Bikes for a 16 Year old?

[Yadash]

Hi guys,

My name is Yad and I'm turning 16 this July!!!
Obviously this means I can get my CBT (Read-Freedom )
I've been looking for bikes for the last half a year and I can't decide on which one to purchase and how hard insurance is going to hit me in the face.
My Budget for the bike is around £1000 as I reckon it's all I'll be able to earn during my summer job and my parents will pay insurance costs.
Ideally I'd love to have a geared 50cc but any help I can get will be much appreciated,
Thanks,
Yad

[GrumpyGuts]

Can't really get a decent geared 50cc for under £1000. If you just use a ped for a year, build a year no claims bonus and when you turn 17, you can buy a 125cc geared motorcycle, well worth the money.

Where do you live? My friend does up 50cc Jap peds and sells them for quite cheap prices. I might get one sorted out for you
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My Bikes: Lifan Beat 125cc '11 -> Suzuki B120P '76 -> Suzuki EN 125-2A '08 -> Honda CG 125 '04 -> Honda CB600F Hornet '98 -> Kawasaki ZZR 600 '99 -> Kawasaki GPZ 500S '95 (Current)
Theory test passed - 09/02/2012 >>>> Module 1 passed 24/07/2012 >>>> Module 2 passed 24/10/2012

[bikertomm]

TS 50, Derbi Senda 50, RS 50,

Don't buy chinese, try to get something that's been looked after.

Enjoy!


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Benno]

Just don't drive like all the other 50cc moped teenagers I see (ie don't do whatever it is they do to the exhaust to make is whine like a baby with a sore throat)

But seriously, cool that you're getting into biking, I'm picking up my first bike day after tomorrow. I can't wait!

[blito]

I've spent the last year riding a Baotian Speedy 50cc 4-stroke twist n go moped. Zero cool factor and as slow as molasses but its been cheap and reliable.

Best to avoid second hand chinese mopeds as they tend to fall apart if abused but if you bought new and looked after it then it wont let you down.
They are £800 brand new and would still be worth £600 in a years time ready for you to sell on and get a 125

https://www.baotianscooters.co.uk/bt49qt-9-gallery.php

Just make sure you spend money on good riding gear - proper biking gloves, some sturdy para boots and a decent set of waterproofs. And and a lock and chain - `peds are waaaaay to easy to nick!



Like I say - Zero cool factor in a bike like this so it wont make you all excited like a geared 50 would but then again, just remember that even the coolest of geared mopeds is STILL a moped and the instant you turn 17 you`ll be trading it in for a 125!



*** ROFL- just noticed my typo - a 500cc moped ! Ahem, let me edit it out ***
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2012 Zontes Monster

[Derivative]

[Yadash]

Thanks for the super quick replies. I'm not going to be able to afford a brand new geared 50cc and I know that for sure, I wouldn't mind getting a semi-abused one and nursing it back to health. I've seen a couple of the 1st generation RS50's but they've been chav resprayed or well looked after but the adverts include words like: "I had da bike profeshionaly resprayed in Subaru Blue". The relatively high mileage ones also put me off a little just because from what I've heard, the RS50 seems to be a fragile motorcycle.
Being a Honda fan, I've looked at MT50's but they are from the 90's and more than 90 miles away from where I live.
I've seen one NSR50 which had the fairings held to the bike with cable ties which was appealing, just because it was a Honda but then it'd be a hell of a task to sell it on in a years time.
Again, any used 50cc geared will do
I'm currently thinking of just using the bike for a year and then hopefully moving on to 125cc's and a Car, if I can afford the insurance for the both.

I live in the London area so if you could get me in contact with "your man" I'd be delighted . I promise I won't ride like an absolute idiot but I do quite like the sound of a Two-Stroke engine and I absolutely love the smell (not healthy, I know :/)
I have considered getting a scooter but they don't really appeal to me because I'd like to have a go with the gears and clutch and as mentioned, zero cred, also I can't be bothered with the stupid CVT gearboxes that seem to hang onto the same "gear" for ever.

[Benno]

[GREENI3]

Whatever you do, don't be tempted into buying some 2 stroke thats been ragged to death by some chav.
Somethings bound to go bang! And then you're left to foot the repair bill.

You could buy a much more sensible 4 stroke for a lot less than that.

Then if you're intending on moving up to a 125 when you're 17, you'll have a bit left over to go towards that.

I sort of wish I hadn't bought a 50.
Didn't really need one, but everyone else I knew had one and the independence was pretty cool.

[Rogerborg]

I would suggest that you forget about the ped, ride a cheap pushbike for a year, and save up for your 125 when you hit 17. You're going to be stuck on it until you're 19, so you might as well get something half decent.

Even in terms of insurance, we've seen loads of insurers refuse to accept NCD earned before you're 17, because they're too retarded to realise or accept that you can ride a motorised vehicle at 16. You'll just be pouring away money that could have gone towards a 125.
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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

[HJM]

personally id wait a year, till your 17 and buy a 125.
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"90% of all statistics are made up"

CBT-18/04/2013

[TamaJosh]

[Andy_Pagin]

[Nope.]

[Yadash]

[U_W v2.0]

[Derivative]

Not sure if it has been mentioned, but if you wish to keep legal you will need to restrict the bike to 30mph as well.

[ninja_butler]

[Rogerborg]

[U_W v2.0]

[blito]

Some chinese bikes are OK, some are rubbish. The difficulty is knowing which is which. My OH has had a Baotian BT49 for a year from new and its been brilliant. I bought a 3 year old one and its been a bag of shit.
Not put me off buying a chinese bike but I am approaching my next machine with a bit more caution...
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2012 Zontes Monster

[GREENI3]

I wish people would stop slating Chinese bikes so much.

Most people judge them only on what they've heard or just go along with the general consensus.

I used to be one of those, who thought all Chinese bikes were cack.
I was set on getting a used Jap 125 when I turned 17, and when my uncle recommended looking at some of the Lexmotos at a local dealers, I thought he was mad.
But I've no regrets.

Absolutely love my Lexmoto Street/DFE125-8A.

I've yet to endure any of these horror stories that seem to be going about.

As long as you look after them, they'll treat you well.

Apart from covering it in ACF50 now and again and all the usual stuff, I don't do anything else.

The only thing thats gone duff on mine, is the bulb that illuminates the rev counter.

I'll actually be a bit sad when I come to sell it.

[blito]

I would be interested to read a proper, well balanced review from you about your Street as its one of the bikes on my short list.... I managed sell my Baotian last weekend and have a CBT booked for next week. Just need to make my mind up about which bike I fancy most...... I will make a separate post after Ive checked out everything available in my area
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2012 Zontes Monster