question from a newbie

[daywalker]

first of all hi,howdy,waazzzzuuuuuppppp and hello. due to the parking charges in lincoln city center where i work (£4.50 a day,£9.00 if the wifes in aswell) ive decided to get 2 wheel transport(not push bike lol) as its free to park bikes by my work. now ive never been a man of 2 wheel transport only 4,so i now have a problem to solve in the form of do i (1)get a cheap 50cc ped to smoke about on which i can ride on my car licence without a cbt and if i dont like the 2 wheel option ive not wasted too much money. (2) take my cbt and get a 125 so i can get to work a bit quicker but still decide if i like bikes or not. (3) just take my test and too hell with it(but still use a 125 to start with),now before you bombard me with replies and pm's theres a couple of things to take into account,firstly im a big lad around 18ish stone,second i do a 25 mile round trip to work and back daily(mostly lanes) and third ive never ridden or been on a motorbike before in my life! so im after a bit of guidence/advice really before i buy something and feel ive made the wrong choice when it comes to useing it/taking test ect. any sensible comments/replies will be taken in to my emptyish head and all put together to come to a decision, any funny/sarcastic replies will be laughed at but probably ignored and forgot about once ive finnished laughing (lol). so let me know opinion please i need all the help i can get!!!!!!!
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old people are like slinkys.........there not much use but they make you smile when you push em down the stairs!!!!!!!!

if it's got wheels or breasts it's gonna cost you money!

[fatsamurai]

My advice would be to go do your CBT. You will do that on a geared 125 and will be able to get a good idea if that sort of bike will suit you.

Don't know how suitable little peds are for the sort of distance you want to do but i'm sure someone will chime in and let you know.

and welcome!

[daywalker]

nice one, i was thinking little ped+mileage+my fat a55 = not lasting too long before it blows up!
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old people are like slinkys.........there not much use but they make you smile when you push em down the stairs!!!!!!!!

if it's got wheels or breasts it's gonna cost you money!

[fatsamurai]

[Ben.]

get a 125, a ped and long journey is a bad combo.
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follow my racing season
Race bike - R6
Road bike - sv650

[daywalker]

[deanoet]

No matter what you decide on do the CBT

It is ~£100 and teaches you basic control, maintenance and most importantly how to be safe on the roads.

Do the CBT and decide then, you might not like it.


I started middle of last year, i have been well and truely sucked into it.
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[chris-red]

Yeah 125 is the best bet.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[meach]

[EdSpur]

Just for the record, despite the C in CBT, it's not compulsory to do it if you got your full car license before Feb 1st 2001 AND you ONLY ride a 50cc machine.

In that instance you can ride a 50cc with no L plates and no other restrictions except not going on motorways (obviously) - you can carry a passenger for example.

However IMO everyone should do a CBT anyway as it's really useful training especially if you've not ridden a bike on the roads before.

And you don't want to be stuck on a 50cc anyway.

[c_dug]

So if you got your car licence before 2001 and your allowed to ride without L plates and carry a pillion and then you do your CBT do you loose the right to carry a pillion and do you then need L's just because you did your CBT?

also to the OP deifinetly a geared 125, on a scale of 1 to BORING the 50cc scoots score pretty close to boring for long distance journeys.

c_dug
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[stan hyd]

if you have a car license before Feb 01 you can ride a 50 and only a 50 with a pillion and no L plates.

If you do your CBT you can still ride a 50 without L plates and a pillion but you can now also ride a 125 but if you want to do this you must wear L's and no carry a pillion.

Simple really.
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DAS Passed 12/12/07 2 minors!
Looking for a hornet - ?1900 mark

[EdSpur]

[daywalker]

some good advice coming through and its all sinking in,ill probably speak to my local motorbike s.o.m which is walts training in lincoln over the next few days and may even book a cbt! and yes i passed my car test in 1996 which is why i was looking at the ped option because it seemed the easy way,but after the comments on here i think ill forget that option.i may buy a 125 over the weekend (if the ball and chain lets me lol) then at least i can practice clutch control ect before my cbt round my field just to get the feel of it,bit like wearing a new pair of boots in the house before you go out in them. anyone got any more advice to add????
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old people are like slinkys.........there not much use but they make you smile when you push em down the stairs!!!!!!!!

if it's got wheels or breasts it's gonna cost you money!

