Complete bike noob with some questions

[Fyz]

Hey guys!

Since I was old enough to remember, my dad always loved his bikes, anything from riding to watching races. This inevitably ended up in me tagging along to any race I could with him and growing rather fond of bikes myself.

Skip forward a few years, along with mum, dad managed to talk me out of getting a bike license straight away so I opted for 4 wheels and got my car license. I'm 21 now and still love the idea of learning to ride, but there's some questions I'd like answering!

After a little research today I've discovered I need a CBT no matter what, but as I am over over 19 I am (maybe?) eligible for an A2 license. Would I also have to complete tests for AM and A1, or can you simply take an A2 test, if it's even that simple?

Speaking of the tests, of course I'd need to actually be able to ride a bike first! What should I be expecting to pay cost wise from 1st lesson to getting my license, is it roughly the same as learning to drive a car?

Also, a question that probably gets asked ten times a day (sorry!) What are good options for a first bike? I'd really only like the bike for a commute to work/university, so a 125 would be more than enough I'd assume(?) But sometimes maybe I'd like to go on a longer drive/motorway. Is taking a 125 on to a motorway just a bad idea/would I legally be allowed to do so?

And finally, is it better to look towards buying newer bikes rather than old? I have briefly looked on Honda's website at the:

CBR125R, £3,599: https://bikes.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/125cc/cbr125r-2013/offers/finance.html

CB125F, £2,499: https://bikes.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/125cc/cbr125r-2013/offers/finance.html

For a brand new bike, which I'd assume has a warranty to go with it, those kind of prices make it seem like buying new would surely be a tempting option? I know from looking at some threads before posting this that they are seen as "fashion bikes" for 125's and that some people advise buying cheap and saving for a "real" bike, but as a student something like that should be reliable enough to cost me less than my car, a BMW 330ci, is!

Thanks in advance for any help guys, appreciate it!
Joe

[josh95]

To do an A2 you must have done a CBT (in the last 2 years) and be over 19 years of age.
You cannot ride a 125cc bike on a motorway with just a CBT but you can with an A2.

My dad also loves bikes, I rode pillion with him since I could walk, he tried to talk me out of it aswell. parents can be weird

I am doing my A2 next month (I am also at uni), if you have an A2 I dont know why you would want to limit your self to a 125? I wouldn't buy one new either.

[tomupcraft]

I'm also at uni, and got my A2 licence in march. Overall it probably cost me around £800 to get my licence. I did it through a semi intensive course kind of way, so I did two days before my MOD 1 in november, then I had a days training before my MOD 2 in march, you can however have individual lessons if you like.

Bike wise, I currently have a CBF125, which I have had since August and since getting my licence I can't wait to upgrade, so I don't think you would be overly satisfied with a 125 unless it's for a short period of time. Instead of getting a 125 you could just put the money you would have otherwise have spent on a small bike, towards getting your licence, then you can splash out on a bigger bike.

If you do want to get a 125, say to ride for a while before doing your A2, definitely don't get it brand new as you will loose a lot of money on it. With the probability that you would want to upgrade within a years time or so, its not worth it to spend that much on a 125, just try to look for something older and cheaper as you will lose far less money, or maybe even sell it for around what you bought it for.

[Fyz]

Thanks for the replies guys,

I've read over a couple more threads and agree with you that if I can have more than a 125 I most likely will, as I don't think a 125 would satisfy me for too long. However, I don't want to go too big too quick, how much power is too much? Would a 500cc bike be far too much power to handle for a first time rider?

And as for buying new, that only seemed like a good idea as the prices seemed ridiculously good when compared to the prices I usually see when looking at cars, but after doing a bit more research I feel buying used would definitely be the way to go for me as long as I checked the bike over properly!

[josh95]

well i would guess the best way to do it,
do your CBT then do your A2 or atleast training for your A2 and you can judge from that if 125 or 300-500cc

[Beehive Bedlam]

The best bikes for each category in my opinion.

Loser plates/ A1 License > Varadero 125.

A2 License > FZS600 Fazer 1998 - 2003 the most powerful bike that you will be able to restrict and still be riding in accordance with your A2 license also can be used to acquire the A category nothing stopping you riding it to the test centre and removing the restriction prior the test not that anyone will know or care mind.

By the way I have ridden and owned both bikes so know what I am talking about unlike the vast majority of arm chair experts you find on internet forums both are great to live with and do everything well.

Personally I would CBT and if I was left wanting more straight to A2 DAS.

[Rogerborg]

Your A2 training and tests will be on something like a new Honda CB500F, or an older and likely bigger bike that's been restricted (or "restricted") a bit. Once you've done that, you should be able to handle the 35kW of power that you're allowed on A2. It's plenty to have fun with.

Cost is going to be in excess of £1000 before you hand over money for your own bike. That's gear, CBT, training, tests, security (properly locked garage and/or a 16mm+ chain and ground anchor) and insurance / VED (£80 for anything over 600cc isn't insignificant).

It's not cheap as chips to get started, but it is definitely worth it.
____________________
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

[Fyz]

[tomupcraft]

[Rogerborg]

I'd go 2nd hand initially. There's plenty of decent stuff out there. Once you're riding, you'll have a better idea of what you want to settle on long term. I've tried leather, cordura, kevlar denims and tweed, it's a very personal choice.

[Fyz]

[Pigeon]

[Rogerborg]

[Fyz]

[Alpineandy]

[Val]

[DRZ4Hunned]

[Copycat73]

[grr666]

Get a brand new lid and brand new boots.
The rest is a question of trawling ebay, I am excellent at sniffing out dirt cheap bike gear, I buy and sell it all the time.
If you are patient, stick to your max bids and search often you'll find some great stuff, often almost as new.
On to the cars, Big 3 litre barges are often cheaper to insure for young lads, they aren't a typical young
lads car. When I switched my (modified and declared) 2004 180bhp 1.9 diesel Skoda for a 2009 265bhp
Audi worth 4 times as much, I got a refund cheque from my insurer for nearly 400 quid. Currently paying £264pa
for it full comp which is funny when you consider it's a 160mph car. My 1.5DCI van is almost as much
to insure but to be fair that's trade insurance on my van.
Get any one of the popular first 'big' bikes and you'll be fine, your car can't be slow so you must be used
to a bit of speed, Fazer 600, MT-07, ER6f/n, CB500, etc etc will all have similar in gear performance
sub 100mph to your car. I thought an ER6 would be fine for a few years, and literally a year after
buying one I'm looking at litre bikes. As long as you don't ride like a plank, you'll soon out grow these
mid range bikes if speed and acceleration is why you got into biking. If cheapness of travel is the motivator
then a good steady ER5 or CB500 will stand you in good stead and be beans to run and insure.
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Copycat73]

[grr666]

I do buy the occasional pup of an item. But in all honesty, on average I've doubled my money on bike
gear I've bought and worn for a bit then sold or sold straight away because of fit issues.The only thing
I've bought brand spanking new with warranty etc are my lids and my boots.
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[DRZ4Hunned]

[Polarbear]

Please do not worry about riding a bigger bike than a 125, You will find it easier, safer and feel more confident.

As to price, as Roger said, 125's are expensive. I picked up a tatty but mechanically sound Fazer 600 (insurance cat D for under £300). I still have it 15000 miles later and it has never failed me.

I was actually relieved when my daughter passed her test and started to ride a CBR400. She had been riding a Yammy SR125 which in my eyes was a gutless pig. If you ride a 125 you have to standd your ground or get bullied by other drivers.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Val]

[Copycat73]