Wannabe wee strom rider

[100thidiot]

Hi all,

I have been looking at getting a V strom as a first bike after passing my test.  I have passed the theory test and have my first ride of a 500 next Friday - I'm so excited     As long as I can handle the 500cc I will be going for the unrestricted licence asap.

I have read only good reviews about the bike iteself, but conflicting opinions as to whether it is a good idea to go from riding a 125 to 650. I am currently riding (everday rain or shine) a ybr 125 and will only be riding a 500 to pass the test, so I won't really have any real experience on a bigger bike... Has anyone here jumped from a 125 to a 650?  Or had a V strom 650 as a first 'big' bike?

I am not a speed demon by any means, I always take it easy if I don't feel right (in rain etc) and female, so I am slightly smaller and lighter than the average male rider.  What do you people reckon?

[Fat Rat]

Hello mate  

I am pretty confident that you will find the 500cc easier to handle than your 125cc  

[Jamie]

.

[Catballou]

hello  

[Dracula]

Hi, you sound very similar to me.
I did my DAS last November, having never ridden a bike before in my life (I'm 36).
Did CBT and das all in 4 days and really didn't have a clue (and still have alot to learn about bikes).
The missus (ex biker chick) talked me into it altho I had always wanted to do it myself.

I can't fault the 650 wee as a first bike, its superb!!! Easy to ride, handles well and has power when needed. V comfy even 2 up and I'm 6'2 missus 5'8. Took mine for a long weekend, missus, pans and top box fully loaded and it never missed a beat and handled really well.

In my opinion it is a fantastic first bike, in fact its just a fantastic bike all round, be it a new comer(like me) or a seasoned rider like most of the people on here .

Oh and I found the bigger bike much easier to handle than the 125.

Best of luck and welcome.

[2112]

Hi &   to the forum, all the advice on this thread so far is spot on. The bigger the bike the easier they tend to be to ride (better brakes, suspension etc etc), take it steady and you'll be fine, Bry  

p.s. my mate learned to ride at 14 on a BSA 650 !

[badger 1050]

I did the das route went from no bike then when passed I got a cbr 600 I think most people go for about that as said its only as fast as you want to make it so take it steady and have fun  

[jeyre60152]

Hi,

Passed my DAS December, only ever ridden 125 to that point and then bought the 650.

Its brilliant, easier and safer.

My advice is just go for it.

John

[jonH]

If you do your DAS you won't be going from a 125 to a 650, you'll be going from a 500 to a 650 ;) You'll find the 500 a dream in comparison to the 125, more comfortable and push-button start (unless you've had a push-button start 125 that is)

I've found a v-twin easier to ride than a straight 4, and despite not riding a bike for 8 1/2 years when getting my wee strom, I was fine as owt after a ride or two. It is obviously taller than a 125 or the 500 you'd do your DAS on, but it's well balanced and feels wonderful in the corners

[Eric The Viking]

Hi &  
Mrs Eric wee will be up for sale shortly, K7 x with 4500mls, perhaps we might need to converse further?

[Jarv]

Greetings  

I took my DAS in April, the last Friday before the new test. Up until the lessons I had only ever ridden scooters. I went straight onto the Wee from the off and I have loved it.

I wish that I had taken my test years ago.

[derbex]

The 650 was my first bike after DAS too. Great bike, can't really fault it. The only thing to look out for is the height & weight when stopping, make sure you know where you're going to put your foot down -this is the voice of experience  :oops: Came back on an AA truck after one of my first rides, having sheared off the clutch lever.

[KLV-Rider]

Hi,   to the forum....

[StreetHippo]

I agree with Derbex, the Wee is a lovely bike and a good first bike choice, but sit on one in a showroom and make sure you can get your foot down, nearly fell over the other day when car in front went then stopped at a junction for no reason, didn't have leg in good position and the weight nearly took me over - you live and learn
Welcome,
Stu

[bill2828]

I used to ride many moons ago, but never took my test. I bought a 125 earlier this year to get back in the saddle, and chose to do my test on that. I then bought a Wee, and had a restrictor fitted. Fantastic!

If you don't like the feel of the 500, especially around the cones, doing your test on your own 125 is always an option. You'll find plenty of other threads stating that the Wee restricts really well, and is still great fun to ride.

Good luck with the tests. Whichever route you choose, if you can plant the balls of your feet firmly on the ground you will love the Wee!

[laurie V-strom]

Hi,
I did. I had a Varadero 125 which is the biggest 125 you can get, rode that for about a year and then go onto the 650 V Strom. It certainly is a big bike compared to a lot of them but being 5 ft 8, smaller bike meant a hunched back and I was very uncomfortable. The Strom suits me down to a T. The only problem I had to start with is that despite my height, I sometimes did not reach the floor meaning the bike would lean on me at traffic lights and I dropped it a couple of time I don't have a man strength and I'm only 9 stones so that was a bit daunting. But then I got used to it, had the bike dropped to be perfectly comfortable and have been happily riding my Strom for 2 1/2 year and I love it. I never had a single problem with it. You won't regre it !

[Dedy]

Hello and    

[scep]

I commuted on a GZ125 for 6 months whilst I took some big bike lessons; I bought my Wee before the test and was riding it the moment I passed.

You'll have no problem going from one to the other, in fact the 650 is a much easier ride because of better road presence, better acceleration, better supension, ABS etc  etc (I.e. it's a better bike :-)) .  Just expect to drop your Strom every so often and it'll all be good :wink:

[V-Strom-Mark]

  I'm sure you will love a Wee, that sounds a little wrong!  It's comfy, easy to ride, good fuel economy, etc, etc....  Keep us posted as to how the tests go, you sound confident about your abilities so I'm sure you'll do fine.