Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: theolodian on 12 January 2008, 10:17:12
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Want something that is a good first bike and the missus will be comfortable riding.
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i think Paul M has a BMW R1 ...
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i think Paul M has a BMW R1 ...
The R1 is a Yamaha, but more importantly a completely different beast. Defo not a good idea as a first bike!
Suzuki SV is another possibility. Problem is figuring out what would be reasonably comfortabe for the missus.
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i think Paul M has a BMW R1 ...
The R1 is a Yamaha, but more importantly a completely different beast. Defo not a good idea as a first bike!
Suzuki SV is another possibility. Problem is figuring out what would be reasonably comfortabe for the missus.
Agreed, neither comfortable nor suitable as a first bike, almost no-one will insure you on it!
I've owned two SV650 in the past, one was the faired "S" version, the second a naked. They're good first bikes, the naked particularly is very comfortable and easy to ride, quite torquey V-twin engines and they're still plenty quick enough for your first few years -- very few cars can keep up with them below triple figures (0-100 in about 9 secs). I blew the engine up on my second one (melted one of the pistons) but that's another story ::) don't let it put you off -- they're good bikes.
I'd imagine the BMW would be a lot more refined, but I've never ridden one. They hold their value though so you're either going to pay a lot more for one, or get a much older model compared with a Japanese bike.
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i think Paul M has a BMW R1 ...
The R1 is a Yamaha, but more importantly a completely different beast. Defo not a good idea as a first bike!
Suzuki SV is another possibility. Problem is figuring out what would be reasonably comfortabe for the missus.
Agreed, neither comfortable nor suitable as a first bike, almost no-one will insure you on it!
I've owned two SV650 in the past, one was the faired "S" version, the second a naked. They're good first bikes, the naked particularly is very comfortable and easy to ride, quite torquey V-twin engines and they're still plenty quick enough for your first few years -- very few cars can keep up with them below triple figures (0-100 in about 9 secs). I blew the engine up on my second one (melted one of the pistons) but that's another story ::) don't let it put you off -- they're good bikes.
I'd imagine the BMW would be a lot more refined, but I've never ridden one. They hold their value though so you're either going to pay a lot more for one, or get a much older model compared with a Japanese bike.
Thanks for that. Yeah, the 2001 BMW is £4K. A bit much for a first bike. Not keen to go any older than that.
How nice is the SV650 for a pillion pasenger for rides of 1-2hrs? I would get a back case with padded backrest.
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i have a brand new ducati monster s2r 1000 thats for sale. but it might be more than you would want to spend for a first bike.
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suzuki sv 650 is a great first big bike, but try out first with pillion.
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what about the BMW bikes they used on Long Way Around / Down.
See those all the time in London now.... i quite like the look of them.
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suzuki bandit, does everything it says on the tin!!you can dress it up if you want to for not a lot of money, great 1st big bike :y
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How nice is the SV650 for a pillion pasenger for rides of 1-2hrs? I would get a back case with padded backrest.
I've never ridden on the back of one for any length of time, but I've taken a pillion a few times when I had mine. As long as the pillion is smaller/lighter than the rider, it's pretty good -- been some long runs with a girl on the back and it's been great, but with one of my mates who's well over 6ft it takes a bit more planning, as it's quite a light bike so someone big/heavy on the back is very noticeable.
The seat is comfortable enough, and the pegs are in a reasonable place, it's not like a sports bike where the pillion is perched up on top of the bike. It's also got a decent grab rail, something my R1 is missing which makes it unsuitable for carrying a pillion for any distance as they end up pushing into you every time you brake.
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How nice is the SV650 for a pillion pasenger for rides of 1-2hrs? I would get a back case with padded backrest.
I've never ridden on the back of one for any length of time, but I've taken a pillion a few times when I had mine. As long as the pillion is smaller/lighter than the rider, it's pretty good -- been some long runs with a girl on the back and it's been great, but with one of my mates who's well over 6ft it takes a bit more planning, as it's quite a light bike so someone big/heavy on the back is very noticeable.
The seat is comfortable enough, and the pegs are in a reasonable place, it's not like a sports bike where the pillion is perched up on top of the bike. It's also got a decent grab rail, something my R1 is missing which makes it unsuitable for carrying a pillion for any distance as they end up pushing into you every time you brake.
Thanks. I keep coming back to the SV 650, so it looks like a good first place to start looking. £2K for a first bike is also reasonable.
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what are the BMW 1150 GS like to ride?
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Want something that is a good first bike and the missus will be comfortable riding.
Sorry but definitely a small engine for security..not over 250 cc..
