Which is the best option?

[markk21]

I am due to do my CBT later this month and I can't decide what is the best option for me.

I can either do my CBT and get a 125 for about £2000 or do the full test - including extra costs such as MOT, service costs, tax etc. it would cost around £1000 more for a used bike at about £2000 (say a EX250).

A £1000 is probably a bit too much but I was wondering if it is likely that I could get a decent used bike for around £1500? I have seen the Kawasaki ER-5 and that looks like a good bike and they seem to be around £1500-£2000.

Also, when I say I could get a 125 for around £2000, that is a Keeway RKV125. I know the potential problems with Chinese bikes but if I had a just a 125 I would likely only have it for a year, so I was thinking that as I will have a warranty with the Keeway it may be a better option than buying say a used Yamaha YBR for around £2000 as I'll only have it for a year.

Thanks!

[Az]

[markk21]

I thought that was a bit expensive for a ER-5 but all the prices are off Bike Trader website so I would guess it is the same story as when I was buying a car in that bikes are overpriced on there.


Thanks Az! Really good info. Just had a look at the Hornet and a few other and looks like a lot of good bikes on Bike Trader. Cheers!

[wr6133]

Agree with Az do the tests.

Your price estimates are way off too. A very decent ER5 can be had for around a grand or less. An average one with T&T can be found for well under. £1500 opens up lots of possibilities better than an ER5.

[MC]

2k for a Chinese bike ER-5's not a good bike, its (possibly) the most boring bike ever created, I'd rather have a 125 over one. Az pretty much said it all, follow his advice
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[Rogerborg]

Agreed, just go for training and tests.

It used to be the case that you could pass your tests on a 125 yourself and (eventually) end up with a full license, but that option no longer exists. You'll end up doing a training course through a school sooner or later, and it might as well be sooner.

125s don't offer great value for money, unless you're getting one for the mpg and don't mind doing regular servicing yourself. It's a fun way to get some experience, but you won't get a full license by practising in a car park.

There's also the issue that some 125 insurance underwriters only cover 125s and won't let you swap your policy to a bigger bike. Worse case, you'll lose the whole premium if you swap bikes after just a few months.
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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

[Robster]

ER5 gave me leg cramp!

[markk21]

Thanks for all your advice! Are there any other good places to get a used bike apart from Bike Trader?

Thanks

[Az]

eBay or Gumtree. I've bought all of my used bikes from Gumtree and sold all of my old bikes on Gumtree with no problems but buy with caution and be sure to HPI check any bike you are interested in buying, no matter how cheap it is.

MCN also has some decent used bikes but they're typically bikes advertised from dealers and have similar prices to BikeTrader.

[Rogerborg]

[markk21]

Cheers I'll have a look

[markk21]

The Suzuki Bandit 600 is the one that looks the most promising one so far. They look really good in my opinion and they seem to be popular and reliable. What should I expect to pay for say a 2005 bandit?

[Frostdog]

I paid £1400 for a 2001 bandit 17k miles with lots of extras, I've had a 125 for a year and totally love my Bandit
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YBR 125, Bandit 600, Er6N, Honda CB400 Super Four