Hi everybody(potential new first time rider)

[R3negade]

Hello there,

So, I have decided that I want motorcycle. However, I know absolutely nothing about motorcycles, and after my googleing, this place seems like a nice and knowledgeable community.

I have held a full car licence for 14 years(I am 31) and on my licence, it states I have a cat p, this means I can ride a 50cc with L plates right?

My plan for next year is to get the appropriate training to enable me to ride something powerful enough, but not too mental until I have a decent amount of road experience behind me.

One of the things puzzling me loads is how do you know what bike is what? Or where can I find out? What I mean is what does ZXR/ZZR/ABC etc mean? I guess they are the model codes, but is it like a car when you can tag an "s" on the end of the model and it means sport?

Whilst I am here, could anyone recommend a decent 125 for <£1500 for a new rider? I want to start setting my sights on something, but as I previously mentioned, I have absolutely no idea what I am looking at/for?!?

Thanks in advance.

Oh and anyone wants to chip in with any other info that may be useful to me, I will be very grateful. I am a fish out of water when it comes to stuff like this.

Cheers,

[SweenyT]

Hi and welcome. Thought I'd reply seeing as no-one else has yet not that I can help much

I'm a newbie rider who has been driving a car for 18yrs so there's not much I can really tell you I'm afraid.

There is a sticky post on here which gives all the info re: licences and tests. You can ride a 50cc on your car licence but I'm pretty sure that you'll need to take your cbt to ride up to a 125 on L-plates.

As far as I can tell the codes are pretty much like that of a car but it depends on the make cause they sometimes put the differences code before or after the number eg S-single, T-twin or RS-sport etc but I'm pretty clueless myself. I have a biker friend who helps me with all that stuff Over the past year I've found out a lot of stuff on the internet including stuff that I used to help me with my tests.

I took my cbt last year and bought a Yamaha YBR125 after to get experience on and not long passed my A2 test (would have been DAS but money & time...). A lot of people recommend the Honda CG bikes but after sitting on a few different ones I found I preferred the Yamaha. Following slightly dodgy advice, I bought mine new with the option to trade it in but with hindsight I would have been better off buying used, I did however get a full kit (Helmet, boots, gloves, jacket, trousers) thrown in even though I already had mine and discounted extras (lock, chain etc).

Anyway there are loads of people on here who give excellent advice so they will probably reply soon and help you but for my two pence I would say go to a bike shop and sit on various 125 bikes and see how they feel then you can narrow down your choice. Oh and take someone sensible who's been riding a while with you to 'help' you

Good luck.


PS Never wear 'waterproof' Oxford gear when its raining - it feels like you went swimming after!
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Current ride - 2005 Suzuki GSX-R600 K4 - 2x 2014 Honda NC750s long term courtesy bikes - 2003 Fazer FZ6 written off as idiot reversed into me - 2009 YBR125 - still have from new

[Triumph-ant]

Howdie fellow not quite a rider yet!

you can ride a 50cc but for £100 and a saturday out you might as well take a CBT (compulsary basic training) which will allow you to ride a 125cc https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/RidingMotorcyclesAndMopeds/DG_4022430

However you do realise that a 125cc is still a hairdryer right?

If you have the money and a week off you can do a DAS (Direct Access) It is usually 5 days intensive training and you go from passing your CBT to riding a 500cc bike and taking a full test.

All the letters are the models of bikes, like Honda make different model cars, civic, accord, jazz, ect, they also make different model bikes, CBR600 (the 600 standing for the cc ) CBR1000, CB600F Hornet , ect.

The best thing you can do though is find or make a mate who is into bikes and after a while all the jibberish starts to make sense

[SweenyT]

Hey I resent that hairdryer remark! Just cause my 125 can just barely creep up and do 80 on a clear and sunny day and gets thrown about when there's even the gentlest of breezes and feels like I'm dicing with death on a brezzy day on even a single carriageway let alone anything larger doesnt mean it's a hairdryer. My hairdryer has taken great offence to that as it has 10x more horsepower than my little 125 has
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Current ride - 2005 Suzuki GSX-R600 K4 - 2x 2014 Honda NC750s long term courtesy bikes - 2003 Fazer FZ6 written off as idiot reversed into me - 2009 YBR125 - still have from new

[Triumph-ant]

[Nexus Icon]

Welcome to the forum, R3negade.

