My first foray into biking!

[turningCircle]

Hi All,

I'm 26, completely new to biking (completed my CBT last year, gear conversion last week). I'm lingering around the edges of picking up a second hand CBF 125. Very excited of course and keen to start identifying my mistakes & weaknesses on the road - may become a pretty extensive list!

I thought I'd drop by and say 'Hello'. A couple of things I have learnt today: it's worth sticking a pair of ContiGOs on the CBF as the stock tyres are apparently crap? The second thing I've learnt is that MCE insurance have an awful reputation with claimants! May the learning continue.

Looking forward to chatting to / learning from everyone here! ☺

Cheers,
Jordan

[jeddy11]

Hi
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Fuelly My Z1000SX
cbt 06/08/11 mod1 (second go) 01/08/12 mod2 21/09/12
Varadero Viking YBR125>Varadero125>ER6F>Z1000SX !!!

[Nash GT]

Hi welcome
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Suzuki GSF600N

[waffles]

[MC]

Howdy,

personally I think the best place to stick conti's are...
https://www.wheelie-bins-direct2u.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/wheelie_bins.gif


MCE are a bunch of f**ktards, but tbh it's rare to hear of someone going through a claim with insurers and having a good experience. I probably won't ever go with them again, but it depends how cheap they're
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[Val]

welcome

see this for tyre ideas apparently Pirelli MT75 is the best value option:

https://125ccbikeclub.awardspace.co.uk/tyres.htm
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Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[RedPanda]

From being in the same position a few months ago I learned that MCE are like the Ryanair of bike insurance. I ended up going with Lexham, still expensive (I've never driven a car) but I have excess cover which is a big bonus.

I haven't had any problems with the ContiGos yet, the only scary moments I've had are because of diesel in the wet. However, I haven't got anything to compare the tyres to.
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CBF125 (2013) -> CBR600F (2001) -> 'Ninja' 300 (2014)

[wr6133]

Your 1st 125 I doubt you are going to be knee down on every corner for a while yet so I'd save the expense of new tyres for now. Just fill the tank and ride it. Later down the line if you feel you are being held back by the tyres then change them, I suspect a lot of the "OMG I crashed due to crap tyres", is actually new riders not accepting they probably made a mistake and looking to blame something.

[turningCircle]