M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

[M3ta7h3ad]

M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Need transport, as catching trains all month has killed me, I am so pissed off at the sh*t infrastructure in place in this country for public transport, trains in particular... they have dedicated roadways, they are timetabled to prevent traffic jams, makes you wonder why the hell they are always delayed.

Two options... Motorbike... Car.

Car - All weather, warm, carrying capacity, passengers, comfort.
Bike - Cheap to insure, cheap to run, carry one passenger, fast through heavy traffic, faster to get full licence.

So... this is my thread of greatness that will chronicle my rise to two wheel motorised goodness.

Shopping List.
- Helmet: Nitro
- Jacket: Maxi
- Trousers: Maxi
- Gloves: IXS

Question is... what bike to aim for? I have decided to just do an intensive DAS course. Was thinking something like a Bandit 400... to buy after I do the course. Enough poke to ride to nottingham/london/reading/leatherhead and back to bristol, and also to go over the bridge to Cardiff

Opinions?

Bike Route, Progress so far:


Edited:

As the latest posts suggest, I am now also persuing the car route. Progress so far:

Car Theory Test: Passed 19/10/07
First Lesson: 19/10/07 - Left hand turns, T Junctions, Roundabouts (2hr)
Second Lesson: 27/10/07 - Right hand turns (1hr)
Third Lesson: 08/12/07 - Recap + Drive + 5th gear and 60mph, roundabouts + merging traffic + Clutch Control(2hr)

[Madrocker]

Re:M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Have you got any biking expereance? If not then a bandits a bit mental.

[M3ta7h3ad]

M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Other than pottering around on a 125 for a month or so on an industrial estate, and riding a bicycle on roads from A to country lanes, for the last 2 years... no.

Been in contact with several riding schools, and they all seem to think a 5 or 6 day course should be fine.

[bear]

M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Go for a Vespa 150 super

http://www.vespaclassics.com/scooterssold.htm

[mr_roll]

Re:M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

If you really want a Motorbike then Id suggest an Eliminator this is based on very litle knowledge of motorcycles, but it does look good and maybe get a bigger bike in a year when youve had a bit more experience of riding? (I personally dont want you killing yourself)

[Eggtastico]

Re:M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Bike Licence + Reliant 3-wheeler = Win

[M3ta7h3ad]

Re:M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

If you really want a Motorbike then Id suggest an Eliminator this is based on very litle knowledge of motorcycles, but it does look good and maybe get a bigger bike in a year when youve had a bit more experience of riding? (I personally dont want you killing yourself)

lol... kawasaki eliminator... sort of my style, except a 125 looking like that will sound pathetic, and thus laughed at.

Also...riding several hundred miles at 60mph would suck arse. I want something I can get on, take on the motorway, have enough push to get out of trouble (overtaking for example), and cruise happily at 70mph, without me needing to cuddle the fuel tank, and stretch the throttle cable lol

[M3ta7h3ad]

Re:M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Bike Licence + Reliant 3-wheeler = Win

Could be a serious option if I needed a car at some point. Wonder if you could hire such wonderful contraptions

[Mark]

Re:M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Rant:

IMO the direct access is completely daft, and stupidly dangerous. There is no WAY anyone, and that includes the most talented road racers, can get straight on a litre-class superbike and be safe on the road. I actually cannot believe that this option exists outside of somewhere like india or pakistan.

A personal friend of mine went over to england to do a DAS course when I got my first big bike  - because he couldnt wait to learn on the road on a 125 and be restricted for 2 years. Hes dead now - killed himself on a corner that a little more roadcraft learnt on something smaller would have saved his life. Someting like 6 days and he was on a Bimota.

It should be compulsory until you have done something like at least 10,000 road miles to own nothing bigger than a 125.

After this the cuurent 33hp limit should be inccreased to 50-75hp, since 125s can meet and exceed 33.

Sorry for the hijack!

[mr_roll]

Re:M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Yeah Id be scared to get on anything above a 125cc motorbike, until I had a bit of experience, Ive done motocross and was sooooo much fun but was dangerous and damaged the Kawasaki twice in the same place on the track.
, although I was a COMPLETE novice then. I think it was a 250cc bike, not to sure which one though.

