Help needed on choosing my first big motorbike

[lou3b]

Right bit of help needed here i passed my bike test a couple of months ago but have not had the funding to get a big bike yet but next month i should have some funds and will be getting my first bike over 125cc.

Need one which will be comfatable for days out.
Everyday communter to uni and back.
One with a bit of punch so i can have some fun on it.
Also me being 6ft 2/3 i need one with a quite high seat.

Ive seen a couple of Suzuki bandits 600n and 1200n but the 1200 is a bit to much for a first bike i think.

But just looking for some advice on which bikes to look at in the mean time so i can have a think and a browse.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Lou

[wakadoo]

budget ??

[lou3b]

Oops sorry very tired when typing it
Budget is around £2000 max. Not a huge amount. But hoping I can find something decent for that.

[ant3b]

Finally decided to get one eh

[RSV]

How about something like a Honda cbr 600f. Quite nice looking bike, pretty quick yet user friendly, comfortable and Honda's build quality is very good so an older model should be pretty reliable.

This one looks half tidy on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-HONDA...item3f0cd6c091

[greaseweasel]

SV650's are not bad and handle very well, although can suffer with classic Suzuki rust so always check for corrosion well.

For something more comfortable but very fun you already said the Bandit, they are good simple bikes and there are loads of customisable spares for them if you want to tart it up.

If you want something a bit bigger I would go for a Kwak Z750. Big solid engine that will keep up with the big boys but in a more sensible frame.

[lou3b]

Finally decided to get one eh

Yea its about time i got one but won't be untill next month still.

How about something like a Honda cbr 600f. Quite nice looking bike, pretty quick yet user friendly, comfortable and Honda's build quality is very good so an older model should be pretty reliable.

Yea thanks didn't really think of cbr because of the CBR name in it but they do look quite nice, quite cheap and by the looks of it a high seat.

[lou3b]

SV650's are not bad and handle very well, although can suffer with classic Suzuki rust so always check for corrosion well.

For something more comfortable but very fun you already said the Bandit, they are good simple bikes and there are loads of customisable spares for them if you want to tart it up.

If you want something a bit bigger I would go for a Kwak Z750. Big solid engine that will keep up with the big boys but in a more sensible frame.

Yea i have looked at the SV650 but the looks dont do it for me. As for the Z750 hard to get one for under 2k which hasn't been in a crash or something along those lines.
As for bandits they are one of the bikes at the top of the list to look at.

[RSV]

If you prefer the naked bikes Honda Hornets are also good so i've been told also there is the Yamaha Fazer

[wakadoo]

i was going to also say a z750/zr7 as they are comfy and you can just sit on them for mile after mile and they are really good fun.

also a newer er6n or er6f are a little better looking than the bandits and are coming down in price.

cant see you on an SV m8 as they are small and they are no good for commuting at all.




now this is a bargain, worth the travel if its all cosha.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-E...item19c8401bc8

[ant3b]

I drive you down to get it

[greaseweasel]

Looks nice that ER6, I have a soft spot for Kwaks as they have really good strong engines. I have heard the ER6 is a little underpowered though, although doubt you would notice with it being your first 'big' bike. Might be ideal for a starter actually.

[cbrookes]

Dont rule out a Firestorm, had a CBR600F before and the twin is sooo much nicer. Loads of low end grunt but 9500 red line took some getting used to! You will get a minter for £2k and more than likely have change! I've got Blue Flame cans with the baffles taken out, sound is to die for.

[RSV]

I never even thought of the the firestorm. Awesome bit of kit! My Dad had one and let me use it which was what inspired me to get a v-twin. Aren't they a 1000cc tho? Maybe a touch heavy on the insurance for a 1st time bike

[lou3b]

That Kawasaki er-6n is a beauty have always liked to look of them.

Just been having a browse around and found this Suzuki bandit 600, does look pretty good and cheap to, Lady owner
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bi...?mfy=13.723558
And they are also selling a 1200 for the same price her partner most likely.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bi...?mfy=13.723558

[cbrookes]

Bandits are a lot of bike for the money and lots to customise if you want. The Firestorm is 1000cc but no more powerful than CBR600, and near as makes no difference the same for insurance (well it was for me, when I changed I was 32 with less than 2 years since passing my test and a ban for speeding). Out of the 2 Bandits I'd go with the 12 if insurance is ok as they pull like a train and are bomb proof, also looks better imo.

[Lighty]

Are you dead set on a road bike style, its just that im the same size 6'3" and the most fun I ever had was on my XR600 cheap to run cheap to insure loads of poke, dead comfy can take all the knocks and loads of leg room for you and its a Honda so probably wont break no matter how hard you try. It may be completely the opposite of what you have in mind but its always good to get lots of cross platfor experience, for example I race a 2010 R1 but riding trials in winter and motocross has done my balance the world of good over the years. Also you could pick one up cheap enough that its not something you need to sell in order to get another. I used to ride my GSXR 100 on the road in the summer and my XR in the winter. Just worht a thought.


Example
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-XR-6...item415c77dc3d

[lou3b]

Bandits are a lot of bike for the money and lots to customise if you want. The Firestorm is 1000cc but no more powerful than CBR600, and near as makes no difference the same for insurance (well it was for me, when I changed I was 32 with less than 2 years since passing my test and a ban for speeding). Out of the 2 Bandits I'd go with the 12 if insurance is ok as they pull like a train and are bomb proof, also looks better imo.

Well i would love the 1200 for future proofing but i suspect my age will come into play with the insurance on the 1200 after all im only 19 so the insurance will go nuts on me so i will most likely have to go for a 600 due to insurance.

Are you dead set on a road bike style, its just that im the same size 6'3" and the most fun I ever had was on my XR600 cheap to run cheap to insure loads of poke, dead comfy can take all the knocks and loads of leg room for you and its a Honda so probably wont break no matter how hard you try. It may be completely the opposite of what you have in mind but its always good to get lots of cross platfor experience, for example I race a 2010 R1 but riding trials in winter and motocross has done my balance the world of good over the years. Also you could pick one up cheap enough that its not something you need to sell in order to get another. I used to ride my GSXR 100 on the road in the summer and my XR in the winter. Just worht a thought.


Example
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-XR-6...item415c77dc3d

Yea have thought about them but dont really fancy them for the road. My dad has a BMW F650GS thats semi offroad and i like it but its not my cup of tea.
The problem is that quite a few road bikes have quite low seats and i feel like my knees are around my head when i sit on them, its just a case of finding one that fits.
But i do love to have a play offroad on my mates 250 Montesa trails bike.

[tiggerbiker]

after all im only 19.

so, you have an A2 licence - some bikes (newer FI) dont respond well to 33Bhp restriction kits.
the older carbed models respond well, and the suzuki SV650 (although FI) actually feels better down low with one!

[wonka]

i had a fz6 2004 plate for my 1st bike had it a year was great bike have now upgraded to a bandit 1250 gt 2010 both been great for me i am 6ft 1