Advice for a bike virgin!

[newbie]

Hi there,

Just wanted a bit of advice really -

Ive been nipping about on a scooter for 4 or 5 yrs now - I did my
proper bike test last summer and managed to pass - so im looking to ditch
the scooter and get a bike -

I was looking at something like a suzuki bandit 600 or a Honda CBF 600
as they both seem to be relatively easy to ride - nice bike to start with,
not least cos im om on a budget - (im leaning towards a Honda) -

So my questions really are, are these decent bikes for someone who doesn't need
flash but wants to nip up the motorway now & again? Secondly, my budget is
about 2k no more than 2.5k - so far im thinking that might get me a used
Honda 600 about 2005, with 10k ish on the clock - Is this feasible do you reckon?

Lastly if anyone knows of anyone getting rid of something similar let me know!

Thanks a million for any advice - much appreciated

cant wait to get started!

D

[Cheese Monkey]

I'd get the bandit out of those two personally. Great fun to ride! Get a good one for that price too. Fine for motorway and whatever you can chuck at it really

[46robbie46]

One bike i would definatly look at is the Honda CB500. Dont be put off because its 'only' a 500, i hear they have plenty of poke for the capacity.

Also, they do one with a half fairing that you can hide behind on the motorway. I think they deliver about 50bhp, which is plenty enough if you have just been riding around on a scooter. The power hike up to a 600cc 4 cylinder would probably be a bit scary in my opinion!

[Milky]

One bike i would definatly look at is the Honda CB500. Dont be put off because its 'only' a 500, i hear they have plenty of poke for the capacity.

Also, they do one with a half fairing that you can hide behind on the motorway. I think they deliver about 50bhp, which is plenty enough if you have just been riding around on a scooter. The power hike up to a 600cc 4 cylinder would probably be a bit scary in my opinion!

400's are also quick

[greg]

If you are going to do regular m-way riding, a fairing makes a huge difference on whatever you buy.

[speedy(delboy)]

400's are also quick

Unless being ridden by a retard like you

Go for what you feel happy rideing, otherwise you will only have it a few months and want to swap it again. There aint much in them 2 bikes.

[delvey91]

400's are also quick

Unless being ridden by a retard like you

[simon]

Hi there,

Just wanted a bit of advice really -

Ive been nipping about on a scooter for 4 or 5 yrs now - I did my
proper bike test last summer and managed to pass - so im looking to ditch
the scooter and get a bike -

I was looking at something like a suzuki bandit 600 or a Honda CBF 600
as they both seem to be relatively easy to ride - nice bike to start with,
not least cos im om on a budget - (im leaning towards a Honda) -

So my questions really are, are these decent bikes for someone who doesn't need
flash but wants to nip up the motorway now & again? Secondly, my budget is
about 2k no more than 2.5k - so far im thinking that might get me a used
Honda 600 about 2005, with 10k ish on the clock - Is this feasible do you reckon?

Lastly if anyone knows of anyone getting rid of something similar let me know!

Thanks a million for any advice - much appreciated

cant wait to get started!

D

Go for what you like.
The Bandit and CBF are both well proven, so either one would be a good choice.
The most important thing is not so much the bike, but it's history and condition.
When you find what you like, take someone knowledgable with you to cast a cynical eye over it.
Then, before you hand over any money, take the reg and frame numbers and do an HPI check.
This will tell you if the bike has ever been written off, or is still on finance.
You can do it on line in minutes.
It cost me about £40 last time I did it, but well worth it for ultimate peace of mind.
If the seller gets snotty about it, walk away.
He may be hiding something.
If you're buying from a dealer, then they should have already done this.
Ask for it to be confirmed in writing.
I knew someone once who bought a write off from a shop.
It can happen.
Most important of all is don't rush at the first one you see.
In this category, there are loads to choose from.
I'd also suggest waiting until the Winter because that's the time to get a better deal by virtue of fewer buyers around.

