What to do...

[dan_esp]

First off this is my first post so I thought I'd say hi, so Hi .

So my name is Dan and I am 21 years old.
For a while now I have thought about getting a bike and now I think it's time to stop being a pussy and just do it!

Here's the thing though, as I've said, I am 21 years old so I can only get my A2 so here's a couple options that I have:

1, Do the A2 test and buy an A2 bike, upgrade after 2 years.

2, Wait until I am 22 (1 month), do my CBT have a 125cc for 2 years and then to unrestricted test.

My reasoning for thinking about just getting a 125cc for 2 years is that I already have a car and 125cc have a lot cheaper running costs.
However I am 6'3 , would I look a tad too big on a 125cc?
What I would like is to use the bike as much as possible and then only the car when needed. Weather or too much luggage for a bike etc...

I am a complete novice and open to any ideas so go on, help a guy out!
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No bikes yet..... this saddens me :'(

[stevo as b4]

If your going to run both a car and a bike, then either vehicle is not going to be something special in most cases. My vote is if you like your car and want to keep it instead of using it to fund getting a bike with, then get a 125cc with good running costs for extra transport for the nice days until you turn 24 and go DAS if you get a taste for biking that is.

[Matt B]

[dan_esp]

Well the car is all sorted. Got a nice little Abarth 500 on finance for the next couple of years! But it does drain my wallet so I haven't got too much money to play about with, which is why I was thinking a 125cc.

No it isn't really ideal riding on a 125cc for 2 years, knowing in the back of my mind I could have a YZF-R3 instead! I guess it would all depend on what I can get for my budget. I will have around £1.5k to play with for the bike (leathers have been accounted for) I just don't really want to get bored of the 125cc over 2 years .The Abarth is quite punchy any ways (0-62mph in roughly 6 seconds official stats lie!!! ) and as I am quite used to the car now I'm feeling that maybe a 125cc is just going to be really underwhelming!
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No bikes yet..... this saddens me :'(

[UncleFester]

Doesn't matter how fast your car is - being on a motorbike is much more involving and ultimately much more fun per £ spent.
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2017 Z1000SX

[Beehive Bedlam]

First of all CBT then consider your options.

[Alpineandy]

As Bodyguard says, do your CBT and then decide (I'm pretty certain you'll then want to do the A2. a 125 is fine but even a 400 feels so much more stable).
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Rogerborg]

Er, yes... that.

So as not to be totally redundant, CBT, tell them you're considering A2 and blag a quick go on an A2 training bike. I think your mind will be made up.
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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

[talkToTheHat]

The first bike you own will be the victim of all the noob errors you make, and you will want to change it in a few years. No matter what you buy.

Restriction is a ballache and makes buying bikes harder. But there is the I derestricted it in the carpark trick when it comes to taking your A. I don't recommend this but there are people who do.

Sort yourself out a budget. If you A2 now, get an inesxpensive bike, you can do A as the mood and budget takes you and you will find that pretty easy, then upgrade/derestrict as required.

Avoid anything that needs washers welding into the exhaust for restriction.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[josh95]

you can get a 47bhp bike cheaper then 125's

[c_dug]

I wouldn't want to be stuck on a 125 by choice for two years. You obviously have money to throw around so get what you'll be happy with.

I will laugh at you if you buy an R3.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[stevo as b4]

Are all 22year olds with a fast car really far too unimpressed and impatient enough to not wait two years to get a bike of any bhp they want, and cut down on the number of tests, and training and bike swapping they need to do just to progress.

If I was getting into bikes today and was young, I'd want to do as few tests and progressive hoop jumping as possible. I'm almost certain I could do age 17-24on a 125cc to save complying with the system of stupid progressive licenses. Or I'd wait until 24 for zero to Fireblade etc.

In fact at age 24 Id want to rock up at the test centre on my 125, do the test and go home to the bike I had probably already brought and been fettling ready for my new piece of paper that says I can ride it.

[dan_esp]

C_dug what don't you like about the R3? I thought they looked really nice!

I don't really wanna be stuck on a 125 for 2 years but then I also don't want to wait 2 years, do the DAS, buy something waayy too powerful for my experience, I think gradually progressing my skills would be more beneficial, its just whether I go 125cc or A2 and get something bigger. Either way the bike will most likely be sold when I have done the unrestricted at 24.
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No bikes yet..... this saddens me :'(

[tomupcraft]

I would do my A2 now if I were you, you'd soon get bored of a being stuck on a 125 until 24. If you were to buy a bike larger than 595cc and restrict it to 47bhp, when it comes round to doing your 'A' tests you could, like others will say, 'derestrict' at the test centre. Thus, assuming you pass without needing an instructor, you'd only pay for the tests.

[Wednesday Biker]

Its not a bad thing tootling round on a 125 for a bit.
Its what we did in my younger days.I don't know anyone who just got a big bike like they do now.
When I got back into biking I bought another 125 and kept it for 2 years.I had it about 8 months after passing my test before moving up.
I enjoyed it.I went to the coast a few times and out in the peak district and even went up and down the motorway to work on it.
I'd still have a 125 if I could afford two bikes.Theres something fun about them.
If you get something like the R3 you'll probably get bored of that after 6 months anyway and have spent loads of cash.Better to get bored of a cheap 125 and then buy a bike that will satisfy you long term and not cost you an arm and a leg.

[Beehive Bedlam]

CBT > DAS > A2 > FZS 600 1998 - 2003 > A.

OR

CBT > 125 > DAS > A.

Stop thinking and start doing.

[stevo as b4]

It's Just that OP wants and is happy with a good/fast expensive to run car and want's the same in a bike? I tend to think for most people's circumstances it's an either or situation really especially when young and insurance is a killer.

I'd personally love a really cheap to run car and a cheap to run bike too for urban and commuting transport requirements. It's just I have no interest in spending my hard earned on something that I don't really want and I have always had options with public transport and works vehicles for getting to and from work and visiting friends and family.

If you can do all these things without the running costs of a vehicle, then to spend a lot of disposable on a vehicle means it had better be a bloody good or exciting or interesting one, else what is the point?

[Rogerborg]

[Commuter_Tim]

[sinedtomuch]

Don't buy an R3.

Youll be bored of it in a month or two if your lucky. It will cost you a fortune to buy outright and isn't really a sports bike at all.

The alternatives are a much wiser choice. Its the same trap 17-18 year olds fall into when they want R125's on finance