Yamaha R3 Newbie!

[jawskk]

Good evening all,

Just thought I'd pop in to say hello! I am currently looking at the Yamaha R3 on an A2 licence. Can anyone confirm that this is the best bike to be looking at in terms of a starting bike for the A2 licence and would buying new be appropriate for a first time rider? Additionally, in terms of licences, what licences do I need to obtain before riding this type of bike? Am I correct in saying I need to obtain my CBT and A2?

Thanks!
Jawskk

[notbike]

Buy my ninja instead.

R3 is good but is skinny at the tank and too upright.

If you haven't rode any other motorcycle for a decent amount of time, don't buy new cause you run the risk of dropping the new bike which sucks. Then again I only owned my R125 for 6 months before buying a new Ninja and I've never dropped it (or the R125.. or any bike).

You need to do A2 to ride R3.

Edit: Get R3 and drag race me so we can compare them pls I wanna know how fast an R3 goes.

[Beehive Bedlam]

I see no point in buying a 300cc you will get bored of it rather quickly and you won't be able to do the A modules on it when the time comes.

FZS600 is the queen of the A2 category.

[jawskk]

seems mixed reviews! Ninja took my fancy but they don't seem to be as quick, neither do I think they look as good? Does that FZS600 fit in with the 33kw?

[Beehive Bedlam]

[jawskk]

I am not sure whether to finance a better bike however rather than getting an older bike? introduction of Abs to modern bikes seems appealing! how about the z300 performance? works out the same as the R3?

[NJD]

Dream land is all very well and good. So do you have your CBT / A2 course already booked?
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The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶

[jawskk]

[mkjackary]

You need a CBT Theory and A2.

There is no 'best bike'. As for the R3, sure it is cool, but it is 30KW, you can get another 5KW on an A2, or double it if you are going to *restrict* it.

If it is your very first bike don't buy new. Depending on how you feel after the course get a older model of a bike you like, or if you aren't very comfortable, go for a 10-20 year old naked 500cc bike to start off with (very common and cheap) then once you are comfortable get a fazer or r3 or similar.

This is a good site. https://a2bikes.co.uk/

I would prefer something bigger than 320cc but that is just personal preference.

Also I am amazed that the R3 - a purpose built A2 bike? - isn't the full 35KW, surely they would want to be the fastest bike in that class like the r125, why go for something lacking in BHP?

[jawskk]

Do I not need the full cbt? or just theory? This is where my knowledge on Licence's lack. I have booked the full cbt as I was aware I need to do the full CBT and A2 licence? I don't really understand this Mod1, Mod2 chat either and the .gov website is not that helpful! I should know licences, I am a car salesman by trade. but cars work completely different as we all know! one licence and that's it!

[jawskk]

What are our thoughts on restricting then?

[NJD]

[jawskk]

[quote="NJD"]

[NJD]

Spells a financial mess because racebike already. Not the path I'd take but it's your money.

£61.50 (one monthly instalment) x 12 = £958.32. Fek that, simple as. I'd rather buy something cheaper in all areas and bite the bullet to enjoy racebike at a latter date. No figure that high tempting me towards two wheels. What level of cover is that and what's the excess?

Two years of being on an A2 license you can upgrade to A. I sense you'll be bored of a 300cc racebike long before that but wont be able to do anything about it because finance. I'd think long and hard before signing on any dotted line.

150pcm is (I can't be arsed to see if calculations are correct) what you'll be legally obliged to pay as agreed to via your consent to finance companies. Factor in servicing, fuel, consumables, security, cover, gear, tax etc and I'm sure your funds will be tested far beyond a £500 deposit just to get started and during your ownership. As I mentioned in a recent thread buying a bike doesn't mean you can afford it, I assume you've ensured you could afford things that might need replacing in your ownership like chain + sprockets, tyres etc?
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The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶

[jawskk]

Fully Comp and excess of £250.

This is why I was asking about the r3? maybe a Kawasaki er6n restricted would be more appropriate then? Unrestrict after 2 years.

The joys of buying new, and one major factor on why I am looking at buying new is because I know that the Yamaha will come with a 3 year manufacturing warranty that covers anything apart from wear and tear or personal damage, in which insurance can cover after excess if major. That means for the entire 36 month plan on which ever bike I purchase, I will have full cover for anything like chains/sprockets etc.

