I'm in Love with the Thruxton 900 but before I go ahead and get my dream bike, we all have to start somewhere. My starting point was a few months back when I went to a motorbike shop and fell in love with that machine from the very first time. Taking my time a little and not wanting to rush into anything here in lies my question. What would be an ideal bike to learn on if I wanted to progress onto the Triumph? I know I could do my training and test on any bike but which learner bike has a similar seating position to what the end goal is? I'd rather invest in something that I knew would be leading me onto something I do want than throw money away on something a little flippant. Any help and/or advice would be most appreciated and thank you so much in the meanwhile.
I wouldn't worry about which bike to get. Go do your CBT and decide it is for you or not. Then it's a decision whether to get a 125 or just do lessons and get a full licence. This also depends on your age, whether you have to be restricted or can go straight to a full licence. There's not really a learner bike like a Bonneville or Thruxton, but not really that important. If you love biking, you'll love whatever bike you own. Go find someone that does the CBT, and start from there.
Hi, I echo the advice from Mr Orange... choose a first bike that you like. I had less choice when I started, but have ended up with a Scrambler having started with a Honda C70. It has an upright riding position and two wheels, but that's where the similarities end! It got me started though, and I had a lot of fun... not least riding into snow drifts to launch the front end off the fairing! Just like this one...
Same as the above advice - go for what you really want. There is no real equivalent to a Bonnie or Thruxton to learn on. Best do the CBT and then ride around on a 125 for a while, get some miles under your belt to get used to riding rather than worry about which bike.
Hi Malibu Steve and welcome to the Triumph Asylum. You want to end up with a Triumph - that's the best decision you'll ever make. How do you get there? there are a number of steps with a brief explanation: 1. First take you CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) You would do this via a training firm on their vehicle usually. You have to pass this before being allowed out onto the roads. 2. Once you've got your CBT pass and with your provisional bike license you can buy yourself a bike up to 125cc and go out practising. However there are option at this stage depending on a number of factors, age being one of them: A. Go forward on your own with a 125cc bike and pass your test on it. With this license you will be limited to what power bike you bike for a period of - if my memory serves me correctly - 2 years B. Or you go to a training firm and follow the "Direct Access" route. Via this route you will be using their bike (up to 500cc and 33bhp) and when you pass your test - depending on your age - you will be able to go straight to your dream bike - the Magnificent Triumph Thruxton - in red of course as that is the fastest colour !!!!! NB Check the above points details as I'm no longer in the UK so might be a little out of date, but hopefully you get the basic idea. Get yourself the up to date info; get you CBT booked and just jump in -you'll love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ah yes 39. So you could take your test on a Truxton. BUT everyone I know who has ridden a bike has fallen off at some point, EVERYONE. So it would be a shame to do that on a Thruxton. So my advice would be to look at a second hand, low mileage 600cc Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha etc and use that to get your licence. Make sure it's over 595cc. Have a look at Auto trader, there will be plenty of bikes of say 5 years old with less than 5,000 miles on the clock on there going for a song. You will not loose much if you sell it a year later in good condition. Pass your test and ride it for 12 months at the end of which go for your advanced Test with the IAM. Then get your Truxton. By that time the euphoria will have died down and you should get a discount. It proberbly worth looking at comparethemarket.com to see what insurance will cost you on your first bike as it can vary widely.
Thank you for your advice and being the first to respond. Going to get something booked within the next month or so and take it from there. Grateful for your words of wisdom and will indeed keep you posted.
Grateful for echoing what Mr.Orange said and have to admit, with so much choice out there it's a case of trying to find some diamonds in the rough or simply those rough diamonds. Will indeed have fun! Thank you.
Absolute genius advice and all in black and white...can't thank you enough for putting the effort in. I basically need to stop procrastinating, bite the bullet and go for something and simply have to take the plunge. I have a couple of little ones and no one in my family rides a motorbike so I'll be the first. Just want to be sensible about the whole thing but have been toying with the idea for years. Watch this Space and thank you so much Dave.
Haha...cheers Crispey but can honestly say that I was born the year Elvis died and Star Wars first came out in the cinema's. I'm also old enough to remember Tiswas, World of Sport, Dickie Davies and Metal Mickey! Clearly my favourite day of the week as a child was Saturdays!
Rooster, you too are a God! Thank you so much for your words of wisdom! May be in touch to ask about decent insurance companies and those to avoid like the plague.
Appreciate your kind words Tigcraft! Got to keep positive but sensible about some of the finer things in life.