OK Guys I am new to motorbikes really, I know of a few different makes and models but everytime I do insurance I get killed. I have my test booked in April and will be able to ride anything (no dirty comments please, lol :rolleyes: ). My mate originally had a Honda VFR 400, I like though, but being 6 foot 3", I am a wee bitty too big for it.

 

Anybody else have any other suggestions. I have tried a Suzuki GSXR 600 >2k insurance, Suzuki GSXF 600 >1.5k insurance. All because I am 21 with no riding experience etc.

 

I am not really too fussed about the size of the thing, I like sports type bikes and will only be doing few thousand miles a year. Cheap insurance is the main thing though. Price range is up to £2k.

 

Help pick me a bike please!

 

Dave G

the RS125 is everybit the same size as the CBR and itl keep up with it. like i say, if you want to drive fast on twisty as **** roads then its a great throw about, but if u just want to sit at a ton + on a straight then ul want a bigger bike.

No way mate!! not a CBR 600, mine pi55ed all over plenty of Aprilla RS125s and as for it being the same size are you sure???

The CBR600 has been sold in many forms since 1987. All of them (especially that latest 'RR' version) will go faster than an Aprilia RS125 in a straight line.

 

An RS125 might hold of an older CBR600 on a tight road or circuit though as they do handle very well.

my instructor was well cool, i dropped the bike on first u-turn i did, he just laughed at me n told me to do it again. took my test 2 days later and passed lol, only had 2 lessons, and never rode a bike b4 :P (direct access)

 

did my cbt and then on my first lesson with a "big bike" i managed to put it on the deck before i even got it off the stand :o

 

my instructor (who was a local copper) said "dont worry they have been down more times than a whores knickers".

 

still felt a total muppett!!!!

Not sure about English rules etc. but over here in Ireland you can get bikes restricted. My first bike was an RR3 Fireblade :dance: I've got a K5 GSXR 600 at the moment while i'm waiting for my RR4 Fireblade :bow: and i'm still on my provisional license. As far as i know you can get pretty much any bike restricted which will be certified for the insurance companies. :dance:

You can get big bikes restricted to 33bhp, but I think it is costly, and a lot of insurance companys run shy of it, because its not difficult to derestrict them.

OK shortlist so far:

 

ZXR400 (top I think so far)

VFR400

CBR600

SV650S

 

In order that way I think. I will do more of a search. I think the SV650 looks nice, but doesnt have a sporty enough look, could just by my opinion from photos though.

 

dave G

ZXR400 are nice looking but I find them really cramped and to revvy to ride.

The VFR is a better bet but most are shagged these days (same with ZXRs to be honest!). Remember checking the valve clearances on a 400cc 16 valve motor can be tricky!

 

The CBR600F is a much better bike, as is the SV. The SV may not be the most exciting looking but you'll get a newer one than you would any of the others for the same money and bikes do really suffer with age (susupension, bushes, bearings etc).

 

The SV was updated in 2003 with fuel injection and a much smarter looking fairing. They also sound great with a loud exhaust as they're a V-twin.

ZXR400 are nice looking but I find them really cramped and to revvy to ride.

The VFR is a better bet but most are shagged these days (same with ZXRs to be honest!). Remember checking the valve clearances on a 400cc 16 valve motor can be tricky!

 

The CBR600F is a much better bike, as is the SV. The SV may not be the most exciting looking but you'll get a newer one than you would any of the others for the same money and bikes do really suffer with age (susupension, bushes, bearings etc).

 

The SV was updated in 2003 with fuel injection and a much smarter looking fairing. They also sound great with a loud exhaust as they're a V-twin.

 

personally i like the 2003 R6, nice amount of power without going overboard. even the pre injection models are v nice bikes !!

Yeah the garage near where I work had a brand new R6 and that looked amazing. Its a 600 right?? and apparently quicker than an R1?

For insurance try MCE (MC Edwards) Ive been insured with them for 6 years, always done me a good deal, and can do c/card via the phone. Nice and easy.

Or borrow some more money and buy this off me, its going for 3850 this weekend unless I get a better offer ......

Or borrow some more money and buy this off me, its going for 3850 this weekend unless I get a better offer ......

 

That was my ideal bike before checking insurance out. I think those are great, another of the Engineers in my work had one of those too to which I wanted to sell me lats year.

 

Bit too pricey though and like I say, I think the insurance is still high. Ill go try again for a laugh.

 

Dave G

I had an SRAD GSXR before this and its a massive step up in performance from every point with the K4. Best of all is a new rider could take this out and ride it safely as long as they are sensible, its not till you rev it hard that it becomes a handful and even then you feel in control.

Yeah the garage near where I work had a brand new R6 and that looked amazing. Its a 600 right?? and apparently quicker than an R1?

 

deffo not quicker than the r1 bud sorry, and yep R6=600cc R1=1000CC

£1600 FC insurance. Only want the bike as a toy, same as the car. And I cant justify to myself that paying over £3k a year on insurance for toys is worth it. So I have set a limit of £700 for insurance. £2.5k in total I will be looking to pay. That way I can buy the bike, pssibly some gear and insurance all in the one go so I dont have to pay anymore. Unless you want to sell me your bike for £900 and throw in loads of XXL gear in aswell?? :smash:

 

Dave G

If it was me, out of all the suggestions so far I would go with the SV650, might not look as nice but sounds awesome with the right pipes and goes good enough.

I am picking up one of these next week ......

I am picking up one of these next week ......

 

SWEET !! i do like the 996's except for the noise which always makes me think the chains about to come off LOL me new one also gets delivered tomorrow , cant wait

R1 :bow:

Right guys stop showing off. Im not as old as all you old farts, but I wish I was cos those bikes are lovely.

 

dave G

:cool: I have a SV650S IN RED '99 not bad for a twin but will never sound the same as a 4 Would recommend as a first after passing test,good solid reliable suzi.Yes, from another senile old fart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Chaz

Right guys stop showing off. Im not as old as all you old farts, but I wish I was cos those bikes are lovely.

 

dave G

 

cheek !! ha ha 26 aint old bud !!

Wont tell you how much my insurance is as I dont want to see you in tears but its less than 200 :tongue:

 

 

 

 

pics of my vfr400, yea i know its got rvf panels looks more modern in my opinion :P brought it like that about 1 yr ago. my ins was 300 fc 23 no no claims at time and no riding exp, now 220 :P

oh yea ps, add loads of security to bike brings premium down alot, mine has ground anchor and chain datatag, alarm and immobiliser, disc lock and tracker :P