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Years out of date on this but, mine was yet another SV650S, still got it. It was supposed to be the "first big bike" but I ended up doing 60000 miles on it, may have replaced about half of it mind.
SV650.org was one of the best online communities I've ever been in (Maybe it still is, I'm just not active any more) and that added massively to the whole thing- endless advice, good parts support, events, etc.
(Surprisingly big overlap of STWers and .organists)
triumph street twin
I bought this as my first bike and love it. Use it for exactly the riding you describe around the lakes and Yorkshire, spent 600 miles and 2 x days last week doing the SW300 and it ate it up.
In fact I'm up in the lakes tomorrow on it 🙂
I'm 5ft 4" BTW
One small point to note is my mate who came with us to Scotland has a 160kg KTM390 with about 45 BHP compared to my Scrambler's 55. He was very quick to point out how he was having to rev and make sure he was in the right gear to keep up, where as mine was so effortless on those types of roads. I think the Ducati Scrambler may have the same characteristics as my Triumph
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51245048893_39375f618f_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51245048893_39375f618f_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2m5mgFK ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
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. But as an IAM Advanced rider myself, in most cases the motorcyclists best friend against an accident (particularly with other traffic) is the throttle.
Having passed the police advanced motorcyclist course and then been a surveillance biker (call sign Kilo) that is cobblers.
I've got a Bonneville SE (last gen, 865cc) which is what is now the Street Twin. Plenty quick enough for the roads I ride on. It could do with an extra gear for motorway speeds but A roads are much more fun anyway - motorways are so boring on a motorbike IMO. Up to 60 it's got plenty of grunt with enough in reserve for swift overtakes. My only gripe is that the seat is a bit low for me (740mm) - nice to get feet flat but a touch cramped. I'm 5'10". I'd have another Bonnie in a heartbeat, but I'd probably get the T100 or T120 and add a bench seat to give me a bit more room. Or I might go for the new 850cc V7 - I ride all year round so the shift drive has a certain appeal.
Having passed the police advanced motorcyclist course and then been a surveillance biker (call sign Kilo) that is cobblers.
In that case, as with many other things I suspect, the Police may find they want to be a little more consistent. You'll be aware that all IAM examiners are ex-police riders and instructors themselves too no doubt...
Maybe, but...
the motorcyclists best friend against an accident is the throttle
.... is still cobblers.
Its also worth considering and ideally test riding to decide what kind of power band you like.
Some people enjoy revving a bike constantly to keep it in its power band, other people like riding on mid range torque, which is much more relaxing if just cruising about.
and dangerous cobblers at that
When I was doing 20k pa miles, then yes, all the controls (including the throttle) were used regularly to 'avoid' trouble.
But I'd ridden bikes since I was 16, had +30 years of experience and rode in all weathers. It's the last thing I'd be recommending to a newbie.
You’ll be aware that all IAM examiners are ex-police riders and instructors themselves too no doubt…
Not actually accurate;
Traditionally, IAM RoadSmart Riding Examiners were recruited from retired Police Officers holding a Police Advanced Bike Certificate. However, the IAM are increasingly seeking Examiners who have gained sufficient experience and qualification through the IAM.
I’ve nothing against IAM and it’s a good idea to have advanced training for car, bike, most things on the road.
Well this is getting testy.
I’ll add a wee bit.
Been riding for 35yrs on all sorts from Lambrettas to super bikes.
There have been times when I have accelerated out of a potential accident.
Every situation is different and to blindly state that using the throttle to avoid a situation is bollocks is , well, bollocks.
There is also no such thing as too much power. It’s lack of self control that’s the problem 😂
It’s lack of self control that’s the problem
That will be me then. Every bike I have owned has only had an on off switch - no part throttle available 🙂
My arguement is not that you can have too much power - but that a lower powered bike is easier to learn on and a high powered bike teaches bad habits if you are a newb
Every situation is different and to blindly state that using the throttle to avoid a situation is bollocks is , well, bollocks.
Good job no one has said that 😉
what’s been said is the concept that the throttle is your best friend to avoid an accident is cobblers. Observation, safe speed, positioning, anticipation, warning devices, knowing how far your bike will lean, etc are likely to be better friends than accelerating (or shutting the throttle).Anyway that’s enough thread diversion from me.