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the throttle works both ways, something under 250 with 2 people on it would hardly move
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nowadays 250 cc s are pretty strong..
Even this is dangerous for a beginner..
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nowadays 250 cc s are pretty strong..
Even this is dangerous for a beginner..
Don't need a huge engine, but I do need a decent size frame due to my height. Small engined bikes usually can't handle one large adult, much less with a passenger. Not just power, also suspension.
My concern about the SV 650 is that it's too small of a bike, not that it's too small of an engine.
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Want something that is a good first bike and the missus will be comfortable riding.
Sorry but definitely a small engine for security..not over 250 cc..
I disagree. It's all about how you ride it -- if you're stupid on a 250cc you're going to get hurt just as much as on an SV650. The advantage of a bigger, but more lazy (torquey) engine like the SV's is that it's got enough power to get you out of trouble at most points in the rev range. So when you're still getting used to riding, if you get caught out in the wrong gear the bike will still pull reasonably well.
I wouldn't recommend a super sports 600, but stuff like the SV650 or "commuter twin" 500s are very common first big bikes here.
In fact if you want to do a direct access test (which gives you an unrestricted licence) you have to take the test on a bike producing at least 46 BHP, which usually means a 500cc. This is to prove you can handle a larger capacity bike, rather than passing on a 12 BHP 125cc and jumping onto a superbike.
I had an SV650S as my first bike, and it served me very well for a few years. Absolutely no regrets -- I'm sure if I'd gone for a 250cc I'd have been bored of it rather quickly.
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Thanks. I keep coming back to the SV 650, so it looks like a good first place to start looking. £2K for a first bike is also reasonable.
I paid £2.5k for my first one, rode it for two years with absolutely no problems at all -- only servicing costs. Sold it for £2.1k. Can't complain with £200/year depreciation!
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Want something that is a good first bike and the missus will be comfortable riding.
Sorry but definitely a small engine for security..not over 250 cc..
I disagree. It's all about how you ride it -- if you're stupid on a 250cc you're going to get hurt just as much as on an SV650. The advantage of a bigger, but more lazy (torquey) engine like the SV's is that it's got enough power to get you out of trouble at most points in the rev range. So when you're still getting used to riding, if you get caught out in the wrong gear the bike will still pull reasonably well.
I wouldn't recommend a super sports 600, but stuff like the SV650 or "commuter twin" 500s are very common first big bikes here.
In fact if you want to do a direct access test (which gives you an unrestricted licence) you have to take the test on a bike producing at least 46 BHP, which usually means a 500cc. This is to prove you can handle a larger capacity bike, rather than passing on a 12 BHP 125cc and jumping onto a superbike.
I had an SV650S as my first bike, and it served me very well for a few years. Absolutely no regrets -- I'm sure if I'd gone for a 250cc I'd have been bored of it rather quickly.
Dont understand me wrong but I dont expect another style from a V8 owner.. ;)
Anyway between bike owners is a consensus that you must not start with a strong machine..In many countries schools recommend 250 CC ..
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I started on a 100 - you learnt every trick in conserving momentum, slipstreaming, and 2 stroke tuning. *
Got a 250 when the market collapsed, not much that faster despite being quite a bit more power (heavier) but not so easy to tune. Tended to still use similar techniques.
Perhaps the old Honda CX500 should be brought back.
* Head by clocks, flat over tank, engine going deep into the red in top despite being higher geared than the 125 version. The next stage - rebore to 56mm was stopped by a cheap 250.
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Dont understand me wrong but I dont expect another style from a V8 owner.. ;)
Anyway between bike owners is a consensus that you must not start with a strong machine..In many countries schools recommend 250 CC ..
Most countries you start on bikes a lot younger. I missed that wave. I appreciate what you're saying, and agree in many ways, but the classic big wreck in anything is when you enter a turn too fast. I'll do the direct access (airfield and road course on 600cc bikes) before I make a final decision, but for now I'd rather get a smooth 650 (not sport bike) and start with a relaxed driving style instead of a 250 that I'm going to have to thrash to enjoy.
I'm not after a sport bike, but it has to be more fun than a 200hp/ton car or there really is no point.
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Even M3 or EVO can not compete with 650 cc s..
Will be real fun I accept :)
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suzuki sv 650 is a great first big bike, but try out first with pillion.
Absolutely agree with that. Possibly the best middleweight bike for the novice.
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Want something that is a good first bike and the missus will be comfortable riding.
Sorry but definitely a small engine for security..not over 250 cc..
RD250LC ;). Mega bike.