Thoughts on getting a motorbike

Aren't you restricted to cc or horsepower when you first pass?

Not if you're over 21 - u21s are restricted to bikes under 400cc now iiirc.

daveh75:

Not if you're over 21 - u21s are restricted to bikes under 400cc now iiirc.

I wouldn't recommend a novice to go above 400cc. Not only the speed but the weight of the bike will be deceptive. I'm NOT a biker but my brother is...he's been riding the things since the late 60s.

My license and age mean I can do the CBT, theory test and then Direct Access. I can even go to Wales and do the whole lot on a Harley Davidson with a course they do.

My thoughts: Do It! Great Idea!

Your wife's thoughts are probably slightly different, though! 

idc:

My license and age mean I can do the CBT, theory test and then Direct Access. I can even go to Wales and do the whole lot on a Harley Davidson with a course they do.

I have had a few bikes over the last 10 years but none of the ones you are thinking of. The nearest would be a Kawasaki KLE500 which was great for green laning but too underpowered for A-Roads and motorways. The Versys is more powerful so that should not be a problem.

They are all capable bikes as there are very few bad bikes made by the major manufacturers. It will come down which one you prefer really. Are you thiking of buying new or used?

First things first- helmet with in built headphones.

CBF 600 S ; Yamaha FZ600 fazer

Quality bikes ear - I have had a Fazer 600 and 1000 in my time. But a CBR600 for green laning?

susuki and versys have track shoes.CBF not CBR

ear:

CBF not CBR

Fair enough.

Boring/sensible answer: don't become a motorcyclist (aka an almost dead-cert organ donor).

Why? A few years ago, a BBC road safety doc cited research that concluded that due to current road cars being equipped with so many safety features - 5-star NCAP ratings; ABS; ESP; a bouncy-castle-complement of airbags etc - the average car driver has become very complacent and less prone to concentrate

Then there's also the alarming number of cretins who still use mobiles without handsfree devices

In short, it's all very bad news for bikers

But there are some amazing bikes that have breathtaking performance, handling, grip and braking. Hayabusa or R1, anyone?



If you do go for a bike, make sure you spend as much as you can afford on a helmet - how much do you value your bonce? - and get a lid that has the Snell safety rating. Compared to the BSI rating, Snell is a much tougher test. Unlike BSI's one-impact test, Snell subjects the helmet to multiple impacts, which is why all F1 drivers' lids have to be Snell approved

The 'old' BMW F650 is a great little bike. The new one has an 800cc engine whereas the old one was a single 650. You wouldn't want to ride it for long motorway trips or with luggage etc but they're quite cheap, well built and extremely economical.

A friend had one and we rode around Brittany one weekend (I've got a Fazer 600) and he averaged 80 MPG ! Mad, that's moped mileage.

The new F650 has an 800cc engine. My sister's boyfriend has one and they both rode out to the French Alps on it and back no problem. However, the F800 looks much better for actual off road use.

I've always been put off by the build quality and short service intervals of the Suzis and the Honda is a different beast altogether - by far the biggest of the ones you're considering isn't it? So if you're a big chap...

Whatever you get you won't regret it. I love having a bike as HATE sitting in a metal box in traffic.

Oh and buy good quality gear - it's a good investment in the long run.

(And btw it's 'licence' not 'license' - sorry, a pet hate of mine!)