Biker's Cafe Chatroom

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MissChief said:
Am I stupid for considering passing my DAS in July and jumping straight into something like a BMW 1250RS? Sure it's not a flat out sports bike but is still a big bike, although quite easy to ride going by reviews and it's CoG is quite low down being a boxer engine.
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Not especially stupid :). Personally I'd suggest if you are mature enough (I forget if you mentioned your age previously), and have been driving a while in something not ridiculously slow, without constantly crashing into people, losing self-control, or accidentally reversing into a gaggle of nuns and then faking your own death and leaving the country in the back of a horse van, you might well be just fine. But you'll get as many for as against on this topic, generally.

The R1250RS is a friendly enough bike and with its engine braking is very forgiving. I'd suggest if you want to allay your own concerns, or those of anyone you care about, smash on a few riding courses after you pass, such as CSS, which will add a great deal of useful tools to your riding... bag.

I rode for years before doing CSS and the BMW ORS, and combined, plus riding with people far better than me - and not being stupid - my riding has come on a massive amount in the last few years.

I went SV650, F800ST, K1300S, K1300S, S1000RR and R1250GS, then KTM1290GT and CRF250. Couple of years or so with each bike.
 
Griffo said:
Not especially stupid :). Personally I'd suggest if you are mature enough (I forget if you mentioned your age previously), and have been driving a while in something not ridiculously slow, without constantly crashing into people, losing self-control, or accidentally reversing into a gaggle of nuns and then faking your own death and leaving the country in the back of a horse van, you might well be just fine. But you'll get as many for as against on this topic, generally.

The R1250RS is a friendly enough bike and with its engine braking is very forgiving. I'd suggest if you want to allay your own concerns, or those of anyone you care about, smash on a few riding courses after you pass, such as CSS, which will add a great deal of useful tools to your riding... bag.

I rode for years before doing CSS and the BMW ORS, and combined, plus riding with people far better than me - and not being stupid - my riding has come on a massive amount in the last few years.

I went SV650, F800ST, K1300S, K1300S, S1000RR and R1250GS, then KTM1290GT and CRF250. Couple of years or so with each bike.
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50 years old, driving since I was 21, not had an accident in 12+ years, nor a speeding ticket.
 
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Oh then go for it :D

But probably get some protection for the accidental dropping it the one and only time :D. (Incidentally I can't recall if I ever did! A 'friend' did reverse into it though!)

The good news being it's hella easy to pick a GS up (for me, being 5'8 and not strong in the arm dept.) so I imagine the RS is similar. But watch some youtubes if you don't believe in tempting fate, and do believe in being prepared.

The boxer engine is lovely for trundling, so it isn't - in my opinion - going to be like some sports bike that's boring/uncomfortable at anything but warp speed.

Also, do the DAS in April :D. More time to get to know whatever you get :).
 
Griffo said:
Oh then go for it :D

But probably get some protection for the accidental dropping it the one and only time :D. (Incidentally I can't recall if I ever did! A 'friend' did reverse into it though!)

The good news being it's hella easy to pick a GS up (for me, being 5'8 and not strong in the arm dept.) so I imagine the RS is similar. But watch some youtubes if you don't believe in tempting fate, and do believe in being prepared.

The boxer engine is lovely for trundling, so it isn't - in my opinion - going to be like some sports bike that's boring/uncomfortable at anything but warp speed.

Also, do the DAS in April :D. More time to get to know whatever you get :).
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The plan is to pass my test alongside my son who turns 24 at the end of June so in order that he’s not limited to a small bike we need to do it after he turns 24.
 
MissChief said:
The plan is to pass my test alongside my son who turns 24 at the end of June so in order that he’s not limited to a small bike we need to do it after he turns 24.
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It might be worth getting the theory out of the way soonish as it tends to get booked up (your course operator may offer it as part of the package but mine didn't).

I think they last for 2 years.
 
MissChief said:
Am I stupid for considering passing my DAS in July and jumping straight into something like a BMW 1250RS? Sure it's not a flat out sports bike but is still a big bike, although quite easy to ride going by reviews and it's CoG is quite low down being a boxer engine.
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Not really and I echo the same thoughts as others. I passed my DAS in September 2023 and got my Honda Blackbird (97') in October 2024 as my first big bike. However, I had started riding a motorcycle in 2008 in my home country (India) and covered 65k kms on it, so experience on two wheels and controls was never an issue. The reason I could afford the Blackbird is the Insurance was lower (it dropped significantly after a year on my licence) and the bike was very cheap. I honestly could not have made a better choice and I intend to keep it longer/forever. Yes, it is a heavy bike but the sound, sensation of speed, comfort, weather protection, plastered wide smiles and giggles every mile I get is the best. It is so easy to ride and it being a carburetor model is very predictable with the throttle.

I had considered VFR 800, CBR600F(late 90s), Bandit 1200/1250s and the BMW 800's. Also checked the R1200 RS/RT. All these bikes were cheap to insure at around £300. Blackbird is just over twice as much but I am super happy with my choice. You don't want to buy something that you may not like. Have a test ride, visit showrooms and/or exhibitions where you can sit on the bikes and get a feel for them.
 
MissChief said:
Am I stupid for considering passing my DAS in July and jumping straight into something like a BMW 1250RS? Sure it's not a flat out sports bike but is still a big bike, although quite easy to ride going by reviews and it's CoG is quite low down being a boxer engine.
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Not stupid at all. I went from a YBR 125 straight onto a Bonneville T120 1200cc. Engine size isn't really an issue as long as you keep yourself under control. But make sure the size of the bike is OK. I find bike size more of a difference than engine size. I guess in my case the Bonneville wasn't that big. But I'm on an old Tiger 800 now which is a lot bigger.

Having said that, I remember collecting my T120 for the first time. As I got onto the motorway slip road I hadn't appreciated quite how much faster it would be. I twisted the throttle like I was on my 125 and nearly blew myself off the back of it. I didn't make that mistake a second time.
 
Hades said:
Having said that, I remember collecting my T120 for the first time. As I got onto the motorway slip road I hadn't appreciated quite how much faster it would be. I twisted the throttle like I was on my 125 and nearly blew myself off the back of it. I didn't make that mistake a second time.
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I nearly did this when my instructor for my DAS said "right we're on the DC now just open it up a bit" :eek: :D

Then similar first time I did a shoulder check doing 70ish down the motorway, nearly ripped my head off.
 
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Hades said:
Having said that, I remember collecting my T120 for the first time. As I got onto the motorway slip road I hadn't appreciated quite how much faster it would be. I twisted the throttle like I was on my 125 and nearly blew myself off the back of it. I didn't make that mistake a second time.
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Ahh man, just pulling out of the showroom in first gear nearly shot me to the moon. :cry:
 
McGray said:
Ahh man, just pulling out of the showroom in first gear nearly shot me to the moon. :cry:
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Did a 40 odd minutes ride yesterday locally. I am still getting used to the weird cold tyre feeling. Its hard to describe, but it feels sort of the bike is weaving and not complying with my directional input at 60 or 70 mph depending on the speed limit on that stretch. It takes about 6+ miles for the feel to disappear. Guess that is what warmed up tyres feel like when normal. Tyres are the Michelin Pilot Power 2 CT. They are fairly new with 300 miles on them.

Got overtaken by a Peugeot 2008 doing 75+ in a 60. Probably he got annoyed a my brisk acceleration to 60 after the lights turned green lol. I hit a pothole too as I had less time to react behind the traffic dawdling at 15-20 mph. Thankfully no surprises and the bike gripped back quickly.

Getting a bit more confident in cornering as I observe getting 2-3 mph quicker. Following back to basic stuff like keeping my arms loose which helps to steer the bike comfortably. Slow but steady progress, will get there eventually as I put more miles in. :)
 
Griffo said:
Check your pressures. If you set them when it was warmer they'll be lower on the colder days. Doesn't take much to make a difference on mine.
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Will do. I will need to check what is the recommended pressure for my bike. Have to admit it has been on my to do for a while. It has angled valves hence presuming my car tyre inflator should work fine on the bike.
 
Another one gone.
Would be interesting to know what happened with Piaggio/Aprilia.
Shame as I’ve bought my last 2 bikes from them and would have bought another this year :(

Hi Everyone,

This is Luke Gregory, the Managing Director at Global Moto Ltd / Colchester Kawasaki. I don't normally get involved in the social media posts but I feel this is an important one.

As many will know, we are selling our Colchester premises (which we own outright) as we start a new phase for the business.
It's not a decision that has been taken lightly but is one that is required in order for us to move the business forward over the coming years.

What worked 10 years ago in business doesn't necessarily work today and we are a company that adapts and changes in order to thrive. We are no longer partnered with the Piaggio Group (Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, Piaggio) for reasons I cannot discuss here but you will see a lot of other dealers doing the same thing.

We don't just run dealerships, we have a large scale distribution network (40 dealers) and are going to be expanding that aswell as opening plenty of new stores starting Spring 2025 across the UK.

There is so much going on and lots to look forward to.
The Colchester Kawasaki site has been incredible and I have personally really enjoyed running it for the past 12 years. Our amazing team have got us to where we are today and I thank them all very much for that.
 
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