Beginner bikes.

[Kasumi]

Ok so ive been riding a year on a stupid fifty here in England and ive got my full test coming up in June, Obviously gota ride something with a restrictor kit fitted to 33bhp for 2 years, but i was wondering for suggestions on what a good bike to go up to would be.

I've been looking at the gs500f and reading the forum it sounds like a pretty nice bike, the training schools around here all use them. I was wondering what other bikes are out there which arnt too old which would be good to move up onto?

I've also been thinking about perhaps a restricted 600 because i don't wana get the restrictor kit off the gs and find after the 2 years im wanting something with a bit more oomph. Has anyone done this, ive heard most affordable 600's these days feel like theyre going to fall over when theyre restricted power/to weight ratio and all that cobblers but that could be untrue.

Any suggestions guys and girls?

[Unnamed]

Welcome! To be a buzz kill, however, this post is in the wrong forum.

To get to your point, I'm not sure if a 600 with a restrictor will work for you. If you're restricted to 33 bhp even a GS will exceed that. What are the details of the English motorcycle program? I've been here in London for 4 months but I'm still not sure what they are.

[Kasumi]

To clear up ye' ol' legal stuff first. When your 17 in England you can do a full motorcycle license but you have to ride a bike that is running no more than 33bhp. However you can have any bike so long as its got a restrictor kit fitted to tame those horses down to 33. After the two years are up simply have the kit removed and your back to stock performance.

They use restricted gs's in the training school, infact ive seen them restrict a bandit 600 but that seemed crazy to do your test on IMO. I think il prolly go for restricting the gs and just put up with it - tis not a huge bike anywho. I was just trying to get round the problem of having to get another bike after a step up one.

Having not opened up a stock gs properly i wouldnt really know its performance (ive just pootled around a car park on one) so if anyone's got any sort of performance info would be good. Im like 5'11" and 10st if that changes much.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Well, I don't personally own a GS (yet), but from what I've read on here, it will be a LONG time before you NEED to upgrade from a GS. You may WANT more power, but it will be many years before you can ride an unrestricted GS to its full potential. Based on your height/weight, I think you will be very happy on a GS. (To those who are unfamiliar, 10stones ~ 140lbs) There are people who are well into the 6ft, 240lb range, and they fit well on the GS. Performance wise, the bike is no supersport, but it is still fast enough for most, and will out accelerate and stop shorter than most cars. Top speed is about 110 indicated, which equates to not quite 100mph, allowing for approximately 10% error in the speedo. I think the GS would be a great bike, and I don't think you'll find it lacking, once you take the restrictor off. Just my $.02

[Kasumi]

Thats what i thought i dont want no rocket ship at first but i dont wana be stuck riding a 125 with my head behind the shield struggling to hit 80 just so i dont get hit by a cager trying to overtake me

[un1261]

Hi and wlcome to the zoo. 

I have family in lemington spa. Small world.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[f

[Kasumi]

Hey un1261! I live just in between Banbury and Stratford - go to lemington quite alot! It is a small world hehe

Wrecent_Wryder
Yea, whatever bike i move up to i will prolly be really satisfied on. I have at 50 at the moment as i just started riding last year and this thing has 6 gears, will do 0-60 as fast as most cars (well the ones who arnt trying to put their foot through the floor) i can get ahead in the twisties and lose cars easily but when it comes to wide open main roads - especially with wind they just sail on by or tailgate me and attempt to remove my numberplate with their bumper. I cruise at around 10k revs lol.

[pandy]

Welcome to the forum! 

I wish we had greater restrictions for M-class licenses here in the U.S. It's always made sense to me to build one's skills on smaller cc bikes and work one's way up! (Yes, I'd have done it!). The GS500 is a LOT of bike (and a great one)! You'll find many here who've been riding theirs for years and are still learning and not bored! 

[Kasumi]

Hehehe thanks Ive had my heart set on a gs500f for months and found the forum been reading it for yonks but thought id finally get involved! Despite m sinful thoughts of trying out for a 600 i mite just go for the 500, Ive been quoted £500 on my insurence which isnt bad at all for a restricted bike. I loved riding my little 50 when i first passed but we have to ride with L plates even after doing a mini test (CBT - Compulsery Basic Training) when you first set out on a motorcycle or scooter. Cagers see L plates and just immediatly do anything to get past you. Ive been pushed onto a grass verge by a car at a junction trying to overtake me. Hit by a car on a roundabout and thats only in ones years riding i mean jeeze. Cant wait to step up to something abit quicker so i can get rid of those L plates and cruise a little faster. Its frustrating screaming along at 10k revs and only doing 60mph - what a pain.

