...on Friday in Chippenham with 3 minor faults. Spent the rest of the day on a mate's classic Matchless but I'm feeling the need to spend some money.

Any recommendations for a starter bike? Something for the weekend ;) and maybe the odd long distance commute and trip abroad. I'm 42 in September but with no biking no-claims, insurance costs have to be taken into account.

Cheers
Kav

Congratulation's, well done, you won't go to far wrong with a Honda CBR600, they pretty much do everything you want, and there built well and hold there value quite well.

I bought a 1990 VFR750 as my first bike and have no regrets. It's comfy, plenty fast enough, and makes a lovely unique noise...

Insurance is £189 TPFT for me - 25, just passed, and with zero NCB. Early 90's CBR600 can be had for similar money and there are more of them, but they aren't as nice to ride when not wringing it :).

It all depends on how much you want to spend - I reckon you'll have as much fun on a £1500 CBR600 as you would a £4k R6, for the most part. It'd likely be cheaper to insure as you'd not be scared of going TPFT, and it's not the end of the world if you drop it or have a low speed spill. :)

--Rich

Thanks chaps.

What names should I look out for in the bike insurance arena?

Cheers
Kav

Thanks chaps.

What names should I look out for in the bike insurance arena?

Cheers
Kav

Hasting's direct or MCE have alway's been cheap, but you will spend age's waiting on the phone, cos there so busy.

Congrats Mark!

Another vote for Hastings,very competitive,but they never quite beat my current insurers..Dyer and Holmes P) 01622 620446

Thanks chaps - I'll get on the blower tomorrow.

Cheers
Kav

I had a Cbr 6 to start with and should of bought a Cagiva Elefant 750 Lucky explorer with a ducati pantah v twin ( old saying you pay your money you take your choice ). I know Cbr' s are the most reliable thing since a toyota landcruiser, i like the seat position and with one full tank is easily capable of 180 miles, easier to manouver and ride through towns as you would be towering over other cars also it is a great looking dakar bike, great tourer ( two of these in our garage and i'am riding to Slovinia with my dad ). Mark if you live near to Newcastle Under Lyme look in DK Motorcycles because they got 100's of bikes ready for test rides. Please don't buy a second hand bike from DK becuase your jaw most definatly would drop to the floor. Happy biking and i shall give you a nod if i see you at the weekend. Remember if you buy a cbr 6 , take a test ride of a full power version, the matchless is like chalk and cheese compared to a cbr 6. Regards Nathan.

Balls to a starter bike you will only lose money on the way up through the ranbks go out and buy a Gixer thou or R1!!!!

btw my instructor told me to buy a 1000 Exup when i passed mine many years ago and did i listen? did i heck and bought a bloody Honda Benly!!!!

personally I reckon you need to decide what type of bike you want. No point getting R1/Gixxer Thou etc as you'll go faster on a lesser bike as a newbie.

If you enjoy arse in the air/weight on the wrists biking then get a sports bike - I didnt so moved to a VFR800 as it is pretty sporty but less pressure on the wrists on the commute. Also decide if you like Twins or 4s. I also didnt get on with the Twin so prefer 4s. I went from Suzuki SV650 (acclaimed first bike) to VFR800, and now Yamaha Fazer 1000. I commute into London so wanted a more versatile bike but wanted the power too. The Fazer has 143 bhp. I would start with a Fazer 600, Hornet type bike unless you definitely want the more Sports and flasher metal then try cbr600. Also have a look at SV650 as it is a great choice and handles really well, very cheap to insure and is pretty fast too.

Ref Insurance - As a newbie I found H and R were best as they take into account Car NCB.

Thanks all - looks like I need to go and try a few.

I'm more inclined to go for an upright sitting position because of longer journeys.

What are the pros and cons of V twins and 4 cylinder set-ups?

Cheers
Kav

As a newbie I found H and R were best as they take into account Car NCB

Have you got a number for them please?

Cheers
Kav

how about a Triumph Tiger??? GR8 bike..... looks good, high, upright, 900cc triple but not too mad , will commute, knock door mirrors off, and tours very well...


check 'em out.


regards

Mikey

Ex ZZR600E1 owner, ex-racer, now with no bike at all :(

For H and R use:
www.insurance2000.co.uk

and the Triumph Tiger is a good thought although not sure insurance costs on that

First off, the 4 cyl sports bike is smooth compared to v twin and create more power at the top end of the revs but less torque at lower revs. The makes and models of the trail bikes are as follows:

Cagiva Canyon 500
Cagiva Canyon 900
Cagiva Navigator 1000 ( suzuki tl1000 v twin engine )
Suzuki Dl 1000 ( tl 1000 again )
Honda veradero 1000 ( vtr firestorm engine v twin )
Triumph tiger ( not the best build quality and finish )
Cagiva Elefant 750 Lucky Explorer ( 750cc v twin ducati race proven engine Cagiva elefant 900 Lucky explorer ( 900cc v twin ducati )

For H and R use:
www.insurance2000.co.uk


Thanks mate - £260 fully comp for a Fazer 600. Doesn't sound bad.

Cheers
Kav

With my Yamaha I ended up insuring with Yamaha themselves - Yamaha Insurance Services - for TPFT they were similar to H and R but for fully comp it they were £100 less. Yamaha always say they will beat any other quote but then again £260 wont be beaten by much anyway. Last year they had a promotion to give new riders free TPFT cover on Fazer 600's, but since then they reduced the cost I think instead.