Ok heres the deal. Im trying to cut my commute costs as they are getting out of hand at the mo. Im paying about 40-50 on petrol and 20 on parking. I was thinking of getting a motorbike to help cut these costs as im guessing it would use a lot less petrol, could park it at work for free and traffic wont be such an issue. Thing is i have never ridden a proper bike before ( used mopeds) and my daily commute is 40 miles each way. ANyone suggest what sort of bike i should get ( really only like the style of racers ), power etc. Gonna pop down the local bike shop at lunch in East Grinstead but would prefer to go in with a little knowledge.

Thanks
Marc

just get a cheap little import 400 racer, like cbr400 or vfr400 both very reliable, great fun and easily capable of getting you in trouble while being very good first time race bikes.

Get a little scooter. Scoobyjawa has done just that, he will be able to tell you more info.

Dave

Daves right :D

Just bought a Yamaha Aerox 100 Max Biaggi Edition. Its good for 55mph out of the tin and a few mods will see it more. Its the scooter the riders use in the Paddocks at bike events.

Its brand new, got the bike/scooter, helmet, gloves, insurance (free for one year TP or 75 quid to upgrade to TPFT which I did), 1 year RAC, warranty and the CBT course all for a smidgen over 2k.
I do a 5 mile trip to work and was putting 140 petrol in a month in the scoob at least, the scooter will cost me 50 quid a month and then petrol at about 4 quid for a tank and 120+ miles.

Can't wait to get it now - just waiting to do the course :D

Cheers guys. Onlyy problem i can see with the scooter is that im gonna be doing 80 miles a day on it. Plus half of that is on dual carriage ways. my mates got a gsxr400rr or summit like that. WOuld that be a suitable thing? dont think a 125 would be able to cope with the mileage but then i know VERY little about bikes. Help is appreciated though. Gonna pop of the the shop in a mo and see what they suggest. If i got an R1 would they throw in the funeral for free do you think? :D

Sounds like you're more of a candidate for a 500/600 type bike on that mileage.

Fazer
CBR 600 or 500
GT550? :eek:
Diversion
GSX600
etc

Mainly 'cos a 400 on the open road is wearisome. Have a look at the things couriers are currently riding to get an idea of what is comfortable for 80+ miles per day.

:)

Yeah a 400 would be a fun bike, but they are not so good for traffic, with tall gearing and now torque without rev's !!

I used ride 400's (FZR & CBR)and for the back roads they are the most fun you can have totaly focused and planted round the twisty's, however puff's 600 comment is very true. A 600 will certainly take the mileage better and will be easier in traffic (less gear changing)and it will be faster !!!

Your best overall option for an A-B machine though, once again agreeing with puff would be an old courier bike, something like a VT550 (Honda)£500 quid to buy, cheap to insure and a bullet proof engine !!

Good luck,

Phill

Cheers guys. :D Just got back from the shop and the only near suitable bike was a 400 FZR. Was on a J plate for 2500, is that expensive? wasnt A1 condition but not too bad. Also got details on all the clothing & test costs etc. At least i have some information to think about now. Traffic wouldnt be such a problem as i am normally in work by 8 and leave at 4 :D just want something that can cope with coutry roads and dual carriage way without going pop! :)

what about a gpz 500s sounds loike it would suit your needs for now and are very cheap to get and run

garry(gsxr1100)

Will have a look on the net for one. As i said i know very little. Do know the gsxr1100 though, mates dad had a nice tuned up one. VERY desirable until some muppet decided he wanted the same bit of road. Thankfully that old guy lost his licence for it though! hes looking for a 'busa now to replace it! :D nutter! Really do appreciate your advice guys. From what ive seen it would be very easy to get ripped off by a dealer if you didnt have any knowledge

Cheers

Yes the FZR is expensive, I had an RR model also a 400 and with new exhaust, tyres, chain and sprocket with an R4 mimic paint job (looked like an R6 !!) all very tidy with 26,000km on the for £2100 and that was three years ago now.

Look around and you will find what you want, or at least a decent 400 race rep for around £1500.

NB- the Honda and the Kwak make the best 400's by a long way, the FZR is more expensive and 20Mph down on all three of the above bikes (CBR, VFR, ZXR ).

Good luck,

Phill

I would agree totally with everyones comments about 600's, but think if the 400 fits your physical size it would be a better first bike tbh.

I did about 15k on an nc30 with no probs at all, though the v4 is a little more expensive maintenance wise than the cbr400.

seeing as your near east grinstead, why not pop to the motorcycle centre just north of EG near the traffic lights at little chef (north of mormon temple on way to london/m25) they have shed loads of imports.

if you're after a weekend scratching bike then look at the 400's. But if its mainly commuting and a first bike, then have a look at the bmw f650 or aprilla pegaso (same rotax engine).

They're reliable, economicle cheap to insure, great in traffic, no problems in the wet, can cruise comfortably at motorway speed, no fairing to crack when you drop it. Also, they suit both tall and short folk. You can get good luggage to fit (which you'll want if you're commuting). Finally, on the real twisty lanes you'll embaress the bike sports bikes.

I have a heavily tuned & modded vtr, but if i'm running up to London then I'll take my wife's f650.

get an italjet dragster 125 or 180cc .the coolest looking scoot around. 90mph 66mpg will easily sit at 75mph all day.they say its faster than a porche 0-30mph.checkout www.italjetdragster.com for more info.also the gilera runner shares the same engine.will give some real motorbikes a scare!!!

Kawasaki GPZ 500s

500cc twin, you`ll get upto 60ish to the gallon riding at same speed as other traffic, and they move very well once you start to rev them abit harder :)

Rich.

buy any of the above and hope you dont get hooked cause you soon regret plodding round on one of those kiddies bikes and wish you had something proper ;)

Tiggs

ok, gonna try and find this bike shop near the little chef and see what they have to say. from speaking to my mates dad im guessing i should be after a sports tourer as it will be more economical on tyres etc compared to a full on sports but hey i know im gonna get addicted so this is gonna be a jump point really. DOnt want anything too powerful at first but need something that will last. REally appreciate all your help guys.

Cheers

i remember riding sports tourers, big trail bikes, etc because their more econ., safer than a full on sports bike, etc. i was never happy till i got a sports bike proper!

and my R1 which i got after a 3 year lay off was 100 times easier to ride than anything slower i had. any decent sports bike is 1000 times to powerfull for anyone on the road so everyone has to go at 10-30%, a newbie just goes at 5-20%, no real difference.