Getting a new bike

GlasgowTitan

GlasgowTitan

GlasgowTitan

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Going to get my DAS booked in the next month or so (I'm 24) and I need to get everything from scratch; helmet, gloves, leathers and boots (think that's everything?) I'm torn between proper leathers and the textile/waterproof type jackets/breeks. I'm planning on using the bike as a 'toy' as opposed to commuting everyday as I'll still be using the car for that. So looking for advice on what to get clothing wise, what brands etc. I'm hoping to get kitted out for around £500-£600.

As for the bike I've been looking at something along the lines of a SV650 or a GSX650F, purely due to the (and dont hate me for this....) 0% finance on brand new suzuki bikes. I know a lot of people dont like finance but this is 0% over 3 years so at about £130 per month for the SV650 I think thats more manageable than saving every month for a 10 year old horse.

I would probably never do this for a new car as I think the idea of buying a brand new car is stupid, but for a bike the prospect is much more appealing. Any ideas on any other bikes I could look at with a good deal for new or nearly new?

Cheers ;)
 
Regarding the don't spend a lot as you will drop it argument, I heard the same thing about a car, get a cheap one as you will crash it/scrape it/ scuff it in car parks etc.

I didn't do any of those to my car (nor has most people I know) so I hesitate follow that argument....
 
I believe Honda and Kawasaki both have 0% on some models.

Personally I don't see a problem with 0% finance, assuming you can easily cover the monthly payments, it's the interest that I see as pointless (especially on a depreciating asset...)

One 'issue' might be insurance, you're gonna 'need' Comprehensive insurance on an expensive bike like that, whilst you could save a chunk on TPFT if you went for a cheaper bike (like £1-2k), depends on ncb/insurer though I guess...
 
GlasgowTitan said:
Regarding the don't spend a lot as you will drop it argument, I heard the same thing about a car, get a cheap one as you will crash it/scrape it/ scuff it in car parks etc.

I didn't do any of those to my car (nor has most people I know) so I hesitate follow that argument....
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believe me youll drop it, its not like with a car where you can avoid having scuffs etc, on a bike until you really get used to the whole feel balance etc its very likely youll drop it, even experienced people drop there bikes but the chances for a new rider are VERY high, I would be suprised if there are any riders that never dropped a bike within there first year or so of riding

especially if youll not be using it everyday the chances of getting caught out are a lot higher
 
Rich1988 said:
believe me youll drop it, its not like with a car where you can avoid having scuffs etc, on a bike until you really get used to the whole feel balance etc its very likely youll drop it, even experienced people drop there bikes but the chances for a new rider are VERY high, I would be suprised if there are any riders that never dropped a bike within there first year or so of riding

especially if youll not be using it everyday the chances of getting caught out are a lot higher
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I've had one accident (on the road) and that was a woman driving into the side of me, don't think that counts :p

Thats 2 years of full licence, and ~4 months or so of 125 before the crash...
 
Most of the major manufacturers are doing 0% deals to try and keep sales going.
It's the deposit that varies.

I got an older bike due to not having ridden for a few years, at least if I damaged it I wouldn't be as annoyed. However, the only thing that has happened is that it fell over when the concrete the sidestand was resting on gave way.
Cost me about £50 for new clutch lever, footrest and indicators (which I was going to change anyway)

Someone like George White's are doing deals where they are throwing in x amount of kit as well as 0%. they may be worth a look.
 
GlasgowTitan said:
gloves, leathers and boots (think that's everything?) I'm torn between proper leathers and the textile/waterproof type jackets/breeks. I'm planning on using the bike as a 'toy'
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Might as well get leather if you're only using it as a toy and won't be out in the cold & rain in the depths of January :) You'll want a back protector too.

As for the bike I've been looking at something along the lines of a SV650 or a GSX650F, purely due to the (and dont hate me for this....) 0% finance on brand new suzuki bikes.
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Don't necessarily make it your mission to get a new bike. Much better bang/buck ratio on used bike and so lets you get something better for less (or much better for the same :D) and then you've got a bit more cash towards insurance... which is always going to be £:eek: in your first year assuming you've got 0 NCB!

I didn't do any of those to my car (nor has most people I know) so I hesitate follow that argument....
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Gotta say, I mostly agree. Anyone can drop a bike at a junction or on the drive or whatever, doesn't matter if you've been riding 40 years or 40 mins. Ducati Desmo RR or Honda C90, it can happen. So get whatever you want, forget thinking about dropping it 'cos otherwise you'd never get anything shiny! :cool:
 
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depends what you want from a bike and it you don't mind the odd scratch if you lose your footing a CBR600. the F model is better than the RR though for new riders.

either that or an SV650 unfaired or maybe a CB600?

personally i'd go for a slightly older bike as you will screw up and you won't lose as much as you'd save going 0%.

occupational hazard of riding a bike is you will fall off. if its at a juction or 150mph. it will happen.
 
If you're planning on keeping the bike a few years then a new bike isn't stupid, but I can't speak for the 0% finance aspect. SV650 is a brilliant bike for beginners - the fact it's a V-twin makes it thin and so it's easier to balance (weighs less than I4 and also weight is more central) and also easier to get your feet on the floor. I found SV650 much easier than a bandit 650 to ride, for example.

And you will drop a bike at some point, so if you get a new one fit some engine bars or crash bungs.
 
How about a kawasaki versys, they are supposed to be pretty good for a first bike. Pretty nippy as well.

+1 for the SV650 as well, this in my 1st big bike and my current bike. Love it!

As for kit, I've got a textile jacket (rubbish make but does the job) also have RST leather jeans (which I think are great for the price). Then I've got some GTX army over pants for the heavy rain.
 
Used bikes as stated before will get you allot more for your money. You think cars depreciate quickly bikes are far worse and with the current climate it seem everyone is selling off their bikes as they arn't generally as essiential as a car :P

Your first bike you will drop I thought this when i got mine ,glad it was a 12 year old zzr didn't reallly notice it and only lost about £30 when I sold it complete with a few extra dents and scratches.

Get a cheap bike to have for a 6-12 months to get used to riding, you won't loose as much on used by a mile than on a new bike when you come to sell it...
 
Mon said:
Used bikes as stated before will get you allot more for your money. You think cars depreciate quickly bikes are far worse and with the current climate it seem everyone is selling off their bikes as they arn't generally as essiential as a car :P

Get a cheap bike to have for a 6-12 months to get used to riding, you won't loose as much on used by a mile than on a new bike when you come to sell it...
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Depends on where you're looking. Resale at the dealer you bought the bike from can be a pretty tasty option. When I costed up a new bandit 650 vs a reasonably young used one (say ~3 years) there was no real contest - over 3 years (for example) the new bike would cost about £700 more. Which is nothing in the scheme of things.

I didn't (and still don't) know enough about bikes to feel comfortable buying used private (and I don't have any knowledgeable friends), plus being on a restricted license prevented test drives.

So it's not as clear cut as you might think.
 
if your buying new at least get somethign exciting, not a commuter 6(ish)

Get some decent leathers, either 1 or 2 peice, plus decent gloves boots etc. whichever is most comfortable for you, get a decent helmet that fits perfect (most important thing here) and get a bike that suits you best.

I can guarantee a sv650, which is in essence a commuting bike, getting quite boring after a few months, then you will have over 2 1/2 years finance outstanding, which you will have to settle if you want to sell/trade the bike

whats wrong with a used zx6r/cbr6/gsxr6/R6 etc for a couple grand, or even a used sv650 for £1500-£2k

least when you get bored of the sv you wont lose barely anything on it ;)
 
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