Hope to get a bike in the future, any advice please

[MDJ]

Hello!

I am currently driving a Rover 214, and paying about £800-900 insurance a year, and about £20-30 a week on petrol.

I don't feel that I use my car enough to justify paying all that money, so I am thinking about selling it and getting a 125cc motorbike. It would suit me much better i think as i can just drive straight into college instead of messing around with parking and getting the bus, and it should be also a lot cheaper with insurance and petrol. Driving to college and generally getting around town is all that I use a motor for really, I think a bike will be much easier and more enjoyable

As I am a first time rider and quite sensible I think it would be best if I get an A1 license and a 125cc don't you reckon? After riding for two years (I am 18), will I then be able a get a bigger bike (i.e greater than 33bhp), or will I need a an A license to do this?

Also are there any bikes that I should definitely stay away from, or any that are a definite purchase? I have been looking at a Honda NSR125 - it looks nice but thats no good if it doesn't perform. I definitely want a sporty looking bike though.

Any extra tips or hints are more than welcome.

Thanks in advance

[ncrn]

Well first of all 125's are great for just going back and forth to college, and they are good for in town cause its much easier to park

I think getting your A2 license will be your best bet, and after 2 years you will loose the 33bhp restriction immediately no need to take another test.

And the NSR125R is a brilliant little bike, I have one, its quick (I've seen 85 on mine and its still restricted), as it's a 2 stroke it is a very quick accelerator and can get off the line a lot quicker than some cars.

You just have to remember as its a 2 stroke you need to keep a constant supply of 2 stroke oil in the oil tank (they burn oil as they run). As long as you keep enough oil in the tank you shouldn't have any problems. Be aware that 2 strokes can occasionally break resulting in parts of the engine needing rebuilding, it happened to me once when my oil pump failed fortunately it was very easy to rebuild the top end of the engine.

Good luck whichever you choose
____________________
Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.