Hello, new biker!
Congratulations on successfully negotiating the mental and physical assault course necessary to achieve your A1, A2 or A licence! You may have wobbled a bit during your CBT and endured a headache during your theory test. There's also a strong chance you'll never want to see a traffic cone again after your module 1 exam, but you've made it. You're now a fully-fledged biker, and the wonderful world of motorcycling opens up before you like the B660 on a warm summer morning. All you need now is a bike.
Typically, there are two types of response when a new rider asks an experienced rider for guidance regarding a first bike:
- "Get something with no more power than a lawnmower, and make sure it's ancient and cheap because you're definitely going to crash it!"
- "Nothing wrong with an R1M for a first bike. The throttle goes both ways, you know!"
Neither is a helpful response, and the truth is probably somewhere between the two. The first statement, whilst it's statistically more likely you'll experience some kind of off during your first couple of years, is by no means a guarantee. If you take a sensible approach to your riding and do your best to maintain awareness of your surroundings, there's no reason why you can't enjoy many years of incident-free riding. It's a learning process, and your skills will develop with time and experience. Please don't feel like you have to potter around on a battered, crusty bike with the power of a Moulinex blender.
The second statement is equally unhelpful. While it's true that the throttle goes both ways, a top-tier sports bike is probably not the best choice for your first steps in motorcycling. If you've been learning to ride on a soft and compliant naked bike, and then jump straight onto a current Fireblade, it's going to feel alien in the worst possible way. The sharpness of the handling, the way it tips into corners, and the way you need to grab it by the scruff-of-the-neck to make it work properly are not what you want to be getting to grips with the day after hopping off a battle-scarred ER6. If you've never eaten curry before and enjoyed guzzling a korma for your first experience, you probably shouldn't order a vindaloo for your next one. I'm not saying you should only nibble poppadoms for the rest of your life but come on, try a bhuna first, perhaps?
The Choice
The good news is that we're living in an age where buying a 'bad' bike is difficult. The choice is such that no matter your preference, you'll be able to find reliable, well-made bikes in almost any style. Whether you have an A1, A2 or full category-A licence, the options are mind-boggling and can take some time to get your head around. The first important point is that nobody will judge you for your choice. If you pull up to a bike meet on a 125, you won't have Panigale owners sneering at you. Motorcycling is a broad and welcoming church - we're just glad you're on two wheels, brother!
When considering what bike to buy, one of the most important considerations is that you actually like it. It seems like such an obvious point, but it's easy to overlook. If you've had your heart set on an adventure bike and friends coerce you into buying a cruiser, you won't enjoy it once the novelty of a new toy has worn off. Similarly, if you went through the hassle of getting a licence because you were desperate for a sports bike, a retro or classic probably won't cut it. If you can't walk away from your bike without turning to look at it, you've bought the wrong bike.
You may also want to consider the dimensions and ergonomics of the bike you're thinking about. If you're particularly short or tall, some bikes will feel more intimidating. Adventure bikes, for example, tend to have a higher seat compared to other styles of bike, which can make shorter riders feel a little uneasy. Modern sports bikes are tiny little machines, seemingly becoming more compact each year, and are most likely an ergonomic nightmare if you have the build of an NBA player. It's not necessarily a barrier, though. I ride an Africa Twin, and my legs could give Toulouse-Lautrec a run for his money.
Your best bet is to visit a few dealers and see which bikes feel comfortable. Most dealers are fairly accommodating with new riders, so test rides shouldn't be much of a problem (although you may be required to sign an agreement that says you'll cover the first few thousand pounds of any damage). When you're out on the test ride and getting to grips with the bike, it may be easy to get carried away with the excitement of it all and buy the bike the second you return. Don't do it! Try a few, and I promise one of them will stand out more than the others. You may not be able to assess it on its dynamic abilities, but you'll be able to place value on the enjoyment, comfort and features. Take a night to sleep on it - the dealer will still be there the next day.
The bikes
There are pros and cons associated with each category of bike. Here's a quick guide as to what you can expect, but keep in mind that we're all different shapes and sizes so keep in mind that you really need to go and try these bikes out to find something that works for you:
Sports
The hardcore, uncompromising racetrack refugees. Sports bikes tend to be firmer and more focused than the other bikes on this list. They're designed to go around circuits as quickly as possible, with little thought given to road manners. Smaller sports bikes tend to be more comfortable than the 1,000cc bad boys, and there are plenty out there for beginners. If you've ever wanted to wear offensively bright one-piece leathers and a Rossi replica helmet, this is the style of bike you need to be looking at.
Pros: Racer looks. One-piece leathers don't look out of place. Fun.
Cons: Larger capacities aren't ideal for beginners. Uncomfortable for long rides. Insurance is high for new riders.
Example Bikes (A): Honda CBR650R, Yamaha R7, Kawasaki Ninja 650
Example Bikes (A2): Honda CB500R, Yamaha R3, Kawasaki Ninja 400
Sports Tourer
If you want something that's quick and comfortable, you might want to consider a sports tourer. If a sports bike and a tourer got together for an unforgettable night of passion and ended up creating a baby, a sports tourer would be the offspring. Practical enough for touring across Europe but sharp enough to provide some thrills in the twisty bits. They're also a good option if you need to take a passenger, as they'll thank you for the extra comfort.
