man I need some help (motorcycles)

[Wash]

hi man

I need some help in finding the right motorcycle to buy.

I need a bike I can restrict to 33BHP so I can ride it on a restricted license. Also, I know that restricting a 600CC bike to 33BHP isn't so cool and wastes a lot of the power but I can't bother with buying something with a smaller engine and then having to move up to a bigger bike. I don't intend on keeping the restrictors in for the full 2 year period (restriction license lasts 2 years) but I do need to have a 33BHP restricted bike to build confidence on.

I've looked through the options and the bikes I think would be most suitable would be either the Suzuki GSXR600 or the Honda CBR600RR. I thought about the Yamaha R6 and although the R6 is a popular choice for people to restrict, it would be a chav's choice to buy an R6. :P
I'll be using the bike to travel about 20 miles each day, along normal city roads where the speed limit is 30/40 mph.

So, if anyone's got any suggestions for any other bikes or any general info even, please post.

[Roadkill]

For your first bike I'd go with a CBR600 but the old carbed version. They are super super reliable and I've worked on many of them, one of the most simple bikes to tweak. You don't want a brand new all singing all dancing bike for your first bike because if you drop it which is highly likely then you will be gutted. Personally I recommend the Suzuki GSF 600 S as a first bike but go with one of the newer ones (also carbed) it's absolutely brilliant to ride, super reliable just like the CBR if not even more reliable and very cheap to run and insure where as the CBR will cost a lot more to insure.

CBR...
http://www.sportbikez.net/bikepics/106/medium/1064643529.jpg

GSF...
http://motorparts.hu/images/menu/Image/hurrik/Supersport/SUZUKI%20GSF%20600%20Bandit%20Alu.jpg

[Roadkill]

BTW a wild card is the CBF600 which is my other "winter" bike. Not very good on fuel at all even though it is FI BUT the engine is gorgeous, absolutely AMAZING to ride and cheap to insure.

Personally though I'd choose the GSF over any of them. Carbed bikes are a lot easier to restrict because FI bikes need re-mapping which costs a lot more. Also my ex GF liked the GSF600 better as a pillion.

Here's my current 2 bikes... Daytona 600 and my CBF600
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs295.snc3/28427_394926362390_635797390_4689596_6373101_n.jpg

[Wash]

Personally I recommend the Suzuki GSF 600 S as a first bike but go with one of the newer ones (also carbed) it's absolutely brilliant to ride, super reliable just like the CBR if not even more reliable and very cheap to run and insure where as the CBR will cost a lot more to insure.

GSF...
http://motorparts.hu/images/menu/Image/hurrik/Supersport/SUZUKI%20GSF%20600%20Bandit%20Alu.jpg

I do understand the GSF is more of a practical bike and would fair much better than any sport bike for everyday use, I really want a supersports bike. I'm not a huge fan of the way the GSF looks either.

For your first bike I'd go with a CBR600 but the old carbed version. They are super super reliable and I've worked on many of them, one of the most simple bikes to tweak. You don't want a brand new all singing all dancing bike for your first bike because if you drop it which is highly likely then you will be gutted.

Well, from my research the CBR600RR(new one) is a reliable bike. I imagine I'll be carrying out regular maintenance anyway so I don't think anything can go too wrong. Also, I'm not too fussed about the cost with regards to the actual bike or the restriction. A cheap CBR600RR is like 3000 GBP (pound sign f**ks up messages), and the restrictor is I imagine around 200 GBP.

Here's my current 2 bikes... Daytona 600 and my CBF600
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs295.snc3/28427_394926362390_635797390_4689596_6373101_n.jpg

f**king sweet. Your Daytona is awesome.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

[Julio.]

However, you do want a 600cc bike BUT

I happen to know two 125cc motorbikes, one goes 80mph, one goes 115mph

Aprilia RS125 - 115mph -

[Wash]

However, you do want a 600cc bike BUT

I happen to know two 125cc motorbikes, one goes 80mph, one goes 115mph

Aprilia RS125 - 115mph -

Uh, there is no comparison between a 600cc (restricted even) and any Aprilia RS.

please, just noany suggestion aprilia rs

[Skan]

Why dont you just buy some nice Aprilia moped. Perfect for the streets of London. Or them Mini Moto's chavs ride up and down the street. 

[Dan_Jones]

R6 - it will set you back quite a lot though.

CBR400 - cheap and cheerful.

FZR400 - cheap and cheerful. 

Aprilia RS - the way forward in life

But seriously, I'm guessing that you're a newbie?  If so, don't buy a nice bike, you'll only ruin it by dropping it or something stupid.  I'd recommend a Yamaha R-125 or an Aprilia RS 125.

Remember -- walk before you try to run!

[Skan]

Gilera DNA sounds great as a first bike, dont you think?

[Wash]

Why dont you just buy some nice Aprilia moped. Perfect for the streets of London. Or them Mini Moto's chavs ride up and down the street. 

Gilera DNA sounds great as a first bike, dont you think?

Uh, I assume you aren't being serious.

But seriously, I'm guessing that you're a newbie?  If so, don't buy a nice bike, you'll only ruin it by dropping it or something stupid.  I'd recommend a Yamaha R-125 or an Aprilia RS 125.

