So. You’ve just passed your test, or you’re pretty confident you’re not going to kick over the bastard mod 1 cone and have to wait 6 more weeks for a retest. POINT IS, you’re ready to pick your first bike.
Biking takes all sorts, so let’s assume you’ll be keeping your budget in mind throughout my musings. Let’s also assume, for shortnesses sake, that you know what size engine you’re allowed to sit on.
I’m going to lay out a few things you might want to bear in mind, before you ultimately say YOLO and buy an R1.
How much time will it spend in the garage?
There’s as many different types of riders as there are dishes at dragon king, and much like me when I’ve got my plate in hand, it helps to narrow things down a bit.
If you want a bike that looks the business, and you’re only going to be riding it down to the local meet (first Sunday of every month at Bike Stop) when the sun is out, it’s probably not too important what you go for (so default to an R1, or an MT10 if you shop at Waitrose!
However, if you have something more practical in mind, there are three key questions you should ask yourself. Where am I riding. When am I riding? Who am I riding with?
Where you ride can largely be split into three categories, track, road and dirt. If you are thinking about trying some track days, your bike will need to meet track regulations. If you want a dedicated track bike, this is simple enough, but if you want to take a daily rider, bear in mind the work you’ll need to do every time you take it to Brands. If your bike isn’t going to lean further than the side stand, sports bike might not be for you…
Where should you buy from?
Now, you may be asking where should I buy my bike from? Well, if you don’t want to buy someone else’s problems, then avoid any AliExpress market place like eBay and facebook, go to a dealership and look for ex demo bikes or used bikes. At least that way they should have been quality checked/serviced and there is some form of warranty. If you wish to take your chances and gamble your precious loot, then a stranger danger will give you the thrill you seek.
Top 3 bikes I recommend
1. SV 650. It’s a cheap bike to repair and maintain and is great for your first bike and maybe even your second bike after passing your test. This bike can be restricted, which is perfect for A2 riders as the limits on what they’re able to ride are rather strict.
2. CBR650R. If you want a reliable sports bike that won’t cost an arm and a leg to repair, maintain and one that is able to be restricted you could look at getting the Honda CBR650R.
3. Triumph Street Scrambler. Now, the Triumph may be a little more expensive to maintain and repair but these British built works of art are a dream to own for anyone wanting something a bit more casual looking and a bit more upright when seated on the bike. This bike is great for everyone as it is a rather forgiving bike that won’t be too much for a new rider to control.
