Motorcycle Training Forum

[Barefoot]

...I'm wondering what bike people would suggest I started looking out for.

I intend to do a week long intensive training course (as soon as the weather gets a bit warmer - I see no point is suffering more than I have to!). My experience is mainly on small British bikes (I learned to ride on a BSA Bantam) and then rode combos of various sorts for about seven years. This was followed by a brief spell on a Yamaha 125 about fifteen years ago. I'd like to look out for a bike in the next few months but don't know where to start. To be honest, they all look the same to me and I haven't got a clue!

I have to drive 200 miles from the midlands down to Brighton fairly regularly so I am more interested in long distance riding than short journeys round town - where I live it is easier to walk. I'd like a fair bit of weather protection if that were possible because I'm old and creaky but most of all I want reliability. I wouldn't mind another combo as it would give me somewhere dry to stick my kit for work.

Anyone got any thoughts?

Barefoot

[rjh_786Bn]

You would not go wrong with a Honda

Long Distance for comfort and protection I would recommend a Tourer!

Honda Deauville some nice 650 and the new 700.

I ride a Pan now ST1100 Fab for long journey's.

I am sure others will contribute! There are so many bikes out there

[retro]

Hi Barefoot
There's thousands of bikes out there on the market,so theres lots of bargains to be had.My advice is don't rush and buy
the first one you see,its a buyers market. if you have any doubts about a bike ,walk away!! theres plenty more on the market.
If i were you i'd hang on until you've had your lessons,you might just take a likeing for the same bike you take your test on,or something simular.
Have you had a look at the triumph classics,heres a link http://www.triumph.co.uk/uk/11157.aspx

clickhonda

clickYamaha

Biketrader

motorcyclenews




good luck with ya test Barebum

[Barefoot]

The Honda Deauville does look fine and the Triumphs are outstanding. I've also been looking at a new Royal Enfield with a Watson chair - has anyone any experience of how they perform? I suspect they won't match the performance of either the Triumph or the Honda but it is worth the question.

Having looked at the new test I'm not looking forward to it at all. It seems like it will be a whole lot of hard work and I'm only doing this for fun. Still, your prices seem pretty reasonable for a week's training - but what is the success rate? If i'm going to spend that much time and money I'd like to know I had a good chance of getting through.

Oh yes,...and its Mister Barebum to you, Retro! <grin!>

Barefoot

[rjh_786Bn]

Hi Barefoot,

Don't have pass rates to brag about, although have done in the past! Then came the Forum

National average 1st time is 55% I believe, ours would be above 85% if we worked it all out.

The whole objective of the forum, is that interaction between past pupils and current want to be pupils can take place

In this Industry you cannot beat word of mouth and recommendations