[Cal Price]

The restriction thing is not such a big deal, if you take approved training you can get "accelerated access" to unrestricted bikes but there is the cost of the training to consider. in theory any bike can be restricted but in practice a 600cc is about as big as you would want to go. You can check this out on the DVLA's site.

A 500cc bike like Honda's CB500,  Kwacker ER-5 or the truely deeply wonderfull Suzuki GS 500 will do you very well. Most dealers who offer restrictions offer to take it off after the two years for free this gets you back to a dealership at a time when you may be tempted so if you follow this route get it taken off for free and feel the difference.

If you want the get around the restrictions there are several ways of doing it. I am not saying you should nor am I recomending a method but some folks take the bike to be restricted with a really filthy-oily air filter and then fit a pristine new filter afterwards, others drill the air box but you should not be even considering doing this.

To be 100% honest graduating from a 125 to a restricted GS500 then an unrestriced GS500 will probably enhance your skills and do you no harm and will still be a great deal of fun. Insurance will be cheaper for sure.

[SuZuki10]

I love all the new words I am learning here from our friends in England.  I had no idea what 10st meant...I've never seen that before.

I definitely have to agree with what the majority are saying here.  You will be pleasantly surprised at what the "baby gs" is capable of.  I've had mine for almost 2 years now and I still love each and every ride.  To make sure you get the best gs-get blue!  We all know that's the best.

PS Welcome!

[Gisser]

Welcome to the forum! 

I wish we had greater restrictions for M-class licenses here in the U.S.

Restrict yourself, beeyotch!  Other people can choose for themselves what 1st bike they're going to plunk their hard-earned money down on!  Freedom is a luxury....and it's a lot more than that.  If the USA ain't statist enough for you move to Canada and take a gander at the motorcycle insurance rates the nanny state uses to penalize the rider minority there for indulging in such an unconstructive pasttime.    Try that here and they better take my guns away!

BTW, the "B" word was just inserted for effect.  Nothing meant by it.  Same for the guns.  I don't own one.     

Really, though, you're putting the cart before the horse because there aren't any facts or figures to support your proposed restrictions.  Just your feelings....whoa whoa whoa feeeeliiiings....

 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Welcome to the forum! 

I wish we had greater restrictions for M-class licenses here in the U.S.

Restrict yourself, beeyotch!  Other people can choose for themselves what 1st bike they're going to plunk their hard-earned money down on!  Freedom is a luxury....and it's a lot more than that.  If the USA ain't statist enough for you move to Canada and take a gander at the motorcycle insurance rates the nanny state uses to penalize the rider minority there for indulging in such an unconstructive pasttime.    Try that here and they better take my guns away!

BTW, the "B" word was just inserted for effect.  Nothing meant by it.  Same for the guns.  I don't own one.     

Really, though, you're putting the cart before the horse because there aren't any facts or figures to support your proposed restrictions.  Just your feelings....whoa whoa whoa feeeeliiiings....

 

No facts or statistics except the fact that the UK and other countries with greater learning restrictions have lower casualty rates for motorcycle riders, as well as lower incidences of car accidents. Hmm.. maybe all those "foreigners" are just better at driving/riding naturally? Or maybe it's because they undergo more extensive training before they're allowed on the road? You decide.

[Kasumi]

You can only do accelerated access over the age of 21 but i wouldn't recommend it even if you were over 21. Ive seen many people who have done their accelerated access in a week, bought a gixxer with no riding experience and smashed it streight into a wall, tree, car, person.

I will probably go with the gs mainly because its damn cheap for such a gorgeous bike and i know that the training schools find it an excellent bike for people stepping up so i should really trust their judgement.

[pandy]

I will probably go with the gs mainly because its damn cheap for such a gorgeous bike and i know that the training schools find it an excellent bike for people stepping up so i should really trust their judgement.

Kasumi:

You show a LOT of maturity and good sense! Kudos to you! 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I will probably go with the gs mainly because its damn cheap for such a gorgeous bike and i know that the training schools find it an excellent bike for people stepping up so i should really trust their judgement.

Kasumi:

You show a LOT of maturity and good sense! Kudos to you! 

+1 

[Kasumi]

Hehe thanks guys, means a great lot 

[pandy]

Another sane voice in our mad world is always very welcome!