Ok, now I'm thinking about IT (not I.T.)

Having just managed to wangle my way into a new job I've come to the way of
thinking that maybe, just maybe, I should become a biker..

as far as I can see, the plus points are as follows;

Less time to get to work (50 mile commute)
don't have to pay to go through the Mersey Tunnel
probably more economical than any of my cars

the negatives seem to be these..

I don't have a bike licence, and I'm not too hot on a motorbike
all that palaver putting leathers on in the morning etc
No CD player, and the constant risk of a scenery / me interface.


I'm thinking it'll cost about £500 to pass my bike test, a few hundred more
for leathers, gloves and a lid, and about £1500 for a bike capable of
getting me to and from work without major mechanical mishaps. Is this a
reasonable estimate?

I'd like a bike that's reasonably comfy, handles well, is fun to ride, goes
alright, and is reliable. I don't want a full on sprots bike, but something
that's not too lardy. People have suggested I should get a ZZR1100, but I
suspect that's cos they'd have a sweepstake on how long before I killed
myself.. VFR 750s have also been suggested.

Any hints?


--
Pete M

Ford Capri - Mercedes 500 SEL - Sierra XR4x4
COSOC #5
Scouse Git extraordinaire. Liverpool, Great Britain

 

In

and yes, I meant to post this to UKRM

 

Nice little CB500

Suits you sir

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)
My NEW bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
My old Bike 2000 Honda CB500 (for sale)
M'boy's Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Heavily fortified)

BOTAFOT #140, DIAABTCOD #26

 

I noticed that Message-ID:

You also forgot the small matter of 'Winter'.

Ok,...I'm a wimp.

 

In

Heh, winter hadn't been forgotten, but I'll have wangled a nice, warm
company car by then..

not the only one.


--
Pete M

Ford Capri - Mercedes 500 SEL - Sierra XR4x4
COSOC #5
Scouse Git extraordinaire. Liverpool, Great Britain

 

Naah, you'll be addicted to Making Progress by then.

Her Esteemed Ellyness was prepared to take the car last Winter, but
did (thinks hard) once, I think. She had (thinks harder) two days off
when there was several inches of snow lying and the road was like
glass and cars were sliding everywhere, so she stayed at home.

If you get the right warm waterproof gear, chilly weather is no
obstacle. Car-type traffic seems to increase in wet weather anyway,
increasing jams, so making an even more convincing argument for taking
the bike.

Bikes *rock*, mate.

You don't know yet - wait till you give it a go.

 

Yes for test, yes for clothing, no for bike - you can get a decent
commuter for a lot less than that.

You are joking? Pass your test and onto a VFR750?

Assuming you can afford the insurance, you'll kill yourself. You have no
*idea* of the performance of a modern motorcycle. Top whack about 150,
give or take. But that's not the point - a VFR will accelerate 0-60 in
maybe 3 seconds. It gathers speed in a way that your Capri doesn't. Not
even the Merc will prepare you for how fast you can be travelling when
you do

*THAT*

to the throttle.

Pass your test, buy something smaller, amass some valuable time
acquiring experience and getting over the crash threshold[1] and then
buy a bigger bike.

[1] You will crash. Every learner does. Whether it happens at 50-60 or
120-130 depends on what bike you're learning on.

 

Yamaha Divvy 600, for example.

They rock as long-ish distance all-weather commuters.

Did 70k on mine - was well on it's way to 90k miles on the clock when I
sold it.

Might be dull, but cheap, reliable and fast enough to scare yourself on
it.

 

Do you want some sort of weather protection? Would a small fairing be
sufficient if you do? That would put you in early Bandit 600
territory, some of which had bikini fairings, and another two or three
hundred gets you a Fazer 600. Or there's the old jellymould CBR600s.

Or maybe go classic - the CX500 was the comfiest bike I ever rode...

 

I haven't seen a decent clean CX500 for years.....

 

I noticed that Message-ID:

I just remembered why I keep discouraging my son.

That and the fact that he wants a Vespa.

 

Pete M <> spewed forth the
following...

<snip>

Sir wants a nice CB200, sir does. The sight of you wobbling down my road
after we rebuilt the top-end on mine will remain with me for the rest of my
days. )

Before you go spending all that cash, go out and score yourself a nice
little CG125 [1]. As economical as the day is long and will potter along
until judgement day.

See how you get along with that first. Also handy for invaluable practise
whilst you gear up for your DAS. If you just want something to potter along
to work and back on you may well find it`s all you need.

For something a little more substantial but cheap, reliable and fast enough,
you can`t go far wrong with a nice little CB500.

[1] Makes sign of the holy pushrods.

 

In

I've had a few goes on a GSX-R 750, and I know I don't need something even
remotely that quick..

Valid point.. I've driven a few *very* quick cars and there's no farkin way
I'd want to go even slightly that quick on a bike.. hence not going insane
on the GSX-R. Still way outta my league and not something I'm after..

That's the general plan... I take it a Cagiva Elephant thing is a bad idea
then....


--
Pete M

Ford Capri - Mercedes 500 SEL - Sierra XR4x4
COSOC #5
Scouse Git extraordinaire. Liverpool, Great Britain

 

In

I thank you for reminding me of that... it's them gear things innit? I'm
fine on a scooter )

but, but.....

Actually, I'm fond of your 550/4.. CIHAGM?


--
Pete M

Ford Capri - Mercedes 500 SEL - Sierra XR4x4
COSOC #5
Scouse Git extraordinaire. Liverpool, Great Britain

 

ain't no such animal any more, all the despatchers got at 'em

mind, there's a very tidy CX650 turbo which occasionally appears at the
caff.

summat like a GS500, GT550 (kwak one...), GSX550 makes a nice intro bike.
fast enough to make decent progress, but easy enough to ride and relatively
undemanding.

 

CBR600s make a good all round introduction
to larger motorcycles. Loads of em about
too. They're farly benign, yet still allow
you to 'push on' a bit as your experience
increases.

****** I can't believe I'm recommending a Honda.

--
Alex
BMW R1150GS
DIAABTCOD#3 MSWF#4 UKRMFBC#6 Ibw#35 BOB#8
http://www.team-ukrm.co.uk
Windy's "little soldier"

 

You're old.

 

I haven't seen a decent clean CX500 for years.....[/QUOTE]

I've never seen one

 

Thus spake Geoff Berrow unto the assembled multitudes:

"Over the side with 'im!"

 

Geoff Berrow

Don't believe everything the ol' fogey mumbles. I never crashed
and I wouldn't call myself a learner anymore, at least not in
the context TOG's talking about.

What does the milkman ride?