26-03-2015, 05:47 PM
I'm a bike rider 
Advice I would give in regards to getting your first bike would be to get something upright, and something to learn on. Also, don't be fooled by thinking more bhp equals a higher insurance. While this is often the case with cars its totally incorrect with bikes. Ie: my current bike is cheaper to insure than most commuter 250-500cc bikes despite having twice the capacity and well over three times the power.
I started on a GSXR 600 during a snowy winter. It taught me a lot but it was hard work. I don't agree that people need to advance their bikes in 'steps' in reference to their power and performance, but I do agree with a forgiving bike to learn finer control on. For instance, a novice move that would cause a slight bar wobble on a Suzuki SV650 might cause you to end up in the scenery on something with pin sharp steering like a Yamaha R1. That being said, I ignored advice and got what I wanted and was ok. If you have your heart set on a certain bike just get it. Nothing else will do
Furthermore, assess how good a rider you are. Scooters and 125's are one thing, but when you've got a bit of shove behind you, observation and control/reactions really come into play. I remember my first week of riding I was so concerned trying to get comfortable on my GSXR that I forgot about the low speed corner and hit it far too fast. I got target fixation and locked the brakes, something I would not have done had I a bit more experience. I was lucky not to crash. On another occasion I misjudged an overtake, and that really did end badly.
Read some decent online reviews of bikes you're interested in on MCN or Visordown and see what you think.
I've had five bikes now and they have all been great in their own way.
1999 Suzuki GSXR 600
2013 Yamaha XJR1300
2001 Yamaha FZS600
2004 Suzuki GSXR 1000
2008 BMW K1200R
Here is the BMW which I still have.
![[Image: 20150326_171300.jpg]](http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd375/pebbles167/Mobile%20Uploads/20150326_171300.jpg)
Advice I would give in regards to getting your first bike would be to get something upright, and something to learn on. Also, don't be fooled by thinking more bhp equals a higher insurance. While this is often the case with cars its totally incorrect with bikes. Ie: my current bike is cheaper to insure than most commuter 250-500cc bikes despite having twice the capacity and well over three times the power.
I started on a GSXR 600 during a snowy winter. It taught me a lot but it was hard work. I don't agree that people need to advance their bikes in 'steps' in reference to their power and performance, but I do agree with a forgiving bike to learn finer control on. For instance, a novice move that would cause a slight bar wobble on a Suzuki SV650 might cause you to end up in the scenery on something with pin sharp steering like a Yamaha R1. That being said, I ignored advice and got what I wanted and was ok. If you have your heart set on a certain bike just get it. Nothing else will do
Furthermore, assess how good a rider you are. Scooters and 125's are one thing, but when you've got a bit of shove behind you, observation and control/reactions really come into play. I remember my first week of riding I was so concerned trying to get comfortable on my GSXR that I forgot about the low speed corner and hit it far too fast. I got target fixation and locked the brakes, something I would not have done had I a bit more experience. I was lucky not to crash. On another occasion I misjudged an overtake, and that really did end badly.
Read some decent online reviews of bikes you're interested in on MCN or Visordown and see what you think.
I've had five bikes now and they have all been great in their own way.
1999 Suzuki GSXR 600
2013 Yamaha XJR1300
2001 Yamaha FZS600
2004 Suzuki GSXR 1000
2008 BMW K1200R
Here is the BMW which I still have.
![[Image: 20150326_171300.jpg]](http://s1216.photobucket.com/user/pebbles167/media/Mobile%20Uploads2500326_171300.jpg.html)
Resident cat lover