How to choose your first motorcycle

This is the latest in my series of videos for beginner bikers, this time looking at the thorny subject of which bike to choose once you've passed your test. I hope it's of interest and look forward to hearing from you if you have other views or anything to add to the discussion?

I use the following equipment to record and edit my VLOGs:-
GoPro HD Hero 2 and 4 cameras
Nikon D7100 DSLR for static and video shots with various lenses
Lavalier microphone and sellotape for in helmet audio - £9 from E-Bay
Power Director 8 for the PC (for video editing)
Lavalier microphone for in garage audio - £20 E-Bay

My current motorcyles are:-
Honda CRF250L
Triumph Street Triple R
BMW R1200GS
Ducati 899 Panigale

For any additional enquiries please send a PM or leave a comment below...

[karlwalters]

Started on a Kawasaki zzr 250. All my mates were into gsxr 750s, exup 1000's and track days. Didn't stop me from having the time of my life thrashing the crap out of that poor bike around Lakeside international raceway. The mechanics used to piss themselves laughing when I'd get a set GP compound Dunlop tyres on a 'beginners bike' and come back after the weekend with them shredded to bits. The next bike was an RGV 250m then a vfr 400 and then a GSXR 600 srad but this was over a period of 5 years and 10 or so Keith Code Superbike Schools. The point is to take your time and develop your skills. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction when a 1000cc rider can't drop you while you're riding a 250 on a track day.

[aprilwindorg]

At the age of 54 I got my driver license and got myself a R1200GS LC. Am planning a summer trip to and along The Alps this summer. Big bikes is never a mistake. Nice videos you are making.

[WeNeedASaga]

"Remember, your first bike is unlikely to be your last....unless it's a litre sports bike" hahaha. good a good laugh out of that :)

[ImLeuff]

Standard motorcycles, nakeds. Look cool, pretty comfortable, not suicide fast but plenty fast enough (seems even faster when naked), will do tours, will commute, generally cheap second hand. Honda CB500, Suzuki Bandit 600, Kawasaki ER5 etc.

[billwisdom]

Just started riding at age of 50. I bought a BMW F700GS.

[danielthompson]

It's more fun to ride a small bike fast than a big bike slow! Nowadays with all the cameras get a good handling small bike and ring its neck out without losing your license.

[dardobartoli]

Thank you for all these videos and they are really helping me narrow my choice down to 42 bikes :-)

[RevvedUpBiker]

My advice would be buy something like you used to do your lessons on. I did my DAS and could ride any bike, but the XJ6n would have been the best bike to have and learn on. You want to make sure that the jump in Horse Power and Torque is not too great. No good jumping from a 45bhp bike up to a 180bhp. Go from 45bhp > 90bhp > 140bhp > 200bhp if you wish.

[cossiep]

Nice vid, also worth mentioning for the newbies if that it's equally important (if not more so) to budget for proper well thought out kit. You can have the nicest machine but riding it in jeans, trainers, t shirt and an cheapy helmet is not only dangerous but will drive you mad from a comfort perspective. Like a lot I've spent over 15 years getting to the point where I'm happy with my all year round kit and helmet etc and you have to experiment usually at great cost. Also as a newcomer don't restrict yourself to a particular genre of machine, keep an open mind as you might find a certain style of machine just does it for you that you had never previously considered. After 15 years riding and nearly all bikes under the sun that have come and gone (including a water cooled GS) I currently have a 1100 Pan Euro and a Peugeot Satelis scooter, not because they are trendy but simply because they cover all my needs and tick all the boxes for what I need them for. Ride safe all.

[dankitchen]

Great advice here. I've just bought my first big bike: a 2nd hand Suzuki Bandit GSF 600. It's nothing pretty, done 20k miles but picked it up for £1500. Excellent for learning my craft over the next 6 - 12 months. I'll be commuting when the weather is good and then easy riding with my wife as pillion when we have the opportunity. A week and a half in and I'm loving it but I certainly get what you're saying about 'craving more power'. I can tell that once I've racked up more miles over the coming months, I'll be ready for something bigger. However there's no need to run before I learn to walk!

Excellent videos TMF, keep 'em coming!

[MrAndrew]

Same rules apply if you haven't ridden for a long time..Highest number of fatalities are in 40 plus mature age riders who go out and get a litre plus mega powerful bike- wrap it round a tree or pole.
Get a 500 ( new/ 2nd hand) ride that for atleast 6 months. Also do some witches hat, emergency braking, open road brush up skill sessions at a motorcycle riding centre.

[DrummerOnTwoWheels]

Some very good advice. My first bike was a Triumph Sprint ST 1050, 27 years old, never ridden a bike up until doing my direct access course. I think a good tip that could have been mentioned is who you are planning on riding with! My Dad made me ride with him for months until he was happy for me to go out alone, might seem overprotective but if i would have gone out with my friends at the time, GSX-R1000 riders etc, I think it could have gone in a very different direction.

Good video as always, matey.

[dutchdryfly]

After riding 3 years on a MP3 500 I am currently on my way to the final exam for my full motorcycle license. During my lessons I rode a 750 cc Honda. As I am in my fifties and longlegged, my main concern was getting a bike that fit me. I also gave it some thought of what I would use the bike for. In my case it was touring (day, weekend and maybe longer) on secondary roads. So last week I traded my MP3 for a Versys 650 GT. I came to the conclusion that for my purposes I don’t need a 1000 cc.

[reljoy]

I really liked this video. I haven't heard anyone else mention thinking about your own driveway surface (gravel etc). Also moving it around the garage. Very good points that I had not considered. I haven't ridden for about 40 years and I'm thinking of getting another bike.

[johnpersonage]

Best "first" bike is something like a Honda Step-Thru C70/90 or similar. From there on I agree with you to do the gradual approach. I went Suzuki TS185, Honda 250Dream, Honda 400Superdream, Kawasaki Z650, Yamaha XJ900 over a period of 5 years.

[SmartESET]

Like many of us here in the UK, starting off on a 125 has been a necessary evil for myself. I'm an an MT-07 right now but had that been my first bike, I'm sure I would not have gotten away with the mistakes I've made on my 125. I'm with you TMF - I believe in progression. We're not as sensible or have the common sense that we think we do.

[dimitristselikis]

I recently got my A driving licence, 35 years old, 6ft tall, i passed the test driving a Suzuki GSR 600 and an old Honda CB400.Never dropped my bike or anything, I plan on buying the Suzuki SV650, the current one, hope that's a sensible choice..

[simonpayne]

I have just passed DAS and thought I’d ask the company who trained me what they thought of my short list. They felt a Triumph Tiger 800 was okay for me. They said that for it might be unsuitable for some. Just thought people could utilise instructor’s advice.

[meuk]

In 1980 I rode my new moped (MZ Simson SB50 B1) from Kent to Scotland. It took me a full days riding 14 hours (35 MPH top end 500 miles). Don't think you need a large engine to tour, a 125cc bike can easily be used for long distance touring you just need to accept its a bit slower.

[colberki]

At 60, after a 40 years break from motorcycles, I got myself first a BMW R Nine T and a BMW S1000R over the past two years. Last motorcycle was a Honda Cub C70. Having lots of fun and riding safe. Been watching lots of motorcycling videos on YouTube and one BMW riding skills course so far to improve my skills. I enjoy your videos a lot. 🙏😬