Newbie hoping for help

[Mr-C]

Hello everyone - and apologies in advance for the essay.

Complete biking newbie - 22 years old - moved away from home in the North West a couple of years ago to came and live in central London. Sick of relying on public transport to get out and about. A car is too spenny thanks to Mr Insurance Man wanting >£1k ... coupled with a parking permit ... congestion charge ... etc ... so - (much to our lass's displeasure ) - I'm looking into a bike.

I know I'd have to do the CBT before doing anything else ... then ... either get a 125 to pootle on ... without going on a motorway or carrying a passenger ... within that time ... do the theory and practical test ... or ... do the theory and Direct Access.

I'm thinking that if I do the CBT soon ... basically as soon as I can get a day off work ... then as a result of that one day training I will know whether I want to stick with it (surely some people get onto a bike then think "no thanks - not for me"?). If I do decide to stick with it ... then I will book in the theory test ... do a spot of reading ... and get it out of the way.

After that - I'm thinking of doing a Direct Access intensive course. I don't hold a full driving license - but before I moved to London - I was doing driving lessons and wasn't particularly far away from doing the test ... so am no newbie to the rules of the road.

So ... my first question is ... do you think an intensive course is a sensible option or should I get a 125 to knock about on?

Secondly ... do you think it would be wiser to do the Direct Access back in the North? When I moved here - I didn't carry on with car driving lessons because (a) much more expensive (b) much busier roads (c) roads I had no clue about - not as if I'd been walking/driving on them for the last 20 years to know where I was and what I was doing. Anyone have opinions?

Thirdly (and I think finally - for now) ... bike wise ... the reason I actually want to get out and about ... is because over the last 12 months I've taken up photography and I'd like to be able to get out early for the sunrise ... or go down to the beach ... or just be able to get away from the City and see some countryside. I'm looking for something that will be comfortable over distances rather than something that will do 150 mph. I'm also looking for something that will not look ridiculous with a hard box or two for gear and a means of attaching my tripod which is 80cm long. Is that possible?

To be honest - if I can't get something that fits my needs for being able to get my gear out - then I will most likely shelve the whole idea. So I'm looking to you lot for inspiration!

Budget wise ... I'm looking at spending as little as I can get away with ... is £1.5k inc insurance realistic? ...

Cheers lads

[alfpint]

lol well good for you in thinking in getting into bikes ... some people take to it like ducks to water and others it takes a little longer like with me lol i passed my test nearly 20 yrs ago and have only got back on riding them , im sorry cant help with cbt stuff because i`ve never had to do it lol the only thing i can say is go to bike shop try sitting on a few bikes that you feel right and like and if you have never riden a bike then try 1 for a days course and see how it feels i hope this helps you

[multijoy]

I considered the DAS, but a course would have cost the same as a second hand 125 and my aim was to get going as quickly as possible.

I've only been commuting for a week now, but I love it, and the thought of not giving TFL £110 to renew my railcard fills me with a warm, tingly feeling. The other warm, tingly feeling I got was finding out a week's riding had only cost me a fiver in fuel...

Whilst a 125cc won't be the greatest thing over long distances, the thought of 100 mile trips don't fill me with dread and, whilst riding on L plates has it's restrictions, the feeling of finally being mobile is priceless.

Plus, I never knew how much fun it was going to be! Even allowing for the intelligence of the average london car driver, nipping down the outside of the 5 mile tailback that was ferry lane/tottenham hale/seven sisters filled me, again, with a sense of glee and a manic, manic grin.

A reputable, but getting on a bit, 125 (the cg's, et al), bought second hand, seem to hold their values at around £500, so, if you don't mind riding something that's been driven by 4 people before you, you'll end up just paying to run the thing.

Also, an advantage to getting on the road after the CBT means that you're not constrained by the vagaries of the DSA and their test dates.

Just my 2p'orth in favour of rattling around on a 125 for a bit.

[Bendy]

[luke27]

I can remember my CBT.

It was hell, trying to learn how to control the bike and also learn how to ride in traffic at the same time was very hard.

I passed the CBT but was totally exhausted and had no confidence in me or the bike.

The next day I went out on my own on to back roads with hardly any other traffic around.
That was absolutely brilliant, not hell and not exhausting.
After a few miles I soon mastered clutch, throttle and gear control.
As the miles went on I got more and more confidence going round bends.
The next day I went back in to the town and found riding in traffic easy since I had learned on the back roads how to control the bike.

If I had taken my CBT and then had to think is motorcyling for me, do I want to buy a bike and see how it goes, I might have said no I am not good enough.
That would have been a big mistake since I easily passed my full test and can easily control a bike and have never looked back.
So my message is do not base your motorcyling on the CBT its hell.

As for what 125cc bike, London is the capital of Honda CG125.
Bullet proof, cheap, reliable and very good fuel consumption.
It also look ok with luggage on the back.

Many learner schools use Honda CG125 to train their customers.
So find a leaner school that use Honda CG125 for the CBT.
Also ask your instructor about what bike to buy.

[SonicTheHedge...]

Do your CBT wherever to get used to the concept of biking, but I'd be tempted to say do an intensive course (long DAS, or similar) somewhere you'll find heavy traffic.

Personally, I think you'd be better learning when you've got vehicles around you but backup in the form of your instructor, rather than passing in the middle of the countryside and having no experience fighting with all the moving metalwork the first time you try and ride into civilisation.

Even if you decide to go the "125" route I'd still suggest more training than the CBT would provide, as you want to get your exposure and "road sense" running as quick as possible, and you're best off doing that with an instructor watching your back.
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Previous: '00 G2 Bandit 600 Naked. Now: '08 BMW GS Adventure.

[neil.]

Hi and welcome!

Have you put any consideration into the type of transmission you want - i.e. geared, or automatic? It takes more time and effort getting used to gears on a bike, clutch control and all that, but if you pass your test on a geared machine, you can ride anything (excluding power restrictions for the A2). Once you get used to gears, it becomes second nature. Take the test on an automatic scooter and you can't ride geared bikes.

When you do your CBT they give you the option of which type of machine to train on. The interesting thing is that it doesn't matter which type of bike you do your CBT on - you can ride either a geared or automatic with L plates, as long as it complies with the engine restrictions etc. If you have a car license, you can ride a 50cc moped, restricted to 31mph, without L plates, forever!

Scooters tend to have more storage (under the seat) as standard than bikes, which may appeal to you.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)