Newbie soon to be biker

[Shaunbing]

Hey everyone, I'm Shaun, I have always been interested in cars and bikes and have gone through phases of wanting a car, then wanting a bike, at the moment I am thinking I really want a bike.
There are a few reasons for this, the main one is cost, it is alot cheaper (from what I can see) to buy, insure and maintain a bike. The second is I personally think it'll be more fun, the only thing I'm slightly worried about is falling off, I know it'll happen one day, the famous quote:
"There are only 2 types of riders, those that have been down, and those who are going to go down!"

I know in the majority of cases it is because you are not seen whilst on your bike, and the other cases is usually because a biker is doing something dangerous and frankly quite stupid, I plan on not being the second reason.

I used to have a vw golf as I have a full car licence and that was all right but even for a 1.4 I was paying a ridiculous amount of insurance on it. Over £2,000 for the year :S

My plan at the moment is to get a Honda CBR 125 R, after doing my cbt and ride that for probably a year or two, (depending on whether I get bored or not and want to move onto something bigger and use motorways :O)

Do people have any opinions on the cbr? Or possibly getting the chinese replica (iirc it's called a skyjet)

I had a look at insurance on a comparison site and for a year for the cbr it came up for about £450, so pretty sure I can get it cheaper if I look around a bit harder but I'm not too bothered about that price because as mentioned before it's much cheaper then a car.

Any comments, advice is welcome, I look forward to hearing from you all.

p.s I hope I didn't use too many spelling mistakes etc etc.

(iirc - If I remember correctly...just in case people didn't know...trying to be helpful)

[675Rusty]

First of all, Hi & welcome

I assume you are going to be riding around on L-Plates if you want a CBR125, you may aswell do your test since they aren't making it any easier and you would be able to ride a more powerful bike that will cruise at 70 instead of being ragged.

Stay away from a Chinese replicas since many people have found out that they fall apart within the first year or rust away into nothing.

Go for the big makes E.G.
Honda, Suzuki, Kawsaki, Yamaha, Aprillia, Gilera, KTM etc.

If you still want to ride around on L-Plates don't go for a sporty 4 stroke since they don't really have the power to back up the looks (IMO), get something like a CG125 as they are reliable as anything and will probably sell for what you payed when the time comes to upgrade.

Oh and don't worry about falling off, if you worry about it then it's bound it happen, so just be relaxed whilst riding instead of constantly thinking "IM GONNA FALL, IM GONNA FALL" lol.

[metalangel]

TBH I'd save the money from a CBR125 and get the Varadero 125 if I wanted something 'flashy', or just a CG/YBR because I know I'll only have it a year or two and then will be getting rid of it.
____________________
Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[Shaunbing]

Haha thank you for the advice, to be honest i'm not too worried about falling off, if it gets to that point then there's probably not a great deal I can do about it.

To be honest I'm not buying a 125 for performance, I think the only ones that actually have one are the honda nsr (getting on abit now but 31bhp) and the aprilla rs...I think,
But both of those are going to be ridiculous to insure and I would have to restrict them anyway as I'm allowed 13bhp (again I think it's about that).

So would a possible idea be, get a 125 bike, do my cbt, possibly get in a couple of months bike experience and things and then sit in for the A2 test? What's your opinion?
If I had a bike for a few months I don't think it would lose a great deal of money and then I could sell it and then get onto my next bike.

Also I saw a review for the sporty 125 yamaha (looks of an r1 performance of a shoe) and I like the looks, I would quite like a sports style bike, however, I will quickly google the bike you mentioned and as I will probably just be keeping it for a little while it may be worth saving some money on buying the bike and have the money for my test sooner.


Again apologies to everyone I tend to go on a bit
SB

[Shaunbing]

See this is kind of where I'd like advice, the CG looks a bit like an old mans bike IMO.
But if I'm only having it for a couple of months then it would make sense as I assume it's quite easy to ride and wouldn't fall apart on me and would be a good stepping stone.

So yea what do I do??

(IMO - In My Opinion)

[675Rusty]

I think you are referring to the Yamaha YZF-R125, it's an ok bike but they are extremely over priced for what they are, a 125 and I think the insurance will be high on one, not to sure though.

Get the CBT done first and then look at a bike and I think it's a good idea to do your CBT and get a couple of months experience before going in for the test, but make sure you have a couple of lessons before you go for your test since you will aquire bad habits by riding by yourself.

I've been on the road for almost 9 months and I can do my test in August but I am defiantly going to need a couple of lessons to get rid of my bad habits.

