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ttboy1988
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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PostPosted: 18:23 - 14 Dec 2009    Post subject: Advice needed for a newbie Reply with quote

Hey guys i am liking this forum, I need a bit of advice. I am soon to be starting university in sept 2010 and i need a Bike, TBh dont want to spend that much.

The last time i went to University i took my car, and i have regretted it since day 1. i was not even driving it because of the parking costs and the traffic in the city centre. Just wasted lot of my student loan maintaing the car

So i am looking a bike to go to my lectures and back, also for my gym and other stuff as well.

I had a crap 50cc, a chinese model in 2007, good bike but very slow up hills as it was a 4 stroke. Hopefully i wont make the same mistake with the chinese bike, this time i will be going for honda, aprilla and yamaha

1. The advice i need is should i go for 50cc 2 stroke or 125 cbr. btw i am 21.

2. Can i transfer my NCB from my car to my bike?

3. If i have a crash on my bike, will it affect my car insurance? (not relevant i know but still)

4. will a 50cc reach 50 -60mph if destricted?, can someone reccomend me some good bikes


My current car
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Itchy
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PostPosted: 18:28 - 14 Dec 2009    Post subject: Re: Advice needed for a newbie Reply with quote

ttboy1988 wrote:

1. The advice i need is should i go for 50cc 2 stroke or 125 cbr. btw i am 21.

2. Can i transfer my NCB from my car to my bike?

3. If i have a crash on my bike, will it affect my car insurance? (not relevant i know but still)

4. will a 50cc reach 50 -60mph if destricted?, can someone reccomend me some good bikes


#1 Go for a 4 stroke 125cc bike , reliability , running cost, ability to take a bit of cargo and more road presence and no need to derestrict.

#2 Some companies let you do this do a search, it can work both ways.

#3 yup you only have one set of NCB unless you are my dad who has run two cars since the dawn of time and thus has TWO sets of 15years of NCB.

#4 no you rag its balls off and it'll do maybe 40mph tops while a 4 stroke will do 50mph ok absolute top end 65mphish.
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ttboy1988
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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PostPosted: 18:37 - 14 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

So Annoying that my car insurance doesnt finish till july, but i need to bike before june,

1. Isnt a Scooter or moped much easier to manage, Just twist and go?

2.Is it me or just i think that 125 bikes with gears seems to be lot more hassle?

3. I have 1 years NCB on a Car and 1 years NCB on a bike. So i should be able to put them together , which should lower my car insurance? (can someone confirm this)
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Itchy
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PostPosted: 18:55 - 14 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

ttboy1988 wrote:
So Annoying that my car insurance doesnt finish till july, but i need to bike before june,

1. Isnt a Scooter or moped much easier to manage, Just twist and go?

2.Is it me or just i think that 125 bikes with gears seems to be lot more hassle?

3. I have 1 years NCB on a Car and 1 years NCB on a bike. So i should be able to put them together , which should lower my car insurance? (can someone confirm this)


A scooter isn't a moped, a moped is a bike incapable of going more than 30mph, along with some other things.

Its as you like it, in that if you go take your CBT ask them for a go on both, in that gears are no more complicated than those of a car simplier ever as it is a sequential gear box.

I'm not sure if you can combine NCBs but I've not looked deeply into this.
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rob1701d
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Joined: 25 Oct 2008
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PostPosted: 21:30 - 14 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

in response to recommending a good bike i would say get yourself a honda cg125 (shocker!) you can pick them up very cheap and there are loads about, also they just last forever, parts are cheap and easy to get. it will get to about 60mph and was designed for exactly what you want it for..commuting.

ive had my CG for over a year, its done 30k, i passed my A2 test on it and it has only needed basic repairs.

if you haven't guessed by now i love CGs Smile but even though im biased im sure most people will agree with me Smile

oh and geared bikes are very easy once you get used to it but go with what you find most comfortable. ive riden my wifes 125 scooter around a few times and i must admit i feel much safer on my cg while in town traffic
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santa668
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PostPosted: 18:30 - 15 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

As a newbie scooterati, I'm gonna say go for the 125cc scooter - I love my Piaggio Liberty! Twist an go so no worrying about gears, fun as hell, especially in town where you're rarely gonna be going above 30mph...
Go 4 stroke so you have less maintenance worries. My 125 doesn't have any problems with hills Smile

Like as not, most on here will recommend geared bikes because that's what they ride, but for fun, convenience and traffic, 125 scooter is the way to go.

You're gonna have to do your CBT again you realise? Unless you've got a full bike licence?