[R3negade]

Hi,

Thanks very much for the replies everyone.

So following the advice I think I will be getting a either a ticket for a 125 or doing a DAS early next year.

I read some advice on the forum earlier in the week sometime which mentioned a new rider would be better off getting a hairdryer for a lil while because a) I will probably stack it at some point, and b) to get some 2 wheel experience.

The only motor bike experience I have is when I used to thrash a KMX125 round my mates farm when I was 13 or 14. No crash helmet either tut tut. So I am guessing that wont really count.

The reason I joined this forum is because I am absolutely clueless. I have no rider friends, and unfortunately I was put off riding many years ago. My father is a paramedic and I used to get the horror stories of arms and legs all over the roads. Obviously with age comes(a certain degree of) wisdom, and I realise that as long as you look after the safety aspects, it is probably no dangerous as crossing a busy road.

So I have another question....

At what point does a bike become a decent/fast bike in your humble opinions?

I am guessing that a fair amount of riders do so due to the excitement of having a fast/powerful bike? This is certainly a large part of the allure for me.

So 500cc/600cc? Is that when bikes actually start becomming quick?

Again thanks for the thread responses and thanks in advance...

R

[carlosthejack...]

Here's a heads-up.

Do your CBT.

Pass it.

It's not hard.

I guarantee you you will want more and you'll be scouring your diary for a spot for you to do your DAS.

In between doing your CBT and your DAS you'll scour the internet for pix of bikes, you'll get talking to lunatics on here (and look at lots of pictures of tits, trust me) and you'll buy every bike magazine known to man (MCN, Performance Bikes, Bike, Ride, Superbike etc, etc) and you'll soon become very aware of manufacturers and their codes. ZXR, CBR, R* and GSXR etc etc etc, will soon become commonplace and ingrained into your psyche.

You'll start looking at bikes parked at the side of the road, and looking excitedly in the direction of any loud exhaust that you hear. The feeling you get when you come across another biker is very fulfilling.

Ultimately your bike knowledge will overtake all other knowledge you possess, you'll pass your DAS and you'll be able to call yourself a biker (if fact, that accolade will come very very soon, you don't have to be able to ride to be a biker, you've just got to love the entire ethos unconditionally, being able to ride just consolidates the fact) and once you've passed your DAS you'll wonder what the hell you've been doing with your life.

It will become all consuming, hopefully your significant other will concur, but she'll appreciate your increased passion for existence. Your world will suddenly make sense. Do it. You know you want to...
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Responsibility. It's a difficult reality for some. I'm running the 2014 Sheffield Half Marathon on behalf of Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice. Please sponsor me, even if it's just a quid.
DonnyBrago: "I think you may be confusing rain and napalm..." Paulington: "It's not what you ride, it's how you ride it."
Current rides: '05 VFR800 VTEC, '57 Mondeo 1.8 TDCi #58LEGEND

[Bloke]

You're a car driver of 18 years. Do a DAS, riding something that doesn't struggle to do 60mph is just so much safety and means you won't be having to faff buying a second bike in the month it will take you to get tired of it.

if a ybr can see 80mph it's going off of a cliff face, with your face mashed into the tank and a tail wind. 65 is a more reasonable max.

A 2 stroke 125 can do non legal speeds on a nsl road, but you'll be rebuilding the engine every five minutes.

A 600 should give you ample access to easy power and torque. It'll be easy to ride around town, a lower centre of gravity to make slow control easier, and you won't have to rag the nuts off to do 70 on a motorway with plenty of room for a quick twist to get you out of danger (a quick intentional twist on mine takes me from 70 to 90 in about as long as it takes to say "oh shit! someones up my arse" Useful for getting out of tight spots) oh and your brakes will be more effective than the two saucers you'll have on a typical starter 125.

yeah you may stack it coming out of the dealership but then the outcome is the same regardless of bike, it'll hurt and it'll cost money to repair.

Buying a particular bike because "I'm going to stack it" is a defeatist attitude and tbh if you think that you'd be better off not getting a bike if you're just going to stack it.

I bought a brand new 2010 model bike, I havent stacked it yet (touches wood) and I have enjoyed every moment i've ridden it as opposed to wishing I had something better. When I do stack it, that's what insurance is for. If it's minor that's what breakers yards are for. Don't worry about stacking it, just ride.

