New to Bristol, and new to bikes
 

Hi guys,
I recently moved to Bristol and have decided to bite the bullet and get my bike licence. Theory test is booked and will be doing the DAS next month.

Obviously i'll be looking for some kit and a bike in the near future (hopefully an SV) - then will be looking to meet up with some local riders for some weekend trips out.
Any locals willing to show me the roads around bristol and give some riding advice/tips etc?
Also can you recommend somewhere to buy my riding gear, and if anyone's selling an SV (£1k-£2k) locally then let me know.

Cheers,
AL

Re: New to Bristol, and new to bikes
 

quality mate, welcome to the forums.

For riding gear I'd definitely recommend Hein Gericke:
http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/shops.php (6th bullet point down = bristol store)
I bought my leathers and my gf's gear from the store near us in leeds, the sales assistant guy spent an hour with us making sure we got all the right fitting gloves and textiles, and then gave us 15% off the total bill. Can't really speak for the brizzle store but they should be good :)

As for the sv, I only passed my test in may last year and bought a honda cbf600 thinking that the sv might be a bit mental for me. Within 6 months I bought an sv and flogged the honda. The sv is an absolutely brilliant first bike and the engine is literally miles of fun. All the torque and pulling power is lower down the rev range (from 3k to 6k revs it pulls well and then 7k+ it trams like a beast), where with other 600's or inline 4's, the power is located further up the rev range so you have to thrash 'em to get them singing = not always the best arrangement for a new rider.

Oh and there are hundreds of accessories and bits to add to your bike, so you can trick it out as you learn more about riding :)

last thing (since its confuses most newbies):
SV650 N or 'Naked' is the one without any plastics or fairings, just a round headlight. 1999-current (are they still making the N or did it finish last year/year before?)
SV650 S Curvy is the 1999-2002 sv with a curvy fairing.
SV650 S Pointy is 2003-current with pointy fairing (see my profile pic).

Any other questions, just ask - someone will be along with more info soon

Re: New to Bristol, and new to bikes
 

Bristol based here mate.

In retrospect I regret having the SV as a first big bike. Basically I prefer 4's to twins.

Local bikes: Here are a few, which as much as anything show you some sources even if you don't like the bikes I've shown.
A Hornet
http://www.bikehutbristol.co.uk/used...cb600--f-3.htm

A Bandit
http://www.bikehutbristol.co.uk/used...-sv-bandit.htm

A CBR
http://bristol.gumtree.com/bristol/38/28366238.html

An SV
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/advert+search/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146-236,N-9-13-121-239/advert.action?R=200840320057878

Another bandit
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/advert+search/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146-236,N-9-13-121-239/advert.action?R=200840320189147

And finally, another Hornet
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...00839319758861

I like the last one myself, nice looking, good colour and in-budget.

How old are you and what part of town are from?

Re: New to Bristol, and new to bikes
 

Cheers for the info chaps
Some decent looking bikes there.

I'm 24, living right in the city centre.

Are there regular biker meets around here, or does it tend to be adhoc when the weather's looking good?

Re: New to Bristol, and new to bikes
 

Yo, S'up!


Can you find me bike please alex :D

Re: New to Bristol, and new to bikes
 

Re: New to Bristol, and new to bikes
 

Well it's end of season so most of the larger ones will be winding up.
But normally....

Thursday nights at Weston Super-Mare
Monday nights at the Lysely Arms near Chippenham
Wednesday nights at Avebury, Wilts
All day Sat & Sun at Abergavenny Bus Station, Powys.

Re: New to Bristol, and new to bikes
 

Welcome.

I'm from the other side of the Severn Bridge to you, in God's Biking Country, but I manage to get over to Brizzle now and again.



P.S. Watch out for a nutter going by the forum name "Vickster". Shifty bit of work that one!!

Re: New to Bristol, and new to bikes
 

:smt082:smt082:smt082:smt082

Re: New to Bristol, and new to bikes
 

oh why thank you !