New bike?

[aidy_b]

Is anyone able to tell me if there are any significant advantages to buying a new bike as opposed to a second hand bike that is a year or two old?
I am 38 and have never ridden a motorbike before, but have my CBT booked for this weekend. My commute is 55 miles and while I don't fancy biking the whole way, the 3 mile pedal cycle to the train station is beginning to wear a bit thin.
Basically I want a bike to get me there and back, plus the occasional trip shopping etc at the weekend.
From what I have read a 125 would seem perfect for this. If I do get into riding (and from friends it would appear more likely than not) I can worry about my full license in time. Even if I do eventually get a big bike I would probably keep the 125 for the trip to and from the train station.
I was looking at Yamaha YBF125 and Honda CBF125. Both are around £2500 new or £1800 for a slightly older one. Is it worth the extra money to have the full warranty and dealer support?

[Rogerborg]

I can't see a lot of sense in paying a premium for buying new. 125s in particular seem to be treated as "They all do that" cases by dealers, and you'll definitely lose in depreciation, versus maybe having to spend a bit on a used bike.

Tef will be along in in a minute to point out that a 3 year old bike that's just passed its MOT will offer good value along with a modicum of re-assurance that it's functional, and it's hard to find a fault in that argument.

I'd sound a note of caution about the CBF, it's still a relatively new bike, and is designed and made for the domestic Indian market. The YBR, while Chinese-made and sold in China, is at least a more tested design. In both cases though, we're getting the same bikes that are being sold to peasants for bowls of rice.

Have you looked at the Hyosung GT125 and GT125R? They're Korean made, which as far as I'm concerned is likely to better than Indian or Chinese, and they've reportedly worked through the early wrinkles.
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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

[Teflon-Mike]

Yes, there IS a lot of advantage in buying a brand new 'quality' one-two-five. The cheap sub £2K Chinese Branded bikes though are not 'quality' new bikes and for the money you are better off buying second hand.

You have answered your own question vis deporeciation; brand new YBR or CBF will loose almost 30% of its value in the first year, and by 3 years old with probably 50% of new prive lost to depreciation, but a lot less than half teh service life used they represent 'best value'.

BUT: for your situation; a dedicated commuter for 3 miles a day; IF you have the money & intend tgo keep the bike to do that run... why not 'treat yourself'?

Brand new; decent quality you KNOW hasn't been abused or crashed as almost ALL Learner-Legals are at some point; is just 'nice' and it puts 'best' most confidence inspiring wheels under your bum when you most need them.

That, and back-up of 'better' dealer suppoort from the Jap-Major brands;l its a LOT of unquantifiable 'value' for the money, even if in hard accountancy second hand makes more sense.

When I was a learner; I ultimately bought brand new; and I dont regret a PENNY; it wasn't the cheapest way to ride; and I probably didn't need so much extra confidence, but BOY was it NICE to have it.

End of the day its your money; 3-year old YBR with first MOT fresh in yoru hand ought to be pretty useful; but, a brand new one? IF you can afford it, CAN be worth it.
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[harscot]

Hi bud, at your age you should be thinking about DAS on a 500cc instead of pussying around on a 125cc, don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with 125s, but if you are going to fork out £2500 on a bike you would be better looking at 500 - 650 cc motorcycles. Now before anyone go's of on a spat I'm 56years young ( I know... theres older guys out there ), at 19 had a susuki 125 gt twin ( bloody fantastic bike, very fast,race tuned, and would be illegal now because of the BHP ) had it 2 years on a provisional lice, then smashed it up one day trying to race a ford mexico ( you live an learn ), didnt get on another till I was 54 when holidaying on majorca, was a bit rusty ( to say the least ) but got the bug again, did DAS over a couple of weeks and passed at 2nd attempt ( wrote all this before here at some point ) Hired a 650 deauville for a week in Cornwall with my better half, Brilliant, came off hols and found and bought a 10 year old deauville £2000 in mint condition ( a very rare one owner who looked after it ) and havent looked back, my point being, if you can have patience go for the A licence and get a big bike, it's better to, commute, shop, have fun, and tour with, hope this will help you....

