Old vs new?

Drc12369 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Oct 2015 Karma :

Obviously I'm new to all this so id appreciate some honest advice regarding which bike to get.. I've read a lot of the Chinese bikes are crap stuff but I've also read some bike reviews saying different.. My 3 options it seems are an old Honda city fly but in good nic obviously, a Yamaha ybr... The same kind of age and condition with 15k plus miles on OR a brand new Lexmoto ZSB with a couple of years warranty from a dealership about 10 miles away... It's my first bike and although I'm eager to learn I don't know anything about the maintenance I'm likely to need to know.. I'm looking at having this bike for at least a few years due to space and cash available.. The new bike does look tasty but I've read a few of the horror stories... Not sure what to do... Can't afford to buy a duffer..
Cheers
Dave

Drc12369 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Oct 2015 Karma :

Also the older bikes all seem to be over 60/100 miles away at least... Presenting more problems... The LexMoto dealers just under 10

Going · Nearly there... Joined: 26 Feb 2012 Karma :

If I had to choose out of those 3, I myself would go for the YBR.
I did own A Chinese Scooter that I put just over 30K Miles on in under 2 years. Didn't have major problem (Unless you count tappets) but required a lot of weekly maintenance. A lot of bolt and screw tightening too.

CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

60-100 miles to find a bike?
Your spot suggests you're not far from Bristol
and there are quite a few dealers here.
Kellaway motorcyles are a Lexmoto dealer
Plus there's Gumtree/trade-it/Ebay etc for the second hand 'runs perfick innit M8' bargains.
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bikers smell of wee

Drc12369 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Oct 2015 Karma :

I've got a Max budget of a grand for the bike.. The lexmoto is obviously all of that and the distant hondas and yammys are 700

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

You're 38 and on a budget so I'd strongly advise against buying a new Chinese branded bike that will lose half its value the moment you turn the key. Because that's the cost of your DAS training right there and doing it opens up so many more bikes offering much better value for money.

If you must get a tiddler, buy used Japanese. Ignore what's available right now, since you're not in a position to buy. CBT then gear then security then insurance money set aside then get your budget together in cash and then you're ready to look.
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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

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

It depends on how urgent having a bike is?

At this time of the year, id scour the small ads, set up a local say within 15miles search on ebay, so any bike on there you like can be viewed before buying.

Then id sit back and wait for a bike to come to you. Obviously it'll be secondhand, and Japanese or Korean or Chinese if the price is right and the bike is solid.