Personally Id love something that looks like this: http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/detail.aspx?id=210

[M3ta7h3ad]

Re:M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Rant:

IMO the direct access is completely daft, and stupidly dangerous. There is no WAY anyone, and that includes the most talented road racers, can get straight on a litre-class superbike and be safe on the road. I actually cannot believe that this option exists outside of somewhere like india or pakistan.

A personal friend of mine went over to england to do a DAS course when I got my first big bike  - because he couldnt wait to learn on the road on a 125 and be restricted for 2 years. Hes dead now - killed himself on a corner that a little more roadcraft learnt on something smaller would have saved his life. Someting like 6 days and he was on a Bimota.

It should be compulsory until you have done something like at least 10,000 road miles to own nothing bigger than a 125.

After this the cuurent 33hp limit should be inccreased to 50-75hp, since 125s can meet and exceed 33.

Sorry for the hijack!

Fair comment but I am not going to get on a litre superbike. I will accept honest suggestions for motorbikes, Just having a friend now recommending an ER-5.

My primary criteria for a bike is that I must be able to commute back and forth to wales with relative confidence on motorways.

A 125 is out because of this, a 250... im a heavy bloke, and if I want to overtake someone I want to have excess power there to do so if I need it, a 250... doesnt offer that.

Secondary Criteria... The bike has to be forgiving, I dont want to feel as if I sneeze, Ill end up on the tarmac, with my bike cartwheeling down the road. I dont necessarily want 0-60 in "wtf" speeds, I want something that works, is comfortable, doesnt try and kill me if I twitch.

[M3ta7h3ad]

M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Just thought of a third criteria. Id like something that I could go on a ride with others on... like a cruise around the brecon beacons.

[Mark]

Re:M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

Have you ever ridden a quick 125? Im over 17 st and theyre still quick - borderline fast. But they are unreliable. Just have a bit more of an issue with speeds over 80mph!! lol

Good example (For acceleration sake) is a 125 crosser.

250s are **FAST** - 2-stroke 250s are faster than modern superbike 600s in some cases - the acceleration is absolutely wicked. If you ever watch bike racing the RS250 (NOT Aprilia - a proper honda race bike) would absolutely piss all over a 600 4-stroke. They can have more power than a 600, and are about half the weight.

500 2-strokes are unbelievably fast - quicker than anything you can buy nowadays, and the old 750s were so fast they are frightening. I have the pleasure to own an early KR750 and it is faster than my ZX-10 in acceleration, and more than likely in top speed with the right gearing. I think theyre geared for 200mph though.

The best 2 stroke size once you have your test is a 350 - but 2-strokes dont get bought any more as the EU hates them I still love them - theres nothing like the sound of a proper 250 or 350 2-stroke with a good exhaust. I have a couple of RD 350s - one is bored to 380 with wiseco pistons, boyeson reeds, one tooth extra on back sprocket, and better keihn carbs - it flies. My brother has an RD500 V-4 which is awesome, but we also have an RG500 (Square 4) in bits that probably will be faster once its not in bits!

Anyway - back OT - an ER is a bland but easy to maintain and run commuter, choice would be a trail bike though, something like an XT
- theyre good fun and still plenty fast

[addictweb]

M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

IMO a tail bike would be a pig to do long journeys on. They are great for round town as a fast and fun alternative but they dont like to cruise at above 60mph (in my experience).

I suggested the ER5 because its a good starter, it isnt fast but should be comfortable on the motorway. Its about the least inoffensive bike that I can think of (while still having any style at all). They ride smoothly, need little maintenence and handle as youd expect it to. It shouldnt get you into any trouble.

After a quick google, the 1997 ER-5 has a top speed of 115mph so it should be comfortable at 70-80mph. linky

EDIT: More googling ...

50BHP standard, can do 0-60 near 5.3 seconds, cruising speed is comfortable at 85-90mph. It will apparently go faster than this but it doesn´t go very quickly past the 70 mark.

Source

[Beaker]

Re:M3tas - I need transport - Lets do this thread.

after riding one a few times, VFR 400?  I found it to be a nice ride, the 400 Bandits arent too shabby, but if you end up with no fairing they are nightmare at speed.