[superleeds76]

im no expert but what i do have is cbr 125 i use this daily for work 32 mile round trip
i think it has got my confidence up and my bike skills are improving
its a great first time bike and great fun to ride
i got mine with 9k on the clock 07 plate for £1600
never had a problem with it starts first time in sub zero temp too
maybe something to consider?
just my 2 peneth

[Teflon-Mike]

Horses 4 courses.

125 is perfect for 3 mile commute to the train station; for that job; my top choice would actually be a C90 or Vespa, maybe even a twist and go. Main concern would be LOADS of security on the thing; people will get to know there's a 'toy' they can nick & go thrash over the park sat there every day; be nicked school out time one day!

55 miles is just TOO far to consider commuting on a 125; practical range is about 20 miles, and you'd want something a tad more comfy than a YBR, and ideally a 500 commuter twin JUST becouse of how tiring it would be to ride.

And a tiddler makes sense for station run; three miles? By the time I'd warmed up a big bike ready to ride, could probably be half way there by foot!

Vaunting tests; ultimately at 38 you will PROBABLY be encouraged to do DAS anyway. I dont like intensive DAS courses, and stepping straight on a big bike; and the traditional ride & train on 125 route has a lot more to offfer; so I haven't commented on iomportance of that one; for 'now' getting a tiddler that would admirably do the job at hand; and lead to testing, 125 wise or DAS, is a good way to go.

Come summer; if you have the urge to take it further; testing 125 this year gets you a 33bhp restricted A licence, which would ve 'useful' but if you miss out; no big deal; you just do DAS next year when all the fuss over 3rd Dir has dies down.
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[aidy_b]

Thanks for the input.
I did consider DAS but seeing as I have never ridden a bike I thought I'd give a little one a bash first.
I'm not intending to commute all the way as the train is good and lets me get some extra sleep! I thought that a 125 would do the job, give me a flavor of motorbike riding and be left for 10-12 hours outside a train station without causing me too much paranoia.
I guess I'll get the CBT done first then have a look what is for sale relatively nearby. If there is nothing that seems decent and good value I'll get a new bike.
If I enjoy it then at least I can get some miles under my belt while I think about a full license, and hopefully can use it for the station run for a good few years.

[blito]

[quote="Teflon-Mike"] my top choice would actually be a C90 or Vespa, maybe even a twist and go.
/quote]

Sensible words from Guru Mike.

I do 3 miles each way every day on a heap-of-s*** chinese moped and it never fails to put a smile on my face... except when bits fall off it of course!
If you have a full car licence then I would recommend you at least consider the moped route unless you are serious about wanting to learn to ride and progress to bigger bikes..... But for 3 miles each way I would consider joining the ped bois .... For just £1k you would get yourself a shiny new BT49 moped, helmet, riding gear and all-important security locks.... and the money saved will keep you in beer and pizza for a year!! Just dont expect the bike to be worth anything more than scrap value in 5 years time!
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2012 Zontes Monster

[Teflon-Mike]

[Cheerfulgrin]

hi aidy,

at 37, i started riding a 125 last year and quickly started loving it, am now moving up to a 250, my commute is 23 miles each way though.

probably the easiest / cost effective way to go about it is to get a 2nd hand 125, a reliable jap one would be best, get some experience whilst you sit your theory, module 1 and then module 2, then get a sub 33bhp bike (a 250cc or a bigger one restricted).

125's tend to be expensive for what they are, in comparison, you will get more bike for your money if you choose something bigger. difference in insurance will be negligible, possibly cheaper without L's.

everything is made better on a bigger bike, grippier tyres, better brakes, etc it doesnt sound like you will cover too many miles so mpg figures wont be that interesting to you.

oh, one other thing, in about a years time the bike test changes, from what i have read its best to get this done before the change comes, as it will be much more expensive to pass once that change comes.

good luck with your biking bud
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--Current Bike: '98 Hornet CB600F
--Previous Bikes 2012 Hyo GT250R - 2010 YBR125 - Back in '91:Suzuki 50cc moped & Honda CB125T Superdream
--CBT -Feb '11, Theory -Nov '11, Mod 1 -Jan '12, Mod 2 Feb '12