I know everyone asks this question but i'd like some advice?

[StottyB]

Right, i'm off to Uni next year and am having trouble making a decision

I've got an NSR125 at present and i'm looking to pass my test.

I've got very little money but i need something thats going ot be low maintenance and running costs. The NSR seems to be fairly expensive with fuel consumption, oil consumption and general reliability.

I'm not going to lie, i'd like something sporty and the ZXR400 is looking sexy but a certain BCF birdie is telling me this may not be a good idea.

I've seen a ZXR400 for sale 1991, 27,000 miles, just had head gasket and cam chain done, good nick, various receipts, loads of spares icuding fairings, spare exhaust alongside micron, Cat.1 alarm and immobiliser.....seems perfect for just £850.

What would intelligent, realistic BCFers do?

a) Keep the NSR125, do it up to a good standard and save money until i can get something nice

b) Get a loan off the folks and buy the ZXR400 for £850, hope to pass the test if not sell the ZXR400 on (maybe make a quick buck) and keep the NSR125

c) Sell the NSR125 and look at something different

d) Open to suggestions

Cheers for any help i would just like to make a nice informed decision rather then make a costly mistake!
____________________
2005 Gilera Stalker 50DT ---> 2003 NSR125R ---> **1999 Honda Hornet 600**

[Ariel Badger]

Buy a Lifan, they do over 200mph at 15000rpm and are absolute fanny magnets,
Worlds best bike IMHO and cost £237 new.
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[StottyB]

.......seriously.......
____________________
2005 Gilera Stalker 50DT ---> 2003 NSR125R ---> **1999 Honda Hornet 600**

[Darkside]

My dear man, you are about to become a student like me. This great time encompasses a 'student loan' which for you first term should be approximately a grand.
Now instead of doing what most students do (well me) and buy shit, get your test done and with loan money you should be able to get a nice tidy 400 which will leave you with change to live off and look after the bike.
As for the parents, if you do the above in the first term, the excuse of naiveity should go down a storm.
If you do decide to get one, make sure it stays in a safe place as there are twats about, especially at uni. Take care and good luck.
____________________
https://www.facebook.com/p/Francis-Lloyd_Cummings/630915297

https://www.r1-superbike.com

[StottyB]

Well alongside the alarm i intend to have my arm dangling out of the window with a piece of fishing line on my finger that's attached to the bike, should anyone try and nick it i will feel the tug on my finger and within seconds i'll be launching tind of economy baked beans at the thieves head
____________________
2005 Gilera Stalker 50DT ---> 2003 NSR125R ---> **1999 Honda Hornet 600**

[The Tot]

If you think fuel and oil consumption is bad on an NSR, i thought they were pretty frugal to begin with, your 400 won't be any better, with a healty apetite for gas if you go like the clappers.

Wait till uni and sell your bike (that is if you are going uni) and use a smidge of your loan for your bike and not bother telling your rents you're on a faster bike.

But my suggestion is to pass your test first and then assess your options. Doing that instantly opens more doors and less hurdles to overcome.
____________________
The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Darkside]

ha ha! However in all seriousness, it is comfortably doable, is your course intensive? If not (which it wont be in first year) though use your judgement when you start, and possibly get a little part time job to supplement the bike funds.
____________________
https://www.facebook.com/p/Francis-Lloyd_Cummings/630915297

https://www.r1-superbike.com

[stinkwheel]

A GPZ500s would be more sensible, cheaper to buy, less likely to break down and cheaper to run as a student. Probably cheaper to insure too. Looking about, for your £850 you'll get a '98/'99 model with around 15k miles on it.

Not quite as fast as a sports 400 but you can do some distance in comfort, you can pile loads of stuff on them and they can still give you a pretty exciting ride. If ridden sensibly (as in within the speed limit), 60mpg is not out of the question. I've ridden mine all over the country and it will easily keep pace with the likes of an SV650 on anything but a flat-out straight (even then, it's not left far behind).

I'm not just saying that because I'm selling mine. In fact, I would expressly recommend you don't buy mine because you'd only be disappointed by the state of it.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[StottyB]

Problem is with the NSR i'm looking at a rebuild soon alongside new tyres etc and i don't really think they'll add value to the bike will they? The state its in now i'd sell for £950 but if i get everything done it'll still have some side panel damage so i don't think people would pay to much more realistically
____________________
2005 Gilera Stalker 50DT ---> 2003 NSR125R ---> **1999 Honda Hornet 600**

[thegubner]

I have to go with stinkwheel on this one, I have a gpz 500s 1989, its a cracking bike for what it is, its got plenty of speed for what you will need commuting to uni. Its comfy and they aint exactly ugly, you could do a lot worse, mine averages 50 to the gallon, its probably a bit better if you ae permanently at the speed limit All in all though I cant fault mine, and it cost me..........a mondeo that was worth about 4 ton

[Andy C]

like darkside said, student means £1k+ free overdraft. Its also nice as they increase it every year fr you (well mine with natwest they do).

Also, see if your eligible for any grants and burserys, i got over £4k out of bath uni this year from various burserys and grants, which made it possible for me to get another bike...
____________________
99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[skida]

Bear in mind you are going to Uni. You will be poor. What little money you have will be spent on beer and parties. Unless you have rich and kind parents you will never be able to afford to run a proper bike (which would get stolen in the first two weeks anyway).

Be sensible and get a Honda C90 and keep it in your bedroom when you are not using it.

[The Tot]

Makes me think, if you fancy riding bikes at uni, come to lufbra, we have nice bikes here. Most of them are red lol, A duke 749, SP1, a couple of CBR6F/ sport, about 4 kwak ninjas for tarty purposes. Yeah, sure we go out on the piss, get bladdered and have to buy food, but it CAN be done, even if you don't have parents there to fund you. It's all about sensible budgeting. Theres even a couple on 125 stroker sports here.
____________________
The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[jaguar65uk]

Out of curiosity - where are you going to Uni? I'm in my second year and use a scoot for going to and from lectures, getting about over short distances around Sheffield and shopping.
While I don't advocate buying a scooter, its pretty frugal (circa 90mpg) with plenty of storage etc and insurance is pretty cheap.
A 400 is all well and good but perhaps not for short distances ie going to lectures when you wake up at 8:55 or doing your weekly shop on.

A guy on my course had a DTR125 that got robbed (yet another thing to consider) and bought a GPZ500 with the insurance money. He then moved onto an XT350 (quite into green laning) but I don't think he was entirely happy with the GPZ around town.

I have had an RS125 in the past which was great around town when you were moving, but sore on the wrists and holding the clutch in all the time was an arse ache, as well as letting it warm up and it drinking fuel...
I'm guessing the NSR isn't too far removed.
____________________
Past: Aprilia SR 50, Aprilia RS 125
Current: Aprilia RS 125, Yamaha Teos 125

[jaguar65uk]