Hello complete newbie here

[terry_gardener]

hello im 29yrs and got a full car licence have recently thinking of riding a motorcycle as a alternative to the car.

I have booked the geton free 1 hr taster and a 3 day CBT course for next month to see what exactly it is like.

if i like it i plan to do the DAS training course.

just have a couple of questions might be daft to some but like i said i am a total beginner.

1. is the motorcycle a viable commuting option even in winter.
2. how does the running cost compare to cars. (fuel, servicing, MOT etc)
3. if after the CBT i like it and decide to do the DAS will be better to get a 125cc for practice and then get better bike after passing the Mods or wait to get full licence and then get a bike.

if you have any other beginner advice or links it would be great.

[Charlie0560]

I did the CBT as a lets see what its all about malarky and loved it. Why it took me so long to decide to do it is a mystery to me and so I decided to go the Direct Access route and also thought about a 125! Its pro's and con's for each individual, but for me I didnt want to use my money on a 125 only to have to sell it a few months later, especially as my training school lets me take a 125 out for a few hours at a £5 per time. That way, I dont have the responsibility of owning a bike just yet, have reasonable access to to practice on a 125 whenever and can use my money to pay for the very pricey lessons on a 500cc and test fee's etc.
I was told that it takes about £1000 to get through it all on DA, which I thought was a lot, but is going to be about there or there-abouts in the end.
So, for me, imho, its not worth it, but maybe different for your circumstance.
I got my MOD2 on 20 March!!!
Good luck to you and happy riding!!!
____________________
CBT 04/06/11. Theory 10/08/11. MOD1 19/02/12. MOD2 03/04/12
The only silly question is the one you didn't ask!

[pinkyfloyd]

Welcome to the forum. Good luck with the get on and the CBT thingies. I'll have a stab at the answers.

1. is the motorcycle a viable commuting option even in winter.

I use my bike all year round. When it snows I dont take the bike out. But all year round its just as viable providing you have the right gear so you dont freeze.


2. how does the running cost compare to cars. (fuel, servicing, MOT etc)

It can be. Insurance, fuel, tax and upkeep can be cheaper. The only issues you tend to find is the bigger/sportier the bike the more it will cost.

3. if after the CBT i like it and decide to do the DAS will be better to get a 125cc for practice and then get better bike after passing the Mods or wait to get full licence and then get a bike.

That one is always a contention. Yes you could get yourself a cheap run about 125 (not chinese though) and use it for practice, pass your test and sell it on for around the same money. But the 2 bikes, 125 and 500+ you will use on DAS are 2 different beasties. Oddly enough the bigger bike tends to feel more stable and easier to ride than the smaller 125. But any practice you can get in will help you pass your test.
____________________
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.

[blito]

I commute all year on a cheap-as-chips chinese 50cc moped.. never fails to put a smile on my face and only had to walk a handful of days in the past winter
As for running costs vs car - moped is bargain basement cheap, 125 is very cheap, 500 twins are quite cheap, anything "plusher" is gonna be as expensive as a car, if not more so. Father in law had a Honda 700 Deauville and it cost more to run/service etc than his transit van!

As I've said on here before if you want to enjoy the complete biking experience then do DAS and get the best bike you can afford but if you only intend to do a handful of miles across city each day then buy a moped and put the money saved into beer and pizza
____________________
2012 Zontes Monster

[Teflon-Mike]

[Going]

[Rogerborg]

[terry_gardener]

[swampy]

Out of interest what are they charging for the three day course ?

In answer to your questions:

1) You can ride all year round save the iffy snow days (for me any way). It depends how long your commute is, but mine is about 10 miles each way, which is fine, but weeks of wet through riding can get old quite quickly, especially if you're used to a car.

2) I drive too (mk2 Golf GTI), so the comparisons against my VFR 750 are:

Car

MPG 33
Insurance £280
MOT £60 including fee
Servicing about £60 a year (done myself).
0-60 8ish secs

Bike

MPG 50
Insurance £120
MOT £30 including fee
Servicing Same as car.
0-60 3 ish secs

3) Is up to you really. See how you get on on your CBT...
____________________
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." Hunter S Thompson
"Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death..." Hunter S Thompson

[blito]

or my cheap chink moped

buy - £400
MPG -120
Insurance - £70
MOT - £30 including fee
Servicing - 0
0-60 - ROFL
cost in spares - £200
cost in embarassment - priceless
____________________
2012 Zontes Monster

[Taught2BCauti...]

