Beginner Looking For Advice On Learning To Ride And Which Bike!

Discussion in 'Newbies Hangout' started by Jaypan80, Jun 2, 2020.

  1. Tiglet

    Tiglet Vintage Member

    Mar 28, 2016
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    Hello and welcome to the forum :)

    Plenty of good advice being given on here.
     
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  2. Bad Billy

    Bad Billy Baddest Member

    Jun 1, 2017
    6,799
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    Good man, build your skills, ride loads & move up when you're comfortable, but further training will help massively with advancing you skill & confidence, you can always tell when you follow someone who has mastered their road & bike craft, they never look that quick or rushed, until you look down at the speedo, then you realise they are quick but smooth. :cool:

    But sound advise about using a training schools bike, that way you get to try before you buy, if by some outside chance you find biking isn't for you then you haven't spent a load of money on a bike. ;)
     
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  3. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,216
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    Hi and welcome to the forum :cool:
    Plenty of good advice on here already and I would only echo that.
    I had never ridden before but decided (at the age of 55) that it might be a good thing.
    I did the CBT and then bought a Honda CBF125 the next day. I kept it for a year and did over 5000 miles on it in all weathers. You not only learn about riding but also that not all motorcycle gear is waterproof!

    Get one of those (my daughter picked up one on ebay last year for £1050.00 on a 16 plate with only 4000 miles on it.) They seem more common than the equivalent Yamaha or Suzuki and you will always sell it again when the time comes for the same money more or less. Probably best to avoid the cheap but tempting Chinese offering. There are exceptions but generally poor build quality and finish, especially electrics and parts are hard to source and I've heard that some mechanics won't touch them.
     
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  4. Easy Tiger

    Easy Tiger Elite Member

    Jan 2, 2020
    1,577
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    Hi Mate welcome to the forum. All good advice about getting a 125 to learn on. We all learnt our skills on small capacity bikes.
     
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  5. Jaypan80

    Jaypan80 New Member

    Jun 2, 2020
    14
    3
    Newport Pagnell
    Hope everyone is well and enjoy the current nice weather, long may it continue. Thanks for the sound advice guys. All very much appreciated. Finally managed to get a CBT Training slot for the 30th June! The adventure begins! Keep safe, all the best everyone!
     
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  6. dilligaf

    dilligaf Guest

    Good luck mate
     
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  7. MadMrB

    MadMrB Elite Member

    Dec 24, 2018
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    Enjoy it, and good luck!
     
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  8. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,616
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    North West England
    Great news, good luck ....
     
  9. Bad Billy

    Bad Billy Baddest Member

    Jun 1, 2017
    6,799
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    Good news mate, relax & enjoy!

    Oh!, and kiss goodbye to all your money and ever wanting to be doing anything but, riding, working on, cleaning or talking about your bike, ever! :p
     
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  10. Jaypan80

    Jaypan80 New Member

    Jun 2, 2020
    14
    3
    Newport Pagnell
    Hi everyone. Not long until my CBT! And booked my theory! Now this is going to sound like a seriously “novice” question. Me and my brother are both taking our CBT, Theory and eventually or DAS course. I love the Triumph Street Twin 900cc reviews I’m constantly watching/reading about whereas he’s a bit sporty and like the Ducati Monster 821cc. How comes the 900cc Street Twins top speed is 110mph and the 821cc Ducati Monster is 140mph? What am I missing? When the Triumph has a higher displacement? I’m curious as I like my knowledge on these things. Best wishes!! Keep safe!!
     
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  11. MadMrB

    MadMrB Elite Member

    Dec 24, 2018
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    #31 MadMrB, Jun 25, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2020
    The Ducati puts out over twice as much power 112 bhp as opposed to the Street Twin just producing 64 bhp, and the Monster produces 63.4 ft-lb torque with the Street Twin 59 ft-lb.
     
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  12. Jaypan80

    Jaypan80 New Member

    Jun 2, 2020
    14
    3
    Newport Pagnell
    Thank you. So in terms of power/speed one should look at bhp stats instead of cc size? Is that correct?
     
  13. MadMrB

    MadMrB Elite Member

    Dec 24, 2018
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    #33 MadMrB, Jun 25, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2020
    BHP and torque. Someone far more intelligent than me might be able to explain properly, but this link might help: https://www.lazymotorbike.eu/technical/torque/

    Engine size and power isn't everything, to me enjoyment is the primary factor, and there are many factors for me that influence the enjoyment I get out of a bike. Handling, power delivery, and how a bike "fits" you will make a massive difference to how well you can ride any particular bike, and therefore the pleasure gained. But then there are also style and aesthetics, how much you enjoy the looks of your bike, I personally would not be happy with what I considered a f#ck ugly bike even if it were the best handling machine ever produced :)

    You really need to get some test rides in, as many as you can on different bikes. Then hopefiully you will find a bike that "fits" you, and might suprise yourself discovering a bike that you may not be currently considering.
     
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  14. Jaypan80

    Jaypan80 New Member

    Jun 2, 2020
    14
    3
    Newport Pagnell
    #34 Jaypan80, Jun 25, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2020
    Thank you! That is much appreciated! To be clear, there’s no way I’d change my mind on a beautiful bike like the street twin or anything like that. This is purely for understanding how bikes work, differences etc. The question of speed, bhp, cc etc is only so I can gain more insight into the motorcycle world. And your point about how a bike feels is 100% the reason the street twin sounds so appealing. I’m not one for race tracks or hitting crazy speeds, I’m one for country roads and enjoyment. Thank you so much for your response, slowly but surely I’ll get there!
     
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