Should i get a motorbike (Poll added)
- Thread starter Taz
- Start date
Motorbikes are amazing fun, 0-60 in ~3 seconds and 160+ top speed for half the price of a Z4. Tremendous feeling of satisfaction when you get the cornering right, very little margin for error and wonderful adrenalin rushes. Really, cars don't even get close to the buzz from a motorbike (and I'm definitely a car person).
This is my little baby, brilliant fun and you can have one like this for under 1500quid now I'm sure (paid 3600 for it about 8 years ago and it's still going strong, despite years of riding it daily through the winters and taking me across Europe and back):
In the interests of full disclosure...
This is the dent my testicles made in the tank when a woman in a car decided to indicate left, pull in to the side of the road then suddenly change her mind and turn right - she didn't see me, I was on new tyres, braked hard but went in to the side/back of her.
Broken wrist, sore nads. I survived. You *will* have an accident on a motorbike, everybody does. The only unknowns are how many accidents will you have and how badly is it going to hurt. There's a very small margin for error on a motorbike, the difference between carving a beautiful corner and sliding down the road on you arse is very slim.
I was told when learning that at 30mph it takes 6 foot for concrete to wear through your skin and muscle and get to bone. Prepare to spend around a 1000 on good quality equipment, don't skimp on it, it's worth every penny. I've slid down the road at 50mph+ and lived to tell the tale, it's worth having properly designed and well fitting gear.
That's probably about as fair and balanced as I can be on the subject
This is my little baby, brilliant fun and you can have one like this for under 1500quid now I'm sure (paid 3600 for it about 8 years ago and it's still going strong, despite years of riding it daily through the winters and taking me across Europe and back):
In the interests of full disclosure...
This is the dent my testicles made in the tank when a woman in a car decided to indicate left, pull in to the side of the road then suddenly change her mind and turn right - she didn't see me, I was on new tyres, braked hard but went in to the side/back of her.
Broken wrist, sore nads. I survived. You *will* have an accident on a motorbike, everybody does. The only unknowns are how many accidents will you have and how badly is it going to hurt. There's a very small margin for error on a motorbike, the difference between carving a beautiful corner and sliding down the road on you arse is very slim.
I was told when learning that at 30mph it takes 6 foot for concrete to wear through your skin and muscle and get to bone. Prepare to spend around a 1000 on good quality equipment, don't skimp on it, it's worth every penny. I've slid down the road at 50mph+ and lived to tell the tale, it's worth having properly designed and well fitting gear.
That's probably about as fair and balanced as I can be on the subject
Taz x said:
CBR600 would be my recommendation, but I'm clearly biased as I've owned one all my riding career - having ridden other bikes, they don't compare. The CBR600 is quick enough to still challenge you after having years of experience under your belt, it's comfy enough to rack up big miles and it's not going to need much attention mechanically (they're solid, very solid).
Don't worry about your height, I'm about 5'8"/5'9" and only a scrawny little 9 stone thing, I can handle the CBR600 easily and even bigger bikes like a blackbird are no problem. (Ironically, the litre bikes tend to be no more heavy than a 600, in some cases they're actually lighter). It's technique which lets you manage the bike - they can be ~200kg's with a full tank and fluids onboard. A 200kg's dead-lift is pretty difficult for anyone if you don't have the right technique (or enough adrenalin pumping through you).
The key is not to drop it, get a feel for the balance point and you'll be fine. You're likely to drop a bike a few times at first though, so buy something cheap to start off with that won't be heart breaking to scratch.
Side panels (fairings) on a sports bike can cost all sorts - new ones will set you back 300+ per side and that's just for one panel. indicators, pegs, wing mirrors all add up, to get a bike looking brand new again after even a low speed fall you're looking at 400 at least. Buy a common bike with lots of parts+fairings available on eBay, in a common/popular colour scheme and that'll help keep the costs down as you've a continuous source of cheap parts.
The answer to the question 'should I get a motorbike' is always YES!
- cbr 600 is a great option. very quick but easy to ride. You really won't require anything else.
In terms of safety, i echo the view here re - don't scimp on helmet/leathers. cheap=poor.
It will teach you to focus on the importance of road surface/overbanding etc. IMHO motorcyclists always make better car drivers too. - no bad thing!
- cbr 600 is a great option. very quick but easy to ride. You really won't require anything else.
In terms of safety, i echo the view here re - don't scimp on helmet/leathers. cheap=poor.