The sports tourer is a jack of most trades. They may not be as sharp is a full-on sports bike and they may not be as comfortable as a tourer, but they do a good enough job of combining the two.
Pros: Comfort. Practicality. Good for passengers.
Cons: They can be too much of a compromise as neither a sports bike or a tourer.
Example Bikes: Yamaha Tracer 700, Suzuki GSX650F, BMW F800GT
Cruiser
For a more relaxed pace and riding position, you can sit back, put your feet up and get a cruiser. Great if you want to kick back and if you're not obsessed about getting your knee down on every roundabout. I'm not sure the A14 has the same appeal as Route 66, but hey, a cruise is a cruise, right?
The low seat and low centre of gravity make for easy balancing, and you won't be worried about whether or not you can get your feet on the ground when stopping at traffic lights and junctions.
Pros: Low seat. Easy to ride. Tend to be cheap to insure.
Cons: Riding position isn't comfortable for everyone. Handling not always fantastic.
Example Bikes: Kawasaki Vulcan S
Retro/Classic
I remember when this was all fields, you know. If you want the look and feel of a bit of nostalgia but with the reliability of a modern bike, a retro (or classic) is where you need to look. It's the kind of bike that makes everyone smile when they see one, and they tend to be very user-friendly. Not a bad choice for a beginner.
There's an almost universal appreciation of retros and classics, possibly because of their inoffensive looks and ability to invoke nostalgia. Chances of being on the receiving end of road rage whilst riding a retro are probably slim.
Pros: Loved by all. Comfortable. Look fantastic.
Cons: Can sometimes miss out on modern tech. Rarely the last word in performance.
Example Bikes: Kawasaki Z650 RS, Honda CMX500 Rebel
Naked
These days, naked bikes are typically just sports bikes without the fairings and with a slightly detuned engine. If you don't want to look like you've lost your way to a track day or you find insurance quotes for anything with an 'R' in its name are too expensive, a naked might be a sensible choice. They're the ultimate all-rounder and usually offer a great mix of comfort, performance, practicality and technology.
Pros: Comfortable. Handle well. Decent performance. Reasonably priced. Fun.
Cons: As with sports tourers, they tend to be a jack of all trades and masters of none. Lack of fairings can make them less appealing at higher speeds.
Example Bikes: Yamaha MT07, Suzuki SV650, Honda CB500F
Dual Sport
Where an adventure bike gives a bias towards road riding with the ability to ride off-road, the dual sport provides the opposite. If you plan on riding lots of green lanes and byways with a bit of road riding, a dual sport might be the right choice for you. They're easy to handle and typically come fitted with more aggressive tyres designed for cutting their way through mud and dirt.
Pros: Easy to ride. Lightweight. Reasonably priced. Lots of fun.
Cons: Tyres not always a pleasure on wet roads. More comfortable bikes for road riding.
Example Bikes: Honda CRF300L
Adventure
If you want to ride almost anywhere regardless of the conditions, consider an adventure bike. Flexible enough to offer long-distance cruising whilst carrying huge amounts of luggage, whilst also offering plenty of fun in the twisty bits, with the added bonus of being able to honk through mud and grass on byways. When the inevitable zombie apocalypse happens, I'll be on an adventure bike.
If you're particularly short-legged, it's possible you may struggle with some of the taller adventure bikes but like everything else on this list, it's best to try before you buy.
Pros: Go anywhere. Carry plenty of luggage. Commanding riding position. Might look like Ewan McGregor.
Cons: Their height and weight can make them tricky for some people to handle. Expensive. Might look like Ewan McGregor.
Example Bikes: Suzuki V-Strom 650, Yamaha Tenere 700, BMW F750 GS
Tourer
If comfort is king and you want to complete a ride down to southern Europe without feeling like you've been sent there via DHL, a full-on tourer could be the answer. Tourers are all about comfort and speed. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class of the bike world. Good for riders, good for passengers and great for luggage. Sit back and relax with your heated grips, and cruise control, listening to your banging tunes as you devour the miles.
Pros: Extremely comfortable. Lots of technology. Great for passengers.
Cons: Heavy. Not the last word in dynamic ability. Expensive. Not a huge amount of options for beginners.
Example Bikes: Honda NT1100, Kawasaki Versys 650 (maybe)
So there you have it. A completely unhelpful guide for deciding on your first bike. The reason it's unhelpful is that there's so much choice when it comes to bikes, and so many different wants and needs from riders. The only piece of advice I'll stand by is to find a bike you love. If you have a bike you love, you'll want to ride it. If you want to ride it, you'll gain more experience, and over the years, you'll be able to refine your tastes based on your wants and needs. Sure, you can listen to advice from seasoned riders but don't let anyone tell you what you should and shouldn't ride. Especially me.
