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Motorcycle recommendation?

 
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How did you find the tests? The theory was total nonsense IMO, the manoeuvres test was the toughest I'd say, and the on road test was just a nice waft around town for 40 minutes. I had never ridden a bike of any sort before starting out on lessons so was all very new and unusual but now feels great.

Do you have a bike in mind? I have a 15 mile journey to work on a dual carriageway so a Vespa wouldn't really be ideal for that, so I'm looking for something comfortable and nimble that won't try and kill me. Just need to hit some bike shops and see what they've got that I like.
 
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Tim Cooke wrote:How did you find the tests? The theory was total nonsense IMO...


For the theory bought some iOS app for 2 quid, went through it couple of times and test went really well, did 1 mistake. In UK theory test is kind of common sense thingy, that's not the case for instance in where I born, as an example there you get questions like: here is junction, and 4 cars, some of them want to turn right, some left, some go straight, and... which cars can turn left first, which can go straight first, etc..., so really need more concentration not to mess up things.

Well, Mod 1 and Mod 2 both did on the same day, in 30 mins difference. Wanted to save some money, but at the same time was risking to lose more. If I've failed Mod 1, wouldn't have been allowed to take Mod 2. But during the practice sessions with instructor, he said Mod 1 I would have done from the first time without any practice - for me these kind of things (handling motorbike) goes very naturally, so found easy. Mod 2 to be honest wasn't that confident (differently than you) due to all these traffic signs and so on, but all went really well too, instructor however forgave me some mistakes I think, which I'm sure I did, but probably these weren't that major, otherwise would have failed me. Mod 2 is treated quite strictly in my opinion, isn't it?

Tim Cooke wrote:Do you have a bike in mind?


In roughly 1 year time changed my opinion about the bike several times already. Been period when every single night watched youtube and researched internet about the bikes what to get... You know that kid's feeling when really want something...

Nevertheless, I quite felt in love with the bike I took test on. Honda CB650F 4 inline cylinders engine. It isn't the bike which might impress girls by its look, but I should not think that way anyway, at least my wife i'm pretty sure would agree with me on that Went to dealer actually already about 2 or so weeks ago to have a look, but Honda stopped manufacturing of this model, so in early Jan of 2019 the replacement model will be in shops, CB650R, so I like that one too a lot - but worried about the price tag, which possibly will be way more than I want (actually more of "could") spend. So really am confused. Honda's insurance is way cheaper (~ 3 times, for the reason they are not being stolen that much as not that popular) in London than for instance Kawasaki's or Yamaha's equivalent bikes.

Tim Cooke wrote:I have a 15 mile journey to work on a dual carriageway so a Vespa wouldn't really be ideal for that


Yeah, only within city, otherwise wind easily could blow you away.

 
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Well done, now you can start to learn how to actually ride  Twenty five years since I passed my test, I'm still trying to work this out myself!    

I'll recommend the i2i Motorcycle Academy, from what little I recall the test was more concerned about riding a small motorbike around town.  They did not really teach you how a motorbike actually works or how to go around corners - which is really what sports bikes are all about.  Here's a you tube video I2i you tube.  

If you unlucky enough to have to ride in a large city like London (   ) then the barron has some good filtering advise Barron Von Grumble - How I Filter .
 
Liutauras Vilda
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Tim, do I read this correctly, does Peter just called us motorbike rookies?
 
Tim Cooke
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Peter Rooke wrote:Well done, now you can start to learn how to actually ride


Funny that's exactly what my instructor said to me when we got back from the test centre.

Cheers for the recommendation, I'll definitely be looking for something to help me get better at all the stuff they don't cover in the test, which as you say is just mooching about town for half an hour and briefly hitting 50 mph on a straight bit of dual carriage way. The journey begins
 
Liutauras Vilda
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Liutauras Vilda wrote:Tim, do I read this correctly, does Peter just called us motorbike rookies?


Which is fine, as we are
 
Peter Rooke
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Aye I think we all are, but I've got the name and I'm still learning!  
One thing I've learned is to avoid being dragged into riding faster than your able or taking daft chances when riding within a group.

Any Japanese 600 would be a good starter bike; MT, SV, Hornet, Bandit, Z, CBF, Fazer.  For style a monster, or to be a hooligan a KTM.  
Personally I'm seriously considering a second bike for next summer, either a KTM Duke or MT-10.    
 
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Guys congrats for who enter in that awesome MB world i had not time to read all thread but
@Liutaras Honda traditionally is a brand like Mercedes BMW ecc so is costly respect other japs and i find strange assurance is cheaper than other japs because Honda's are more requested in the market than other brands

If you have no experience i propose you to go with a two cilinder (better in V architecture) than a 4 cilinders machine because  2 cilinders machines have more torque and hence are a  better in their managing/ride


PS: i'm a (SS) biker for life so feel free to question what you want
 
Harry Kar
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Tim Cooke wrote:I had never ridden a bike of any sort before starting out on lessons so was all very new and unusual but now feels great.



Apart lessons(the best lessons come after probably in a track and some frends that can teach you how things work in reality) Tim especially in the very first times(and also after) in open road  you have to be very very careful

Do you have a bike in mind? I have a 15 mile journey to work on a dual carriageway so a Vespa wouldn't really be ideal for that,


Vespa is a scooter not a bike two very different things

... that won't try and kill me



A bike(especially nowadays) no try to kill you ever ; surely  the biker is responsible for everything can happen so is important an appropriate technical education before go on open roads  
 
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Peter Rooke wrote:or to be a hooligan a KTM.



