£1150 bad idea?

Trasler · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Apr 2012 Karma :

I'm looking to buy a bike since i've completed my CBT and soon to book my theory test.

My main issue is practice so i'm going to get a learner legal bike. I'm finding it hard to find one around my area for less then £1000, (new or second hand).

I've found a 'Lexmoto Street 125' for £1,150 OTR.
Browsing through the posts on the forum, i noticed someone mentioned £600 for a bike.

Is £1,150 too much for a first bike?
It's completely new, 12 months warranty and OTR ready.

Insurance would be £561 with breakdown cover, legal protection, personal accident cover, helmet and leathers cover and as Third Party Only. (with fire and theft = £1200 roughly and fully comp = £3,000).

Thank you in advance for any help given,

Alastair

New question has been asked, please look at the last post/page for details. Thank you. Smile

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Its too much for a chinese bike.

Find a jap bike for £1000, then you are laughing.

Alpha-9 · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Karma :

FerretFing · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Karma :

Welcome to the forum Alastair Mr. Green

Listen to Paddy Thumbs Up

Trasler · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Apr 2012 Karma :

Thank you for the fast replies! Very Happy

Just went browsing on ebay and can't believe i missed this;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YBR-125cc-STREET-SPORTS-BIKE-COMMUTER-MOTORCYCLE-125-/190626716587?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2c623cdbab#ht_2201wt_1037

£999 YBR 125cc STREET.

It's also got the dimensions i need. I can't park it outside my house due to it adding £300 onto the insurance (and i dont trust my area), so the handlebars need to be small enough to fit down a 820mm alleyway. Which the YBR does Very Happy

I'll have a look at the insurance for that, but is it worth paying the extra £100 for OTR?

To quote the company page:
"ON THE ROAD CHARGES INCLUDE: DVLA 1ST REGISTRATION CHARGE, 12 MONTHS ROAD TAX, NUMBER PLATE AND TAX DISC HOLDER"

Thanks again for the help. [/url]

Alpha-9 · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Karma :

kernow24 · Crazy Courier Joined: 15 Jun 2011 Karma :

Cadbury · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Karma :

To echo what most others have said. Stick with the more well known, tried and tested big names
Yamaha YBR
Honda CB
Suzuki GN

These should last you well, hold value better than these cheaper copies, and are perfectly adequate come test time to satisfy the requirements of getting your full licence.

On the flip side, my brother has a 'superbyke 125' that I understand to be a Chinese copy of a CBR. Its an 08 plate, and he paid under £450. It just passed its MOT, it did need a little work for it, but thankfully my father is a very good mechanic.
If you are sure that you are good enough to maintain the bike, and you really, really want a Chinese bike, then by all means go for it. My brothers bike is not that bad actually, especially for the price he paid.

Trasler · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Apr 2012 Karma :

I see, thought it was a bit cheap new.

That YBR from York looks like a good deal and i could probably go that high, but shouldn't i check a bike out before buying?

And the issue is getting my mum to agree to it, which i doubt she'd do without seeing the bike in the flesh and making sure it runs properly.

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

Ayrton · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Karma :

Keep searching, you will find something that is in your price range. A decent ybr can be found for about £850 if you look and there are loads of bikes that go for around 1k.

Trasler · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Apr 2012 Karma :

anthony_r6 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Karma :

You need to view it, or get someone to check it out for you.
____________________
Ted : "Maybe he's agoraphobic."
Dougal : "Jack scared of fighting? I don't think so, Ted."

nick_houghton · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Karma :

I got a quote for a YBR125. Only just done CBT. Bike worth £1100.
Bike to be stored in driveway

With commuting inc, it came in as follows with RAC / Devitt:

FC - 395 including legal
TPFT - 220
TPO - 200

I am 31, work and the closest match to my job was IT Trainer.

I have had a driving licence for 4 years but removing this made no difference to quote

I'm in the BB5 post code area with £350 excess.

All the above makes me feel your quote is a little high.

Basic roadside assistance starts around £40, going to up nearer £80 for homestart, relay etc

It's been said, but seriously consider if helmet and leathers cover is worth your excess and losing your NCB.

Have a look on tescocompare or the bikeinsurer (they seem to use the same database but Tesco will give you clubcard points)

This is probably all irrelevent until you have a bike in your sights
____________________
Cheers
Nick Houghton

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Do quotes on thebikeinsurer.co.uk Wink

MaybeGuy · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Rather than insuring with MCE, just get the premium in cash and give it to a tramp. You'll get about the same standard of customer service and cover.

All insurers are bad, but MCE appear to be genuinely outstanding.

And if you gave MotorcycleDirect your details, you will now suffer a Spam Storm of truly biblical proportions as they sell them to every ~~scammer~~ "trusted 3rd party affiliate" under the sun.
____________________
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

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

IMO never spend a grand on a 125......
buy a shed, use the rest to do ur das.

Trasler · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Apr 2012 Karma :

I've been using 'Compare the Market' to compare prices but i'll have a look at the companies you suggested.

So breakdown cover and helmet and leathers cover are good bets? And the helmet and leathers won't affect my NCD.

Mine will be on private property since i don't have a drive/garage but i do have a small alleyway to my garden and then into the back of my house.

I can't do the DAS since i'm only 17 and so, i'll be keeping this bike for at least 2 years (hopefully).

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Cadbury · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Karma :

Alpha-9 · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Karma :

rampdales and bennets are pretty good for insurance i'm told too

I'm insured with MCE, yet to have an issue, yet to try and claim though, but dont ever intend to really unless I was on something worth 3k+

£1000 is about right for your first bike if you intend to use for for commuting daily, if you can get a good deal on a YBR for £800 then go for it really, they are gone in seconds, you want something reliable, which you're not gonna get with less money, without having to do some work (or without being lucky and snatching up a bargain!) You can get a 2001 CG with 12k for <£800

Viewing a bike is recommended but not essential, I didnt view mine in person but just had faith in where I was buying it from. Depends if you're getting it from a private or trade seller I guess, would have a lot more trust in a business.
____________________
Fzr-600 1999

mysterious_rider · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Sep 2010 Karma :

Don't go chinese, it'll be worth like 50p when you come to sell it. Only go chinese if you're good with tools and if you can get it as cheap as chips. So sub £3-400. Thumbs Up

Trasler · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Apr 2012 Karma :

@CadillacMoon, yeah, if i get my tests (Mod 1&2) passed before January i have the same laws as currently.

My problem is mainly confidence at the moment, i need to get out and practice with some T junctions, roundabouts and similar.

@Alpha-9, i'm not so keen on buying a bike i haven't seen really.

Just trawling the internet for cheap bikes.