I would say the "you'll drop every bike" is rubbish, I know quite a few people who have never dropped their bikes. Out of the number (10+) I've owned, my number is 2. However, the chance of dropping your first bike is pretty high. Especially when you go from a light 125 to a much heavier 600+
Getting back on track, I would say that my suggestions (being about the same height and a little heavier) would be:
Suzuki SV-650,
Ducati Monster - earlier air-cooled M600 - 796
Ducati Scrambler 800
Triumph Street Triple
All the above are quite light and you can get low seats for them.
Most of it will depend on what you like looks wise and power delivery wise. And then budget.
The older Monsters have great character, but some will hate the lump L-twin feel.
The SV is great all round, I race these and they are reliable, sound good and cheap to repair / modify.
The scrambler is a good looking bike, and has a lot of modern safety kit, but has the Ducati tax.
Any ST that has been looked after will be a good shout. Comfortable and great power delivery, the later the better.
For me I love my Monsters, but they are an acquired tastes. The 1200S are amazing, but on the heavy and expensive side.
A 70s or 80s 2 stroke trail bike might suit you well. TS, RT1, DT etc. Buy and Import from the states and register it or buy one that is already over here.
Cool for days, great on smaller roads, can be taken on the lanes, relatively easy to look after at home, more than powerful enough, low stand over, super easy to ride, light.
Drums are the only questionable area but they aren't that bad when set up and you adjust your riding accordingly. Not as comfortable if you are doing big days in the saddle in comparison to a newer bike but more than happy to sit at 60-70 if you get a bigger capacity one. The smaller sub 250cc will happily do 50-60 constant.
I the best STW tradition .......Have a look at a BMW F800R. I too have had many different bikes over the years, but this one is a good balance of light (ish) weight low (ish) seat height and performance. As a bonus it is a good pillion bike, too. Plus it is ridiculously economical to run.
I passed my test in December and picked up a second hand tracer 700 and it has been great.
A 70s or 80s 2 stroke trail bike might suit you well. TS, RT1, DT etc
Dear god no.
Don’t destroy his love for motorcycles before it’s even begun
This thread has finished me off.
Just booked a CBT for 2 weeks time and I've committed to the full package all the way to a full licence. It was an expensive phone call.
Not getting ahead of myself but Ducati Scrambler here I come.
A 70s or 80s 2 stroke trail bike might suit you well. TS, RT1, DT etc. Buy and Import from the states and register it or buy one that is already over here.
Is that a do-able thing?!? Awesome! 🙂 Two strokes over here are way too pricey - was idly looking at Mitos last night, just crazy money. 🙁
Dear god no.
Don’t destroy his love for motorcycles before it’s even begun
Dear god, don’t assume everyone who reads/uses this forum is a bloke. *sarcasm* I know my username was very complex and could have easily been misconstrued. */sarcasm*
Sharkattack welcome to the club! Definitely not a cheap one mind!
🙂
Sharkattack welcome to the club! Definitely not a cheap one mind!
Cheaper than an e-bike!
Dear god, don’t assume everyone who reads/uses this forum is a bloke. *sarcasm* I
My apologies for not paying attention. Not sarcasm.
I thought the name was golf C Hick - a redneck who doesn't have an A or B game at golf 😉
Here's Mrs Weeksy playing
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Girls can ride too
Just been down Tesco on my ER6 still getting used to it, it’s bloody quick compared to my little 10” wheel 10hp scooter!
It made me think though, I don’t know about buying the bike you want straight away, I thought I wanted a Harley for the longest time, now I don’t like cruisers at all. Also insurance is expensive for newer bikes, if budget is a concern something older or small will save a fortune. A new Honda CB500x would have been about 5x more expensive to insure compared to my 12 y/o Er6.
I love adventure bikes too, But I think the high seat would be an extra worry now I’m still practicing and getting used to the weight and power.
I’m thinking an SV650, Er6, Hornet, Bandit 650 would be a good idea for starters just for 6 months/a year or so then go for it and buy the shiny thing.
My 2p anyway.
Kawasaki Z900RS Café
Or Z900RS
Alternatively get one of them, they’re bloody lovely. Just the standard RS for me please.
Looking at about £8k though even for a used one. You could have a half decent ebike for that
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Proper engine, none of this IL4 rubbish
Proper engine, none of this IL4 rubbish
That's a nice looking bike that.