[dwayne_101]

most days i do around 20-30 miles to and from work and uni and basic running around. i have a burgman 125 maxi scooter which basiclly means more room, more protection, more comfort plus you don't look like a chav on this scooter. i find this suits me down to the ground but due to me wanting to finally upgrade my licence i am changing other wise i would be keeping it. if your after comfort and space i would go for a maxi scooter i.e suzuki burgman, aprilia alantic

if this idea sounds up your street pm me and i will point you in the right direction of people and sites
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looking at getting a full uk licence, after 3 cbt's bored of doing them
selling a burgman 125 03 plate soon

[deanoet]

[daywalker]

thats why i was going go the moped route,i already have a couple of helmets lying round from my banger racing days so the only real cost then would be a shi77y moped(dont want anything flashy),that way at least if i didnt take to it the chavs would soon snap it up on flee bay. but its looking more like cbt every time i come and check for posts on here,all the advice ive been given so far has been gratefully noted and taken in.

if i go for the cbt which looks like it will be, im probably going to go for a 125 that looks like a motorbike and not a big moped,i like the look of the honda cg and that sort of style but being a car pervert and not having anything to do with bikes before im only seeing what i like on flee bay, so any suggestions on what sort of bike would be gratefully received aswell.
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old people are like slinkys.........there not much use but they make you smile when you push em down the stairs!!!!!!!!

if it's got wheels or breasts it's gonna cost you money!

[deanoet]

I believe helmets only have a limited life span, is it 5 years?? Or did i make that up? sure someone in the know will be along soon.
You only have 1 head. Look after it.

Budget for Jacket, gloves, boots and trousers as well
If you come off a bike is going to land on your leg and foot and possibly pin it down onto the rough road at 30+mph



I ride a CG125, great bike and would recommend it.
Good for around town, Top speed of 55 / 60
Find it nice and comfy as well

Tenner to fill up, ~250 miles before reserve tank needed
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[daywalker]

oh yeh if i do cbt and like it then jacket,gloves and stuff will be just as important as the bike,my banger racing days were only a couple of years ago and the spare helmet i used to carry round was only used once by the wife in non contact racing and still has the dangley tags on the strap with the price on,but they were only going to be used to start with if i had a ped and ive got a leather jacket(proper biker one)that someone gave me a while ago,and i used to race in motor x boots to protect my feet and ankles more from big hits.personal safety has always been up the top of the list,not like some of these lads whos mommy and daddy have brought them a 50cc on there 16th birthday and once theyve done there cbt ride round in trakky bottoms and a t-shirt.yes i have a big list of things to get ect but ill do my cbt and if i like it then ill go shopping for some up to date stuff. but thank you for the concern some people may have not realised.
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old people are like slinkys.........there not much use but they make you smile when you push em down the stairs!!!!!!!!

if it's got wheels or breasts it's gonna cost you money!

[b0ss]

Do CBT, then buy Honda CG125. CGs are absolute bomb proof and they do over 100mpg.

[dwayne_101]

[NeoGinge]

Don't get a 50, for your distance to work, it would be boring and take too long. I agree with the others in saying do the CBT, and decide whether you like it or not.

If you do, get a 125.
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1st year apprentice sparky, Honda cg125-w

[daywalker]

thanks for all the good advice, im off to see walter at w.o.l.t.s training tomorrow once ive finished work to have a chat and book my cbt . from what ive heard he's one of the friendliest blokes you'll ever meet and he's being instructing for years.
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old people are like slinkys.........there not much use but they make you smile when you push em down the stairs!!!!!!!!

if it's got wheels or breasts it's gonna cost you money!

[daywalker]

oh yeh forgot to mention,are there anymore bikes in the same style ect as honda cg that are as good ? i only want a cheap shi77er to start with till i know i can get on with 2 wheels,or is it best to get cg or similar from the start?
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old people are like slinkys.........there not much use but they make you smile when you push em down the stairs!!!!!!!!

if it's got wheels or breasts it's gonna cost you money!

[EdSpur]

I did CBT and then went straight out and bought a CG125.
I think the only reason for not getting one is if you don't like the look of them.
If that's the look you're after, you simply can't go wrong with a CG (as long as it's not been crashed or otherwise beaten up obviously).

Similar is the YBR125 from Yamaha.
Never owned one but I hear the reliability is not quite up to the cg's standard while many prefer the Yamaha's styling.
(Compared to older cgs I think, rather than the new one which looks pretty good to me.)