Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


Honda CRF250L for new biker

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> New Bikers
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

odywankanobe
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 19 Aug 2016
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:13 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Honda CRF250L for new biker Reply with quote

Hi all

I am 37 yrs old and would like to learn how to ride a bike. I am doing the CBT soon.

I do not need a bike and therefore will only be used for in-town riding and short trips (<15 miles).

I am 5.10 and 12 stone (80KG).

I only have access on-street bike parking.

Do you reckon with a full license I can start practising and learning on the CRF250L? These bikes do not have expensive body panels that would be damaged if dropped and and also do not have crazy amounts of power and grip.

I think given that I won;t be using it often and not being able to garage it that this bike will be enough to be cheap and cheerful and get me past the steep learning curve coming from a history of cars only.

Can I pass my full license test on a rental?

Let me know what you think. Thank you in advance

Ody
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

andys675
World Chat Champion



Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:26 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

it'll get stolen, you don't want to leave any trail or off road styled bike outside all night, you probably won't get theft insurance for it anyway, that sort of bike is statistically 7 times more likely to be stolen than a road style bike

sorry, but true
____________________
Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Rogerborg
nimbA



Joined: 26 Oct 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:42 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Re: Honda CRF250L for new biker Reply with quote

Hi Ody, good on you for getting into biking while you still have a couple of good years left.

Now quick! InB4 wall-of-Tef!

odywankanobe wrote:
I only have access on-street bike parking.

I wouldn't own a bike without either a garage, or at a bare minimum somewhere to install a substantial ground anchor. I definitely wouldn't leave a pikey-magnet like a CRF out in public. Your risk though.

odywankanobe wrote:
Do you reckon with a full license I can start practising and learning on the CRF250L?

With a "full" license, you'll already have practised and learned and passed your tests on a bike of at least 595cc and 40kW, like an ER6n or SFV650. So why take a step back down to a 250? (Answer: because you might want to. But try something bigger first).


odywankanobe wrote:
These bikes do not have expensive body panels that would be damaged if dropped and and also do not have crazy amounts of power and grip.

Kind of a pessimistic view. Drop drop it, don't treat the throttle as an on-off switch, you'll be fine.


odywankanobe wrote:
Can I pass my full license test on a rental?

If you want a full "A" license, by far the most common way to get it is to do a training course with a bike school. You'll use their bike for the training and the tests, and it'll be a lot bigger (capacity, power and weight) than a 250.

This isn't a bad thing - bigger bikes are actually more stable and easier to ride.

If you want to practise or just tool around on your own with your CBT and provisionaL entitlement, you can only ride up to 125cc and 11kW.

First things first though, get the CBT done and see if you enjoy 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


Last edited by Rogerborg on 12:44 - 19 Aug 2016; edited 2 times in total
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

doggone
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 May 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:43 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have a sit on one too as they are on the tall side.
You're about same height and build as me and it can catch you out on an awkward cambre.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

odywankanobe
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 19 Aug 2016
Karma :

PostPosted: 13:51 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Really good advise so far Reply with quote

Big thanks for your replies.

I did not know the stats behind different types of bikes etc.

I suppose the only real answer, as you guys said, go for the CBT and do the manual (gear training) option as well.... and see how I get on.

I might not even like it.

Also be careful with age jokes; I am touchy! So I feel I got a good 7 years in me before the WALL.

But on a serious note the two reasons I was looking at the 250cc are:
a. Cheap (sort of)
b. Can be dropped without expensive repairs (just ego damage)

Will consider all your feedback.

Ride safely
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Ed Case
World Chat Champion



Joined: 01 Mar 2009
Karma :

PostPosted: 13:55 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

PostPosted: 13:42 - 19 Aug 2016 Post subject: Re: Honda CRF250L for new biker
Hi Ody, good on you for getting into biking while you still have a couple of good years left.

"A couple of good years left" ?...I'm seventy fucking two and still giving my bikes some stick !.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

odywankanobe
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 19 Aug 2016
Karma :

PostPosted: 14:34 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: That is awesome to hear Reply with quote

Ed Case wrote:
PostPosted: 13:42 - 19 Aug 2016 Post subject: Re: Honda CRF250L for new biker
Hi Ody, good on you for getting into biking while you still have a couple of good years left.

"A couple of good years left" ?...I'm seventy fucking two and still giving my bikes some stick !.


I work with a couple of guys in their 60s and they are on their Fireblades!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

trevor saxe-coburg-gotha
World Chat Champion



Joined: 22 Nov 2012
Karma :

PostPosted: 14:49 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

The KLX250 is more affordable (usually by at least £500 for bikes of comparable mileages and years) than the CRF250L - and is also 6kg lighter w/ the same power. Also, there is much more adjustment on the KLX's rear shock absorber.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

SuperMike
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 30 Sep 2015
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:26 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Re: Really good advise so far Reply with quote

odywankanobe wrote:
Big thanks for your replies.

I did not know the stats behind different types of bikes etc.

I suppose the only real answer, as you guys said, go for the CBT and do the manual (gear training) option as well.... and see how I get on.

I might not even like it.

Also be careful with age jokes; I am touchy! So I feel I got a good 7 years in me before the WALL.

But on a serious note the two reasons I was looking at the 250cc are:
a. Cheap (sort of)
b. Can be dropped without expensive repairs (just ego damage)

Will consider all your feedback.

Ride safely


Why the pessimism? I was exactly to the year in your position last year. Driven cars all my life, wanted a bike. Aged 37 I did my full license and brought a brand new CBR 650. A year later, no drops, no crashes, no death defying tales. Don't be put off by people saying you're 100% going to drop / crash / wreck your first bike. I didn't.

As per the above advice, you'll sit your test on a 600 ish size bike, and then the world is your oyster. You can ride a Fireblade sensibly at 30mph, or you can kill yourself at 70mph on a 250 cross bike. You are controlling the bike. You know how prone you are to being a nob. You know how likely YOU are to do something stupid.

As an anecdotal from my beginnings in the big bike world, I am so so so happy I didn't get a 250cc starter bike. I would have been bored senseless by now. I totally agree with not letting 19 year olds on a litre sports bike, but as you mellow slightly, have a bit more faith!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Rogerborg
nimbA



Joined: 26 Oct 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:38 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Re: Really good advise so far Reply with quote

SuperMike wrote:
I am so so so happy I didn't get a 250cc starter bike. I would have been bored senseless by now.

Depends what you use it for. For OP's purposes, wringing the neck of a 250 might actually be more fun than idling along on a 600+ bike.

License first though, then choose based on what you want, rather than what you think you can afford to wreck.
____________________
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
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

odywankanobe
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 19 Aug 2016
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:06 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: I live in a green council with no dedicated parking Reply with quote

Having said that it has been a couple of years since there were any thefts.

Maybe a cat 1 bile, disc lock and u-lock will deter people and that means I can get a reasonably priced bike and not a 250cc.

The license first though.

will keep you posted. thanks for the positive words!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

wristjob
World Chat Champion



Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:27 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Re: I live in a green council with no dedicated parking Reply with quote

odywankanobe wrote:
Having said that it has been a couple of years since there were any thefts.


google bikelife uk and see who will be riding your crf when it goes away.
pass your tests an then try some stuff
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Rogerborg
nimbA



Joined: 26 Oct 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:42 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

I cannot emphasise enough how much a CRF250 will attract pikeys like a bitch on heat. If they see a bike like that out on the street, their little rat brains will view it as theirs.
____________________
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
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

M.C
Super Spammer



Joined: 29 Sep 2015
Karma :

PostPosted: 20:08 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Re: Really good advise so far Reply with quote

SuperMike wrote:

Don't be put off by people saying you're 100% going to drop / crash / wreck your first bike. I didn't.

Me either, I did my second bike though Neutral

I planned on getting a 250 after passing my test (a CRF250M actually), that all changed once I took my test on a 600 Razz I think it would be a good bike to learn on, but yes scramblers are stolen a lot and the police are more likely to pull you over on one.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Nexus Icon
World Chat Champion



Joined: 26 Aug 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 22:16 - 19 Aug 2016    Post subject: Re: Really good advise so far Reply with quote

M.C wrote:
SuperMike wrote:

Don't be put off by people saying you're 100% going to drop / crash / wreck your first bike. I didn't.

Me either, I did my second bike though Neutral

I planned on getting a 250 after passing my test (a CRF250M actually), that all changed once I took my test on a 600 Razz I think it would be a good bike to learn on, but yes scramblers are stolen a lot and the police are more likely to pull you over on one.


Unless you've stolen it, of course.
____________________
Greetings from Shitsville!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 9 years, 159 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> New Bikers All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.08 Sec - Server Load: 0.43 - MySQL Queries: 13 - Page Size: 89.64 Kb