It will teach you to focus on the importance of road surface/overbanding etc. IMHO motorcyclists always make better car drivers too. - no bad thing!
A
Anonymous
Guest
I have always thought about getting a Motor bike but can't due to being a fully paid up member of the self preservation society and being a coward
No idea at all about bikes. Never owned one and always considered them to be too dangerous (both fo rme and the other idiots around)
You mentioned Jeeps on another thread so posted my response here:
Needed to get away from too fast a sports as I was doing some track stuff, used to rally and even qualified as a powerboat racer. Wanted something challenging and fun so as per you comment on the other thread I got into 4x4's. Looked for a landie and the cheapwere all rotten and frankly some of the owners wer a bit too redneck for me. (You had to be a farmer, car breaker or under the arches mechanic.
Jeeps seemed to be semi pro and a people who enjoyed camping, adventure, some competitive events, etc. etc.
Now have 2 ad thy have taken me all over Europe competing and social driving. Crossing the Alps, Crosier Blance competition on high mountain snow, Tour of Sweden tot eh Artic, etc
I had my eldest daughter as co-pilot and now my youngest is taking the slot.
Cost can be as cheap as an uninsured wreck costing £500 towed to £20 daily events or top end competion rigs at £75k. I'd say my 2 have £100,000 total build costs but one was second hand and cost only £8k the other - well lets just say expensive :roll:
Loads of fun, weekends aways, not dangerous as skillful and challenging as you want or just an easy drive around lanes or the forests.
You mentioned Jeeps on another thread so posted my response here:
Needed to get away from too fast a sports as I was doing some track stuff, used to rally and even qualified as a powerboat racer. Wanted something challenging and fun so as per you comment on the other thread I got into 4x4's. Looked for a landie and the cheapwere all rotten and frankly some of the owners wer a bit too redneck for me. (You had to be a farmer, car breaker or under the arches mechanic.
Jeeps seemed to be semi pro and a people who enjoyed camping, adventure, some competitive events, etc. etc.
Now have 2 ad thy have taken me all over Europe competing and social driving. Crossing the Alps, Crosier Blance competition on high mountain snow, Tour of Sweden tot eh Artic, etc
I had my eldest daughter as co-pilot and now my youngest is taking the slot.
Cost can be as cheap as an uninsured wreck costing £500 towed to £20 daily events or top end competion rigs at £75k. I'd say my 2 have £100,000 total build costs but one was second hand and cost only £8k the other - well lets just say expensive :roll:
Loads of fun, weekends aways, not dangerous as skillful and challenging as you want or just an easy drive around lanes or the forests.
This is a re-post from another thread, but my motorbike story (ups and downs of the experience)...
Suzuki GSXR600 SRAD (Much loved and missed - nothing on 4 wheels can compete with that feeling, that I've experience anyway)...
Year 1: crashed into a brand new golf, head on. My fault. Wrote the car off. Took the bike home and rebuilt.
Year 2: crashed, car door opened in front of me. Not my fault. Took the bike home and rebuilt to give:
Add... nice thing was the modding. The fairing and tank shown above cost under £400 (IIRC). GSXR750 upside-down forks, about £75 in bits and £150 for pro rebuild. Upgraded brakes - GSXR1000 master cylinder and TL1000 calipers (front) + EBC disks, pads and braided hoses (mmm-five can tell you how many days that takes on a car!). Bolt on BlueFlame twin port exhaust.
Year 3: crashed, not my fault, but interesting... woman stopped at a junction on my side of the road, waiting to turn right. I'm 200 yards away, she nudges out then stops. Waiting for me. I slow slightly and move to the right of the lane. 5 yards away from the car, she pulls out, into me! Turns out she was watching the cars from the other direction. Bike written off
Enough. Motorbiking was clearly not for me! There is nothing close for speed and feel / feedback - I have heard a few of the former F1 drivers in interviews saying that they ride bikes as it's the only way they can get close to the F1 experience in terms of involvement. That's not speed, but feel and involvement.
If I was going to get another I'd get a BatBike... KTM Duke II:
Different, but can mix it up with the best of them on B roads.
I was not a great biker. The problem I think is that, same as cars, you need to learn the fundamentals for a year or so on <=400cc. But how do you resist =>600cc? You can't. On balance, I'd say no, don't do it. There are other things out there.
If you do get one, full leathers all year round, decent boots and CE armour in everything!
Suzuki GSXR600 SRAD (Much loved and missed - nothing on 4 wheels can compete with that feeling, that I've experience anyway)...