The Get On session should give you the opportunity to try two or three different types of 'Learner Legal' machines and learn some basics that will put you in good stead for getting you CBT Certificate at the end of the normal 8 hour CBT session. I have never heard of a 3 day CBT course and don't know what's involved, but I'm sure you will do it in one - like almost everyone else

Get some practice on your own before signing-up for a DAS course - that's what the CBT is for. Get yourself a decent (non-Chinese) 125 that will last you a few years, some decent protective clothing for summer and winter use, and get some miles under your belt before deciding whether or not you need a bigger bike to fit your requirements.

Bigger bikes use more fuel than some 125's, cost more to maintain and tax, but insurance will be lower if you have 1 year's no-claims discount earned on a 125.

In answer to your questions:

1 - Yes, except in extremes of wind, rain and snow - but it's up to you whether or not you go biking.

2. Comparing which bike to what cars? A Harley or a Ducatti will cost more to run than a Smart Car, but a Honda 125 will cost less than most average family cars.

3. I would recommend a 125 for starters, and if you decide after a few months that you need a bigger bike, time it so you do your theory and pass the DAS before the year is up - or you will lose money on the remainder of your insurance. What you learn on a 125, and your experience and confidence built up in that time, will help to reduce the time it takes to get through DAS.

A lot will depend on your actual commute, but you should be able to save money on fuel, parking, London Congestion Charge (if applicable) and possibly your travel time, but take into consideration the initial cost of buying everything, plus £100 for the CBT, plus tax and insurance, locks and an alarm and at least one service, when you do the maths.
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Teflon-Mike]

[terry_gardener]

[Andy_Pagin]

[terry_gardener]

i have just read the massive post from Teflon-Mike that i somehow missed before.

the question of Why i want to try?
i would say i think it would be more FUN than sitting in a car.

abit of background first.
when i was younger about 21 i learned to drive a car and then got a brand new car when i passed my test (ford fiesta finesse 1.25 petrol) and then after about 18 months the place i worked moved a further 18 miles away making a total 35 each way trip. so i upgraded the car to a 14 TDCI ford fiesta zetec climate (pre registered - ex-demo) thinking it would be better own and it turned out to be marginally better on fuel. i use to get about 45 mpg after about 1 year and i got a transfer close to home which halved the commute. last year i was made redundant from work so i went back to college and sold the car it was not needed anymore.

the last couple of years i have got into cycling and got a road bike and i enjoy riding it when i get out and yes you get SMIDSY moments even wearing bright yellow cycling jacket.

the problem i have cycling is that because of my health and fitness levels i can only manage a average of about 10-12 mph and I don't like taking the lane and changing lanes because i am so slow.

So the way i figure it is that i will get the same enjoyment of the motorcycle and to ride at a speed/pace that i can feel confident and comfortable with keeping up with traffic.

i have looked at some bikes and i like the look of the honda CBR range particularly the 125r and the 250r, i don't want anything big as the speed limit is max 70mph and you wont be able to use the bike its full potential anyway.

[Teflon-Mike]

[Teflon-Mike]

[terry_gardener]

if i was to pass the test on a 125cc bike this year would the restriction be automatically lifted after 2 years or does the new 2013 ruling override it, and need to do another test.

please can someone explain how it works.

Thanks for all the help guys.

[Teflon-Mike]

[carlosthejack...]

Mike, can I just say, you're absolutely immense. The amount of knowledge you have and your enthusiasm makes all your posts and absolute joy to read. Your input is always totally helpful, and I just want to say thanks for the help you've provided to me, to other newbies and all members of these forums. The time you take to explain, expound and otherwise help out with all queries, questions and problems is massively appreciated. Thanks again.

As for the OP's original query:

1. You can ride whenever you like. There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes. Cold = misery.

Although, if you're going to ride in snow, make sure you're not on a ZZR1400 and riding something more appropriate. Personally, I treat myself to winter rides, they're not something I do as the norm, like Pinky (he's much more of a man than me), but I do try and have as long a commuting season as possible, with weekend summer blasts the absolute epitome of hilarious fun. For me, arriving at work after a motorway commute in the car I'm usually as miserable as sin. When I go on A & B roads on two wheels, cold and wind blasted at 0730, I get tow work with the biggest, shit-eating grin on my face and it's usually made my day. Added to that the knowledge that I've got the bliss of filtering past enraged cagers on my way home. It's awesome.

2. Depends. Insurance is cheaper, fuel is cheaper (generally), service costs tend to be cheaper and you'll tinker yourself anyways. ut, it's addictive and you'll be browsing and shopping, browsing and shopping. You will become addicted. We all are. Unfortunately, that addiction, as most do, costs.

3. Pass the CBT, sod practice, get the DAS booked and get a big bike. Personally, I believe that if your intention is to go big as soon as possible, the 125 route is a false economy.
____________________
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

[Alpha-9]