Hi, 'Old' Novice - bike advice wanted

[30SomethingLe...]

Hi to everyone on BCF!, good to find a great forum with a wealth of knowledge & mature members - unlike one I found, all it contained was posts of 17 year old Aprilia RS owners bragging about how they ride past their college's at 80mph & doing wheelies off the lights & asking "why does my 2-stroke use so much oil! Grrrr - I didn't join that Forum!

Anyway, having been badgered by my biking colleagues for years, + getting tired of insurance/running costs of sports cars. everyone on here will be glad to hear I am converting to two wheels for my fun on the road - I can't wait, should have done it years ago!

I'm 31 & have recently passd my CBT comfortably, I am now looking for my first bike, I am planning to ride a 125 to gain experience & confidence (for as long as it takes), then do my DAS.
I have been driving for 14 years.

I'm into sport bikes mainly, so it has to be something that looks good!, but isn't too hard for a learner to ride & will give me the necessary experience & confidence to take my test on a 500!.

My main restriction is I am only 5'6" tall, I have good upper body & very good leg strength, so no problem there, it's just my bloody height!.

So I would like some feedback on what you think I should get?, (I am a competent mechanic, having done most of my own work on my cars over the years - inc running/maintaining a classic TVR 390SE, so I won't be put off by owning a two-stroke & will cope with the running & maintenance easily).

Any advice/comments (good or bad) on bikes, or any of the above welcome

Cheers in advance

Jamie

[Lawnie]

Welcome

If you want a sporty 125 while learning, then you're looking along the lines of an RS, CBR, NSR, Mito, TZR, or similar. Your height is fine for any. As far as easiness for learning goes - I can't comment on any, having not ridden them. If ease of use is important, then look along the lines of a CG125 - you may have done your CBT on one.

Just don't buy new!

[30SomethingLe...]

Cheers for that,

Yes I have sat on the Cagiva Mito & Aprilia & they are fine height wise, I do like the NSR, but not sure on the seat height?.

I was going to base it on how I felt after my CBT - if I was planning to do my DAS soon, yes I would buy a CG125, but I think it's more likely to be 3/4 months (he says!?)

Also a few people have told me it's better to learn & get experience on the most 'realistic' or 'closest' bike to what you will be taking your test on - I'm not rushing it, I will take as long as necessary - even if it's next year for my test.

I certainly won't be buying a new one anyway!, have a budget of £1800 max.

[Lawnie]

You don't need to be able to flat foot a motorcycle to ride it - I never could on my first 2 bikes (125cc and 350cc).

[sagalout]

To be honest I'm not sure why you're bothering with the 125 stage at your age. The bike that you will do your DAS test on will be a 500cc, so if I was you I'd just get a course and test booked now.

You already have CBT and loads of driving experience, which helps with the general road confidence, so you'd probably be looking at a 3 to 5 day DAS course followed by the test. You could be riding a proper bike within a month

If you do decide to stick with a 125 for a while then you're not going to find one that in any way feels like the bike you will take your test on. The 2 stroke sports bikes may have a similar bulk to them, but the power delivery is totally different, and the 4 strokes will be much lighter and under powered. In fact most people find the likes of the ER5 to be easier to ride that the 125's.

Theres nothing wrong with riding a 125 (I'm having to ride one at the moment - long story) but I'm not sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Better training and a better bike will do more for your confidence and ability than 6 months on a 125.

[_Will_]

Welcome to BCF.
Agree with above post, i rode a 50cc bike for a year and jumped onto my 600, (restricted when i did so a difference between a full powered one yes).
If i can do this after a year someone with your road experience will have absolutley no problem.
Also the bigger bikes are a LOT easier than a 125, so they will most probably give you more confidence.
A month or two is realistic you could easily be on a bike by then, if you can get a booking and DAS training by then.
I am 5'8 so i know what its like to have all these bikes with high seats, hence why i went for the divvy- it was built for short arses
a 4/5/600 will be good for what you want but if your'e still after a 125 i would go with either a cg or rs125, bit of a contrast but the two i would choose.
Hope it helps Happy Biking
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[Lawnie]

[colin1]

500's arent as fun as 2 stroke 125's

i think a year on a 2 stroke 125 sports bike, helps you get more confidant for the next step which i think should be a sports 600

skip the 500's they arent much faster than a 2 stroke 125 as they are much heavier
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[ncrn]

i've got an nsr, and the seat height is low, granted im 6" taller than you, but i can flat foot very easily, if anything the seat heights a little low for me, but i like the low center of gravity.

i would whole heartedly recommend an nsr its the most fun i've had on the road ever,

[fatboyslim]

Hi

I passed my CBT at the age of 46 on a 500 in January, the instructors adviced me to take a three day Das Course when i am ready.