Year 1: crashed into a brand new golf, head on. My fault. Wrote the car off. Took the bike home and rebuilt.
Year 2: crashed, car door opened in front of me. Not my fault. Took the bike home and rebuilt to give:
Add... nice thing was the modding. The fairing and tank shown above cost under £400 (IIRC). GSXR750 upside-down forks, about £75 in bits and £150 for pro rebuild. Upgraded brakes - GSXR1000 master cylinder and TL1000 calipers (front) + EBC disks, pads and braided hoses (mmm-five can tell you how many days that takes on a car!). Bolt on BlueFlame twin port exhaust.
Year 3: crashed, not my fault, but interesting... woman stopped at a junction on my side of the road, waiting to turn right. I'm 200 yards away, she nudges out then stops. Waiting for me. I slow slightly and move to the right of the lane. 5 yards away from the car, she pulls out, into me! Turns out she was watching the cars from the other direction. Bike written off
Enough. Motorbiking was clearly not for me! There is nothing close for speed and feel / feedback - I have heard a few of the former F1 drivers in interviews saying that they ride bikes as it's the only way they can get close to the F1 experience in terms of involvement. That's not speed, but feel and involvement.
If I was going to get another I'd get a BatBike... KTM Duke II:
Different, but can mix it up with the best of them on B roads.
I was not a great biker. The problem I think is that, same as cars, you need to learn the fundamentals for a year or so on <=400cc. But how do you resist =>600cc? You can't. On balance, I'd say no, don't do it. There are other things out there.
If you do get one, full leathers all year round, decent boots and CE armour in everything!
lamlp640 said:NO, definitely do not buy a motorbike. I myself have a license and have had lots of bikes, I also have friends who have been seriously hurt and one crippled from the chest down from a bike accident.
Stick to your lovely zed
very convincing arguement against bikes
Only if you really want one and can excercise restraint with the throttle until you are famiar with it. Over the years I've seen too many people take a test after only a handful of lessons,buy a 160 mph+ sportsbike and wonder why they're eating hospital food a matter of weeks later.Biking is too macho and people's ego's too big to get a lower powered machine to learn their craft, then upgrade when they have a decent level of riding skills. I've had a bike since I was 16,and only once bought a sportsbike,it was too focused for a roadbike and so returned to the big traillie/adventure bikes I'd been riding before. Just as fast to 100mph in real terms, and better on the majority of uk roads.Try a yamaha fazer or Honda hornet,and enjoy the rush, just as quick as a CBR600 and much easier and comfortable to ride.
I was watching the BBC news this morning and they ran a piece about the start of the motorcycling season,but the statistic they quoted at the end of the piece was that "motorcyclists make up 1% of traffic on the road but they makeup 19% of deaths on the road"so just something to think about.
I have ridden bikes since I was 17, even passed my bike test before I past the car test.
All I would say is if you want one get one, as others have said show some restraint (it is'nt always easy) and get some good quality kit, I don't get the chance to use mine that much these days but in years gone by I have toured Europe going as far as Barcelona on a Kawasaki ZXR750L, Assen to the Bol D'or when it was at Paul Ricard on a Ducati 916 and Misano on a ZX7R, all the trips were camping so you can tour on anything, on one of the trips my mate was on his newly purchased VFR750 the greatest sportstourer ever, came home and sold it, bought a Fireblde after seeing/talking to loads of people on more focused stuff none of whom were complaining about comfort after changing he claimed it did everything better than the VFR.
But I would agree that a CBR600F will be all the bike you need, its better than a Thundercat and I think you will have more of choice, go for the later ally frame version if you can.
Just get one and realise how much more observant of things on the road you become.
All I would say is if you want one get one, as others have said show some restraint (it is'nt always easy) and get some good quality kit, I don't get the chance to use mine that much these days but in years gone by I have toured Europe going as far as Barcelona on a Kawasaki ZXR750L, Assen to the Bol D'or when it was at Paul Ricard on a Ducati 916 and Misano on a ZX7R, all the trips were camping so you can tour on anything, on one of the trips my mate was on his newly purchased VFR750 the greatest sportstourer ever, came home and sold it, bought a Fireblde after seeing/talking to loads of people on more focused stuff none of whom were complaining about comfort after changing he claimed it did everything better than the VFR.
But I would agree that a CBR600F will be all the bike you need, its better than a Thundercat and I think you will have more of choice, go for the later ally frame version if you can.
Just get one and realise how much more observant of things on the road you become.