Have I Left It Too Late....

[rocket_man]

too become a biker?

Hello everybody, having plucked up the courage to venture into the New Bikers Area, it's time I made a confession I don't actually have a bike but I am starting to lean towards becoming a biker.

Let me explain, after sitting in traffic queues for what seems like forever it gives a person a lot of thinking time and I've finally started thinking that getting myself a motorbike (as well as certain members of the forum trying to convince me that I should get a bike, you know who you are ) would be a good thing.

Now with a midlife crisis just a round the corner (cough...30 years old next birthday.....cough), I've got a couple of questions:- have I left it too late to become a biker (is it like driving where it's easier to pass whilst young)? and what kind of cost would I be looking at to get started in the world of biking? including the necessary bike tests, insurance etc and of course getting the bike itself, which I'm guessing would need to be a biggish bike seeing as I am a biggish fella (a Rocket 3 was suggested to me in the past, hence my forum name).

Thanks for any advice guys.

[JodieWodie]

HI

I started bike lessons when I was 30. I did my CBT 7 days before my 31st birthday !!!
Now...your CBT will cost you about £80. This will include bike hire.

You need your own decent lid (about £100-150)..and good waterproof armoured jacket and trousers. These will stand you in good stead.

After that your bike lessons (DAS) I am presuming, will be about £350 ish.

Then your theory test is about £27,...and your bike test £50.

I bought myself a new Honda CG to start...that was 2K.
The insurance on this was £140, and the tax only £15 !!

I would recommend to anyone now, doing the route I did...(weekly lessons), to buy a cheap old 125 and practice on that...you can get them for about £500-600.

A lot of people recommend doing a week long DAS and passing quickly.


I think you could do either. It is NEVER too old to learn....I passed my test first time 3 and a half months after my CBT !!!

Biking is great for beating traffic, and it is damn good fun ! I forget all my troubles when I am on the bike.

[G]

If you've been driving for a while you'll probably take to riding quicker than one who hasn't, so no problems there.

If you don't mind me asking, how big is 'big'?; When I did my test there was another bloke with us who was 23st I think he said. He was too heavy for the stock suspension on the sr125; but said he hadn't had a problem with his own GS850.

A rocket 3 won't be a great bike for getting past cars on.

The price of the bike: starting from around £500 for a bike in ok nick.
Insurance: Depends on the bike; from about £200 for someone of your age I suspect.
Protective Clothing: starting from about £200 for a full set, less if you aren't going to get trousers/boots etc.
Tests: CBT around £80-£90; Full test from £45 or so for the test alone I think (inusrance may be an issue).

[Bendy]

Never too late. Years of road experience from driving will only make it easier initially, plus you won't get taken up the bum by the insurance companies like you would if you were 17.

I'm an advocate of rashness, just go book your das right now. Go.

[Barker-CBR 600]

On the contrary you've probably got it about right.

If (like me!) you are young then you soon find that getting into it, gear, licensing/training, the bike itself etc is an expensive business. But usually you can find some spare christmas present slots to fit it into.

I figure in a few years i'll be too poor a student etc to get into it properly, or at least get as decent stuff i got now.
So you probably got it about right since you (hopefully!) got the money to throw yourself into the fray. Once you start you wont stop till its bigger faster and newer.

Besides nothing wrong with a born again biker!
*cough see assorted parents cough*
____________________
Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[rocket_man]

[exman]

try old mate i was 40 when i started so 30 i think must be young go for it cause it's magic i've started with a cagiva mito 125 evoand it's quick for a 125

[G]

Even on sportyier bikes I doubt you'll have much problem initially (though I'd look for 600cc + on the pure sports bikes). Plenty of sports tourers off all sizes should be fine.

As you get into it a bit you might want to consider adjusting or getting better suspension however.

[stryker]

I was 28 when I passed my bike test. If anything its ideal as you've had years of driving experience.

Also, it takes years off you!
____________________
Now what?

[lurker]

Ive spent about 14000 pounds in the two years since i sat my test
obviously you dont need to spend that kinda money to get you going but it does become a tad addictive hence the three bikes sitting in my garage

[Inspire]

You've certainly not left it too late! Get and do it before you change your mind!

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

What you talking about 30 is young.

Many people start even much/older than you, with no problems.

[mchaggis]

I'd say it's never too late, unless you're dead.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[Spud_Gunn]

I got my XR125 2 weeks ago, before that I was driving cars only. Was a bit wobbly to start with but getting better day by day. Being 37 all I can say is go for it.
Also I have noticed that my observation skills while behind the wheel have doubled at least, making me a much better driver, no more hesitation just go for it.

[NickD]

Stop arsing about and just fucking do it............. or I'll send the boys round. (it's for your own good, you'll thank me for it later)





(33 now, and it's still as much fun as ever)
____________________
I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Nighteyes]

Hello and Welcome

*Slaps rocket_man for suggestion you can ever be too old!*

My old man has just recently got into biking and he is 60 so you really have no excuses.
As G said, the Rocket 3 wouldn't be the best filter machine.........but who cares when on something that beefy!

You have all the road experiance you need really, book DAS, get out there on something like an ER5 that training schools use and never look back! Well do look back, but only in the sense of lifesavers etc.
____________________
My Precioussss!, My Bikes, The Lord & Master, Canis Lupus!
39. Something nice about the person who sent this to you? She's beautiful, funny, and has a huge heart.

[Shaun]

I think you're too old, sorry.

[Nighteyes]

[rocket_man]

[NickD]

Age is an advantage sometimes, I remember paying £680 in insurance for a 15 year old (at the time) RD 400 E. I've just got a quote for my impending Blackbird..................£348...........




Just do it........then come out and play!
____________________
I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Inspire]

Now is the best time to learn. The weather is not very good really at the best of times. You might as well learn now and get used to getting cold, wet and rained on now!

[Lone-Wolf]

[instigator]

Can't really add much that hasn't been said already m8, but yeah, good on you for converting from the dark side

Bikes are excellent for avoiding traffic jams but also just generally, they're amazing fun.

All I suggest is you buy yourself a mid range bike after you pass your test before going for something big. Experience is what you need once you've passed the test, and I can't approve of it being done on a big ass motorcycle, too powerful, too expensive, too much to rish

P.S Hell, I think the average age of a biker is more than 30!!!

[rocket_man]

[Frost]