Just passed DAS - which bike?

Passed my test yesterday at the second attempt.

Have been riding around on a Suzuki GS125 for the last few months but
as you can imagine I'm now thinking that this has to go.

Need to decide what to buy. Are there any good websites which can make
recommendations for you based on your priorities (speed, comfort,
handling, costs, safety, security, town vs country, etc.)?

Alternatively I know that the issue of test rides at dealerships is a
tricky one. I'd love to go somewhere & ride as many different bikes as
possible - even if I have to pay for the privelege - but I've no idea
if such a thing exists.

Failing all that: my first bike will probably be a cheap-ish 600cc
model. I live in Hackney, London - very high theft risk and the bike
will be parked out on the street. So a bike which has good security
would be of interest. Also am over 6ft tall so I would need a bike
which is physically quite large I suspect - otherwise I'll never be
comfortable.

Grateful for any advice.

Thanks,

KF.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

Google is your friend

Yes, it does exist. Go and have a go. You might have to book in advance
but that's it. You might also want up to a grand free on your credit
card to use as a deposit for crash damage etc while you're out.

I've never needed it for bike test rides or hire but car hire places
have. Be warned.

Bandit 600, Hornet 600, SV 650.

 

wrote

Congratulations and welcome to The Dark Side.

Get real eh?

Any meet of ukrmers. Google for the meaning of CIHAGM.

Depends on the bike more than anything. At it's simplest, if it is not
attractive to the various types of thieving scrote who inhabit you neck
of the woods you could leave it with the keys in.

Unfaired obviously but you prolly know that already.

 

Suggest you try a Bandit 600/650 or a SV650.

Your insurance could be a problem though as you'll be hit for the new
licence and again (and perhaps more so) for the location. For Hackney they
*may* not even offer to cover you if it's parked on the street - depends on
the value and bike I guess.

Are you able to make use of a lockup/friends garage? It would make a
difference to the premium.

 

I'm about 6'3", and I fit on all my bikes ok. The Bandit being the
favorite one for long trips. Have you tried any 400cc bikes out for
size? They can be a complete hoot, and cheaper on the insurance than a
600 too.

 

Muck wrote

and much better suited to slinging round Inner London than a bigger
bike.

What trailies are available in this size? Good town bike a trailie I
reckon.

 

Dunno, the closest thing I had to one of those was an XBR500. I still
miss that bike.

 

Muck wrote

Too narrow by a country mile. Onebus had me doing things with tiny
little gaps I instantly regretted simply because I could.

 

steve auvache emerged from their own little world to say

I went from a GS125 to a Honda Dominator NX650. Very easy transition and
an ideal town bike. Long travel suspension for potholes; 21" front wheel
makes kerbs a doddle; high seat for a good view ahead.

Other bikes in a similar vein: Honda Transalp & SLR650; Suzuki Vstrom &
Freewind; BMW F650 in several variants; Aprilia Pegaso. The Transalp or
Vstrom would be better bikes if you ever want to go touring as they have
twin cylinder engines and better seats. The Vstrom is quite new so you
won't find a cheap used one. The Transalp has been around for years:
they upped the engine size to 650cc a few years ago. A very underrated
bike: a mate has one and has ridden all over Europe on it. If you get an
older 600cc one and insure it TPF&T you might just find it affordable.

 

Nice engine though, I'd get one tomorrow if I could find a swap for one
of my other bikes.

 

Muck wrote

Nothing beats a Thumper.

It would have to have a very loud can. No point otherwise.

 

wessie wrote

Lots of low down grunt.

I don't understand why more aren't sold for that very job or does that
smack too much of bike buying decisions being even remotely related to
sensible?