Always wanted to drive a motorbike

Dave70 · 26 Jan 2015

Hi all! I fairly new around here so take it easy. I recently remembered that I always wanted to drive a motorbike. I want to pass my test soon but I am not sure what's the best bike to go for as my first. I always wanted a honda hornet - naked (like the one in the image) but I'm not sure if it's the right one. I was wondering what everybody thinks the pros and cons are for driving a motorbike especially driving a honda. I have to mention that I am no fan of very sport motorcycles, I'm old school (I'm not young either )

Any advice or tips is highly appreciated. Cheers! Dave

Burnerman · 26 Jan 2015

Depends on whether you want to buy new, I guess but the older Honda CB500
was an excellent bike, an in line liquid cooled twin.
The usual Honda build quality - and no other manufacturer can equal that, very forgiving with good handling and brakes. The S model had a small handlebar fairing.
Of course, check the legislation to see if the 33bhp rule still applies, and a training school will give you the nod here regarding tests.
John

iandouglas · 26 Jan 2015

the test is in stages, our boy has recently got a2 and hence allowed a bike of 47bhp, the first stage only permits up to 125cc - if you are interested his suzuki vanvan rv 125 is for sale (2009) with just over 6K on the clock £1650

http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/112304687/suzuki-rv125-vanvan-2009.html

600rob · 4 Feb 2015

Dave70 said:
. I was wondering what everybody thinks the pros and cons are for driving a motorbike

Pros:
- it's endless fun and you never get stuck in traffic....
I've been riding 10 years...the last 7 I've ridden more or less every day and never get bored of it. in fact... It's made driving cars become quite annoying for me!
- the biking community is great, no matter what you ride/how old you are etc there seems to be a great camaraderie among bikers that you don't get with most car drivers
-it's very addictive (also see cons)

Cons:
- riding through winter can get a pretty cold at times.
-Falling off is not much fun!
-it's very addictive = you spend more £££'s on bike related products

I've had a hornet for a few years now and use it every day. I've done about 34k miles on it and can't really fault it.
Easy to maintain, great reliability and ideal for riding in town and also quite capable for a run out in the country on some quick open roads

Burnerman · 4 Feb 2015

Hell Rob do you ride through the winter?? You must be made of tough stuff

Mine's tucked away (VFR1200) and hopefully will appear around March.
Try a trip to France? Brill roads, brill people, traffic cops with no sense of humour and a cannon on the waist

John

600rob · 5 Feb 2015

Burnerman said:
Hell Rob do you ride through the winter?? You must be made of tough stuff

Mine's tucked away (VFR1200) and hopefully will appear around March.
Try a trip to France? Brill roads, brill people, traffic cops with no sense of humour and a cannon on the waist
John

Yes ive ridden through the last five winters. I only leave the bike at home if its snowing or icy on the roads. Its not too bad so long as you have decent winter gear to stay warm and dry.

Burnerman · 5 Feb 2015

Icebound for the last 3 weeks here - the drive concrete just became visible today.
I've always liked Hein Gericke stuff so far but I don't have heated grips or anything.
John

Dave70 · 13 Feb 2015

600rob said:
Dave70 said:

. I was wondering what everybody thinks the pros and cons are for driving a motorbike

Click to expand...

Pros:
- it's endless fun and you never get stuck in traffic....
I've been riding 10 years...the last 7 I've ridden more or less every day and never get bored of it. in fact... It's made driving cars become quite annoying for me!
- the biking community is great, no matter what you ride/how old you are etc there seems to be a great camaraderie among bikers that you don't get with most car drivers
-it's very addictive (also see cons)

Cons:
- riding through winter can get a pretty cold at times.
-Falling off is not much fun!
-it's very addictive = you spend more £££'s on bike related products

I've had a hornet for a few years now and use it every day. I've done about 34k miles on it and can't really fault it.
Easy to maintain, great reliability and ideal for riding in town and also quite capable for a run out in the country on some quick open roads

Thanks so much for this guys! I am now decided and I am going to get a hornet, it just suits me

Hopefully, by Summer I'll be all ready. I do agree that during winter it can get quite dangerous and I don't want to risk...too much

I just hope it won't make me spend too much £££ but if it does, at least I got myself a hobby

Burnerman · 13 Feb 2015

Good choice Dave......it should have Hondas typical build quality and be well looked after.
I've had 3 Blackbirds, and rue the day when they stopped making them.....I put a Scottoiler on each one which was an excellent move. A mate bought it, now 23k on the original chain......that's the smoothness of the in line four for you.
The VFR has shaft drive within the single sided swing arm......brilliant bit of engineering but clonks like hell.
Enjoy! Send us a pic.
John

Conspiracy · 2 Mar 2015

Just make sure that you get all the proper safety gear. It is likely that you will at some point come of your bike, and also likely it won't be your fault, but invesiting in protective clothing will save your life

Good luck!

Crb999 · 5 Mar 2015

Lots of good advice there Dave.

I've got a Yamaha 850 triple. Did 2500 mile round trip to France in 2013. Wonderful!

Trouble is, as I age, I get weaker.

I took a long time to research and then buy a Honda Deauville and learnt something I didn't expect.

Although both bikes weigh about the same the fore and aft layout of the Honda twin makes it much easier to handle than the Yamaha at slow speeds.

You're going to love it but a word of warning, if you haven't got your motorcycle licence and have to take your tests, (yes tests!), then you will have to make special arrangements to be able to ride a machine of more than 125cc, and only then if you are accompanied by a specialized teacher on his own bike and usually in radio comminication with you.

My wife is going through this at the momentl

Don't let that put you off

Best of luck

Chris

Burnerman · 5 Mar 2015

Would that be the TDM 850, Chris? A classic in its own right!
The Deauville layout does tend to give a narrower saddle - and it has good balance.
Spring beckons!

John

Crb999 · 5 Mar 2015

Hi Burner, no, it is the XS850 H triple jobby.

I had the XS750 back in the early 80s and just loved it so when an opportunity arose to own it's big brother I leapt at it.

Trouble is I'm 75 now and not as strong as I was in my 40s so I've dropped the yam a few times, always at a standstill but always with gravel or loose footing. Get the yam a few degrees off vertical on slippery underfoot and down she goes.

The Honda has a lower c of g and a much narrower engine and just isn't a problem at all.

Regards

Chris

Burnerman · 6 Mar 2015

Ah yes, the shaft drive one - quite a heavy bike if I remember it!
Before this VFR I bought an ST 1300 Pan Euro, having had 3 ST1100's in the past.
With this one, 99 times out of 100 I got things right, but just slightly off balance and it was a date with the Tarmac ....right outside a McDonalds in France, dammit - guaranteed audience! I just wasn't confident on that one so it had to go.
This year, it's a trip to the Somme and then to Sarlat (Dordogne) in August

Ride safe
John

Crb999 · 6 Mar 2015

Falling off when there's nobody looking is OK sort of, but in front of KFC, Mac or Costa is a nono.

Pay attention now, don't do it again

Always wanted to drive a motorbike

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