[Shaunbing]

Yea I had planned to get a couple of lessons in because like driving a car I drove test standard until I started driving myself and then all of it went out the window when I was driving myself so it would probably be the same for a bike.

I know it's very vague, but what kind of budget should I be looking to put on a first bike, had a glance on autotrader bikes and most of the really cheap things were for twist and go which I really don't fancy.

£1k? and then £500 for insurance?

I will probs find out myself in a second, but helmet, jacket and gloves (the basics to start with) are they going to cost me a bomb?

Thanks again for advice

[Shaunbing]

[675Rusty]

I'm only 16, I turn 17 in August which is when I can do my test. Sorry for confusing you

Have a look at these bikes

Honda XR125
Honda CG125
Yamaha SR125
Suzuki VN125
Yamaha DT125
Suzuki TS125

There are alot of learner friendly 125s that are very cheap, the CG seems to be the favourite for commuting and learning on before people go for their tests.

As for gear,

Helmets £50-£600 - I would budget around £150 for a decent one
Gloves - £20-£40 - I paid £40 for my gloves and they are brilliant.
Jacket - £50-£100 - Textile, Leather it's your choice
Trousers - £50-£100 - Again you have Textiles or Leathers
Boots - £70-£150 - Decent waterproof boots can be exspensive

Think that's all you need at the moment.

[Shaunbing]

You're an absolute legend

I know it's a bit dodgy but for a 125 do i really really need boots, trousers?

can't i just get a decent pair of jeans or something? I don't know it's a bit dodgy I suppose.

I will check out those bikes you suggested and edit this to tell you what I think, thank you again for the post.
SB

EDIT: See most of those look quote...umm...old man :S is that a bad thing to say...the only one i came close to liking was the yamaha. i suppose if im not keeping it for very long i could live with it...hmm no 125 really is going to do 60mph comfortably is it

[Shaunbing]

I've had a little look and an nsr is cheaper to insure then a cbr, I thought it would be more as I'm pretty sure it's alot more power, what are peoples thoughts on that, I could use it after my cbt, do my a2, then de restrict it and i'm pushing against the 33bhp rule...input?

[675Rusty]

I know the bikes look "old-man" but they are brilliant learner bikes.

I think the NSR is 20'ish HP when de-restricted, after your A2 you won't be wanting a 2 stroke 125, they are rev hungry and drink fuel like no tomorrow, where as a restricted 500 will be happy at 70 and still be relatively good on fuel.

About boots and trousers, I recently came off in jeans at around 35mph and my knee got torn to shreds and it's painful as hell, I've been and bought a pair of textile trousers since then with armour in the knee's and hips.

Boots, a pair of work boots should be ok but I've got MX boots since I want to do off-roading after I pass the test.

If you really want a Sporty 125 you'll be looking at 4 strokes which as I said earlier "All looks, no go" or you'll be looking at 2 strokes which need to be kept ontop of when servicing comes into it.

A list of sporty 125s,
Aprillia RS125, Honda NSR125, Cagiva Mito, YZF-R125, Honda CBR125, Yamaha TZR125.

A sports 2 stroke 125 will need a top-end rebuild or new rings at 5000-8000 iirc which is around the £140 mark for the RS125, not sure on the price though.

Hope that helped.

[Shaunbing]

As far as I can see NSR's are about 30bhp,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_NSR125

I have soo much to think about...I am possibly even now considering doing an intensive course, get the a2 and that done and then just go out and buy a restricted bike.

Lots to think about but thank you for the advice, I think getting trousers by the sounds of it seems more of a good idea!!

[bhinso]

Hi yeah there's nothing wrong with the cbr's except they're a little on the small side, if you're a taller rider you might be better going for a moto x style or varadero.
personally my advice would be to get the a2 out the way asap. i know you've not ridden bikes much if at all, but all that car experience will help you out a lot.
good to see another biker from lincolnshire too!

[crowe]

I, my brother and my two friends all had a Honda CBR125R as a first bike and we all used them to gain experience until we took our big bike tests.

Most 125s keep their price. We all got at least what we paid for them back and i put this down to the appeal they have to younger riders. They may not be powerful but they are sexy bikes to a young man's eyes We never had a problem with them and i would rate them as very reliable and a pretty decent bike for what they are.