Joys of a pcp and why I chose it as well, is it gets the ball rolling, I can trade in after 24 months, if I don't exceed my mileage allowance and build up neg and get a new bike. covered with warranty and so on. What I don't want to get caught up in his riding around on unsafe second-hand bangers that I run into the ground and pay bills for repairs here there and everywhere? I understand where you are coming from and I appreciate your advice however! This is why I joined this forum, to see what others think? If you can convince me why I am wrong, by all means I will go with your idea and owe you a pint.

[NJD]

[rhys99]

No ones asked the guys age? he could be eligible for DAS.
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21:16:02 Fin: I got a girl to believe I have a huge dick today, she's going to be so disappointed
K̶5̶ ̶S̶V̶6̶5̶0̶S̶ K3 SV650N

[DRZ4Hunned]

Do what Socket says.

I'd much rather have an old Fazer for 1.5k than a new 300 commuter for nearly 5k.

You seem to have sold yourself to your own finance salesman shpiel, I still think finance is mostly a mugs game.

Bikes aren't like cars, it's a lot more obvious when they're knackered as long as you have a pinch of mechanical ability.
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DRZ400-SM
FZS600

[Alpineandy]

Firstly, Bikes aren't for everyone. Do your CBT and then decide what next. Many do their CBT and think 'fuck that, it's scary'.

If you enjoy your CBT (as much as anyone can on those tiny bikes (IMO) then ask the instructors about what you have to do next for your A2 (or DAS if you can).

Your A2 will probably be on a 650 and you'll probably realise that you don't want to go down to a 300 when you pass.

Finally, you asked for our thoughts and it's pretty universally thought that you shouldn't buy a new bike but you seem to know better.
You stand a very high chance of dropping your first bike. Not necessarily crashing it, but moving around in a garage/driveway/carpark. It's very easy on a gravel carpark for your foot to slip away from you and the bike is suddenly on it's side. It doesn't mean you'll do major damage but you will get scratches and knocks moving it around. That effects it's value which is never a good thing when finance is involved.
The other thing is that although you may like the style of a sportsbike, you may find that it doesn't suit the tasks that you need to do. You won't understand what's really important in a bike until you've had one a while.
You will (pretty much certainly) want to change your big bike in a year or so (really most do) so give the financing a miss for the first year and then consider it for your real (non-learner) bike.
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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.

[cjttchris]

At the beginning of the year when I was thinking whether to get an R3 or Ninja 300 I thought that the Ninja looked far better and from all the reviews had more power and better handling.

In the end went for a Bandit 600 (2000) and I'm far happier now than I would have been with a 300. But if you're not into to restricting a bike I would vote the Ninja, the R3 reminds me of the R125 too much, and that for me is just too popular now...

*edit
Do what NJD has said. You need to factor in your gear, servicing and general maintainance and of course the A2 test if thats what you are willing to do. For me I hired one of their bikes as I wanted to make a decision based on whether I liked the larger bikes (I used the Yamaha XJ6) and funnily enough I did. You will need at least three 2 hour lessons which can cost a fair bit as well as the MOD 1 and 2 which also add up. All in all I spent around £500 for the whole lot and all of my kit came to just under £200.

There is no point in skimping on your both the test/lessons and your gear. As NJD has already said, for a new bike you will need to place a hefty deposit as well so make sure you have factored all of that in as well.
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-Suzuki GSF600-

[Rogerborg]

Can we confirm that you're aged between 19 and 23. If you're 24 or above, you'll want to be doing full A tests.

[Teflon-Mike]

[M.C]

I wouldn't buy an FZS, you'll end up with a $hit old heavy bike restricted to 47bhp. There are cheap Ninja 250's about (f**ked fazer money or less (so <£1500)). The 300's are still too new to be a good buy, and in case you're wondering new bikes especially on finance are never a good buy

[Rogerborg]

Why not an MT-03? It's one of the few A2 native bikes.

If OP wants racebike, then an ER6F or SV650S might restrict better than a Fazer, but either way I doubt that many people fresh off a restricted 650 would really want a Ninja 250 as an only bike. They're a sod to sell on as well now, the one I bought was up on Gumtree for 6 weeks before I finally went for it. If you do go for a small capacity bike as a private purchase, chisel every penny and consider it to be more or less disposable.

CBR500R prices are coming down, there are 2014 bikes getting ~£2000 closing bids on eBay.
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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

[Beehive Bedlam]