So, rather than have the age old mini brain spasms that is a bad habit of forum life, let’s look at the originators question:
Hi there, I'm sure this question has been asked a thousand times before, so please bare with me. I've just recently passed my bike test and have now got the task of finding a bike. I'm 6 2", 13 stone, 39 years old and have a budget of between £2500- £3500. I was leaning towards the ktm market but I'm also thinking of maintenance and running costs. I've zero experience with bikes so any information or advice will be greatly appreciated. Also where would be a good place to start trying to find a bike? I've checked eBay out and was wondering about more alternative reliable services. Can't wait to get a bike so I can get out and about with you all. I'm based in the matlock derbyshire area so look forward to getting out. Thanks in advance. Steve.
Now, let’s break this down:
Experience = ZERO.
We would like to get Steve out on the lanes and riding and make this a
fun, easy and enjoyable experience. Bike choice at this stage is important to Steve’s riding future. Should he buy an inappropriate bike at this stage, he will quickly become disillusioned and disappointed with the whole experience and may never come back.
Still think it’s a good idea to recommend an XR400 or DR350? Both rely on kick only start – which is great if you’ve been weaned on these things since Centurion was a rank and not a tank! However, buying one as a first bike? Really?
Think back to your first bike (some may need to look back without their rose coloured hindsight).
• OK, chains and sprockets. Made of metal right? Made of metal, so don’t wear out? Yeah right!
• Oil – No dipstick so no need to check it right? Mmmmmm
• Tyres – Black, round(ish), quantity two – good to go? Legal? Tubes (what are they)?
• That saddle – it’s a bit loose – but its OK cause I’ll sit on it all day
• Now, lets give it a kick and go riding. Ouch! That hurts, the bloody thing kicked me back!!!
So, the answer to Steve’s original question should be one that takes as much of the pain, surprises and wallet emptying maintenance away from the new rider as possible.
I’m afraid that comments like ‘Puhh, never had a problem kick starting in 30 years of trials and trail’ are not useful to people who have ZERO experience. But thanks for letting us know how big and brave you are!
BUDGET = £2.5 to £3KA great budget to start here.
BUT it is not enough for Xtrainer (great bike) or the new 4 Ride (another good bike, from what I’ve seen). So, take away the brand new or nearly new, simply because they come at a cost beyond the budget.
So, you are generally left with bikes a few years old. Plenty of money to go for something with electric and kick start (back-up only).
I think the ‘choice’ of cable or hydraulic is a bit of a blind alley. By this I mean that you won’t (as a new person to this stuff) even know the difference – you get whatever comes with the bike you choose. For that budget, some bikes may have cable, some may have hydraulic – It’ll work and over time you may work out the differences – but don’t get hung-up on it.
Engine size – always contentious! Some like em big (typically real men (northerners))
. Some like em small. As a start point, for a first bike 250cc is plenty (4 stroke or 2 stroke). If it turns out that you are gifted and can ride the snotty/rocky/slippy stuff really well – then maybe move to a bigger cc. There again – it can all depend on where you are going to be riding? I find for longer days, when there is plenty of road work, my 390 has great long legs. When the riding is in more arduous terrain and I don’t need high speed road ability, I love the Xtrainer…………horses for courses (and ability).
So, I’ll stick with my original thoughts on this, with maybe adding a 250cc 2T in the mix. Mmmm, which one fits the bill???