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700cc as a first time bike?

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  • 26-09-2015 5:50pm
    #1
    sombaht
    Registered Users Posts: 327 ✭✭


    Okay, thinking of getting a bike. Prefer the cruiser style bikes, so was looking at Virago 250s mostly. However saw a Virago 700 today, decent price at €2200, very low mileage. But was wondering would 700cc bike be "too much" as a beginners bike?
    It would be used mostly for my commute to work, 8-9 miles round trip so no major distance involved. From the specs online there is quite a weight difference between the 700 and 250 models so am assuming the 700 is more difficult to control, so at least would require an experienced biker?

    Cheers,
    sombaht


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Comments

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    #2
    Avatar MIA
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,750 ✭✭✭Avatar MIA


    Don't they need to have a limiter on them until you passed your test?

    But, still seems an awful big bike.

    I looked into getting a bike briefly at one stage and there didn't seem to be an obvious starter bike.


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    #3
    frozenfrozen
    Registered Users Posts: 7,882 ✭✭✭frozenfrozen


    there's no restriction on the A license provisional, so no limiter until after you've passed your test (if you're over 24 and can get the A.)


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    #4
    Tigger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,707 ✭✭✭✭Tigger


    Are you big
    It's not a huge bike have you earned to ride and done your cbt
    If you can ride a bike then just see if you can ride it and if you can then I'd say go for it
    I rember the first time I rode a "big " bike and I thought "this is easier than I thought it would be .


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    #5
    sombaht
    Registered Users Posts: 327 ✭✭sombaht


    Should have mentioned I'm 43 have yet to do the IBT. I'm about 5' 8" so not huge. One if the reasons I like the Virago (and most cruisers) is the seat position which allows me to have my feet planted flat on the ground.

    Cheers,
    Sombaht


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    #6
    Alkers
    Registered Users Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Alkers


    Would say its better than the 250cc, which I think you would grow out of very fast. If that's the kind of bike you're interested in, go for it.


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    #7
    Paulw
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 13,381 Mod ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    Simona1986 wrote: »
    Would say its better than the 250cc, which I think you would grow out of very fast.

    You can't do your A test on a 250cc bike.

    I got an 800cc bike as my first bike. I do my test soon, so have been riding it since Jan on my learner permit.

    Definitely worth getting a decent bike that will do all you need, rather than a starter bike, and then move to something else.


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    #8
    Seanie_H
    Registered Users Posts: 392 ✭✭Seanie_H


    I had a couple of scooters and then a 125 Veradero over the course of a few years. I never did a test.

    So decided to bite the bullet a few years ago and went with 650cc Vstrom. I have to say I found it very different to the smaller bikes in weight and handling. I think you'd be better off going with the 700 earlier. No point in buying a bike you might need to sell in the near future.


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    #9
    Pugzilla
    Site Banned Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Pugzilla


    Do yourself a favour and get a naked bike like a Fazer, Bandit or Hornet.

    Cruisers are for people who like leather vests and assless chaps.
    All show and no go.


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    #10
    BlackWizard
    Registered Users Posts: 3,282 ✭✭✭BlackWizard


    Pugzilla wrote: »
    Do yourself a favour and get a naked bike like a Fazer, Bandit or Hornet.

    Cruisers are for people who like leather vests and assless chaps.
    All show and no go.

    Each to their own. I like the look of them. Some of us are not speed freaks and want to wear ninja leather suits, showing off our scraped knee sliders.


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    #11
    mcginty28
    Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭mcginty28


    I started on a bandit 600 that was restricted, passed the test on it and now it's unrestricted and still using it after 3 years. I would recommend starting on a bigger bike, as said if it's a smaller one you'll only look at selling it after a short while. Think the smaller bikes are better for younger lads to start on so they don't get carried away with the power but you're mature enough to know better!! 😂


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    #12
    Pugzilla
    Site Banned Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Pugzilla


    BlackWizard wrote: »
    Each to their own. I like the look of them. Some of us are not speed freaks and want to wear ninja leather suits, showing off our scraped knee sliders.

    None of those are sportbikes. They're just normal and well balanced motorcycles designed for everyday use in the real world. Shows how much you know.

    Majority of Cruisers have bad handling, poor ground clearance and are overweight (just like their owners). Form over function, a concept I have no respect for.


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    #13
    arybvtcw0eolkf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24,878 ✭✭✭✭arybvtcw0eolkf


    Pugzilla wrote: »
    Do yourself a favour and get a naked bike like a Fazer, Bandit or Hornet.

    Cruisers are for people who like leather vests and assless chaps.
    All show and no go.

    Bullsh*t post.


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    #14
    Pugzilla
    Site Banned Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Pugzilla


    Miles Cool Bib wrote: »
    Bullsh*t post.

