First Big Bike

Appleby · 18 Jan 2015 at 09:58

Ideas coming for lots of bikes so thanks for that! I've set up searches in all the main places! I've run a few more insurance quotes too!

What should I be looking for if I go and see a bike? Obvious ones are signs of drop/crash damage, paperwork in order, and a HPI check. Anything else? General tyre condition, bike starting first time? Anything to look out for?

Craig321 · 18 Jan 2015 at 10:35

Appleby said:
Ideas coming for lots of bikes so thanks for that! I've set up searches in all the main places! I've run a few more insurance quotes too!

What should I be looking for if I go and see a bike? Obvious ones are signs of drop/crash damage, paperwork in order, and a HPI check. Anything else? General tyre condition, bike starting first time? Anything to look out for?

Also check the condition of the brake discs, check the brake cables, coolant hoses and a general look around for anything leaking

atpbx · 18 Jan 2015 at 11:20

Appleby said:
Lots of good info guys! Keep it coming. I had started looking at cheaper bikes (bank account breathes a sigh of relief) till you came along Paul. Street triple £450 fully comp so not much more than a hornet!

Where do you guys look for bikes? I've tried the usual suspects that I would for cars (PH, Gumtree, auction sites etc.) however not so clued up on where to look for bikes?

A dealer.

It's a whole different experience and service than buying a car, mainly because the bike market is low volume repeat business customers.

I have used the same dealer for the past 23 years, the bikes are always well maintained if second hand, and more often than not at good prices as well.

wazza300 · 18 Jan 2015 at 13:25

trouble with dealers is they are more expensive

buying off a person second hand will save you a fair amount,just take someone with you who knows about bikes,there's not much to go wrong really,service history is a bonus

Kreeeee · 18 Jan 2015 at 17:23

I'd go for an individual, you save a lot of money and you can tell how a bike has been treated and how passionate the owner is.

atpbx · 18 Jan 2015 at 17:56

Each to their own.

I've only bought two vehicles privately, they were both peanuts for trash to use to take me across town to work.

Actual money gets spent at a dealer, for me.

wazza300 · 18 Jan 2015 at 18:02

you do have peace of mind with a dealer though should things crop up,they usually only give 12 month warranty,unless it still has manufacturer warranty remaining

also depends on the dealer,some can be shoddy and fob you off with excuses ive had that happen

phil675 · 19 Jan 2015 at 11:04

Sorry to hijack but I thought I'd get in on this thread, I'm in the process of getting my bike license, I've done CBT and the theory test so far. I'm planning on mostly 50 mile at a time motorway use so although I want something like an SV it would be nice to have a little luggage space and weather protection. So I saw a Honda NT650V Deauville, which is meant to be boring but reliable and comfy, but is this a good idea as a first bike? Failing that perhaps an XJ600 would be a good shout.

Yaayuh! · 19 Jan 2015 at 11:30

XJ600 is the worst bike i've ridden/owned. Boring, lack of power, handles like a brick.

SV650 is a good shout though. Lots of character, good handling, has the torque if you want to load it up with some luggage. Would go for the S if you're doing motorways, you'll want the screen!

ttaskmaster · 19 Jan 2015 at 13:39

Appleby said:
These are the sort of things I've been looking at:
GS500
Bandit
Hornet

GS500 - God-awful bike. Used by a lot of training schools and the first thing they do is mod the crap out of them. First buy is invariably handlebar risers.
Once they're modded, they're OK, but I still hated riding them.

Between the other two, I'd always recommend the Hornet.
The Bandit is quite gutless by comparison and the Hornets are just awesome, both to ride and to maintain. I was saving up for one when I found my current ride.

Appleby · 19 Feb 2015 at 20:41

So thanks for all the helpful advice here guys! I have have finally got a bike! I had a look around all of the options suggested here (and a few more) and have taken advice on board. I decided to go fairly cheap and simple to start with and have bought . . .

A Ducati Monster M600! I pick it up on Saturday and will get some pictures up when I do! I can't wait!

Stovepipes · 19 Feb 2015 at 21:10

Nice! very jealous. I'm so tempted to buy myself a bike right now but I'm not even sure what I want (250cc, 500cc, 600cc etc) and I really should wait til I've at least passed the Mod1.