I'm not a newbie.

I won't be buying any bike under 600cc, I've already said why in the first post. :P

Thanks though.

[Skan]

Uh, I assume you aren't being serious.

Ofcourse, Im kidding.

[Julio.]

I won't be buying any bike under 600cc, I've already said why in the first post. :P

Thanks though.

Research the Kawasaki GPZ-500, also ask Frank Hawk about it, he fucking loves it 

[tiderman]

Just get a Puch Dakota

[Frank_Hawk]

hi man

I need some help in finding the right motorcycle to buy.

I need a bike I can restrict to 33BHP so I can ride it on a restricted license. Also, I know that restricting a 600CC bike to 33BHP isn't so cool and wastes a lot of the power but I can't bother with buying something with a smaller engine and then having to move up to a bigger bike. I don't intend on keeping the restrictors in for the full 2 year period (restriction license lasts 2 years) but I do need to have a 33BHP restricted bike to build confidence on.

I've looked through the options and the bikes I think would be most suitable would be either the Suzuki GSXR600 or the Honda CBR600RR. I thought about the Yamaha R6 and although the R6 is a popular choice for people to restrict, it would be a chav's choice to buy an R6. :P
I'll be using the bike to travel about 20 miles each day, along normal city roads where the speed limit is 30/40 mph.

So, if anyone's got any suggestions for any other bikes or any general info even, please post.

Hi Wash,

Welcome to the world of biking 

Depending on your age, you have many options in the UK.

If you want to ride a moped you can take your theory test when you are 16, but again you must make sure you have completed compulsory basic training (CBT) and have a valid provisional licence. If you are 16 and already have a licence for an agricultural vehicle or a moped, this will give you provisional entitlement to drive a car when you are 17.

The Direct access is a scheme which allows a person over the age of 21 to avoid the two year/25 kiloWatt (kW) restriction by taking a test on a machine of at least 35 kW (46.6 brake horse power (bhp)). A pass allows you to ride any size of bike. Any instruction given on a machine that exceeds the normal learner motorcycle specification must be supervised at all times by a certified motorcycle instructor who should be in radio contact. You should also wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and follow all other provisional licence restrictions.

Accelerated access is for riders who reach the age of 21, while still within the two year period where they are restricted to maximum 25 kW (33 bhp) machines, but who wish to ride larger bikes need to pass a further test on a motorcycle of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp). They may practise on bikes over 25 kW (33 bhp) under the same practice conditions for direct access riders. You will revert to learner status while practising on a motorcycle greater than 25 kW (33 bhp) although test failure will not affect your existing licence.

Judging from your post, it seems like you want to stick to 33BHP (dependent on passing restricted license or CBT).

Personally, I think a good biker is a experieced biker and would never advise somebody who has just passed their test to jump onto a superbike without developing the '6th sense of riding' first which is normally gained over a year. I would advise you to start out on a small bike first and 'do your time'. After which, you will have enough experience to do the harder tests and upgrade to a shiny sportsbike.

If you can't wait that long, I have the following suggestions for nice bikes:

- Honda CG 125 (small, ugly but brilliant all rounder) / under 33BHP
- Suzuki GSX650F (They offer a free restrictor kit on this bike)
- Suzuki Bandit 650 as Trojan wisely mentioned (it's basically a naked version of the GSX650F)
- I will add others when I remember them.

I advise to stay away from Aprillia RS125 and others in the same category. They are practically a CG125 with wolf clothing. Also - when other riders spot you on the road - they will simply burst out laughing at you. However, if you do your time and gradually progress up the ladder - you will gain much more respect on the road and you may be lucky enough for another biker to 'nod' at you in the incoming direction.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Wash]

Hey Frank, thanks for taking the time to reply.

At the moment, I'm only 16. I've passed my CBT and I've got a provisional license. I'll be going through the restricted route where once I turn 17, I can ride any bike that has no more power than 33BHP (and certain power to weight ratios). It's the quickest way for me to get a full motorbike license as I'll have the full license when I turn 19. It's not too long until I turn 17, and I'm quite eager to get back on a bike.

I do really have my heart set on a bigger 600cc machine. I know that with the 33BHP restriction, the 600cc bikes lose the fiercesome acceleration. From my research, the 0-60 speed is reduced by a 5-6 seconds after the restriction which is great - not too slow yet not too fast. During the two year restriction period, I'll be able to completely build my confidence on the bike and the road. At the end of the restriction, all I will need to do is remove the restrictors and I'll be able to use the bike that I've built all my confidence on. I'll know the in's and out's of the bike so it will be less of a handful when I have all that power with the restrictors removed.

The Honda CG125 you mentioned, that isn't really a possibility. If I get a small bike like that, I will die when I move up to a bigger 600cc bike (when the restriction ends). I'm not at all looking for any Aprilia or similar bike, I know how bad they are. :P

The Suzuki GSX650F seems like a great bike. They look great, looks quite similar to the GSXR600 but what's the difference? From what I can gather, I think the GSX650F is more of a laid back touring bike where as the GSXR600 is a quicker supersports bike. I would prefer to get the GSXR600 from the two if that's the difference.

I wonder, what's your opinion on the 2003-2005 R6? I love the way they look.

Thanks in advance.