New or used?

[Andy_Pagin]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of taking up biking to commute to work. I'm totally new to this and at 45 years of age have never rode a motorcycle in my life!

So first question, is a second-hand 125cc learner bike worth the trouble, or is it cheaper in the long run to buy a new machine? Whatever I buy will have to see me through CBT and then survive about 8000 miles a year commuting from north London into the city. I've surfed hundreds of adverts, most of which seem to be written by semi-literate morons, or contain magic phrases like 'I haven't got any documents' 'minor damage to...' etc. which all seems a bit worrying.

Any advice much appreciated!

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Hi, think you'll find the consensus is buy 2nd hand.
Buy something that has a service history.
Take someone with oil under their fingernails who can spot a duffer for you.


Pat
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Paxovasa]

If you are wanting the bike until you pass yout test, then get a used bike.

As for no documents, do not touch it. But for minor damage, I would not let that put me off. As most bikes have minor damage due to been dropped at one point or another

Avoid the cheap Chinese bikes, as parts are sometimes hard to get, no many mechanics will touch them and they are of sub standard material.
____________________
Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[pinkyfloyd]

[Andy_Pagin]

Wow! fast replies, thanks guys.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

[Paxovasa]

[pinkyfloyd]

I'll put the kettle on
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[N cee thirty]

get a nice cg, one thats post 2000

should get 100mpg YES 100 MPG!! and cruise at 60
____________________
'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[blurredman]

I'd agree with a Honda CG or Yamaha YBR, typical learner bikes.
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.

[psychofox]

2nd hand 125 to do your test etc, but if you're doing 8,000 miles a year I'd probably go for something with a bit more guts.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

8000 motorways miles maybe. But a 125 is nippy enough for inner city commuting...isn't it?
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Paxovasa]

[dragstaar]

indeedy weedy. A 125 will be just fine for commuting through town, however, she may struggle a tad on the motorway.

As all the others have said, buy second hand. I would add, considering your anticipation, that it may be worthwile forking out the extra bob for a nearly new model. Maybe 3 years old or so. these will have some more life in them.

CG has awesome fuel consumption, as does the new CBF125. Yamaha's R125 is a popular choice if you want the looks. But then dropping it will be expensive as it is faired. 4 stroke will best for what you want the bike for.

[TheHaza10]

yeah don't touch anything without the documents, its worth looking round a bit more, and getting one with the full v5 and everything