Decisions, Decisions...

[JonB]

Right, I'm really stcuk what to do. My 17th Birthday is next April. Now I have a dilemma at the start of spring my feelings are that bike prices will rise as it will be the start of the "biking season", so I was considering getting a bike round about now, even though there is still 6 months til I am 17 and a few months afterwards until I pass my test (if I do). Now I know what bike I want, but I don't know if I should wait until I am 17 or go buy it "cheaper" now. Money is not the problem, I have a savings bond that my parents have put money into since I was born. I would store it in the garage and would start up now and then (OK everyday ). So shall I jump in and get it in the next few months of wait til I am 17.

Regards, SS.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[MattEMulsion]

No wait. There is no point in buying a bike to let it sit there for six months. Is it a brand new bike you are after, or a secondhand one? Either which way if you buy it now, you will suffer six months worth of depreciation in the value of the bike, which will cancel out the saving you will have made buying it six months too early. Also if you buy it now are you going to insure it as well? If you do then thats six months insurance wasted and if you don't and it gets nicked (however unlikely it may seem) you will have lost everything. Can you see where I am coming from yet? I know you are keen to get your hands on your next bike but I reckon there is no point in jumping the gun, so just relax and wait until next april...
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[JonB]

Yeah, thanks for the comments, I was leaning towards waiting anyway but I am just trying to get other opinions on the situation, Oh and I am buying second hand.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[iCraig]

Well you could always buy a project or a bike that needs abit of work and do it in the next 6 months.

Or If I were you I would wait till february or march next year as prices won't have risen much or if any at all, as leaving a bike in a garage for 6 months isn't the best idea, as the petrol in it will go off, and will most likely need things replacing before being put back on the road, that said if you prepped it properly then it shouldn't.

What bike you thinking of going for anyway?

[Ste]

I'd say to wait until you're actually allowed to use the bike before buying it. Other than the fact it won't be that much more in April and it will depreciate in that time, having a 125 sitting there is going to be a big temptation and is quite likely to get the better of you (I know I would, as riding it when the roads are quite just down to the local shops the chances of anything happening or being caught are really low) and really it's not worth spending the money now just so you can face those potential problems.

[JonB]

I think I am just getting impatient really, it's because loads of people in my year at college are turning 17 now and having driving lessons and I have to wait til at least April.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Ste]

Well don't worry too much, yes it is quite annoying when most of your friends turn 17 and learn to drive etc and you're still 16 and can't yet (April might be annoying, I had to wait until August ) but your friends going out driving and on their bikes will just make it more of a temptation to go join them on your 125, as the chances of being caught are quite low really. Best just not to give yourself the potential problems of getting it early, in the same way as buying your big bike before you pass your test is jumping the gun a bit as most people don't pass first time.

Wait until April.

[Sparks!]

Do what you think is best.

I had a bike about 5 months before I actually passed my test, I made a kind of mistake that I rushed what I bought and maybe should have waited for a better bike BUT that would have happened regardless of having my licence so it didn't make too much difference to me.

Then I passed my test.. and found the bike I bought was shite, so I sold it and bought a ZXR400 but I couldn't afford the insurance so had that left around for 2 months or so before I could get it insured. It was well worth the wait, I had THE bike I dreamt off and was happy.

I bought my WR400 earlier this year but decided to wait until I was 19 to insure it as I'd have saved a bomb.. but it was worth it in the end.

So, if you find a good bargain then go for it, but make sure its the right bike and your happy with the price..

I rushed bought my WR and missed out a better VOR and a better KTM 520 for the same sort of money
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Jammy-G]

If it was me I'd look and buy a nice bike while the prices are low. For the 6 month wait until you are 17, it would be a good opportunity to get it looking really smart, so when you can ride it it would be perfect. Just get your dad to keep the keys or something to stop the temptation.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

If you can resist the temptation to ride it in the meantime I would say look for a bike in January. That is when the prices normally are at there lowest as there are few buyers and generally the only people selling are those desperate for money having overspent at Christmas. From January to April the bike will appreciate in value.

All the best

Keith
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[Bagpuss]

Hi there. My opinion is, there is little point buying a bike that you can't ride for 6 months - it'll just be sitting there doing jack squat. Wait until a couple of months before you're birthday and then start the hunt for a good one. Don't buy the first thing you see unless your sure its good and exactly what you were looking for. Get someone who knows something about bikes to go with you when looking.

[tgabber]

I think CraigZZR's idea of a project bike is a good one if you are mechanically inclined.

Imagine buying something now to work on over the winter and the satisfaction you will feel when you finally are able to put in on the road.

As long as you have a garage to work in that is... (and no need for insurance as long as you don't take it out on the road).
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"It's all about dislocating expectation"
Kawasaki KMX125 -> Aprilia RS125 -> Kawasaki ZZR600

[JonB]

Well I am starting my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award this week and my chosen Skill was Motorcycle Maintenance, so maybe the project bike could be a good idea. Thanks for the comments, I like the sound of getting it in January.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Josh]

If you get a new bike you could have someone else insured on it to "run it in" and keep it ticking over for the waiting months, and I would do that for you free of charge
But it depends on what bike you want/if you find a bargain.
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[Ade067]

Like some of the others have said,wait till after christmas and get something then,keep an eye on Ebay and bike trader,Admart is also good for around this area too,I see loads of bikes for sale around Taunton/Bridgwater/Yeovil and Exeter areas each week all of which are fairly close to you in Chard.
Don't just buy the 1st you see though,take a look at a few and then decide.Have you got a particular bike in mind or are you not decided yet?

Perhaps you may want to start off on something easy to ride like the CG or something until you've got used to using the gears etc,its a whole lot different than your ped!

And remember anything with a fairing on is gonna cost a shitload of dosh to put right should you drop it which must also be a consideration.

Oh and I wont mind giving it a blast and blowing the cobwebs out of it now and then for ya too