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I am 5'6" and not sure that would be any good for me. I struggle a little on a cbr600. You really need to try it first. Plus if she has just passed direct access, still a little wobbly?? :dunno:
but she really should test ride first. Derek was saying that its not the best bike for a beginner, no offence Manic, but its now the start of your learning, I am jealous, wish I could start again, but I think I am an accident waiting to happen!!!
Mond did you reply to the thread about what you should declare to your insurance company?????? :dunno:
I bought some waterproofs tonight from a shop in Chelmsford and sitting outside was a RF600 for sale. The guy in the shop let me have a sit on it and it fits me perfect :yo:
The lady who I'm buying the bike of is an inch smaller than me lol.
I'll let u know what the ride back from Bristol is like :beer:
i am currently looking for a bike for my mate who is taking his direct acess in july. ive narrowed it down to a 600 bandit, 600 fazer, 600 hornet, sv 650 or a cbr 600 fv/fw. i want him to stick to something relatively small and not so powerful for a couple of years. it will have to be fairly early bikes as he's limited to around 2-2 1/2 grand.
cbr might be a bit much for a first bike. i had a bandit 600 - great engine and gearbox. finish is a well known weakness - is your friend prepared to look after it? same prob with fazer and sv.
all seem to suffer with poor finish except hornet - though you pay for it. guess it depends how anal about cleaning your mate is.:dunno:
RODS
i bought a new cbr 600 fv as my first bike in 97, it was very easy to ride at any pace and a great first bike (i thought). i think any of the older 600's should be docile enough for a novice and he is old enough to be sensible enough on it. its a difficult choice but he looks to me for advise (poor sod) and he will be taking a pillion when he's got the confidence and a bit of experience.
mal i'm sure the cbr600 is a good first bike for those responsible enough! - i had a mate who dropped his on his first day with it though - hence my words of caution. if you've had good experience with it then you should naturally pass this on to your mate. what was the cbr like for pillions? my mates sv is very good (according to him and his girl - who isn't petite if you know what i mean), and the pillions i took on my bandit liked it, though the bandit's handling was badly affected by carrying passengers. don't know much about fazer or hornet - sorry. good luck with the hunt though!
for those interested of course. i bought a SV 650 for my mate. a very clean 2001 model in bright red. paid 2500 quid for it which was slightly high but as its just been serviced, mot'd and a new set of tyres i recon that has saved him 3-400 quid. the bike is absolutely immaculate with a colour matched hugger, fly screen and belly pan. i will be trailering the bike up to kings lynn tomorrow after work. hope he likes it then he can give me my 2 1/2 grand back.