Biking options...

[JonB]

Right, my 17th birthday edges ever closer, I am even counting the days down, only 128 days to go. Thats 4 months and a bit.

After talking to Tom (Dodsi) earlier my options have completely changed. I was going to naively deciding to get a CBR125. But ever since I sat on my Dad's CB600 Hornet I just know I am going to need to the speed and a naked bike is actually starting to appeal to me now.

So I think I might go on this route... Get a cheapo CG125 to learn gearing for about 3/4 months, hopefully pass my test and then get a 500cc commuter, either ER5/CB500/GS500 (The latter being most unlikely). I know 500cc commuters aren't all that good, but it will be restricted to 33BHP anyway and the insurance will be mucho cheaper.

What do you guys think?
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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.

[G]

Sounds like a good plan .

The CG will seem a fair bit faster than your scooter, so don't need much more to learn on.
If you've got dual carrigeways, you could look at a NS125 or similar old 2 stroke 125. However the cg will probably be better to take your test on.

I would consider a Bandit after that, to give you a bit more go when you do derestrict.

[Keith]

Thats probably the best route you can take. I wish I took the same one. Instead I spent a fair amount on a 125 race replica only to pass my test a few months later. Expensive 125's are good if you plan to stay on them for a while, but if you aim to get test done ASAP, might as well go for the cheaper option.

A CG would still feel like a rocket compared to a scooter and give you good experience with a clutch.

Spend £300~ on a cheap 125 about £300~ on insurance, get test over and done with, flog the 125 and go straight for a 500.

Merry Christmas. (I have a habit of saying that. )
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Aprilia RSV Mille R Edwards Replica - Aprilia RS250 - Suzuki GSXR600 Supersport Race Bike

[JonB]

I won't be on Naked bikes forever, I am hoping to get a sports one when and *IF* I have enough money in a few years time.

I was initially worried about running costs of a 500 but it seems it shouldn't be too bad.
____________________
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.

[Mantzy]

I think going for a CG is a good idea. We all know it's not the be all and end all in biking but it does its job very well. It's a learners bike, nothing more, nothing less. Learn your gears, learn how to fix a few things if it goes wrong (much easier to learn on a un-faired single cylinder 4T then a V4), pass your test, flog it and get a naked 600. As G said a Bandit, they're cheap, take restriction well, LOADS of spares after that enevitable off, all garages know them, plus, though being over 10 years old, are still a hoot to ride.

Though if you could stretch to it, you could get a Hornet, FZ6 or SV650.

Though all four would be more enjoyable then a 500 after "you wait the 2 years to take off your restriction"

R
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[JonB]

I would get a 600 had, I have the money to fund the insurance, which I doubt I will have.

The Hornet is a bike to drool over though, my Dad has one and it is just delicious!!!
____________________
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.

[dodsi]

I did consider a SV 650, Hornet 600 + bandit 600

BUT settled for an ER-5 (well i wanted a 500 twin and My ER-5 came up very cheap)

The bikes are cheaper, Insurance is MUCH better than 600's

Very easy to ride and take the restriction really well!

Tyres, brake pads etc all smaller (only 1 set of pads instead of 2) so maintenace is much cheaper from a young guy who earns next too fuck all's point of view!

Once i have some more experiance and hopufully some more NCB I may be able too afford a 600 i.e. a CBR 600 F

[tatters]

insurance is that much more expensive for a 600, my ZZR600 (insurance group 13) turned out to be the same or cheap than most 500,s (£480 TPO at 17 with 2y NCB) its manily sport bikes like CBR,GSXR,R6 etc that get expensive.


as with 33bhp (25kw) resistrictors, its your choice but l think there a waste of money, its a non-enforced law.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[Mantzy]

[tatters]

extremley rare, and have never heared of anyone being proescuted or having a insurance claim voided due to no resistriction.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[Mantzy]

Personally, I'd get restriction on until you know the bike, and once happy with it all, remove the restriction. Practically a new bike, but you still know it's size and weight and should be a better rider.
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[Davo]

Your best bet would be get hold of a geared 125cc and pass your test & then going to go for a 500cc commuter, see if you can get hold of a GPZ500, if not and decide on a 600cc see if you can get a thundercat both are good being restricted (so I hear)

[JonB]

I always hear praises being sung for the GPZ500, but the problem is I don't find them attractive in any shape or form, some bloke down the road from me has one and I just don't think the look very good. I mean the performance might be there but it just isn't something i'd feel completely comfortable riding.
____________________
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.

