Not "what bike", but "should I" thread

[Kamikaze Bob]

Got my licence a few weeks ago, and had originally planned to wait until spring to get some money behind me and get a bike. But the day after my test the bank manager calls (honest, I was taken aback at his timing) and tells us they're having a special rate on existing customers with loans to sign them up at lower rates. We've done this a few times, but not for a while, and we have an appointment scheduled for this week.

The missus was never happy about me getting my licence, let alone a bike (usual reasons - mostly based on "you'll die and I'll be left with 2 kids") but this has given me some hope of getting on the road within a few weeks. I've always kept an eye on Ebay and Gumtree and the like to see what's available and prices, etc, and in the past few days I've been bookmarking various 500s/600s which I would be happy with for my first bike, to do me a few years for work and the occasional weekend jaunt. (Or flexi-timed day off that the missus won't know about)

However, the weather in Central Scotland just turned very cold and wet, signalling the usual bad weather coming in, and I'm unsure about getting a bike just now given I'll mostly be riding in cold, wet weather straight away, and worried it may put me off riding once the better weather starts to come in next year.

Is it worth getting a sub-£1k bike just to get me on the road and through some of the winter at least, then think about something better later? I was never planning on spending huge money on my first bike anyways, and the upper limits of what I've got my eye on just now is £1600 (hopefully negotiated down a bit if I go ahead) and a couple of them are really nice, but I'm a little wary of spending more money on a bike when it'll get pelted with snow, sleet and salt in a few months.

I do have a car too, and will use it for work if the weather gets really bad, but would rather commute by bike if I can.

Thoughts?
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2001 Honda VFR800fi

[wr6133]

Experience is a teacher so what better way to learn than through the worst. Find an old 500 (CB/GPZ/ER5) you probably won't lose much on it either when you come sell in spring (long as you don't bin it too much).

[mase101]

Hmm, it's a tough one. I know the feeling, you've got the ticket and now your just itching to get a bike and get out there! Would be more sensible to wait for the new season and just use your car, but I would do the opposite, least sensible option and get a bike! Also you might get a better deal as the bad weather sets in and someone wants to shift their bike sharpish. It's a tough call though. Brilliant timing from the bank manager though
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DAS done in April 2014. R6

[Val]

I think yes, and actually learning to ride in bad weather may be good think for you.

There has been some research in continental Europe about the fact that drivers that has learn to drive in summer time on good dry roads have more accidents later opposite to winter learners. This is due to the fact that driving (and riding motorcycle for that matter) involves motor-memory functions when you are just learning in the begining.

Motor-memory, commonly referred to as muscle-memory, is teaching muscles how to repeat movements or techniques so that it becomes similar to a reflex.

Means winter drivers get accustomed to say slippery winter snow and icy roads and instinctively learn what to do when the car(bike) slides.

This is why so many brilliant rally drivers come from northern countries like Finland and Sweden. If you know how to drive on ice and snow, the gravel and tarmac are easy.

Having said all that you need to be extra careful in any snow conditions on two wheels
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Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[Dave70]

If you decide to get one now, make sure you get some decent waterproofs and warm gear.

I started riding in December/January and think I probably benefited from it tbh, for many of the reasons Val posted above. Although, you'll no doubt have slightly colder conditions up in Scotland than I did in the IoM. Not sure I'd wanting to be riding on ice though.

I've ridden on heavy morning frost a couple of times and even through a bit of snow but, I had already been riding for about a year before I attempted that.

Seeing as you also have a car I'd go for it but leave the bike at home when it's icy or snowing.

Just remember to take things really easy when riding throughout winter, as it's not just snow and ice that can make you come a cropper but other stuff like wet leaves, road markings, diesel on a wet surface and the like.
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There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.

[Rogerborg]

An old 500 makes sense. You won't be using more power than that in winter anyway.

I'm a nearly every day rider, although at 6:30 am this morning I did look wistfully at the car. Once you get out though, it's not so bad. Gusty winds are a big but loose grip on the bars and you'll be fine.

On bad days, I double-bag the waterproofs, with thin packaway waterproofs worn under an outer layer of cordura with its own "waterproof" layer. You'll find a solution that works for you.

Oh, and muffs, muffs, muffs.

If you really want to get serious, then have a Google for "Tucano gaucho" invalid blankets.
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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

[monkeybiker]

[monkeybiker]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

500 twin is probably all you're going to find sub a grand. But that's fine. MkI blade would be the ideal first big bike, of course. Chortle.

