33bhp recommendations

[Richy92]

I just passed my bike test (last friday) and I am aching to buy something, I took a chance and just went for the test on my current CBF125.
Obviously I will be restricted for 2 years to 33bhp, but I don't see this as a problem, I am not a hardcore biker and will only do a couple of k per year. I am only 5,6 and under 9 stone so I don't want something too heavy.
I already looked at the CBR250r which was pretty good I thought and I will look at a Ninja 250r on Friday.

Any other suggestions ?

Thanks

[Rogerborg]

I get your point about size and weight - I'm effectively on an over-bored 250 at the moment. I liked the Ninja 250 that I tried, but the problem with 250s is that you don't get a lot of bike for your money.

From new, they've relatively over priced compared to entry level "big boy" bikes, and bought used you can typically get an easily restricted 500 - 650 bike of about the same age for the same money, which gets you a free upgrade in 2 years (or sooner) when the restrictors fall out.

There's also the problem that licensing changes in January 2013 will kill the already small (~10,000 riders) market for 33bhp bikes, and you'll be stuck with something that will become increasingly hard to sell on.

So have a look at 250s, but I'd suggest that you also consider the perennial "big boy" entry level favourites as well: SV650S, CB/CBF 500/600, ER5/6, GPZ500, XJ600. All of them restrict down fairly easily. I can get my feet down on the SV650S, CBF600 and ER-6 (and probably the others as well), so you'll be able to.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Richy92]

thanks, what changes in 2013 ?

[Drake]

i suguest gettin a bigger bike too, the engines arent having to work hardly to do 60 and will easily to motorway speeds. that said i had a 250, albeit a stroker 250 was quick enough but will have double the power of the 4t 250's.
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was: derbi senda, aprilia sx125, nsr250 mc16, cagiva mito, cb600 hornet now: mk1 bandit, KR1S, landrover series 3 light weight 2.5 petrol, 5speed box

[P.addy]

Possibly an SV650, grunty...enough anyway.

Light bike, thats quite pokey is the CB400SF.

Both of those are mega cheap insurance

[Richy92]

I'm pretty sure the 600's will be to big and heavy for me, the CB400sf sounds like an option but I don't think I can buy one new, can I ?

It seems that most of the recent bikes are 250 or 600, nothing much in the middle. When I was younger (haha) 350's and 400's were everywhere, I wonder what happened.

I think my mates had RD350's years back, in those days I just had a car.

[Drake]

[Richy92]

I don't ride that much and want something reliable with warranty that will start on the button every time.
TBH, I already have £1300 worth of trade in on the CBF 125, a new CBR250 (no abs) is £3700 or the ninja is £3800 so with a bit of haggling I should be able to get one of those for around £2000 extra - well within budget.

As a car driver for over 20 years, my upgrades normally cost a few quid so £2000 for a brand new bike dont seem like much at all.

[Drake]

a commuter500 thats a couple of year old should have no problem starting on the buttonwill restrict easily, be able to get something decent for about 3 grand in total
____________________
was: derbi senda, aprilia sx125, nsr250 mc16, cagiva mito, cb600 hornet now: mk1 bandit, KR1S, landrover series 3 light weight 2.5 petrol, 5speed box

[P.addy]

No you cant buy a NEW CB400SF.

But you wouldnt want to buy a new bike.. especially a small one, they lose value and wont resell well.

Used CB400SF are quite nice.

[shereen]

You would get a real nice honda vfr400 nc30 for £1500

Im not biased though...........
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"The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had"

[Rogerborg]

Yup, there's currently nothing new in the 251 - 599cc range, unless you count offroad stylees or a few Chinese branded bikes.

January 2013 sees the 3rd Driving License directive go into effect. The new license categories will be 125cc/11kW 35kW unlimited. After that, the window for selling a 25kW bike to the few people left with a 25kW license will start to close.

I'm loving my GPZ 305, but I couldn't recommend it - it's going to eat itself, it's just a question of when.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike