Starting out Bike Advice

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Ulver

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Question for all the bikers on the board.
After a couple years of using cars exclusively I've decided to take up biking for a time to see if I enjoy it and as a new challenge . I'm curious to hear opinions on good starter bikes, I've very little riding experience . Note i'm about 100 kg and average height so was considering somewhere in the 500 cc range(any suggestions welcome though). Japanese only please
 
Well... A friend of mine bought his first ever bike last year. He got a Kawasaki Ninja 250R, or something to that effect. It was powerful (surprisingly so, I actually couldn't believe the grunt this little thing had) and very easy to ride.

I'm not sure of the terminology, but it has a seating position whereby you sit upright (instead of lying on the tank like a superbike) so it was very comfortable.

I'd have a look maybe
 
yeah the ninja seems to be a popular choice according to many. the 500r version's currently at the top of my list atm.
 
Bike

My only advice is, don't go too small. Bikes are easy to ride (relatively) and often a newcomer will buy too small because he / she is afraid of the size but soon enough you'll want something a little bigger.
Also for fairly long commutes, it's advisable to go for the upright sitting position.
 
Yeah sounds good! Note, EVERYBODY in front, besides or behind you are idiots! Ride MORE defensively than normal. EXPECT to be cut off run over or side swiped. If in doubt don't!
 
Actually, kind of relevant:

I've been eyeing a Honda CB1000R just for it's damn awesomeness problem is, I've never ridden a bike before. What would be the best steps to go about (learning -> license -> etc). I assume that it's a bit more forgiving than a FireBlade but not sure if a noob can start out on it.
 
If youv never ridden a bike I'd stay very far away from anything like a CB1000 or blade, gsxr etc. Iv grown up riding bikes since I can remember.

Start small, I don't mean buy a 50cc.

Get something manageable, single cylinders are awesome to learn on cos of the low down torque and lack of an "omg I'm going to die" powerband.

A lot of newbies opt for the bmw 650gs, it also has great resale value if you get tired of it soon. Another cooler option is a Tenere 660.
 
How much of a role does weight play on smaller bikes (125, 250)? I'm between 65kg and 70kg - will a 250cc make more sense for me than for the OP, who weighs a bit more?
 
Ulver said:
Question for all the bikers on the board.
After a couple years of using cars exclusively I've decided to take up biking for a time to see if I enjoy it and as a new challenge . I'm curious to hear opinions on good starter bikes, I've very little riding experience . Note i'm about 100 kg and average height so was considering somewhere in the 500 cc range(any suggestions welcome though). Japanese only please
Click to expand...

For Street bikes don't buy anything but a Honda or a Suzuki. Go for the 600cc's. Or maybe even the 400cc grey imports just to start off with.

If you want an on/off road kind of Bike, go for a Kawasaki or Suzuki.

Just me personal opinion though.
 
I bought my first bike in December 2010. I went for the Suzuki SV650S, a very nice and easy bike to ride and has enough ponies between your legs to keep you smiling :P

Looking for a more grown-up bike now though.
 
Ono'rach said:
I'm not sure of the terminology, but it has a seating position whereby you sit upright (instead of lying on the tank like a superbike) so it was very comfortable.
Click to expand...

Nice bike. Position is 'Standard'

250s are good for a start, but you'll want to move on quickly. Straight to a 600+ might scare you off (or worse). Bit of a lus though, to buy a 250, use for 6months then sell and move on.

What's your commute like? Urban/freeway mix will impact which is best, a small nimble thing for town is cool, but bigger is better for highway cruising...

I'm in the market down here for a 250, which I'll likely stick with, as I just need a commuter, not a fun/faster bike :)

Remember: All The Gear All The Time ATTGATT
 
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1nsane! said:
I bought my first bike in December 2010. I went for the Suzuki SV650S, a very nice and easy bike to ride and has enough ponies between your legs to keep you smiling :P

Looking for a more grown-up bike now though.
Click to expand...

Nothing beats the pure power of V-twin engines :) I owned a SV1000 a few years back. Even the 650 will throw you off the back if you get cocky with it :p

But I fully agree, if the OP needs something with power and a very comfortable ride - SV650
 
My advise (30 years of biking) is to buy something small and secondhand, about 400cc. (A 250cc carrying 100kg is no fun).
You will fall, while you're learning and after, but probably more so learning hence the smaller bike... It's easier to pick up and with any luck you won't do yourself too much damage. (Although 400cc go like the proverbial bat-outa-hell nowadays).
When you've been biking for a few years, get something better and bigger.
Tips:
- Expect to fall and gear appropriately.
- Every car is out to get you.
- If you don't know a bend it's tighter than it looks.
- It takers longer to stop than you think.
- There's oil on every road.

On the bright side, there's nothing like biking to focus and clear your mind.
.
 
eXisor said:
You will fall, while you're learning and after, but probably more so learning hence the smaller bike....
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I know the two types of biker story, but I have been fortunate enough to have done 13k kms without dropping her once.
 
1nsane! said:
I know the two types of biker story, but I have been fortunate enough to have done 13k kms without dropping her once.
Click to expand...

It's just a matter of time ;)

I have not heard of any biker not having a fall in their biking career. It will happen, that is why we dress for the fall and not for the ride :p
 
Pitbull said:
It's just a matter of time ;)

I have not heard of any biker not having a fall in their biking career. It will happen, that is why we dress for the fall and not for the ride :p
Click to expand...

And dropping the bike is hardly ever the problem. It's the car that gets you.
.
 
If you follow the rules of common sense and ride responsibly, you should be ok. And there is the golden rule, Alcohol and Biking = Crash.
 
Im in the same position as the OP. Looking to get a bike in the next few months but the costs are hectic. I just got a new car so I need to curb my spending a tad. Gear alone will cost R15k or so for some decent ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) plus a second hand bike at about another R45k.

Im probably going to start on the Kawasaki Er-6n. Through all my research watching youtube reviews, comparisons etc it pretty much comes out top from an 'affordability' and 'easy to ride' standpoint. My aim is to get the Ducati Diavel in a few years if I haven't killed myself :love:

As far as information goes, try the Think Bike forums. http://forum.thinkbike.co.za/forum.php
Loads of riders. Its also great because it will highlight the dangers of biking and will really test your resolve to really move forward with it.
 
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