New/returning rider

[Loudandproud2...]

Hi am Lee and recently decided that I should get the stabilisers off and get back on 2 wheels.

Having not ridden since I was 16 a whole 15 years alot of things have changed in the bike world from when I owned my FS1E.

Main thing I've noticed is that 125s have got bigger, well the ones I had taken a fancy to

I was set on an £800(ish) budget until I saw the R125 YZF figured I could afford the finance so set off to make one mine, well until I tried to get on it being 5 foot 2 with a 28" inside leg soon put a stop to that and most other modern sports bikes *sigh

So it puts me right back where I was looking for a 125 but being caught in the conflict 2 stroke vs 4 stroke, sports vs touring, old vs new.

Its a mine field for some one that has been a massive car fan and has always favoured 4 wheels over 2.

How ever since the YZF is now out I've been looking at the early 90s NSR like I wanted when I was 16/17 are they still worth looking at or are they to old? I understand at pretty much 20 years old it will require a degree of upkeep.

But the biggest thing at the end of the day is being able to get on and off it, I have tried an EN125 which I could reach the floor both feet on tip toes but it felt horrid.

Or should I just stick with what I know and just stay with 4 wheels? Oh I don't really plan on doing my full bike test as I can see that being like my ARD's race licence use it twice and its now nothing more than some expensive paper.
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We came, we saw, we broke.

We left.

[CaNsA]

Do a CBT, grab a cheap honda cg125, feel awesome.

[Rogerborg]

Tried a CBR125? They're notably dinky and https://cycle-ergo.com/ suggests that either the current or previous model might be workable for you.
____________________
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

[Teflon-Mike]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10253880_10203580014691108_570723227388765742_n.jpg
She has a 28" inside leg too, and that's a 750.
There are many folk, boys and girls, as vertically challenged, who ride bikes, big and small.
Go do your CBT... see how you get on.
31? You can ride a 125 on L's, but to get a licence for anything more than that now, you HAVE to test under DAS on a bigger bike.
Means that value you might get out of a posier 125 is more limited now, as you can only get a 125 only licence testing on one; though can be a good stepping stone, and I do say Time on a Tiddler is rarely wasted.
I suspect your issue getting on and off R125 is the seat hump, and a matter of 'technique' trying to throw your leg over the hump behind the seat; there are other mounting methods, How do you think folk with long legs get on things like this?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/1200gsfr.jpg
That has something like a 32" seat height and a bludy great box behind the saddle! If I tried getting on that 'swinging' my leg over, I'd kick it over! (I have a 34" inside leg!)
Answer is you do the 'Big-Step' and fold leg at the knee, twist over the saddle, then straighten leg the other side. Saves head-butting the fairing as you go too, but still. All technique, and this is the sort of thing CBT is for.
Book one, talk to the instructor; get some advice, have some fun, see how you get on. (There's a pun, there, I think )
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[SQL]

stand on peg swing leg over

[Loudandproud2...]

Thanks for the tips, I don't have a desire to ride a really big bike even if I did eventually decide I did want a full licence he only one that really appeals to me is the VFR400 NC30 I love the look of them, its just something about it.

It wouldn't be so bad but every occasion I've gone to a bike shop there only interested in selling me something that I don't really like for £2000 which doesn't appeal to me.

I know once I've had a bit of practice getting on and off won't be such an issue but while am still learning I'd like a degree of sensibility with the height and weight of them, hence why looking at the NSR again.
____________________
We came, we saw, we broke.

We left.

[Teflon-Mike]

Right; I'm a tiddler fan; BUT... start at the ruddy beginning; you are worrying about crap that right here, right now DOESN'T MATTER.

Bikes is bikes is bikes. You want one.... fine. but put cart before the horse. Before worrying about the bike, you need the licence to ride it.

CBT isn't really the licence, its just your learner's permit, for doing the first lesson....

But here and now, thats where you are. Dont matter what bikes you think you might like or how good you think they may be... you cant ride ANY of them....

Go sort CBT.... every journey starts with a single step.... that is yours.

CBT, you ought to have done it 15 years ago to ride a ped... probably weren't really listening very carefully to everything, too exited at idea of getting your hands on a twist grip, and whatever you might have been told, well, long time ago, you have probably forgotten half of it anyway.

So go get that first lesson...

Since January 2013 they have changed the licencing testing laws.
You used to be able to take the tests on a 125 and get a full bike licence, that let you ride what you liked, but with a 2 year power restriction. Or be over 21 and test under Direct Access Sceme on a 'big-bike' to get the same licence without restriction.

