First Bike - possibly Transalp

[Filipa]

Hi all,

I am going to do my CBT early Feb and want to start looking into what bike I could get..
I thought of just doing the CBT and get something like a Yamaha SR 125 to travel 32 miles everyday to work (return).
However, after speaking to a few friends with bikes, I was told maybe I could make the direct access and get a Transalp.

I've never riden a motorbike before so it all depends if I like riding it or not.

However, just wanted to have some insight from anyone who has experience.

What would you advise?

Don't have a lot of money unfortunately. The bike would have to be at the very max £1500.
I was told that the Transalp would be a great bike and could make the journey to Portugal on my holidays or venture out through the British country...

Any ideas on which bike and where to get it from?
Anywhere in the Leicestershire region would be awesome but I would be able to get a car to drive further away if necessary.

[StumpyFingers]

I agree, the Transalp is a great choice.
It would do a commute with no problems and it would be great at the long distances of a holiday.
Also it is not to powerful and is very forgiving, so if you can reach the floor with both feet when astride it it is ideal as a first big bike.
For your sort of price range try ebay and look out for the 600.

[Filipa]

Thanks Stumpy Fingers.. And is Ebay reliable to buy bikes from????
I have bought small items from there...never important items such as a bike.

[Sharribee]

FIlipa the transalp is quite tall so as long as you've got long legs you'll be ok. As a first bike it's not bad although it wouldn't be my choice for a first bike because of the height and it's a bit top heavy. I found I needed the confidence of being able yo get both feet on the floor without a struggle and the TA didn't do that. It was my third bike and brilliant but I had been riding a while when I bought it so was more confident and able to manage the height and weight distribution a bit better. I had a CB 500 which was fabulous for giving that confidence and easy to throw around.

Try before you buy would be my advice and I've bought 1 bike from eBay and hubbie has bought 2 but make sure you go look before you commit and take someone who knows with you

[Filipa]

Hi Sharribee,

Thank you soooo much for your comments. I'll have a look into that bike. I am fairly tall 1,80m but you make a good case.

I will indeed check out bikes before buying and will also check at work lunch times the superbikes' shop near work to see what's good.

Thanks, any more ideas send them through

[Yeti]

Transalp was my first bike after my test. Great first bike if you ask me?! don't pay any attention to the vertically challenged!

Gentle and reliable enough to keep you out of trouble but quick enough to make you smirk.

Made and got away with quite a lot of mistakes on mine so I think they are quiet a forgiving bike is what I meant by keeping you out of trouble! that and not being so glamorous that you will have everyone in da hood sniffin round! ..........just every hoody when they see a big trailie worth nickin! (not really that much of an issue....I just left mine where I shouldn't! IN CORBY!!)

good luck!

[phil w]

£1500 will get you a really nice............... far superior 600 When you find one link it here and you will have endless amount of opinions, but e bay does have good ones

[Filipa]

Thanks yeti

I'm just starting into the world of bikes and I am glad you mentioned bike steal as I overlooked the security costs on my budget Cheers for that.
I am looking around for the TA at my budget and it's proving difficult.


Phil, thank you for your comments too.
Sorry to be a novice in this but when you mentioned a 600 was that for a TA??

As soon as I see something I'll definitely post it here.
It's really good that you guys know so much

Cheers

[Sharribee]

The 600 is one of the older TAs filipa and with your height you shouldn't have too much of a problem. I'm not really that much of a shorty I am 5 ft 8 but do like the comfort of two feet on the floor. But then I'm just a big girly woos really

they are bomb proof if you get a good one like I said I loved mine and did over 30000 miles on it in 2 years

[Yeti]

...... I'm not really that much of a shorty .....

pah!