Opinions please

[MarkC76]

Hi all,

New to the forum and looking for some advice. I am 23, been driving since I was 17 (full NCB) but never ridden a motorbike before but really wanting to get in to it.
I turn 24 next July and so I will be able to do the DAS then, but having no experience I have decided it would be a good idea to get a motorbike early.

My question is should I just do my CBT and ride a cheap-ish 125 for some experience or look at doing my A2 test with the necessary training etc to give me experience on a slightly bigger bike? I think the cheapest route would be just to do the CBT for now and then avoid having to pay for two sets of tests (A2 and A) and extra lessons.

what do you guys recommend/think is the best route to take?

Thanks

[angryjonny]

In your position I'd do my CBT now, buy a 125, ride it for a year and do DAS in a year's time. But your circumstances and patience level and mine may differ. I would also reserve the right to change my mind after a month on a 125 as the lure of a bigger bike nagged at me.

Biking is an activity you go into with your heart not your head, so do what feels right.

DAS is hard, from a standing start. I managed it, but I rented a bike for a week in the middle of it just to get more experience and it still took me a couple of goes at the test (no mod1/mod2 in my day). I'd have been much more comfortable with a year on a 125 behind me. The more comfortable you are with the controls (the more 2nd-nature it all is) the more of your brainpower you can dedicate to roadcraft and doing the right thing on the test. Just don't get into any bad habits.

[Matt B]

Personally I would wait until you are 24 then do full A.

DAS is designed to be done from scratch by people who have never even seen a motorcycle before. The difficulty (or not) in passing rest purely with you and your ability.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Skudd]

In my opinion the Falkland war was a waste of time if they decide to let the Argies even have a debate over who rules it.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[Val]

Yes good idea do the CBT now ride 125 then next year do DAS
____________________
Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[Rogerborg]

Either way is viable. You can tough it out on a 125 for a year: just analyse your riding and don't pick up any bad habits.

The other option would be to do CBT, theory, taught A2 tests, then get yourself a 595cc+ 40kW-70kW bike like a FZS600 or Bandit 600. Restrict or "restrict" it down to 35kW for your A2 license, then book your A tests for your 24th birthday. Rock up on your own bike, "destrict" it in the car park, repeat the exact same tests that you've already passed, job done.

On balance I'd probably go the 125 route. Bear in mind that you can sit A1 tests on it. Not really worth it to get a license, but £15.50 to practice the module 1 test (the hard way, on a small capacity bike) is a bit of a bargain.

It's all good, really. Do your CBT then decide what would make you happiest. If you're grinning, you're winning.

And now over to Tef for your scheduled lecture.
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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

[Andy_Pagin]

Do the CBT and see how you feel afterwards.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[MarkC76]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I will take the majority advice and see how I get on with the 125 for a while and try my best not to learn any bad habits.
Whilst on the subject of 125's im thinking a used Honda cbf would do the job but I'm 6ft 1 and about 17 stone will this be to small or will it be ok for learning the ins and outs on?

Thanks

[Rogerborg]

A good CBF125 will be OK, but approach with caution. Honda were trading on their reputation for quality: the CBF did a decent job of wrecking 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

[Val]

[Cronik]

Once upon a time, when I pondered the same, I was eyes-locked on A2 as I am 19... browsing restricted recommendations and all that gobbly-goo.

When I came around to doing my CBT, the swooping hand of reality picked Cronik up and pummeled him repeatedly into the cold, unforgiving earth until he agreed to get a 125 and practice for a year (also being nearly £1000 cheaper in insurance for when I collect 1 years NCB).

I am a frustratingly forbearing character, not having ridden my bike up until 2 months after owning it as I wanted it to be serviced and ready.

I have patience unmatched.

Currently really enjoying the CBF125.

I like the idea of 'progressing' anyway...


As Teflon-Mike often recycles, do your CBT first, then decide!

As Rogerborg often recycles, don't ride a 'bigger' bike if you do plan on 125-ing, as it might (will?) ruin the experience.


Maintain the the illusion...and enjoy!
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*A Vacuous Vacancy*

[carpe_diem]

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Post CBT I did do a year on a CG125 kick start only.
Rose tinted, it was actually quite cool. Obviously no motorway.

It did make for comfy learning about filtering, locking up in the wet, had great mpg and cheap everything.

I'm certain insurance was feasible once I passed DAS and got a Fazer 600. Without that year it would likely have been 1/3 higher.

It paid for itself basically as I got most of what I paid back for it.

Plus I'd probably be dead if I'd have gone for a bigger bike as the little self control I now posess wasn't as developed back then.
____________________
'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[Pjay]

[Rogerborg]

Is he trapped under a pile of half a dozen rusting Superdreams?















____________________
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

[nowhere.elysium]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[MarkC76]

Thanks again for all the replies, decided I will go with a cbf or ybr for a year and get the hang of a 125 then do my A test when 24!

[angryjonny]

Inb4 "this YBR is slower than my mate's Honda Cub - I'm buying an R3 and doing my A2"

[Dave70]

There's always the YZF R125, if you can find one at a reasonable price that hasn't been trashed.
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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.

[carpe_diem]

[Big Jock]

Once I had done my CBT I bought a YBR125 so I could get used to riding. I think it was a good choice. I have only had it about a month and feel my confidence growing every time i'm out on it. Once I have reached the level I want I will look into doing my test and moving up to bigger bike but the experience I will gain from riding the 125 should help. Also as mentioned (barring any hiccups) the years NCB will be great when it comes time to insure the bigger bike

[Hong Kong Phooey]

I only need a couple of lessons on a big bike after gaining the experience on the 125. Everything else was there, just needed to get used to a bigger better handing machine.

I'll never forget that first time feeling when you open the taps up fully.
It was just like when they go warp speed in the Enterprise.

This was only on a 600 hornet
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[The Shaggy D.A.]