But should you get one this side of next season? More tricky. Personally, I definitely would - I've ridden through the last two winters, and clocked up almost as many miles as I did "in" season. More importantly, without getting wet. Cold, maybe - but wet? No. However, I do live in a supposedly drier part of the country - it being east of the pennines i.e. And I think this is true - there really does seem to be less rain here than when I lived over towards the west of the country.

NB I don't commute by bike. How many dry weekends will you get before next spring? There'll be a few - and even if there aren't that many, there are always the evenings. I appreciate it will be dark, and as said, cold. But I personally still enjoy it. In some ways visibility is better - on rural routes car headlights can be seen miles ahead, for instance. Blind bends aren't so blind when you can see lights through hedges and so on. So there's that.

But if it's always going to be wet where you are, I might not bother tbh.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

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

[youngbiker22]

Congrats on passing OP, I think you should get something under £1k for your first bike as you may drop it/scratch it and its bad enough when you do it with something that is new to you, let alone a brand new thing!

As for riding in the bad weather, I would say as long as you have Thermal T-shirt, long Johns, decent riding gear and waterproof gear over it you shouldn't feel the cold too much.

I wouldn't be worried too much about riding in the rain, I would just say to go a bit slower, brake earlier, and your vision can be impaired by rain on the visor ( nothing a wipe with your glove cant fix)

I would try and avoid any icy weather (especially the early mornings) as they can be dangerous. however I have not done my car license and have rode near enough 365 days a year for the last few years, and I know plenty in the same boat as myself, so it can be done.

Good Luck choosing a bike
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1st: Suzuki Marauder GZ125 > Now: Suzuki Bandit GSF600 - also gettin a 1994 virago on the road

[Baffler186]

Shouldn't be an issue in the winter weather, you just ride to the conditions. Sometimes it can be nasty but I gained a lot of experience from commuting year-round. I found that, buying my first bike, there wasn't much choice in December (I suppose no-one wants the faff of selling around Christmas), so don't compromise on the best bike for you just because there's nothing else around at the time.
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[map]

[Kamikaze Bob]

Thanks for all the replies guys, appreciate it. I kinda like the idea of heading out in some bad weather, as mentioned it will give me practice in not-perfect conditions.

I have a textile jacket which I bought, and trousers that a mate gifted me, both with liners which make me really warm (left them out the past few months during lessons mind) so I would ideally be looking at spending a little on some base layers, a neck muff and maybe winter gloves and I'm good to go. (Mental note - add a tank-bag or rucksack into the budget for lunch/clothes)

Got my eye on a couple of ZZR600's, GPZ500's and the odd Fazer that's not too far away on eBay and Gumtree. Swaying towards one of the ZZR's that's a year younger than the other but with less miles and costs £400 less too. Both still over a grand tho, while I've found a GPZ a few miles away with crazy low mileage for £800.

Insurance is gonna run me around £300 as it's my first bike, but would like to cover this if we re-sign the loan too. Have to wait until later this week to convince the wife to come around. Either way I'll let you know how it turns out.
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2001 Honda VFR800fi

[wr6133]

[stevo as b4]

If you don't need to ride cold winters, then don't. If your planning on DAS and getting a 500cc+ bike, then don't buy a worn out shitter for under £1k. I'd say wait till spring and save up more than your £1600 to get a choice of something nice, something you really want, and something your going to be proud of/happy with.

[thx1138]

yes, except if you are thinking of buying from a dealer, consider a 0% on new purchases credit card offer rather than a loan

[Val]

[Rogerborg]

[Kamikaze Bob]

Well, saw the girl at the bank today, and after much, much negotiation (with the wife) I now have enough to get myself a decent bike to last me a good while and cover the insurance too!

Which leads me onto my next begging question - I am looking at a VFR which I'm hoping to go see on Saturday. I'm not real good at the mechanical side of things (book-keeper by trade) and would appreciate someone with a better idea of things to look it over. Anyone close to Sighthill that may be able to spare half an hour or so?
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2001 Honda VFR800fi

[Rogerborg]

Sorry, I wouldn't have a clue about a VFR. Techno-bikes, them.

Asked on the Scotland sub-forum?
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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

[mentalboy]

[Kamikaze Bob]

Guy brought the VFR to my work today, got a friend at work who rides to help check it out, called him tonight to haggle a bit, and got it for a bargain price! Pick up my first bike next weekend as we're away on holiday this week!
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2001 Honda VFR800fi