pretty much every bike on the market. Same as you don’t need to touch the floor with both feet when stationary on an MTB, you don’t on a motorbike. Sure, you need to be closer to being able to do it on a motorbike than an MTB, but I’d ride Ash’s KTM 690 Supermoto happily and wouldn’t come anywhere near being able to flat foot it even with a 33” inside leg. In fact, on my 1290 SuperDuke GT I can’t get both feet down fully, it’s not an issue.

Plenty of good suggestions made above already (and some quite obscure ones too!). I wouldn’t worry too much about dropping a bike. It happens to everyone at some point. Buying a bike with less to damage when it’s dropped might be a consideration if you’re concerned (ie. no fairing). Personally I’d go with something 600cc and above though. I appreciate that’s a sweeping generalisation and not all 600cc bikes will have similar performance, but it means you won’t be thrashing the knackers off a smaller bike to keep up at least. Your choice if you want naked or faired, 1/2/3/4 cylinders etc… I personally prefer V-Twins (or an offset crank parallel twin like Yamaha’s CP2 in the MT-07 and XSR700, and KTM’s 790/890 range), you may not. There is no right and wrong.

For a first “big” bike, 70-80bhp range should be plenty. You can go for more, the throttle goes both ways of course. More power doesn’t necessarily equate to more fun, but it does get you to license losing speeds more quickly.

Oh, and get something that you’re either happy to work on yourself, or there’s a decent dealer relatively nearby…

Took a test ride on an Enfield interceptor, the worst motorcycle I've ridden in 30 years. I've ridden lots of different styles of bikes over the years and I'd be very upset with myself if I'd spent my money on the Enfield.

One (two) that might be worth considering are the Aprilia rs660 and the Aprilia tuono 660, very good bikes, light, comfortable, all the latest electronics. They might be considered a bit transformer like but that's down to personal preference, they're also quite new so not many around 2nd hand. Very nice bikes to ride though.
Otherwise I'd be test riding Street triples, mt07, Ducati monsters

I’m was in the same situation a few months ago, having been on my 125 for 18 months I passed my mod 1 and and 2 in May.

Now a couple of thousand miles in I love my Scrambler.

Buy the bike you want 🙂

I bet that sounds nice with the Termi can.

I really like those Scramblers, apart from the dash.

Definitely buy the bike you want if you can afford it. I thought about buying second hand and riding something a bit beaten up for a year or two, but I'd saved long and hard for something really nice that I wanted to go out on every time.

Here is my Trident. Since this photo I've fitted a few more accessories including bar end mirrors that really set if off.

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Suzuki sv650, 70ish bhp, get the naked version, not having a fairing naturally limits your speed to sensible levels.

Plus-however-many for this. Was the Suzuki Gladius a slightly lower version of it? Had the pleasure of a few hours on one, lovely thing, very easy to get along with. 🙂

If the op does stump up serious money then a sweet deal and no doubt riding bike would be the CCM Spitfire (scrambler type)

Lightweight, punchy single with good standard kit like WP suss, Brembo brakes etc

Not sure on their build quality compared to Triumph say but would guess blooming up there compared with others on market

MY reasoning for not buying a 70+ bhp bike but something half that for your first bike is that with a smaller engined bike you will learn to ride properly in a shorter time

too many folk buy a big sports bike for their first bike. You can tell - they blast down the straights and wobble round the corners and cannot brake properly either. they are a danger to themselves adn others

On a less powerful bike in order to ride at a reasonable speed you have to learn to corner and brake properly On a powerful bike you don't have to as the power hides the lack of cornering speed
Learning to corner properly stands you in good stead when something goes wrong ie yo have the muscle memory / reflexes to tighten bends and to actually lean it over properly

the idea that a v7 is not powerful enough - nonsense. Its powerful enough to be faster than most cars and to ride at high speed all day - but then so is a 40 bhp bike!

a smaller bike will also be lighter 0 important when yo are learning

If yo want to wobble around on a big bike then get one straight away. If you want to learn to ride properly get something in that 30 - 40 bhp area

Remeber - you have NOT learnt to ride. Yo have learnt to pass a test. learning to ride takes many thousands of miles and again like others I urge yo to get further training

I have had a bike liecense 40+ years. ridden everything from tiddlers to big sports bikes. Many many thousands of miles. I have had a break of a few years and there is no way on earth I would get on a big bike again now until I had had either refresher training or time on a low powered bike

TJ… You worry too much! Some valid points about a lot of people not learning to brake and corner properly for sure. But as an IAM Advanced rider myself, in most cases the motorcyclists best friend against an accident (particularly with other traffic) is the throttle. It’s always good to have some power in reserve on the roads, that’s for sure!

Riding lower powered bikes does not make you a better rider… That’s just an old wives tale. Getting experience, taking advanced training, and being of the mindset to constantly improve your skill set whatever is required makes you a better rider.

Using power to get out of danger is an utterly stupid and dangerous idea. Its a total myth and a dangerous one at that. ( unless yo mean closing the throttle?)

Of course yo can learn to ride properly on a big bike - but its hard to do so

a 40 bhp bike will have plenty of reserve power. It will do 40 mph over the a road speed limit

Getting experience, taking advanced training, and being of the mindset to constantly improve your skill set whatever is required makes you a better rider.

this is correct

I see the logic of starting with a low horse power bike but it’s like you’re comparing against a 200bhp fire blade. If OP was talking about a fire blade you’d have more of a point but 70bhp is perfectly sensible and will teach you plenty.

Back from my jaunt on the scrambler, liked it, a little different to the triumph but not in a bad or a good way. I think it would be more suited to some of the roads we end up going down in the lakes seeing as we went down loads today and it coped admirably. It seemed a lot more sensible than the street twin as well, ended up on the night shift but the engine is identical, it just has a few different points like wheels.