First Bike 3-4K Budget Suzuki GSX650f?

kodak

Hi,

Looking for advice on my first bike

6 Foot 3
25
IBT done & A Learner permit obtained
Quotes on 650 - circa 450 3PFT
Purpose - leisure & comuteto work (have car too)

Was looking at a Suzuki 650 GSXF
Did the IBT on a bandit, not very exciting but nice starter bike


Any ideas ?

Thanks

Wonda-Boy

Bandits are a popular choice and are a good starter bike, lots of spare parts around too. I would also recommend a Honda Hornet but my pick of the lot would be an Yamaha FZ6 S2. Fast, comfortable with ABS and will tour anywhere with ease with great brakes and adjustable suspension. Will average around 40MPG+ and has a 19.5L tank.

Being as tall as you are you pretty much have your choice of bikes but smaller frame will be cramped. You could also look into the likes of the Vstrom 650 which are very comfortable and reliable and would be a great commuter bike.

Nice Bandit for sale on adverts at the moment very clean and 100%. (Not my bike in case you wondering, but have seen it and spotless)
http://www.adverts.ie/car/suzuki/other-suzuki/suzuki-bandit-650s/3144436

Aced_Up

My advice, don't spend that much on a first bike.

My first 'passing test' bike was a Thunderace... Cost me 1,500. Lasted 5 years without probs...

Loads of cheap bikes about.

Good luck!

The Don

I agree that that's too much to spend on your first bike. There are plenty of good Fazers, Bandits and Hornets out there for €1,500 - €1,700 which will serve you well for many years.

The more you spend the more it'll hurt when you drop her for the first time

bluefinger

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

http://www.adverts.ie/car/suzuki/other-suzuki/suzuki-bandit-650s/3144436

is that not a bit pricey considering the mileage wonda boy? Just asking your opinion as i've seen similar for much cheaper and am keeping my eye on these types of bikes.

RosieJoe

bluefinger wrote: »

is that not a bit pricey considering the mileage wonda boy? Just asking your opinion as i've seen similar for much cheaper and am keeping my eye on these types of bikes.

That's my bike, yes it's high mileage but that's down to it being used mainly as a commuter bike. Prices are always guidelines, I'd be open to serious offers.

bluefinger

Thanks for that RosieJoe. Am thinking of trading up when i can get the cash together so trying to get a handle on what to look out for, wouldn't normally touch a car with that mileage myself but am also a bit weary of some of the bikes with really low mileage so you can't win either way by the looks of it.

Wonda-Boy

The Don wrote: »

I agree that that's too much to spend on your first bike. There are plenty of good Fazers, Bandits and Hornets out there for €1,500 - €1,700 which will serve you well for many years.

The more you spend the more it'll hurt when you drop her for the first time

Well for my 1st bike I spent €4900 for a 09 fz6 with no experience at all...so dont agree with that statement. I never dropped it or done anything stupid THANK GOD.

And I sold it today and I am on the hunt for my new bike.

If you have the money get the bike you want and enjoy every minute of it....its such a pleasure to have a big sitting outside that puts a grin on your face everytime you see it.

RosieJoe

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Well for my 1st bike I spent €4900 for a 09 fz6 with no experience at all...so dont agree with that statement. I never dropped it or done anything stupid THANK GOD.

And I sold it today and I am on the hunt for my new bike.

If you have the money get the bike you want and enjoy every minute of it....its such a pleasure to have a big sitting outside that puts a grin on your face everytime you see it.

Happy days Gary. Enjoy the hunt for a new one.

Wonda-Boy

bluefinger wrote: »

Thanks for that RosieJoe. Am thinking of trading up when i can get the cash together so trying to get a handle on what to look out for, wouldn't normally touch a car with that mileage myself but am also a bit weary of some of the bikes with really low mileage so you can't win either way by the looks of it.

TBH and this is very important....If a bike is well looked after the milage is not a huge issue. I have seen some newer bikes in a desperate state from being driven hard and not a service in sight. 70,000 klm is slightly above average but nothing major. And the bike was well looked after.....

Judge the bike by the condition not the reg plate and the milage.

kodak

Hi,

Been on the look out since i started this,

Had a few shortlisted

http://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/yamaha-fazer-fzs-600cc-for-sale/5345410

Price will come down a bit

http://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/fz6-yamaha/5234111

Pending sale - not really an option

http://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/2009-yamaha-fazer-600-s2/5223028

Over budget but would knock a few euros off

http://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/2007-yamaha-fazer-fz6/5179990

Lying up a few months & higher mileage than above

Thoughts?

Wonda-Boy

Having had a FZ6 for nearly 2 yrs and just sold it I would go for the red one (last one).

The 1st one is too expensive by a long way and is the older S1 model (round clocks). The blue one in Carlow looks like it has never been washed never mind serviced, just dont like the look of it. The other two are S2 models and the red one looks like it was well looked after, dont worry about the mileage at all. Trust me they are an absolute cracker of a bike to start out on.....if you need someone to take a look at it with you give me a shout.

Best of Luck.

kodak

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Having had a FZ6 for nearly 2 yrs and just sold it I would go for the red one (last one).

The 1st one is too expensive by a long way and is the older S1 model (round clocks). The blue one in Carlow looks like it has never been washed never mind serviced, just dont like the look of it. The other two are S2 models and the red one looks like it was well looked after, dont worry about the mileage at all. Trust me they are an absolute cracker of a bike to start out on.....if you need someone to take a look at it with you give me a shout.

