New Member, New To Motorbikes

simonw · Post by **simonw** » Jul 22nd, '06, 20:37

Hello. I am a complete newcomer to bikes at the ripe old(?) age of 33 and I joined the forum so that I can eventually hopefully meet up with some like-minded people. I am taking my CBT in a couple of weeks with Phoenix in Stoke-sub-Hamden and, based on a couple of phone calls, the instructor seems to be a very nice bloke so I am really looking forward to it. I am then hoping to take my Direct Access course sometime in August so that I can then enjoy a month or two of relatively good weather before the winter arrives.

I have been thinking about learning to ride since my wife and I moved to mid-Somerset four years ago since the roads look very inviting and I would love to explore the countryside more and it has to be more fun on a bike than in my aging Volvo S70! I made the final decision to spend the necesarry money when my wife and I decided to split up a couple of weeks back (it's very amicable and so far this is my one rebelious action!).

I am also planning on buying a used Honda CB500 as my first bike since they seem to get pretty good write-ups and the insurance is likely to be reasonable so if anyone has any recommendations about where to get a used one for between 1k and 2k then I would be most grateful.

Finally, I have bought a helmet, gloves, boots and synthetic trousers and jacket but I am really tempted to blow some of my remaining budget (around 2k left to get a bike, lock, etc.) on a set of leathers, or at least a decent jacket. However, do I really need one? I get the impression that they are impractical in the winter due to rain and the cold and can be too hot in the summer but they do seem sturdier than the synthetic jacket I have bought. Any suggestions or comments.

Thanks guys and I look forward to meeting some of you in the coming months and years.

Simon

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Jul 22nd, '06, 20:41

Welcome to the site mate, and good luck with the CBT

pedro · Post by **pedro** » Jul 22nd, '06, 20:45

Welcome

probably best to check out auto trader online as they have loads of bikes in there.

All the best with the cbt & direct access mate

sonic · Post by **sonic** » Jul 22nd, '06, 21:28

welcome to the site mate...

Post by **TLS-Moose** » Jul 22nd, '06, 22:24

Hello and welcome

Like minded people - another one in need of serious therapy then

Good luck with the CBT & direct access - take it easy and you'll be OK, don't think you can ride like Rossi in a couiple of weeks though, and beware that you are somewhat more vulnerable than in your Volvo

CB500 / GS500 / GPz500 would all be a good first choice, also maybe a Bandit 600

Textile clothes are quite practical, and better in the winter, but the opposite of what you thought in the summer - you'll find you actually get hotter in them than leathers ..... cue plenty of Betty Swollox jokes

ZXR400Lee · Post by **ZXR400Lee** » Jul 22nd, '06, 23:09

Hey

Welcome to the site... and to motorbikes..

I might have the perfect starter bike for you! How about a nice GSXR1100? In dark blue, with the upright bars fitted?

I'm changing back to sports bike.. would be ideal, and definately not down on power!

age · Post by **age** » Jul 22nd, '06, 23:23

Hello and welcome mate

Might I suddgest a Suzuki SV 650, They are a great bike to learn on and very reliable and cheap to insure.

I would stick to textile Jacket and trousers for now as they can be beater than leather in the real world.

Age

born2rock86 · Post by **born2rock86** » Jul 22nd, '06, 23:24

AGE wrote:Hello and welcome mate

Might I suddgest a Suzuki SV 650, They are a great bike to learn on and very reliable and cheap to insure.

I would stick to textile Jacket and trousers for now as they can be beater than leather in the real world.

Age

This boy knows his sh*t

age · Post by **age** » Jul 22nd, '06, 23:33

born2rock86 wrote:
AGE wrote:Hello and welcome mate

Might I suddgest a Suzuki SV 650, They are a great bike to learn on and very reliable and cheap to insure.

I would stick to textile Jacket and trousers for now as they can be beater than leather in the real world.

Age
This boy knows his sh*t

Sure do !!!

Wifes got a 04 model in the garage !

age

sonic · Post by **sonic** » Jul 23rd, '06, 12:27

I had an K4 SV couple of years ago - loved that bike...

can teach you loads and still enough power to have fun...

pedro · Post by **pedro** » Jul 23rd, '06, 12:33

sonic wrote:I had an K4 SV couple of years ago - loved that bike...

can teach you loads and still enough power to have fun...

Ditto appart from mine was a K3

Very good first bike & they are cheap as chips

Maver-Nick · Post by **Maver-Nick** » Jul 23rd, '06, 16:10

Welcome Simon...

simonw · Post by **simonw** » Jul 23rd, '06, 18:11

Thank you to everyone for the very warm welcome and the advice and information. I'm going to do a bit of research into the various bikes suggested and I've also decided to hold off on some leathers for a little while since I think that the money would be better spent on a bike.

Simon

Jak · Post by **Jak** » Jul 23rd, '06, 19:17

welcome to the site

A_T · Post by **A_T** » Jul 23rd, '06, 20:57

Welcome to the forum... good luck with your bike training

forget a cb500 go straight for a cb600

South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

New Member, New To Motorbikes

New Member, New To Motorbikes

Re: New Member, New To Motorbikes