Only reason i'd recommend a 125 is urban commuting and its cheap.
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2008 VFR800 VTEC

[c_dug]

I'm with the others on the DAS thing

[R3negade]

Thanks for the responses again peeps. I am trying to take it all in....

I loved Carlos's post. Hmmmm, I can kinda see myself turning out like that.

I do have some good news too!!

I spoke to the local bike training place to get some idea of prices etc. They invited me up this afternoon to stick me on a bike and see how I get on! Woot!

I am actually quite excited. First time I have ridden a bike in 15 years maybe!

I will report back later...

[R3negade]

And yes, I am after something that will thrash the average car lol :O)

[c_dug]

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

[Triumph-ant]

hahaha, you are gonna be a true biker in no time!

[R3negade]

Well I just had 30 mins of thrills and spills going round in circles in an industrial estate.

Very good fun, although I did stall it about 15 times?!?

By the end of it I was getting the hang of things, and now my head and hands smell of cheese due to the borrowed gear lol.

After my experience, I am thinking I am going to take it baby steps and get the cbt sorted and get a cheap 125 until I have a bit more confidence.

Great fun tho...

Going on bike trader now to window shop...

[lihp]

Coming from cars, unless you drive a reasonably quick car, even a good twist on a 125 from standing will feel quick. You quickly get used to it though, and want something bigger, 250/400 etc. Then it's a big slippery slope, 12 months later, your 600 with 100bhp isn't enough, you definately need 1000cc with 150bhp.

I wouldn't spend big money on a 125, especially if you're planning on a full license anywhere in the future, as you'll be getting rid quickly. Spend £600 or so on a CG125, to get road experience and used to a bike, the skills come quickly through daily riding, and you'll soon feel confident to do the DAS.

When I did my DAS I was very surprised, it was on a Kawasaki ER-5, and was far far easier to control at lower speeds than the light and tiny CG125/GN125 you'll like do your CBT on.

[Polarbear]

While I totally understand why people who say get a cheap 125, get some practice, doesn't matter if you drop it, sell it for what you paid etc. I have to say I hate riding 125's. Not just the lack of power, but the size and weight (lack of) I just find horrible

If you have the chance to do your direct access I would say go for that. You obviuosly are an experienced driver so and I'm sure you will pick up the basics very quickly and I bet you will find a 500 easier to ride than a 125 unless you are very very small

[carlosthejack...]

[Philious]

[R3negade]

Hmmmm,

I took some positives and negatives from yesterdays outing.

My general control was a bit shoddy, so I had some reservations about shooting for somehting bigger, although that is still what my heart wants to do.

One big faux-pas was "gripping" the bike with the throttle, turns out that I should have been using my legs/thighs right?

This, coupled with me not being used to the sensitivity of the throttle meant a lot of random mad revving and me panicing a bit.

But as mentioned, it was the first time in 15 years or so, and I didn't drop it?!?

I have also started that thing where I am out and about and I hear or see a bike and I am like oooooh what is that? So I have a look and am begginging to to pay a lot more attention to bikes in general.

I feel I am on a slippery splope now....

[ajbsmirnoff]

I'd like to put my vote in for getting to a bigger bike quickly.

I did a DAS this time last year, and while the 125 seemed quick enough (for commuting) the GS500 we moved onto were so much easier to ride - lower centre of gravity and more grunt (relative to the 125 anyway). Even if you're not planning on 'riding like you stole it', bigger bikes are alot better to ride. IMHO.

I bought a ZX6r, straight away - which I ride like the old biffer that i am. Its great for commuting, is cheap to run, and makes me feel like Steve McQueen (the actor chap, not the fashion chap)on the way to work.

Just wait till you start filtering - its like there's no such thing as traffic !

[carlosthejack...]

[dodgydog]

I vote for direct access too, although you will be surprised, very surprised at how quick a modern 500 "commuter bike" will feel.

Easy does it at first though, even though you are an experienced car driver, you'll find yourself becoming much more "tuned in" and aware of different situations on the road.

It is a slippery slope. Welcome to the good times.


Dog
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I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not exactly what I meant

[Gone]

Motorcyclists are not warm or welcoming. Nothing under 750cm3 can be considered a proper bike. People who ride scooters, 125s, Chinese 'bikes' and obey speed limits should all be shot on sight, AND be bloody grateful for the mercy shown to them