    Please tell me why?


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    #15
    KTR1C
    Closed Accounts Posts: 241 ✭✭KTR1C


    Pugzilla wrote: »
    Please tell me why?

    My 1800 V-Twin handles quite well


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    #16
    Pugzilla
    Site Banned Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Pugzilla


    KTR1C wrote: »
    My 1800 V-Twin handles quite well

    Compared to what? A boss hoss?


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    #17
    arybvtcw0eolkf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24,878 ✭✭✭✭arybvtcw0eolkf


    Pugzilla wrote: »
    Please tell me why?

    No, I'll let you stew in your ignorance.


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    #18
    Pugzilla
    Site Banned Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Pugzilla


    Miles Cool Bib wrote: »
    No, I'll let you stew in your ignorance.

    Lots of types of bikes: naked, sportbike, sport-tourer, tourer, dual sport, adventure. They all have a genuine purpose. Form follows function.

    Cruisers are for posing.


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    #19
    sonyvision
    Registered Users Posts: 562 ✭✭✭sonyvision


    Go for it, My dads first bike was a 525 viagro, I just turned 24 and by first bike is a bandit 600. On
    it 5 months with a provisional love every second of the big bike.

    Your insurance will be buttons I am paying 399 dad renewed his and is paying 265 on a provisional aswell.

    Safe riding :)


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    #20
    gctest50
    Registered Users Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭gctest50


    Pugzilla wrote: »
    Do yourself a favour and get a naked bike like a Fazer, Bandit or Hornet.

    Cruisers are for people who like leather vests and assless chaps.
    All show and no go.



    out of interest, what are you driving yourself ?


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    #21
    Pugzilla
    Site Banned Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Pugzilla


    I'm a great heel. Getting a lot of heat here.


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    #22
    Pugzilla
    Site Banned Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Pugzilla


    gctest50 wrote: »
    out of interest, what are you driving yourself ?

    Hornet


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    #23
    gctest50
    Registered Users Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭gctest50


    Pugzilla wrote: »
    Hornet

    those Hornet 900s would be quick enough ?


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    #24
    The Sidewards Man
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,570 ✭✭✭The Sidewards Man


    Forget the foreplay with chicken chasers like r6s and cbr600rrs and get a cbr1100 blackbird, hayabusa or a ducati 1098.


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    #25
    Pugzilla
    Site Banned Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Pugzilla


    gctest50 wrote: »
    those Hornet 900s would be quick enough ?

    It's a 600, but it's fast enough for what I do, commuting and back roads.


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    #26
    gerrowadat
    Registered Users Posts: 3,363 ✭✭✭gerrowadat


    Get the bike you want to get, simple as. Take up friendly advice and ignore the rest.

    Personally I wouldn't go near anything less than a 500cc if you're going to be riding outside city streets, or if you're already an experienced road user. A 250cc cruiser will struggle to do motorway (or even dual carriageway) speeds, and will be a danger to you because you're trying to choke the life out of it. This would also apply on corners, where having a bit of pull will get you out of some scrapes. For better or worse, your average cruiser seems to be less quick off the draw than most bikes, just how the type of bike is set up and tuned.

    A learner will be grand on a 700, you'll get more use out of the bike rather than wanting to trade up after a few short months.

    If you have the means, test ride both, even off the road. Sadly, test rides are hard to come by before you have your license (and even after).


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    #27
    Jimmy Bottlehead
    Registered Users Posts: 10,118 ✭✭✭✭Jimmy Bottlehead


    Pugzilla wrote: »
    I'm a great heel. Getting a lot of heat here.

    Generalising an entire class of bikes?
    I'd call you a jobber tbh.


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    #28
    AgileMyth
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭AgileMyth


    Why would anyone want a naked bike for every day use in a country where it rains every day?

    Buy what you like, there'll always be a twat telling you everything is **** except their own bike.


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    #29
    Pugzilla
    Site Banned Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Pugzilla


    AgileMyth wrote: »
    Why would anyone want a naked bike for every day use in a country where it rains every day?

    Buy what you like, there'll always be a twat telling you everything is **** except their own bike.

    The bandit and fazer have faired models, still classed as nakeds.

    I like every type of bike except cruisers. They're the most popular class of bikes in America, says it all really.


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    #30
    Pugzilla
    Site Banned Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Pugzilla


    Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »
    Generalising an entire class of bikes?
    I'd call you a jobber tbh.

    Jobbers don't generate much heat.


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    #31
    AgileMyth
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭AgileMyth


    Pugzilla wrote: »
    The bandit and fazer have faired models, still classed as nakeds.

    I like every type of bike except cruisers. They're the most popular class of bikes in America, says it all really.
    I used a cruiser in America earlier this year and I can see why. I'd own one if I lived there.


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