I opted to hold off and ride a GZ125 Maurauder for a few months to improve and practice my skills. I plant to do my Das in August.

For me; it was the best way forward. there is good advice on this topic, but you should really do what you think is best for you.

Hope this helps.

FBS
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My name is gwyn and i am from wales

[Davo]

Personally I would go straight for your DAS test, then look at getting a 400/600 cc bike, as you've been driving 14 years the road sense is already developed and as long as you can control your right hand, you should be absolutely fine.

[Bendy]

Just go straight to DAS, the only reason to spend time on a 125 is to develop road sense, and you already have that.

The 500 you'll do your DAS on will be easier to ride than the 125 you did your CBT on, I guarantee that - everyone gets hung up on it, then gets on the bigger bike and goes 'oh, that's much easier to ride'.

As long as you accept that just cos you've passed your test and got your full licence, you're still a learner in the grand scheme of things, you'll be fine. So just do it, then get a fairly sensible bigger bike (a 500, a naked 600, something like that) and spend some time learning your craft.

5 foot 6 isn't going to be a problem unless you have freakishly short legs, I'm about that height and it's only the world of big traillies that eludes me.

[suzi_bandit]

I agree with what Bendy just said.

You already have your road sense and you just need to learn how to use a piece of machinery. Seems wise to learn to use the bike you'll be taking your test on.

I was in the same position as you after doing my CBT. I decided to hire a 125 for a day to build my confidence prior to the DAS and really, it was enough. I had 2 DAS lessons and passed with just 2 minors, one of those a maintenance question! From the moment I decided to take my test to when I passed was under 3 weeks.

[Lawnie]

Just remember that you are now a fraction of the size that you use to be on the road. Treat all other road users as idiots, and expect them to pull out just in front of you, etc.

[suzi_bandit]

[map]

[suzi_bandit]

[30SomethingLe...]

Thanks for all the feedback!,

The contrasting opinions are about 70/30 in favour of DAS straight away!, still don't know what to do

I think I'm going to go with the majority & do my theory & DAS now!, it was just the confidence factor that was pushing me towards getting a 125 for a few months - the thought of getting on a 500 in front of an examiner & doing slow manouveres & E-Stops terrifies me! - or will the 5 day course sort me out on all that?

Another factor was eagerness to get on the road! - we are nearly
halfway through summer, I didn't want to get in a situation where I finally pass my test & get a bike in November!. I was planning to ride a 125 for the summer & get my full licence ready for next spring.

Another thing is that thing called money! - I have £1800 tops, so if I do the DAS I will only have about a grand to buy a bike, & thats assuming I don't have to fork out for more tests!.
Then again I suppose having a full un-restricted licence & £1000 quid in the bank is better than having a provisional & £1800 in the bank!

[lumphammer]

Beware - road sense from driving a car is not the same as riding a bike (as I found to my cost last July doing DAS after nearly 40 odd years driving). Yes, the basic use of a road to get from A to B are the same but the perspective on a bike is totally different.

With hindsight, I should have got a 125 to get used to two wheels again before doing the DAS.

Have now been riding a 125 since then and feel a lot happier out on the road. 2 days training and then test to be taken soon.

[Rob]

I disagree with a lot of thing that is being said in this thread.

I wouldn't recommend doing a quick 3-4 day intensive course, it may teach you to how to pass your test quickly but isn't a good start to biking. Almost all people I know that have taken this way into biking have a serious accident in their first few weeks/months on the road.

