Any bikers out there UK or World Wide? Advice?

[pugheaven]

Well, me and a mate are going on the Direct Access Biker course, which basically gives the basic CBT (therefore allowing you after 1 day to take upto a 125cc (14hp) out on the road for upto 2 years on your own as long as you have L Plates... however, that's the first session on the 8th April. Th remaining sessions are for the bigger 500cc bikes... so basically after 4-5 sessions, and a couple of exams... we should be ready to rock and ride anything we want to.

Now, with my sensible head on... I was going to just ride around on my mine/sons Honda CRB 125 which we currently own and neitehr can ride lol for a few months.... (see below)



However, a few biker friends etc, have said that 125 just isn't big enough for duel carriage ways and motorways and not powerful enough blah blah... also they said I'll get bored VERY quickly.

So, was contemplating onriding for say a few weeks after I've passed which should be start of May... then upgrade possibly to a Kawasaki Ninja 250cc (see below)...






Then said mates said the same thing... might not be powerful enough blah blah. Now, I know I'm doing my full test, and in theory should be ok on a 500cc... but there only seems a couple of 500cc in the UK, Suzuki GS500F and the Kawasaki GPZ500 (in the states this is a Ninja 500)





So, my question really is, once people had their full licence, what do they recommend, something powerful enough to be safe, look decent BUT not throw me off because it's too powerful for what will be little expereince?? How did they work their way up the power ladder etc? Also, any additional advice etc, go for it. Also, I'm 6ft 1" tall and normally weigh around 12st 2lbs... with a 32" inside leg... not sure if that would have any effect on bikes people may or maynot reccomend?

[NEO7]

Waits for-FuryX-,to reply..[popcorn]

[BTBJP]

Get a GSXR600 and limit it to 33bhp (suzuki do a kit) then once you get bored take the limiter off.

[robertglysen]

I'm currently riding round on a 125cc on a CBT, and it'll do 60 no problem, but dont even bother trying to overtake, and dont try riding into the wind on a windy day, you'll be doing about 45mph. I wish i'd done all this years ago. I wouldn't buy a big bike til' after I had passed my tests the temptation to take it out would be too great, big mistake.

[ManiacSL]

I started on a 84 GR650 and currently own a KLR 650, now neither one of those is a big HP producer but certainly heavier bikes with a little more power than a modern 250. For a guy of your size I would go with an older 500cc bike, not enough power to get you in trouble that fast, but enough that you can still have fun. I wouldn't recommend buying a brand new bike as your first, odds are you will damage it in some way, maybe not crash it, but dropped it at low speed or forgetting to put the kick stand down is less painful if its a little beat up in the first place.

[Gordo]

Have you had the 125 out on the motorway yet to see if it does actually restrict you?

I would agree that it's probably a bit small for you but many years ago a GF had a 125 2 stroke and at the time I was just over 6' and a skinny 13st. It would hussle along pretty well and would have been a good learner bike as you got used to homicidal motorists - especially round town it was plenty good enough to keep up with traffic.
As for getting 500+cc bikes, that's going to come down to what suits YOU - you may find a 250 is fine if you're just using it for running around and light touring and you're not into street racing/high speed riding.
Similarly, you may find you prefer a motard or 'cruiser' style bike, rather than a sports bike - or may even decide a bike isn't for you after all.

See if you can borrow some of your friends' bikes, so you get an idea without having to buy something you may regret later.

[robertglysen]

I cant ride on the motorway at the moment, but I can drive on it, on a 125cc, I would find a lorry doing 50-60mph and just sit a bit behind it.

[U_Soldier]

Ive had several bikes but nothing is beter then my Africa Twin :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9tPkA1ojNE

[Puzzle]

If you're getting a tourer then the two 500's would be ample. It all depends on how you want to ride.

I started with a VFR400 NC30 and I learnt more on that than my pals on the bigger 600 sports bikes, I could corner faster and was more confident on the limit.

If you're just using it as a mode of transport and the occasional squirt down the A roads then go with the bigger Engine bikes, they'll feel super fast at first but after a couple of months you'll be wanting more power.

Compared to the CB500's you'll (probably) be learning on they are light years apart and a darn site quicker.
Even going to the VFR from the CB500 felt like I'd jumped on a rocket ship.

Good luck and have fun!

[pugheaven]

Yeah basically it'll be for travelling to work most days to save money and then having a blast etc... I'm not sure how I'll take to it, but love fast cars... so, who knows... just don't want something I'll die within 1 week thats' all lol