Hey!  ðŸ˜¡

Yeah, to be fair, I can be a hooligan...  These days I just don't get the chance.  I'm barely out of second gear.
 
Harry Kar
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That one it is a free book, no copyright or anything, created by the Norwegian Motorcyclist Union, an interest group doing everything from track days to safety information. And they even translated it in english divulge very well Full control

By the way for who is really passionate (and  also interesting in physics/engineering)  Motorcycle Dynamics by Vittore Cossalter is highly recommended
Take a look also at
Bicycle Mechanics and Dynamics - Papers
and in links you can find interesting here
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Motorcycle+Dynamics+researsh+papers&t=ffnt&ia=web
 
Peter Rooke
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I've been seriously considering a (KTM) SuperDuke; and if I do I'll try to not be a hooligan, but well you know!

Maybe it's a bit too early for you @Tim but the IAM offer Advanced Motorbike Course for only 150 quid (plus your instructors petrol).  

I also believe in the line "Loud pipes, save lives" - not everyone agrees  Truth is that sometimes drivers don't pay enough attention and may not see you, but if your bikes exhaust is loud then they may hear you and then see you.  
 
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Peter Rooke wrote:. . . if your bikes exhaust is loud then they may hear you and then see you.  

The opposite is certainly true on a pushbike. People don't stop, don't look and only listen. They are surprised when you miss them by 6″ in the middle of the street even after shouting, “Helllo!” at them.
 
Harry Kar
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Peter Rooke wrote:I've been seriously considering a (KTM) SuperDuke; and if I do I'll try to not be a hooligan, but well you know!



Awesome machine but maybe not for all (let's call that race ignorant)

 

I also believe in the line "Loud pipes, save lives" - not everyone agrees  Truth is that sometimes drivers don't pay enough attention and may not see you, but if your bikes exhaust is loud then they may hear you and then see you.  



Al expedients can be ok but...alas the(open) road is always dangerous mostly because of others(drivers carelessness)
 
Liutauras Vilda
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During the lockdown was looking for some new things to experience and thought will get from a dealer some bike to try out. End up getting one.
Done some riding with it, a little over the month, and now it has a bit more than 1000 miles on a clock, so far it is a very raw experience which I do like.

Yes, it is underpowered comparing to most other bikes, especially noticeable after I test rode a few serious sport machines, but it has its own fun factors.

Does anyone else enjoy two wheels more than ever before during these times?
D2877B10-C16A-466B-B128-C58BF925066F.jpeg
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Tim Cooke
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That looks super shiny and new Liutauras, mind you don't drop it. Or park it where you shouldn't.

I started this thread quite some time ago and have now noticed that I never returned to it. I bought a bike in January last year, a 2004 Honda 650 Transalp, it's super comfortable and I can see over the top of most cars because it's quite a tall riding position which is perfect for commuting. Plus it does 150 miles on a tank.

Mine is the black one on the left.


Thanks for all the comments and recommendations, they were really helpful when choosing what to buy.
 
Liutauras Vilda
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Spent some time with my psychoterapeut today.
47D5D1D2-B092-4DCA-9881-9D57971481FA.jpeg
[Thumbnail for 47D5D1D2-B092-4DCA-9881-9D57971481FA.jpeg]
 
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Motorbikes... Lately I see people riding all kinds of weird things. E-bikes, motorized scooters (like the scooter you might have had when you were an eight-year old except with a motor), electric unicycles, mostly in the bike lanes where they exist. It makes the "flying cars" idea look totally old-fashioned.
 
Tim Cooke
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Liu, you have a new bike every time I see you. The last time it was a green 400 ninja wasn't it? I remember thinking it looked like a tiny child size bike, but then I suppose "sports" bikes are all a bit like that. I still have the same '04 Transalp but am receiving increasing displeasure from the wife about riding it so is likely to be sold in the near future.
 
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Liutauras Vilda wrote:Spent some time with my psychoterapeut today.

That picture looks like an advert. You only need to remove the speed humps

. . . mostly in the bike lanes where they exist. . . .

Not round here, they don't.
 
Liutauras Vilda
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Paul Clapham wrote:Lately I see people riding all kinds of weird things. E-bikes, motorized scooters (like the scooter you might have had when you were an eight-year old except with a motor), electric unicycles, mostly in the bike lanes where they exist.


Indeed. And where things heading to is quite electric. Not sure how in US, but here in UK, government made a statement, end of sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, which is less than 7 years left, not far.

A private market perhaps still would circulate for another decade, unless they'd tax those vehicles significantly higher.
 
Liutauras Vilda
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Tim Cooke wrote:Liu, you have a new bike every time I see you. The last time it was a green 400 ninja wasn't it?


Well, it never was an intention, rather a coincident. Yes, last time we met it was, but then it was a long ago, so it was another after that, but that gone too (think coincident again). Given it was a while ago, you should let me know when you next time come to your coursemates meet.

Tim Cooke wrote:I still have the same '04 Transalp but am receiving increasing displeasure from the wife about riding it so is likely to be sold in the near future.


I remember you were commuting to work with it. But now probably it is less relevant as I presume you are not so much in the office.

 
Liutauras Vilda
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Campbell Ritchie wrote:That picture looks like an advert.


You'd be more interested to see what they've done with Battersea power station. It is significantly different from what you remember I presume when you were more present in London decades back.
 
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