I would recommend doing a DAS course though, if money isn't too much of an issue, get yourself a really cheap 125 to practice on during the week and do a once a week DAS course on a 500 leading up to your test after a few months. If you can ride the 125 everyday during the week all the better. After you pass your test you will want to get rid of the 125 so really only go for the cheapest one you can find. Also when you drop it it won't matter as much!! One of the traily type bikes to learn on is a good idea. The sports 125's really are a waste of money at your age.

Good luck with which ever way you choose to get into biking, but the main thing is just to enjoy it and be careful!


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Love is 1050cc

[kawakid]

I was the old idiot that did the 125 route.


At 32 I did my CBT, then bought a CG 3 days later, road that for 2 months, then put in for my test on it (ie A2), passed it 1st time and never bothered with the DAS.

Its not been to bad at 33bhp, but I often wish i'd done the DAS, not got long to go though. (By the time i've saved up for my ER6f, i'll be full power).
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I've a twin and a 4.

[chalky143]

hi and welcome!
I had a cagiva mito for a while and there are amazing bikes but are to expensive to run because parts are rediculous for price! i would go for a aprilia rs125 or tuono 125 because the parts are easyer to get hold of. The tzr is always a good option because they are cheap and cheap parts.

again enjoy your stay!
leon
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Current bike :: sv650 minitwin race bike
Previous bikes::cbr600 steelie race bike, 1989 Honda vfr750f, 2013 Honda fireblade, 2013 Ducati multistrata 1200s, 2012 Triumph street triple R, 1999 yamaha r6, vfr 800, ducati 600ss, vfr 400x2, ntv 650, bandit 600, cagiva mito 125, aprilia rs 50, honda c90x2, honda hornet 600x2, cbr 600, aprilia rx50, suzuki katana
My bike pics: https://www.bikepics.com/members/chalky143/

[_Will_]

The thing is, it is a personal thing, my advice would be go down to your local training center where you did your cbt and ask to have a go in the car park on a 500 saying you're considering das, if you feel then you still want to take the 125 route, you know what to do. on the other hand you may find it easier and the 500 may be less daunting which will help confidence.
If they are nice they will let you have a go and you can decide from there
____________________
Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[map]

For what it's worth my route was...
Got CBT on training company bike.
Bought old cheap CG125 to commute to work.
Took DAS course, would come home and practice on CG in the evening.
Got bigger bike to commute to work.
After a few years experience and building up no claims got even bigger bike.
Now very happy.

...intended to sell on the CG but it's still in the garage
...intended to sell the bigger bike but it's still in the garage

Doing the DAS was the best money I've spent, ever

Whether this helps you or not I don't know. I did consider the DAS direct without the CG as I thought it would be a drain on finances. However, as I could use the CG straight away I can't complain how things turned out. Oh, and it's true about the 500cc bikes being easier than the 125cc machines.

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[APNess]

I am more or less exactly as per happened for a number of posters on here: Drive for 17-18 years, get fed up with money pit sports cars, booked CBT/DAS, bought a Cg125 to practise on, Passed test (on second attempt) and went out boutgh an oldish bike, Thunderace, 1000cc.

The 'ace is as easy to ride as the 500 on the DAS, perhaps easier. At part throttle it will pull smoothly from low down and it's fine for shorties (if you don't mind me saying ) and big uns (I'm 6'4) alike, though I'm gonna jack the back end up an inch with shorter dog bones.

There's a massive choice of bikes to go at: faired/unfaired for starters, then whatever your budget will stretch to. I can't think, off the top of my head, of any truly rubbish bikes from the mid 90s on, though I'm sure someone on here can, maybe with regards reliability. With regards to power, I'd ridden several 600s before I chose the bike I got, and whilst they were easy to ride with varying degrees I wanted something where I didn't need to wring it's neck or feel like I had to race everywhere, so went for more of a tourer bike. Decided at the last minute on the 'ace over a ZZR1100 as maybe that would have been a bit too mad (though the 'ace is as fast I think, just a bit milder lower down the revs).

Get your CBT and DAS out the way - heck, you might even enjoy the 500, and feel that's got enough poke, for now. For me, having come from fast cars, I felt like it was too slow, even when thrashing the knackers off it, and the lack of fairing made it unpleasant at speed, so it was just a stepping stone. Each to their own