Best of Luck.

Hi

Yes thought that on the carlow one alright! & the over priced s1's

The red one does have some surface rust on it, mirror arms are missing paint, the battery was flat, gold bolts (not mad on) - wasn't overly impressed with this - seller bought 6 months & never used - with a polish & tlc, it does tick boxes, with price it commands

Attached is a pic of thr areas of concern - you can see the rust on petrol cap in add

Should i be worried??

BrusselsSprout

My opinion is that you are quite tall for those motorbikes. Knees will hurt on long distance (well at least it does for me). If you are young enough then it might not matter though.
If you have spend enough time on the bandit and did not feel tired in the knee, then fine with it.

Also if you have the money, I agree with wonda-boy, take one that you really like as you will get as much joy from riding it than from looking at it or taking care of it. I spent 4600 on my first bike and never fell / dropped the bike and I don't see any reason why you would. I think most people don't actually. You are buying it for pleasure so buy one that you are sure will bring that to you.

Last point, I am not sure but don't you think the FZ6 S2 is too powerful as a first bike (it is nearly 100 HP)? Around that power there is also the kawa Z750 or honda CB600 hornet as an alternative if you really want that power.
I am on my first bike, a yamaha XJ6 (less than 80HP - enough for a first bike in my opinion), the engine is very linear and you won't have a bad surprise of sudden power peak. It rides well without choking or vibrating from 1,000 rpm up to the red line. Really happy with it and easy to pass the license test with it as the engine is so easy and forgiving at any speed/rev. Also it makes it easy to drive at low speed in the city. There is a naked white one that look in mint condition on http://www.adverts.ie/car/yamaha/other-yamaha/2009-yamaha-xj6-for-sale/3183233
It is cheap as well and and in my opinion I would take that one instead of bike with rust for nearly 3,000!
Again I am not in the opinion that you need the extra power of the FZ6 S2 but it is of course a matter of personal taste, if you want it and then take it! Don't go much over 100HP IMHO...

corkboy10

any idea will insurers insure me on a provisional on a 1200 bandit?????i'm 28,cheers

HamSambo

The Don wrote: »

The more you spend the more it'll hurt when you drop her for the first time

I second that notion :pac:

Wonda-Boy

HamSambo wrote: »

I second that notion :pac:

And the slower you ride the safer you will be when you hit an Artic Head on

The Shane

Not to derail the thread or anything but what attributes of a bike constitute "exciting"? I haven't been on bikes long enough to have a feel for anything other than my Bandit.

What is the progression?

Cheers,

Shane, The

corkboy10

The Shane wrote: »

Not to derail the thread or anything but what attributes of a bike constitute "exciting"? I haven't been on bikes long enough to have a feel for anything other than my Bandit.

What is the progression?

Cheers,

Shane, The

Is your banit a 600/650???want to get one then do the test on it but not sure which one i need to do it on,should've done my test on a cbr250 before the rules changed

Thanks
Corkboy

The Shane

Bandit is a restricted 650. I did the test back before the change so I'm still in my two years. Does me fine though. Can't imagine wanting to go any faster than I do now.

corkboy10

The Shane wrote: »

Bandit is a restricted 650. I did the test back before the change so I'm still in my two years. Does me fine though. Can't imagine wanting to go any faster than I do now.

i'm looking for a bandit myself,love them,but need to know will a 650 get me the full A licence AFAIK a 600 wont do

Hotblack Desiato

It's on the RSA website here (PDF) http://rsa.ie/Documents/Learner%20Drivers/Third%20Directive/Link%203.pdf

For an unrestricted A licence you need to do the test on a bike of 595cc or over and 40kW or over. Bandit 600 should be fine (think it's 599cc) provided it's not been restricted.

corkboy10

ninja900 wrote: »

It's on the RSA website here (PDF) http://rsa.ie/Documents/Learner%20Drivers/Third%20Directive/Link%203.pdf

For an unrestricted A licence you need to do the test on a bike of 595cc or over and 40kW or over. Bandit 600 should be fine (think it's 599cc) provided it's not been restricted.

fantastic thanks for that,i much prefer the bandit 600,time to get one,thankfully i can avoid all the IBT modules

Hotblack Desiato

corkboy10 wrote: »

thankfully i can avoid all the IBT modules

Don't waste the time of people who answered your question in good faith, by coming out with crap like this.

corkboy10

ninja900 wrote: »

Don't waste the time of people who answered your question in good faith, by coming out with crap like this.

ain't wasting no ones time already have a provisional licence that was issued in 2005,just need to apply for the test to get it re issued,drove bikes before FYI and since i had a provisional before the 2010 i dont need to do them and thats the RSA rules

Hotblack Desiato

Your old licence was restricted, so it'll be reissued as an A2 learner permit.

corkboy10

ninja900 wrote: »

Your old licence was restricted, so it'll be reissued as an A2 learner permit.

so i go about getting an A learner permit how???retaking the theory test is it???

P.C.

corkboy10 wrote: »

so i go about getting an A learner permit how???retaking the theory test is it???

No, you need to do the IBT to get an unrestricted A learner permit.

cantdecide

corkboy10 wrote: »

so i go about getting an A learner permit how???retaking the theory test is it???

RTFPDF, man. Bottom of the last page...

corkboy10

cantdecide wrote: »

RTFPDF, man. Bottom of the last page...

looking for advice on biking issues nothing more nothing less,simples!!!!!

P.C.

Thread locked.

This discussion is going nowhere, and corkboy10 has closed his account.