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Kawasaki ER-5

[Shaunbing]

aww I keep changing my mind what to do, because of the cost to start with, I think it would be easier to go down the cbr do a cbt get some practice and transport in, because going for the a2 and things. With the added advice that they are reliable and will hold their value it's not a stupid idea to get one.

[steppen22]

Hi mate,

To be honest, your initial plan seems a bit pointless to me.

I wouldn't waste time riding around on a cbr for 1-2 years before test.

You don't need to.

First off, CBR's are widely regarded as more style than substance, they don't really have anything to offer that a cg, sr, ybr has, etc.

It's perfectly possible to pass the a2 test without any lessons, as I did, and others, simply teaching yourself. This is the benefit of bikes which you don't really get with learning to drive - you can go out all day long and teach youself, where you want, when you want, etc.

Rather than aimlessly pottering around on a cbr for 2 years, instead get any old 125cc - which seems reliable and is learner friendly - and have two months of solid, meaningful practise - get the learn to ride guides from the DSA and make sure you can do it all, to test standard. Then, if you want, get a couple of hours with an sintructor to check you aren't missing something obvious. Then book the test yourself (even if you fail first time, that's nothing, 'cos you've saved hundreds of pounds by this point anyway) . Pass test. Sell the old 125. Get a bigger bike.

To be frank, why wait two years? Driving tests never get easier, and never get cheaper!

The bike test actually is quite straightforward. Riding bikes isn't "easier" than driving, not at all, but it is far more intuitive - you can't really go wrong on the test if you're paying attention to the road and riding safely.

other 125ccs -ybr125, sr125, cg125, en125, etc.
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no regrets, no retreat, no apology.
I've made mistakes in the past, and I apologise for FUCK ALL.

[steppen22]

As for your question, "do I need gear on a 125cc".

YES YOU DO.

For starters, you look like a dickhead who isn't serious about biking without the gear. How do you think the examiner will perceive you on the day of the test if you turn up in full protective gear, or if you turn up in jeans and trainers, like you've just got out of a car?

Second, if you come off the bike at, say, 55mph, your flesh and the tarmac ain't going to give a shit what bike you're riding.

Keep in mind, though, that you first set of gear, doesn't have to be expensive. I paid £10 pounds for gloves, £10 pounds for frank thomas leather trousers, £7 for frank thomas boots, etc. The quotes given to you above are way off the mark. The only thing you should never buy second hand, or online, is the helmet - but you can get one for £70 or so. All helmets have to pass the same safety tests so, at least for a learner, it isn't a case of the more you spend the better.

Tip: buy it used / ebay's your friend!
____________________
no regrets, no retreat, no apology.
I've made mistakes in the past, and I apologise for FUCK ALL.

[steppen22]

Also, most 125cc hold their value - because they are quite popular bikes. If you look after it, you should get back what you paid. Good idea to factor an early service for the bike into your budget if you're not sure about the mechanics of bikes (£150-200 the service will be).

The chinese bikes don't hold their value. Never ridden one, so they may be great bikes (I doubt it though). However, they simply don't hold value - as they have a reputation as being shit. So even though you might make a saving in buying a chinese bike, you'll lose that saving when it comes to selling it....

Budget £600-1k for a used 125cc. Stick with the reliable brands, suzuki, kawasaki, yamaha, honda.
____________________
no regrets, no retreat, no apology.
I've made mistakes in the past, and I apologise for FUCK ALL.

[Shaunbing]

Thank you for all the advice, I didn't realise I could get all the protective gear that cheaply, to be honest I'm not too bothered about what it's going to look like if it's going to save my body then I can live with looking like a complete *rse!

I think also you bring up a very good point about the test and that wearing all the correct gear, even if it doesn't match or look amazing will instantly give you +1 with the examinor because he thinks you're serious and probably not going to drive like a complete idiot.

Hmm I suppose, I will need to look into the cost of the A2 and see whether after the initial cost whether or not I could afford the test within a couple months.

Does anyone have any idea about how much one of the intensive courses are?
If so is it possible to do you theory and hazard perception before you do your CBT? If so then that's fine I would assume it's pretty similar to the car one and I passed that with ease so with the help of a trusty DVD to give me some practice on the PC I'm sure it'll be a breeze.

Thank you again for all your help people.
Shaun

[675Rusty]

I forgot to say in one of my earlier posts, you can buy second hand gear but it totatly slipped my mind lol.

I think you can your theory/hazard perception before your cbt although I am not entirely sure.

Good luck on what ever you choose to do.

[Clanger]

Stay away from Chinese. That's all.
Enjoy biking...
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss