What Should Be My First Bike?

Lots of advice for you here, @Funnyfarm makes an excellent point on pricing.

 

With a 8k budget, why not split it? Buy one bike for around 4k, see how you get on with it for a few months, if you like it great, then keep it and buy another bike with the other 4k There are loads of great, low mileage, and very capable bikes available for under 4k.

 

As long as you don't know yet how passionate you are about riding, how you will like it.... I wouldn't spend too much. Buy a decent second hand and invest in good clothing. Sit on as many bikes as you can to determinate your most liked position (upright, leaning forward, laid back or (café)racer-style… There are plenty of bikes for sale so don't spend all of your money on a first bike, keep in mind that you may get bored with it after a year or so..

 

I concur with the dropping and accident occurrences which I have definitely had. Which is why buying a somewhat used might be a good way to go for your first bike. Get it pre-scratched! Definitely stay in the 600cc range as well, but you'll find this out test riding.

 

Too right mate, would have had enough to buy a new Shoei helmet and my Tuono with £4k.
Bought 2 years ago, could sell now for close to what I paid.

 

A 125 will L plates will do for a first bike?

 

Yep, every one should go out and get one

note - other than a back brake that is little more than decorative, been faultless

 

My two cents to anyone with little or no riding experience is to get a small displacement dual sport or dirt bike and learn to ride off road, at least for a few months. You will learn so much more about traction, braking, weight transfer, etc from dirt riding than you will in years of street riding. The low cost of the bike, low speeds involved and the forgiving softness of earth instead of pavement should you fall are also things to consider.

 

If that's true, then I am doing it right. Ha ha. Can't wait to get on a sport bike now.

 

I am firmly in the camp of those who recommend valuable experience inexpensively bought. A well cared for 10-15yr old Bonnie will give you all the fun at less than half the price, is easy to pass on and will let you know your heart without making an expensive mistake.

 

If you want a smile machine its got to be a Street Triple 765. Miles of smiles guaranteed

but I am biased...

actually be better to do as others have said - buy a cheapo that you can gain experience on. The SV650 that has been mentioned in this thread would be ideal. I would say go for the naked rather than the faired version. I had the SV650S as a first bike and tbh I struggled with turning it as I didn’t yet have the knowhow and experience to do it justice. Naked is much easier to handle.

 

As said many times, Buy a cheap first bike to learn and make your mistakes on, everyone makes mistakes and misjudgements its all part of your riding experience, but look around you will be surprised what's out there, have fun looking.

 

Well Jon being honest to come up to stratch with most folk on here I would suggest you need to start with a massive full english breakfast every morning followed later with a reet big dinner followed by pudding and custard, in a year or two that will pay dividends when you meet up with us all.

 

Something like this?

https://www.gumtree.com/p/triumph-motorbikes/triumph-bonneville-t100-2007/1372291370

Haggle!

 

Air cooled EFI 865cc Bonneville! 4k ISH.......

 

If you take your time looking, you can find great Bonnevilles (T100, 865, 790) that have mainly been cosseted garage queens, so are in superb condition with very low mileage, at reasonable prices (like Callumitys' example above).

 

What a coincidence, I am now 5'11" down 3/4" with age related disc compression! However, I do not weigh 154 lbs, sadly. That said, the power to weight ratios of motorcycles, even smaller displacement ones, is usually enough to propel any human at a reasonable speed compared to an automobile.

 

Jon15
I think you have your mind set on a Bonnie already. Friendly easy to ride handles really well. Try the street twin great bike and with the right exhausts it pleases the ear. Someone on here said about the 865 earlier Bonnie yes I totally agree as I have one plus the new Bonnie but I still love the 865 it inspires confidence in the way it handles and that note with the Dunstall exhausts really pleases me and I can't stop smiling. Someone also said about the 675 street triple what a bike and attitude all of it's own. It is easy to ride slow or fast very fast but take it easy till you get to know the bike. The 675 handles supremely and corners so well and is so sure footed you just feel part of the machine. One very important thing about the 675 check the tyres any squaring of the tyre centres change straight away as it changes the bike's handling straight away.. And you feel you need a buddy to ride with then ask the inmates here to meet you and ride with you till you get the confidence to make it on your own. Plenty of peeps here need little favours like storage and I am sure you with your Farm could repay the favours in that way.
Regards
Joe.

 

The three bikes you mentioned at the start are essentially the same bike with different styling/set ups. The main difference, as mentioned, is the riding position and your preference for style of bike. I don't see why you couldn't start with any of them, it depends what you want out of the bike and how much you are happy to spend on the bike and future maintenance / repair costs. I got a 2018 Street Twin as my return to biking bike on a great deal as an end of run pre-registions. The only comment I have is that they are relatively heavy bikes to push around, wish they were more Street Triple weight, that would be perfect.