Anybody else got a bike??

small bike and 6ft2 don't really work.... :shock:

Had trouble with my U turn today as my legs got tangled up with the handlebars!I had to stick my knee out first,then turn!,then couldn't press the brake because my foot was twisted...must have looked pretty comical!

You will find the same as me Tiff (also 6'2"). most of the bikes I fancied were physically too small. Seriously recomend trying all styles before buying. I had a short list of 10 but found the big bandit was the best fit. perciver with the john cleese ministry of silly walks look. Its worth it in the long run.

I've narrowed it down to 4 so far...

BMW F650 Funduro (or Aprilla Pegaso)
Honda Transalp
Honda VFR 750
Kwak ZZR 600

Keep it to about 60 horses to start with. Ive known too many who have used the direct access route then hop-ed onto 100+ horses and scared the sticky stuff out of themselves. Including one who went from the restricted 33 hp 500cc trainer for the test to 150hp zzr1200, and yes he did all the silly things mentioned earlier, cost him a furtune in body work repairs.
The ladies all shaking thier heads while saying "male menopause/ ego boost/ midlife crisis.. etc! "

Remember Tiff, don't lose your head over your passion :shock:

No,I don't intend to Ewen.I'm a bit older and wiser (I hope) than the last time I had bikes..

I have already lost a few knuckles,some hair and a good few of my favorite T-shirts because of my love for Exxies though!

Haha I know I've got too many toys Tiff - I bought a nice Alfa 155 sportpak on a complete whim a few weeks ago! but I really fancy a bike to top off the fleet....

CBT booked for next Wednesday!

Not sure what bike to get though guys, anyone got any suggestions? I'm a lithe 5'9" so I dont think being too big for a bike will be an issue for me... I don't want anything too large both physically/CC wise - big touring bikes aren't my cup of tea... and certainly not ready yet (if ever!) for a R1 / GSXR etc. I was thinking maybe a Aprilia RS 125/250 or a Honda CBR 125 or similar just to use and get in lots of practise once ive done my CBT to see if biking really is for me....

Cheers,
Jim.

Jim, I have had a few 125's,and my favorite was probably my Honda NS125F,although the later ones had a full fairing.felt like a big bike! I was advised against buying a 125,as my instructor said he has seen this many times,and the pupils are back is a short time,as they want more!!!! A good starter bike would be a Kawasaki GPZ500s, I really like these,but a bit too cramped for me. A decent one is the same or a bit cheaper than a 125 too...

Whoo hoo passed my CBT easy! - really have got the biking bug now, can't wait to get my bike now! Will probably go for a 125 and just take my time till I'm really competent before I go for the full thing... maybe an X1/9 club "ride-out" for the biking-X1/9 splinter group will have to be organised!

An X1/9 bike meet, now that's diversity! I am pretty sure that driving around London for a few months will give you plenty of experience but I am not sure whether getting knocked about by Black cabs will increase your confidence or knock it!

Tiff's Instructor was right, you would very quickly get bored with a 125 as even the 'big bike' looking ones are quite small and definitely underpowered. I would recommend you go for something between 250cc and 500cc (anything above 250cc would have to be restricted to 33bhp to ride as a learner, which as you have just passed the CBT I assume you are). My CBX250, with 33bhp, will out-accelerate the average car and can cruise at 70mph because it's the power-to-weight that matters. You will also find that as anyone under 21 must stick with a 125cc until they pass their test (or reach 21) the prices of these are higher than the larger cc 'learner' bikes so you will get more for your money in that sense too.

Whatever you get, enjoy!!!

I wonder whether we'd get more people turning up to an X1/9-bike meet that we do to the actual X1/9 events ?!

Nowadays you would probably find more people think an X1/9 is a bike!

Jim - dont be put off going for a 125 - I`ve had several Hondas over the years - 3 CG125`s a couple of CB`s - all 4 stroke - and (faster) 2 strokes
(a puch 150 and a suzuki b100 amongst others) and found all suitable for city / urban riding. (I still have a bantam 175 (one of the last) and a fairly rare Yamaha YB80 in my shed, both awaiting restoration.) I think its wise to start off small and work up as you gain experience/ confidence. That way you wont scare yourself out of the bike bug, or worse, injure or kill yourself, as all too frequently happens- especially with teens - (which is one reason why they changed all the classifications a few years or so ago) A modern 125 will still out -accelerate most cars, and do up to about 60-80 mph- depending on the bike. Plus they hold re-sale value better than a lot of bigger bikes. Depends , I suppose why you want a bike - my own motivation over many years has been because I have found that its cheaper to run a bike AND a car, than to run a car alone, because despite the additional costs of a bike, the money is saved in petrol by using it over the car. Plus of course a bike is handy when you dont have a car on the road.
As someone who hates public transport , would also recommend a push - bike for when both motor bike(s) AND motor cars(s) are not n use - ahem!!! :oops: :oops:

I've got two Dawes and a Lemond, but then you lot are on about motorized bicycles aren't you? Am I the only one with a liking for lycra?

I tell you what, if you spend most of your time on a push-bike, it really does make you appreciate how fast an X1/9 is.