Don't know about NCB, ring up whoever gives you a good online quote and ask them. I found confused.com gave me the best selection of quotes and got me Bennetts TP only for £130 - with no exp of driving/riding at all (I am 25 tho).

Add Piaggio/Vespa to your list, can't say enough good things about them, and their scooters look the coolest (which is important to some ppl Laughing )

Good luck!

Nick
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EnergyInducti...
Crazy Courier



Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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PostPosted: 18:39 - 15 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Go for a 125, A 50 would not exactly be suitable for your needs.
A cheap and cheerful chinese 125 may be all you need if you want something you can buy for pennies, never maintain and run into the ground after a year or two, it'll still be cheaper to run than your car =)
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Kal
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PostPosted: 20:01 - 15 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

snaphappyalex wrote:
Go for a 125, A 50 would not exactly be suitable for your needs.
A cheap and cheerful chinese 125 may be all you need if you want something you can buy for pennies, never maintain and run into the ground after a year or two, it'll still be cheaper to run than your car =)



No, no, no dear gods no!!!

You might get a decent one but you'll probably get a lemon. As a rule a geared 125 bike is more fun than a rev-and-go, is more stable and can handle the occasional longer journeys better.

As ever CG125 for the win!
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Itchy
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PostPosted: 21:34 - 15 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

No man just NO, Chinese bikes bar maybe Jinlun in their current state are dangerous, a rider over the pennines had her FRAME snap not from a crash from normal usage when putting the hammer down.
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ttboy1988
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Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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PostPosted: 15:36 - 16 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am thinking honda cg125 ftw, did a bit of search on it, cant see anything going wrong with it.

Its should be a good investment for the 3 years at the uni
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Kal
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PostPosted: 23:35 - 16 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

ttboy1988 wrote:
I am thinking honda cg125 ftw, did a bit of search on it, cant see anything going wrong with it.

Its should be a good investment for the 3 years at the uni


Oh things do go wrong with them, but a very basic house hold tool kit and a Haynes goes a long way to keeping the costs down. That and parts are damn cheap.
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DanHam
Renault 5 Driver



Joined: 25 Oct 2009
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PostPosted: 11:56 - 17 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thumbs Up for a 4 stroke 125 cc.

I had an RS50 when I was 16 (its a 2 stroke) It did about 55mph, but a cruising speed was 45-55mph in order to not put too much strain on the engine. My RS50 did about 55-60mpg which is about the same a the VFR400 I now ride.

When I turned 17 I got a Honda CBR125, it was much better than the RS50, it does well over 100mpg. Comfortable does 60mph. i went straight out and passed my A2 on it.

If you crash your bike and make a claim, its still a claim so it will affect your car insurance. I was paying around £300 for the CBR fully comp with 1 years no claims.

I still have my CBR125 for sale by the way.
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nstrug
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 15 Nov 2009
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PostPosted: 13:41 - 17 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would also suggest that 4-stroke 125 trail bikes make great city bikes. They are very narrow - great for filtering, but have the advantage of still being quite tall so you get great visibility. The longer travel suspension is good on potholes and for bumping up kerbs too. You can put dual purpose tyres on which are better in the wet than knobblies, or you can do the whole supermoto thing and put smaller wheels with road tyres on.

Nick
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Bubbs
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PostPosted: 13:53 - 17 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Go for a YBR, looks a little better than the CG and is just as reliable.
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Kal
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PostPosted: 00:54 - 18 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

dafyddjohndavies wrote:
Go for a YBR, looks a little better than the CG and is just as reliable.


But costs more, and doesnt have the same silly level of spares availability...
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Bubbs
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PostPosted: 10:10 - 18 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
But costs more, and doesnt have the same silly level of spares availability...


I don't know too much about availability of spares but they're still cheap. I spent £800 on my YBR 05 plate with 7,000 miles on the clock. My clock now reads 11,000 and I haven't had a single problem with it (except needing a new spark plug)
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dextersaurus
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PostPosted: 23:16 - 20 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dunc says buy a CG125.

No problems with mine till a renault espact decided to say hello.

even then it still runs.

So yeah, Buy a CG125 Laughing

And about the insurance, i'm pretty sure you can switch the NCB from the car TO the bike, but then you'd have none on the car.

