First Bike

[smitsa]

Hi I am 16 and I hope to buy a bike next year when I hit 17. I have read a lot which tells me that I will smash my first bike up a bit. If that’s so is there any point in me getting a cruiser. I really like big v twins. My dad used to work for Norton so he wants me to buy a British bike, yet after watching easy rider for the last five years and falling into Sturgis bike rally by accident I want a cruiser. Is that stupid for a first bike or normal, or even remotely sane as I don’t have a big budget and insurance will be pretty hefty for a seventeen year old with no riding experience.

Thanks.

[G]

Are you intending to do your full test or to ride a 125 for a while?

Cruisers are about styling, not riding, so only consider one if you consider the looks to be more important that the way the bike handles/rides etc.

Had you considered getting a cheap 50 mx bike now (ie dt50, ts50)?
I missed out the 50cc stage, dismissing them as 'mopeds', but in retrospect I probably would have enjoyed it despite the lower power.

[Barker-CBR 600]

If your lookin at cruisers

https://www.moto-station.com/uploads/210_normal.jpg
(exact colour/size bike i had)

and i loved it for what it was.

Far bigger than anything out there (including intruders, maruaders, Honda shadow) and sounds like a beast, could pass it for alot bigger than it was which is good at 17.

But i did find i only kept it for 5 months in total before i passed my test (on that... U turn wasnt fun ) and the 2 hours polishing a week did eventually get annoying but is *essential* if you want it to hold value, there simply isnt a market for tatty cruisers.

Just an idea if your into 125 cruisers.

*EDIT*

Pricings - i got one three months old with 200 miles on the clock... and set meback £1800.

And i am selling it back to the same dealer for that same price against my CBR.
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Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[smitsa]

I expect that handling will be important in my choice. however i like cruisers alot. my dad says i should take the cbt when i am 17 if i am still really keen. i am quite impressionable. i have been into bikes since i was 5. my mum would have a cow if she knew i was really into bikes still, i will probably skip 50's as i dont want to be at daggers with my mum for the rest of my life but 125's are interesting.

[malb]

You could look at a Hyosung Comet, not british built, not a custom but still hot as hell.
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<-- I'm taller than Charley Boorman look

[smitsa]

Barker-CBR 600

two things, firstly is the 125 model worth getting or should i wait till i pass my test and look at the 250? also does yamaha still make that bike? i checked their website and they have no mention of it at all?

[Barker-CBR 600]

Ahh they just changed the site, about a month ago they were there. They removed a ton off their site, got about 1/4 what they had before. Probably just new marketting etc.

I am pretty sure they are still making them, there are '04 models in the dealership down the road from me.
(Steel Horses - Blakelands Milton Keynes)

Well i not ridden the 250, but to be honest its probably not worth it since its still a 'big little bike'. By the time you passed your test you'll probably want a big bike restricted so after two years you dont need to buy another. I'd say either go for the 125 now or wait a few years and get a serious one (650, 1100) for real worth out of it.

The 125 is a nice big bike and sounds big, i am average height and i fit onto it perfectly. Got pics if you want me to e-mail them or something (bit big to attach!. Its got nothing on the sports bikes in terms of performance, 70mph at a big push, much more comfortable at 60. And as i said its a bit of a brute to get around corners etc... but still oozes style and isnt as stock as the Intruder or look as weedy as the Maurader (in my opinion).

Getting a newish one and keeping it undropped and shiny/maintained will work wonders for the value, first few years i dont see them dropping much at all, like i said i sold mine for what i got it.. at the same place i bought it!
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Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[pipnet11]

British bikes Nortons: even bigger

Anyway, I had a go on a couple or 125 V-twins before geting my GS125. They were good, smooth as anything, good looks and not too bad handling.

My advise, for what its worth, is get a cheap japanese 125 till you pass your test then get a cruiser or a british bike or whatever you want.

You can get Royal Enfield bikes (like mine) still that are made in India, but are very close to the 50-odd year old design. but my main aim is to get a Norton International (or aquire my dads).
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I love the girls that do, I hate the girls that dont, I hate the girls who say they will and then they say they wont, but the girl I like most of all and I think youll say Im right, is the girl who says she never has but looks as though she might. - Max Bygraves

[smitsa]

I dont really understand restricting a bike. is it worth buying a bigger bike and restricting it. will the insurance be for a restricted bike or for the full size.

are there any good british cruisers out there which can match Harley or do you have to buy the real thing?

can you restrict a harley for example? or is it only possible on mid range bikes.

how much does it cost to restrict a bike?

thanks

[pipnet11]

You can retrict any bike. The problem is that engines that are designed to put out a high BHp will not like being strangled down to 33BHp. So I would either get a bike with 33BHp or under in the first place, or get one with not much more (50 max). Insurance companies couldnt care less if its restricted when it comes to what you pay, they are only bothered about it when you are in an accident and they have to pay. So if you got a fireblade for example, it would cost you the same if it was restricted or not. A bugger but what can you do?
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I love the girls that do, I hate the girls that dont, I hate the girls who say they will and then they say they wont, but the girl I like most of all and I think youll say Im right, is the girl who says she never has but looks as though she might. - Max Bygraves

[G]

Unfortunately, if you like cruisers you have to go for looks or avoid them and go for handling.