Newbie bike help

[walkz]

Hi guys, im finally taking my test and am looking for a suitable 1st bike for myself.

Im not looking to get anything crazy like the latest R6 or anything like that, just something thats suitable for getting use to the road on but with enough poke so that i wont be bored a few months down the line. It would also be nice if its suitable for doing some short touring on.
I suppose im looking for something to last me around a year to see if i really want to stump up the cash for the latest and greatest 600

I seem to be coming back to the same 3 bikes the more i look.

Firstly the cbr600f something around a 99.
PROS: I hear they are a good all round bike, good around town, sporty and also good for touring
Cons; Age, not sure if theres something better for around the same cash

The eR6f.
Pros; from what ive read its the perfect bike for beginners, good around town, looks nice, good for touring
Cons; not sure about its open road capabilities, doesn't seem too sporty

Daytona 650 2004
Pros; i hear the 650 is still a very good sports bike, i absolutely love the look of it even at 9 years old.
Cons; maybe to much for a new rider

Also looked at the GSXR k5 and the zx6r but both look way to mental for me.
Any advice tips ect? Bare in mind im not planning to use it for commuting, just more of a weekend warrior thing

[rotax81]

there are a lot of bikes to suit that lifestyle, however the more sportier the more difficult it is to control until you 'man' up to it.
i would be looking at something like the honda hornet, yamaha faser, earlier zx6's, cbr's etc etc.
 + the er6 is a good bike 

[A82addict]

Don't think you could go wrong with a early 600 fazer, i had a 99 model and i would have another in a minute, they go for decent money £1200 to £1600 Will get you a good one, BIKE mag has a used bike write up on it along with a bandit, hornet and SV600 in this month.

That would be my choice but it depends on your budget, you might be worth a fortune so go buy a Desmo 
Good luck by the way

 

[Biff]

Don't mess about, just go and buy a Gixer thou and have done with it !!

On the serious side, my preference would be the Hornet, good build quality, capable on the corners and fast enough to get you a date in court (feck !!)

[walkz]

Cheers for the replies guys. I should of added im not interested in anything without a fairing.
The only bike unfaired that i would have any interest in is a monster.

Biff
Strangely enough a few people have to me to man the fcuk and just get a K4 gixxer

[Gaz]

I've heard the ER6f is a good bike, but if you like sports bikes I think you would get a bit bored with it fairly quickly. CBR600Fs have a solid reputation for good reason.

Gixxers have a reputation for being peaky high-powered things (the 750 definitely, and the 600 a bit too) - that (usually) translates to less power lower down the rev range so it may not actually be a bad thing for a new biker: little power low down, more power when you have the experience and inclination to use it Just wait for a long straight bit of road before you wind it on the first time

[RichieRotten]

Get something you are nervous and if you are into sports bikes any thing less will bore you quickly.
Your nerves will soon calm down and then you will have some fun.

A decent 600 would be a good start. I like the early ZX6R'S. Good friendly road bikes and some performance as well.

[walkz]

Get something you are nervous and if you are into sports bikes any thing less will bore you quickly.
Your nerves will soon calm down and then you will have some fun.

A decent 600 would be a good start. I like the early ZX6R'S. Good friendly road bikes and some performance as well.

I was considering at TBH.

Only bike ive ever ridden before was a 250kmx off road, mates called me crazy for trying to learn to ride on it but it wasn't that bad after that first ride.

Think im going to go with a cbr600f maybe one of the early fuel injection models. Seen quite a few for under £3k
Just need to get the test done first

[leanittiluloseit]

Get an RVF 400 mate. Still one of my fav bikes I`v ever owned and still cant bring myself to sell it even though I`v had a 900streetfighter, 2 R1`s an 08 R6 and now an RSVR Haga Rep Mille since 
Handling second to none (Its the one in my avatar)

[shooey]

it's always a difficult one this type of question:

I would suggest that you go to a couple of shops and book a few test rides after you've done your test