Dunc
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fezza612
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PostPosted: 10:58 - 27 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

you need a honda cg125 great little bikes cheap and mine does 85mph Very Happy
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Bubbs
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PostPosted: 11:00 - 27 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

fezza612 wrote:
you need a honda cg125 great little bikes cheap and mine does 85mph Very Happy


You taking the piss or does it actually go 85? And if it does then how the hell did you get it to do that?? Mine struggles to get to 60mph
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dextersaurus
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PostPosted: 11:31 - 27 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

dafyddjohndavies wrote:
fezza612 wrote:
you need a honda cg125 great little bikes cheap and mine does 85mph Very Happy


You taking the piss or does it actually go 85? And if it does then how the hell did you get it to do that?? Mine struggles to get to 60mph


I had mine up to 85 when i had to find a replacement front sprocket, as the centre of mine shredded.

had to pin the throttle everywhere for it to move, but once it got the power (wind and gravity power that is) it could get there.

screaming its tits off though.

CG's don't like going more than 70.... i don't recommend it Laughing

Dunc
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ttboy1988
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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PostPosted: 14:23 - 27 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am Leaning more towards a Gilera runner 125 4 stroke, purely for the reason that its a twist and go. When i am at university it will be easier to jump on and jump off. i would be making only small 2 mile journeys so i wouldnt have the time to put on all the protective clothing.

I know that the cg125 is a good bike, but i feel as though its more suitable for longer journeys, gilera runner woul be easy to jump on and jump off.
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Ingah
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PostPosted: 21:53 - 27 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

ttboy1988 wrote:
i would be making only small 2 mile journeys so i wouldnt have the time to put on all the protective clothing.


If you don't have a few seconds to put on some of the more basic protective clothing then you certainly don't have the few months required in hospital for the skin grafts and prosthetic limbs you're likely to need when an idiot changes lane into you (or any of the million ways that accidents can and do happen) and you come skidding off your scooter at 15/20/25/30mph. Young men (and women), die at those speeds and less. When your unprotected body goes from 20-0 in a fraction of a second it causes a hell of a crunch. Having experienced sudden decellerative forces myself i'd really suggest you wear something - even if it is just gloves, jacket, and i would also suggest boots (although if you leave it at gloves and a jacket it's far better than nothing). Won't take you more than 20/30 seconds each side. But will, in all probability, save your ass more than once over the length of your uni course (especially in a busy city). Scooters are no more or less dangerous than manual motorbikes (when they land on you, they break things). And the road doesn't care that you only got on the bike 50 seconds ago. In fact, you'll be slightly more likely to come off as your tyres are cold.

I don't mean for you to take this as a lecture, i can't be more than a couple of years older than you. I have come off no less than 5 times in 2 years, despite careful riding (i'm no fool i assure you). My gear has saved me more than once.

As for the bike choice - i went the CG125 route for cheapness as gears aren't hard once you've taken time to get used them (they're actually great fun once you know what they're about). But i respect the decision for a scooter if you don't want to learn gears.
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Bendy
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PostPosted: 22:18 - 27 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

ttboy1988 wrote:

3. I have 1 years NCB on a Car and 1 years NCB on a bike. So i should be able to put them together , which should lower my car insurance? (can someone confirm this)


No, you cannot combine NCB earned on different vehicles, it has to be a continuous 'string'.

(ie, if you insured your car for 2008 and insured your bike for 2008, you cannot add those together and have 2 years. If you insured your car for 2008, transferred the ncb to your bike for 2009 then you would have 2 years.)
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borolad
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Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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PostPosted: 11:27 - 29 Dec 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ingah wrote:
ttboy1988 wrote:
i would be making only small 2 mile journeys so i wouldnt have the time to put on all the protective clothing.


If you don't have a few seconds to put on some of the more basic protective clothing then you certainly don't have the few months required in hospital for the skin grafts and prosthetic limbs you're likely to need when an idiot changes lane into you (or any of the million ways that accidents can and do happen) and you come skidding off your scooter at 15/20/25/30mph. Young men (and women), die at those speeds and less. When your unprotected body goes from 20-0 in a fraction of a second it causes a hell of a crunch. Having experienced sudden decellerative forces myself i'd really suggest you wear something - even if it is just gloves, jacket, and i would also suggest boots (although if you leave it at gloves and a jacket it's far better than nothing). Won't take you more than 20/30 seconds each side. But will, in all probability, save your ass more than once over the length of your uni course (especially in a busy city). Scooters are no more or less dangerous than manual motorbikes (when they land on you, they break things). And the road doesn't care that you only got on the bike 50 seconds ago. In fact, you'll be slightly more likely to come off as your tyres are cold.

I don't mean for you to take this as a lecture, i can't be more than a couple of years older than you. I have come off no less than 5 times in 2 years, despite careful riding (i'm no fool i assure you). My gear has saved me more than once.

As for the bike choice - i went the CG125 route for cheapness as gears aren't hard once you've taken time to get used them (they're actually great fun once you know what they're about). But i respect the decision for a scooter if you don't want to learn gears.


Good reply mate Thumbs Up
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