[TLS-Moose]

RAC vehicle check does all that HPi does, and costs about a tenner

[newbie]

Thanks for the advice much appreciated -

A friend told me that for motorways a 500cc is ok but 600 alot more comfortable - ive sort of got my heart set on a 600cc - im not an experienced rider but the reviews ive read seem to concur its easy to ride for newbies - in any case my plan is when i get a bike just to take it really slow and get used to it bit by bit until i get comfortable.

Trouble is i dont know anyone knowledgeable about bikes so i might have to skip the 'take a friend' bit and just rely on HPI checks and common sense - ABout fairing - motorway will be occasionally and ill be using for getting to work normal day to day urban riding - why dont they make detachable ones!?!

cheers

[TLS-Moose]

In honesty, for speeds under 75-80, you can survive quite well without a fairing ..... though you give little info about yourself - male/female, big/small, etc.,

Bikes like the Hornet or Bandit seem to be great confidence builders You could also consider an SV650 or even Monster 750 (600's a bit weedy) within your budget

[gazaR1]

Thanks for the advice much appreciated -

A friend told me that for motorways a 500cc is ok but 600 alot more comfortable - ive sort of got my heart set on a 600cc - im not an experienced rider but the reviews ive read seem to concur its easy to ride for newbies - in any case my plan is when i get a bike just to take it really slow and get used to it bit by bit until i get comfortable.

Trouble is i dont know anyone knowledgeable about bikes so i might have to skip the 'take a friend' bit and just rely on HPI checks and common sense - ABout fairing - motorway will be occasionally and ill be using for getting to work normal day to day urban riding - why dont they make detachable ones!?!

cheers

cos everytime you come to take it of, the last bolt that rounded of last year that u keep meaning to replace wont budge, so then the screwdriver youve just hit with a hammer to undo it slips and makes a 3inch gash in your fairing.then when all bolts are out and put safe in a plastic container with a lid on, neighbour comes out oh messing with your bike again and promptly stands on container breaking it and kicking contents into garden.CMS dont open sunday so do i get ripped of at bridge,wait till next weekend or send wifey during the week,who then comes back with screen bolts and gets all arsey when i mention this and tells me how much i spend ON THAT BLOODY THING.

thats why ,or is that just me

[kestrel69]

Others you may wish to consider are the Yamaha Fazer & the older Diversion.

Both good bikes & come with a fairing to keep a lot of the wind & crap off you

[steve-d]

Diversion FTW.

Can get them for about 700 quid in mint condition. Stupidly reliable. I had mine for a year didn't service it once ragged it everywhere, ragged from cold. Was quick enough in the twisties nice and torquey, which I miss now.
Parts are cheap and plentifull.
They don't like killswitch backfires though

I need to fix mine.

[badgerKDD]

Thanks for the advice much appreciated -

A friend told me that for motorways a 500cc is ok but 600 alot more comfortable - ive sort of got my heart set on a 600cc - im not an experienced rider but the reviews ive read seem to concur its easy to ride for newbies - in any case my plan is when i get a bike just to take it really slow and get used to it bit by bit until i get comfortable.

Trouble is i dont know anyone knowledgeable about bikes so i might have to skip the 'take a friend' bit and just rely on HPI checks and common sense - ABout fairing - motorway will be occasionally and ill be using for getting to work normal day to day urban riding - why dont they make detachable ones!?!

cheers

cos everytime you come to take it of, the last bolt that rounded of last year that u keep meaning to replace wont budge, so then the screwdriver youve just hit with a hammer to undo it slips and makes a 3inch gash in your fairing.then when all bolts are out and put safe in a plastic container with a lid on, neighbour comes out oh messing with your bike again and promptly stands on container breaking it and kicking contents into garden.CMS dont open sunday so do i get ripped of at bridge,wait till next weekend or send wifey during the week,who then comes back with screen bolts and gets all arsey when i mention this and tells me how much i spend ON THAT [Censored] THING.

thats why ,or is that just me

PMSL


and no its not just you