Mates in the far east all recommended Yamaha because of plentiful after market parts plus the reliability. Not the fastest but people there prefer reliability over speed.
When it comes to motorsickles I thinks weeksy has it right - try lots of them and you will find one you like enough to keep for a while.
Don't think your next bike has to be a forever bike, try a few, buy the one you like best but if you stop liking it go try some more, repeat until bored / happy.
There honestly is no perfect bike.... there's no wrong bike either... Just just wrong bikes for that day, that week or that trip.
This was a demo ride i had this week, completely unexpected and i'd never have thought these thoughts would come in my head afterwards
So I went to Blade in Swindon to get the XSR serviced and was offered "what do you fancy riding for the day then" when asked in return by me "what you got" we discussed a Versus, that was a no, gsxs 750, that was a maybe, he then threw in CB1000R.
Ok, we went with that.
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Chatted for an hour or so with GP and then eventually jumped on the CB1000 with very little in the way of expectations.
Had to stop and adjust the brake lever early on, it was set to 3 and I like mine softer than most, so went to 6. Much better.
Looking at the dash, I was in sport mode, which felt remarkably civilised for a bike in sport, they're often a bit over sensitive.
Looking more I see a QS symbol, nice, quickshifter, yip, that's smooth. Wondering if it was a 2 way up/down I kicked it down a gear, yup, both ways. Excellent.
Footrest position is higher than I'd like usually but didn't seem to trouble my knee so just got on with it. 3-4 miles later I get to some decent tarmac heading up towards Highworth in the Cotswolds. The engine is smooth, but as always for me, the IL4 left me feeling a bit meh, power is there but it's a bit lacking unless winding it hard and putting up to 10,000+.
However the ride on the thing is something else. It's magic carpet levels of smooth, doesn't care what surface, just smooth as silk. Tipping it into a bend it's superbly responsive and just effortlessly tips in. Less input but more stable than the XSR. Wow, I was absolutely blown away by the handling. The more miles I did on it the more it astounded me.
I stopped for a coffee and rang Couch and Crust and gave them stories about how amazing it was. Even going as far as speaking to 2 dealers on theirs. Only the R+ comes with quickshifter both ways, or the later 21 models all have them.
If the dealers had been more on the ball, I'd have bought it there and then, I was that impressed by it.
One of them was the dealer who had my XSR in being serviced and we agreed to discuss when I got back, I gave him the figures and left him with it.
Heading back to Blade I was ready to buy it. I'd kinda prepped the wife with a "wow this is amazing" the rest I expect she could guess.
Sadly the dealer was busy and he came out and said "I'll be 2 minutes" I actually gave him 20 before I left, stuff to do and had to get home to meet my boy from school.
Getting back on the XSR I was really loving the engine again, the triple is just fab! It's very different to the CB but I much prefer it.
The suspension isn't as good on the XSR though, but the ride prompted me to soften the rear by 3 clicks and the front by 2, which actually made it feel much better. But still not as plush as the Honda.
Will I buy one, oooft there's a question. I dunno if the handing being so good outweighs the engine lacking any feel or fun.
Fabulous bike though, just brilliant
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Fabulous bike though, just brilliant
Shame it hit every branch falling out of the ugly tree.
That Z900 up there though, my, my that's pretty!!
That Z900 up there though, my, my that’s pretty!!
I have the standard z900rs in total black
Best looking bike I’ve ever owned and draws comments every time I’m out on it
Love it.
Full Nitron suspension next though.
That z is nice. Like to see a good Lawson replica paint job on one, I always had a hankering for a big green z. Cheeky edit, like the one on the previous page!!!!
The Lawson rep is for the zrx1100
Looks awesome in those colours.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/rvf400/1994/
I always wanted one. Perhaps not a sane choice and a bit rare.
Brad's, yours is nice but the one above just reminds me of being 10 and seeing my uncles old bike!!
They do it in a blue and bronze now, same as the old 79 Z650
Boyfriend reckons I should try the Kawasaki Z900RS from a point of view of the inline 4 rather than a twin so I can see and experience the difference.
Absolutely, also try an mt07 or xsr700 and a triumph 765/675. All bikes ride differently.
KTM 690 again is a single but a bit marmite, I loved mine though