Beginner biker advice

I am an aged fuckwit and fancy a bike that
will get me around here and there. I would like to
be able to pop over to France, Spain, Scotishland,
or wherever. I will not be going mad since I am
a beginner biker, although decades ago I was quite
handy in a car. Snow 'n' ice, left foot braking,
consequent clutch free gearchanges (fail to left foot
brake or fail to change gear to provide torque for LFB
would result in crash), stinking brakes, etc., so I
don't think that I am completely clueless.

Thing is, a mate has offered me his Hayabusa which seems
like a decent deal. I have no intention of ever finding
out "what'll she do mistah?".

Is this a completely mad plan or could I perhaps
keep it out of the hedges? Maybe I could stick some
small blocks of wood over the slides - or disconnect
two of the throttle cables

I have about 10,000 miles London scootering, and
a trip to wales and back on a Dullville. Dullville
was irritatingly crap on motorway cruising at speed
limit. Vibrations mostly. I lurves the idea of smooth,
smooth, smooth, counterbalanced engine.

I expect never to take it above 6/7k (or less) rpm.

It seems a decent tourer, smooth engine, reliable.
What's not to like?


What does the panel think?

 

IMO a busa for a beginner is not a good thing.

SV 650
DL 650
Versa.

 

Versys, and I chose mine over an SV650S and DL because it's easier to
ride.

 

Have a test ride and if you like it then you buy it.

Don't refuse it on the grounds that it's a big scarey monster of a
bike because you might find that for the type of riding you want to do
it's ideal.

 

Gixxer thou, surely.


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

So long as it isn't too heavy when it comes to very low speed
manoeuvring.

Aged is a relative term. I have to admit that even the far from
mega-lardy 190 Kgs of the Voxan is becoming a bit of an issue for me
lately as my hips are getting worse.

If it wasn't for the low seat height it would be a bit of a struggle.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

GS500

 

CG125

<Makes Sign of Holy Pushrods>

 

I think if you want a 'busa then get a 'busa, otherwise forget it & get
something more suitable.

 

My considered opinion is that when starting out with a bike, or re-starting,
something *will* go a bit wrong at some point. You might take a bend in a
dodgy fashion and end up a tad wobbly or you'll go for an ill-advised
overtake, or slip on gravel, or overdo a take-off, or even just mess up
paddling off the driveway. You get the idea. If you can stand the thought of
this happening on a bike as big (and expensive?) as a 'busa then go for it.
I know I would!

Oh yes you will

Have you had a go on it yet?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, bod43

I think you should see whether you can insure the thing before you fall
too heavily in love.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - "He's hopeless, but he's honest"

I have already made the greatest contribution to the fight against climate
change that I can make: I have decided not to breed. Now quit bugging me and
go and talk to the Catholics.

 

Seconded.
And also check seat height against inside leg measurement.

I know others might disagree, but IMHO a Busa is a bloody stupid choice for
a first bike. Get something lighter, slower and more "sensible". You
can always upgrade when you have built up some NCB and some biking
experience.

As an OAP wivva back and a hip I find the GS500 to be just about light
enough and quick enough [1] for my riding habits. Most things in the 400 to
600 cc range should be OK.

[1] 48 bhp. Around 115 mph max, cruises forever at 80+, burns off any
cage at the lights. Not a lot of street cred but DILLIGAF.

 

This:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=300325992755

 

Go for it, at your age it'll be just fine.

 

He's ridden to Wales and back on a Dullville; surely that's enough to
earn him his spurs?

 

Or this - a very sensible choice.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170350667622

 

Well 'a trip to wales and back on a Dullville' I suppose it depends on
where 'back' was....

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

I may be being thick, but I though I read in his post he'd done quite
a few thousand miles on a Deauville?

 

Purgatory.

 

Figures


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk