Passed my Full Bike Test - What Sports Bike To Get?

[dylankirby]

I have passed my full bike test and I was wondering what sort of motorbike to look at, I am only really wanting a sports bike, and looked at Kawasaki Ninja 250R it has the sort of looks I am after, but just sounds like a hairdryer and a bike for 17 year olds, I am 27 so want more of a man's bike, but not to go to silly

[Paul_M]

The Kawasaki will give you similar performance to an unrestricted Aprilia RS 125, about 110/115 mph and 0-60 in around 6 seconds.
You're being sensible by not jumping into the deep end, If you want something a little bit more reliable that will hold it's price a little better though, then perhaps you should take a look at the GSXR600?

[joggerjayne]

If you've passed your full test (well done, by the way ... it's quite hard now, isn't it?) ... you've obviously ridden a 500cc.

Do you really want to go down from there?

I found that, on a bigger bike, I felt much safer. It was so much more solid and stable than a small bike.

I don't know anything about sports bikes, but I'd be inclined to think "big".

[dylankirby]

Hi Thanks

Yes it certainly was not easy or cheap!... Kawasaki ZX636 Ninja is the bike I would ideally like, but I am a bit worried as I am a new rider so in experienced, but the bigger bike as you say is more solid, feels safer, but the power fairly worrying

[Zacs-Master]

I know another test or classroom situation is probably the last thing you're looking for but whatever bike you go for, I would thoroughly recommend joining your local Institute of Advanced Motorists and going along for some very good riding advice. It might just save your life!

[sunny-dave]

Some of it is down to how big/tall you are - JJ would look bloody silly perched on my XL1000 Varadero (at each stop it would boil down to 'which side would I prefer to fall off'), whereas at 6'3" I'd look like I was riding a toy bike if I was on some of the (physically) smaller 'sports' models.

[joggerjayne]

I do love the Varadero, Dave.

But, as you say ... they are really big.

DK ... I'm sure you'd get used to controlling the power.

You just go easy with it.

A few times, I've borrowed a friend's husband's Ducati, and I was very controlled.



Okay, that not true ... I spanked the pants off it ... but you get the general idea.

[joggerjayne]

For the benefit of the local constabulary, and the more puritanical ABers on here, when I say "spanked the pants off it" ... I mean 68mph, of course.

=0o

[jomifl]

Get a bike with a tractable engine ie. with a broad power curve. some small capacity 'sports' bike have quite peaky power curves which can catch you out accelerating out of bends for example. I have a triumph trident which is quite docile compared to some bikes and quite easy to pick up when dropped.

[joggerjayne]

The MOT doesn't certify that the car is roadworthy "now".

It certifies that it was roadworthy "when it was last inspected".

If the last inspection is the one where it fails, then it no longer has a valid MOT.

[joggerjayne]

Oops ... wrong thread!

[joggerjayne]

Triumph Trident? ... drool, drool !

[xud]

You won't go too far wrong with a Kawasaki ZX6R. I have '55 plate 6R and it does everything I want it to do. They are cheaper to buy and insure than a 1000.
Also, when you look at the performance of these 600's nowadays, do you really need a 1000?