What do you ride?
I did my CBT last summer, saving up for my full license now.
( Anthropos Was making beer on, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:46, archived)

Yamaha Fazer
Good bike, though a bit soft on the front suspension.

As a first bike, the ER6 is quite good apparently.
(BombayMick Dogs are better than cats, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:48, archived)

I have heard similar.
Although I was thinking maybe a 400cc Bandit.

Went out on the back of a mate's GSXR1000 the other day. Scared me silly!
( Anthropos Was making beer on, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:49, archived)

I've heard nothing but good about the Bandits, actually
and the gixxers look niiiiice.
( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:50, archived)

Yeh, bandits seem to be reliable.
You can pick up a decent one for under a grand too.

Not only do gixxers look good, with a decent rear can on they sound AMAZING!
( Anthropos Was making beer on, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:52, archived)

the sporty ones aren't my cup of tea, to be honest
I can appreciate them but I like cruisers :)
( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:56, archived)

I like the idea of having something sporty.
I also quite like the grand tourer style BMW bikes too.

I'm not a fan of Harleys or chopper style bikes really.
( Anthropos Was making beer on, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:58, archived)

Why undersell yourself with a 400cc?
You might as well go for the Hornet - another good starter bike.

600cc is perfectly respectable for a starter bike. And if you do the test on a bigger bike, you'd be better off sticking to a bigger bike. 500cc is as small as you should go, really, as it gives you good power for overtaking safely.
(BombayMick Dogs are better than cats, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:51, archived)

Maybe, I have just heard they are really solidly put together.
I need to do a bit more research really, a mate is selling his CBR600 quite cheaply. Might consider that.
( Anthropos Was making beer on, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:54, archived)

Good option.
Decent bikes for blatting about on.
(BombayMick Dogs are better than cats, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:57, archived)

Not very exciting though.
But like you say, a decent enough bike. Easy to get spares for too.
( Anthropos Was making beer on, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:59, archived)

My other problem is that I have quite short legs.
I have been recommended a Ducatti Monster as they have a really low seat height.
( Anthropos Was making beer on, Thu 28 May 2009, 13:02, archived)