NOW; there are three motorbike licences;
A1 = 125/14bhp only.
A2 = Any capacity up to 45bhp
A/A3 = Any capacity, any power.
To get any of those licences means testing on a catagory representative bike, for which DSA have set requirements; and basically means that if you want to test on your own 125, you only get the 125 only licence, and thats all it will ever let you ride. You'd have to take tests for higher group on bigger bike to get higher licence entitlement. A2, you have to be 19, A3 you have to be over 24. A2 like A1, is a forever or until you take another test entitlement; so only really relevent to 19-24 year olds.
A3, the old DAS scheme; you turn up do tests on a big bike; get full unrestricted licence.

NOW, its a FULL licence, not a 'Big-Bike' licence... you can ride a 125 as hapily on one as you can a 1250... I do!

Do CBT, you are ONLY allowed a 125 and you have to display L-Plates and you're 'learners permit' CBT is only valid for two years. If you dont get a full licence in that time; you have to repeat it. Which is a waste of time and money. If you have been on L's for two years, you damn well ought to be able to pass a test, if not, then you dont really belong on a bike!

Doing A1 tests on your own 125, then, is cheap. Test fees are give or take as little as a repeat CBT course; and you dont HAVE to have any training if you dont want to. Only lets you ride what you could on L's... but... you never have to repeat the CBT, dont have to display Loonie plates, and you may, if you really want to, carry a pillion and or use motorways.

If you intend tiddling; makes sense to make the most of tiddler time; doing A1 licence; making sure you riding is up to scratch, and saving future CBT fees.

HOWEVER; if you decide you might want a bigger bike.... well, at some point you will have to do the tests under DAS rules on a bigger bike.

If you tiddle it for a bit? great, can help build confidence; if you get the A1 licence along the way, well big confidence boost, plus assurance you CAN pass tests. Also 'nails down' your CBT and theory, so if ever you want to get on a DAS course you don't have to worry about getting them done first, or that they might expire before you get tests passed.

But, likely, and I dont like to discourage folk from tiddling, I really do think that its a good grounding, but likely when you come to do CBT, your insurtcutor will suggest, and probably quite strongly, that you just 'go for it', and do a DAS course; get the full unrestricted licence, straight off.

That would let you ride ANY bike. NSR125, VFR400, or a Hyabusa if your eally wanted.

Follow that advice, get on a school ER6 650 or whatever they use for DAS training... VERY likely that the appeal of a 125 will wain rather... Get a full ride what you like licence ion your pocket? Imagination is likely to run away with you and who KNOWS what might take your fancy.

So... GO DO CBT!

Thats the first step, NOT choosing what you think is your 'perfect' bike... you cant ride it yet!and what might be perfect now, is quite probably not going to be so perfect once you have either CBT to ride a 125 on L's or a full licence in your pocket to ride anything.

GO DO CBT

Cart before horse. worry about what NEEDS worrying about. Life chucks enough for us to fret over as it is, without going looking for more!

STOP THINKING - START RIDING
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[SnowTigeress]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Loudandproud2...]

I don't want a full bike licence.

There is very little interest there as cars have always been my thing.

I can try the freedom of a bike while saving money at the same time.

I have my CBT booked already as I knew I needed that before I could ride.

As far as I remember I had no issues doing that 15 years ago, am hoping not to much will have changed, well apart from the cost and time it takes.

Mine was £35 and just under half a day. From what I've been told now its a full day and £100

Again thanks for the advice, I might like the idea of a bike after the first couple of years but until then I'd rather have a bike I actually like and can ride at least that way there won't be a certain degree of resent for it and not really wanting to ride.

My first transport was a Honda Melody Delux which I really didn't want to ride but it was a means to an end, so when I got my Fizzy I was more inclined to use and actually have fun not just see it as a means to an end.

If that makes sense?
____________________
We came, we saw, we broke.

We left.

[wr6133]

Your NSR question.... Nothing wrong with getting one. Age may mean it requires a little more care or work than something newer. I don't think your £800 is going to get you a decent one though.

[Teflon-Mike]

[Loudandproud2...]

Its taken me 15 years to trust myself on a little bike again.

Maybe in 2 years I'll feel different, but I've never had a mad hankering for bikes.

I'd like to think I have a fairly good grasp of the rules of the road having been driving for 14 years and being an ambulance driver for a living.