[G]

You are considering it a 'stepping stone', yes? And a GPZ would probably be a slightly better introduction to sports bikes .

In this sort of case... you may well find any bother about the looks is taken over by 'wow, this is fun' .

[JonB]

I guess I could, I mean nothing could look as bad and perform as bad as my present bike.

At least I have a few months of thinking and looking. Problem is once my birthday comes all the bike prices will be rising again as it will be start of biking season.
____________________
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.

[Kye]

I wouldn't get a CG125 just for a few months, if your serious about moving up to a 500, just do an intensive course on a hired CG, gears don't take 3-4months to learn, more like 30mintutes. Then get your 500. That way your not paying over the odd's for insurance etc, as it is a killer at our age.

[iCraig]

Another vote for the GPZ500S here after the 125 route.

They may not look great or have super swoopy gorgeous styling but you'd have more fun on it that a GS500 or ER-5. For one the engine is alot more revier and it has a brilliant powerband. And handling is so spot on for the type of bike it is percieved to be! And above all they'r cheaper than most and really cheap to run too!

Remember looks aren't everything.

[iCraig]

[Nath]

When I first considered the GPZ500, I thought it looked crap. However it grew on me, and I now quite appreciate its 80s charm. The screen is still f-ugly though

I'm coming to the end of my time on the CG125, but I can attest to it being good fun. For the first month on it, it felt more than fast enough for me, and to some extent it still is. Going round corners with loads of lean doing 60mph is an exilerating feeling. I've had my bike 3 months, and whilst I still can't push it to its limits around corners, the lack of power deffinately is starting to annoy me. On the other hand, it still feels fast when you thrash the bollocks off it up to 30, and there's loads of room for the obligatory "ride like a complete twat" mentality that you must employ on the 125

I'm personally getting a CB500 at some point in January(probably the end), however this is just due to circumstances. My dad knows a bloke who will sell me his, and it's totally mint. My advise to you would be to not become set on a paticular bike. In the end, you'll probably end up getting whatever is available. There aren't shit loads of 500s for sale, so if you're after one fairly local at a sensible price, then you wont have loads of options. Buying your first big motorbike from someone a long way away will create problems as you'll really need someone else(yer dad?) to ride it back for you. Better to just wait and see what's for sale in your own area
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Hard livin', hard luck.

[JonB]

About the going on an intensive course thingy, this was what I was going to do when I make was making decisions 6 months ago, I keep going around a visous circle! However I am looking to sell my moped for about £300 and this would cover the insurance on the CG and then when it comes to selling the CG I could probably get away with selling it for the same price as bought or a little less. So the money isn't the issue there and I really would like to get good on a 125 before taking my test.
____________________
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.

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Personally mate, I'd skip getting a 125 and spend the money on lessons.

Let me see... my bro was riding a ped, just like your self for 1-2 years, he then did 10 hours lessons and passed first time. Works out cheaper and far less hassle. Meaning more money for your big bike and decent riding gear. My bro and I did the same thing.

So IME it works out much cheaper and I didn’t have to ride an old battered bike around while I was learning. (I would have bought an old CG or something, >£500.

125s only last a short while IMO and I don’t see any problem with someone going straight onto a big (restricted) bike straight from your A2.

Took us 2 months, and there were no worries about a 125's insurance/tax and upkeep. My bro and I did the test/lessons at the same time.

[Mantzy]

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

If you get a Cg125 we are talking what £500 + insurance + MOT/tax (possibly) + parts etc. That can be nearing 800-1000 pounds.

You also have to go through all the hassle of buying on old bike, and selling it on afterwards. Sure you will get some of that back, but you will certainly lose a hefty amount.

10 lessons will cost circa £200 and after 10 lessons +/- 2 you will be ready to go for the test and pass, well unless you are seriously cak handed, but seeing as you already ride a ped I doubt very much you are.

2-3 lessons coming from your ped will not be enough, but your ped experience does help. The test is not just riding around, there are manoeuvres / special techniques etc etc etc.

[JonB]

I have emailed a local motorcycle training place about costs etc and my best direction, so I hope to have an email back very soon.
____________________
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.

[JonB]

The bloke has rung me up and said he will give me another "CBT Style" training day for free to get used to gearing and then he will judge how many days worth of training I need and it is £100 a day and he reckon I could be ready to be tested after 2-3 days so it is around £300 anyway. So, brilliant!
____________________
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.