Just fancy dipping my toes in the water possibly trying the shallow end as I may just enjoy it.

But all the rest is for another time, as am not a mad bike fan I would rather have something that gets me interested instead of getting started then thinking I don't like that bike an it just sits gathering dust if that makes sense.

Am not saying that I wouldn't ever do the full test its just not that appealing to me currently.
____________________
We came, we saw, we broke.

We left.

[Loudandproud2...]

Its taken me 15 years to trust myself on a little bike again.

Maybe in 2 years I'll feel different, but I've never had a mad hankering for bikes.

I'd like to think I have a fairly good grasp of the rules of the road having been driving for 14 years and being an ambulance driver for a living.

Just fancy dipping my toes in the water possibly trying the shallow end as I may just enjoy it.

But all the rest is for another time, as am not a mad bike fan I would rather have something that gets me interested instead of getting started then thinking I don't like that bike an it just sits gathering dust if that makes sense.

Am not saying that I wouldn't ever do the full test its just not that appealing to me currently.
____________________
We came, we saw, we broke.

We left.

[Loudandproud2...]

Its taken me 15 years to trust myself on a little bike again.

Maybe in 2 years I'll feel different, but I've never had a mad hankering for bikes.

I'd like to think I have a fairly good grasp of the rules of the road having been driving for 14 years and being an ambulance driver for a living.

Just fancy dipping my toes in the water possibly trying the shallow end as I may just enjoy it.

But all the rest is for another time, as am not a mad bike fan I would rather have something that gets me interested instead of getting started then thinking I don't like that bike an it just sits gathering dust if that makes sense.

Am not saying that I wouldn't ever do the full test its just not that appealing to me currently.
____________________
We came, we saw, we broke.

We left.

[Loudandproud2...]

Thanks for the tips, I don't have a desire to ride a really big bike even if I did eventually decide I did want a full licence he only one that really appeals to me is the VFR400 NC30 I love the look of them, its just something about it.

It wouldn't be so bad but every occasion I've gone to a bike shop there only interested in selling me something that I don't really like for £2000 which doesn't appeal to me.

I know once I've had a bit of practice getting on and off won't be such an issue but while am still learning I'd like a degree of sensibility with the height and weight of them, hence why looking at the NSR again.
____________________
We came, we saw, we broke.

We left.

[ficedula]

Fair enough, nothing wrong with doing the CBT and then seeing how you get on with a 125 before making any decisions beyond that.

If you do stick with it after that, still worth going for a license rather than renewing the CBT every two years, even if you're sticking with a 125. Cost of an A1 license isn't much more than the cost of a CBT, after all, takes less time, and doesn't expire.
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Bike history: YBR125 -> XJ600

[kerr]

[Tamsin]

I've had my car license for 12 years less a few days and I took my first CBT in March and it was certainly a learning experience.

Yes, a decade+ of road experience is really helpful but there is a hell of a lot of learning that you still need to do to succeed at CBT. Bikes are very different beasties to cars/vans with flashing lights.

go into it with an open mind, learn much and HAVE FUN. Once you have passed it then think about looking at bikes. I spent years saying I would do it and get bike license and I always wanted a CBF125 but one thing the CBT taught me is that there is a high chance of having an off on a bike and laying out significant money on a first bike (well, it may not be your first but after a decade and a half off 2 wheels it may as well be) was a bad plan. I nearly dropped their bike twice!

I spent £750 on my bike, knowing that it wasn't perfect but also knowing that I had a fair chance of being able to fix it myself - yes, its the most expensive vehicle I ever bought (well, joint, alongside the Morris) but its going to pay for itself within the year in fuel savings and if I drop/bin it theres a fair chance I will be able to fix it myself at minimal cost (unlike the CBF which is a bit plastic fantastic) having now had the CG for a while, I now find myself wanting a GN125 - like I did the CBT on....

I've always said I will do DAS, but now thinking I might do the A1 just to get rid of the L plates then do DAS in the future and get something a bit bigger to complement a 125

So, in short, get your CBT done, learn from it, buy an inexpensive bike and get out there and learn what you actually want from 2 wheels then think about how you want to progress.

[Tamsin]

gorram doubleposts

[Teflon-Mike]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

So wait - there IS a shallow end, or there ISN'T a shallow end? I'm confused now. Can you elaborate a little further??
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Rogerborg]

[dydey90]

[Teflon-Mike]