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Moving on from a 125

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King Tiddles
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Joined: 29 Mar 2016
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PostPosted: 15:17 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Moving on from a 125 Reply with quote
Hi, I'd greatly appreciate some help as I'm worried bike dealers may have somewhat of an alterior motive when dishing out advice.

I'm currently roaming around on a 125, CBT in hand, and am planning on taking my A2 within the next couple of months (I am not yet 24 years old).

I was wondering on what your thoughts are to what looks like my only options.

Do I go for a 3-450 cc bike that doesn't exceed 35kW, or do I get a 6-700cc bike and get it restricted, to be derestricted once I pass my direct access after turning 24?

If it helps whatsoever, I'm a big guy.

Many thanks,

Tiddles
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M.C
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Joined: 29 Sep 2015
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PostPosted: 16:03 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi, how old are you? If you're close to 24, then restricting a bigger bike, then derestricting it yourself and taking your A test(s) is a good option.

If not then IMO there's more fun to be had on a smaller cc bike, than a big 600 (such as a Bandit) in restricted form.
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King Tiddles
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Joined: 29 Mar 2016
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PostPosted: 16:05 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
M.C wrote:
Hi, how old are you? If you're close to 24, then restricting a bigger bike, then derestricting it yourself and taking your A test(s) is a good option.

If not then IMO there's more fun to be had on a smaller cc bike, than a big 600 (such as a Bandit) in restricted form.


Hey, cheers for replying!

I'm 24 in less than 12 months. Would it be difficult to deal with insurance when I de restrict it etc?
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NJD
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Joined: 11 Mar 2015
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PostPosted: 16:15 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
King Tiddles wrote:
I'm 24 in less than 12 months. Would it be difficult to deal with insurance when I de restrict it etc?


Wait and don't even bother with A2. It's counter productive in your situation with such little time left until you qualify for the A tests. A2 is nothing but a giant pain the arse and is pointless. Bring back the days of riding round the block a few times not falling off and jobs a gooden. Here here!

Training / tests can get expensive. About eight hundred or a little over on my part was paid for my A2. I'd say save anything up to that and you should be covered on the funds side should a re test for either Module 1 / 2 arrise. Just look around at local training school prices and save what you think you'll need.

Re-sit a CBT inbetween if needed. Give you a good chance to examine the instructors attitude and decide if you trust them with hundreds of pounds worth of your money to get you fully licensed.
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King Tiddles
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Joined: 29 Mar 2016
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PostPosted: 16:21 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
NJD wrote:
King Tiddles wrote:
I'm 24 in less than 12 months. Would it be difficult to deal with insurance when I de restrict it etc?


Wait and don't even bother with A2. It's counter productive in your situation with such little time left until you qualify for the A tests. A2 is nothing but a giant pain the arse and is pointless. Bring back the days of riding round the block a few times not falling off and jobs a gooden. Here here!

Training / tests can get expensive. About eight hundred or a little over on my part was paid for my A2. I'd say save anything up to that and you should be covered on the funds side should a re test for either Module 1 / 2 arrise. Just look around at local training school prices and save what you think you'll need.

Re-sit a CBT inbetween if needed. Give you a good chance to examine the instructors attitude and decide if you trust them with hundreds of pounds worth of your money to get you fully licensed.


Yeah, I can see it's quite expensive, but my situation has changed slightly and it would make my life a lot easier if I could use the motorways and not be stuck at around 60-65mph the entire time.
I'm just trying to see if people think a smaller bike or a bigger, restricted bike will be more suitable once completing my A2 as I will almost definitely be making the investment.

Cheers though, I will probably do a short instructional session with a school before handing over my money for the course so that I don't pay it all and then find the teaching is sub par!
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M.C
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Joined: 29 Sep 2015
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PostPosted: 16:36 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
NJD wrote:

Training / tests can get expensive. About eight hundred or a little over on my part was paid for my A2. I'd say save anything up to that and you should be covered on the funds side should a re test for either Module 1 / 2 arrise. Just look around at local training school prices and save what you think you'll need.

That's a lot. I did mine with a mate (so we got a good deal) but it was 700ish for both of us (365 each iirc). With experience on a 125 I'd expect the OP to need a 3 or 4 day course, probably £400-600 depending on the school etc.

King Tiddles wrote:

Yeah, I can see it's quite expensive, but my situation has changed slightly and it would make my life a lot easier if I could use the motorways and not be stuck at around 60-65mph the entire time.
I'm just trying to see if people think a smaller bike or a bigger, restricted bike will be more suitable once completing my A2 as I will almost definitely be making the investment.

If you're looking at doing your tests again yourself (for your A license), then it's definitely worth getting a bike you can use for those tests and restricting it in the meantime.

Insurance will be a mid-policy change, so they will charge you, probably £50-70 but not sure if A2>A will be less (than learner to licensed up). Utter bull$hit but can't be avoided really, unless by the time you're ready to take your A tests, you find an insurer willing to insure you until you get your A license.
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King Tiddles
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PostPosted: 16:43 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
M.C wrote:
NJD wrote:

Training / tests can get expensive. About eight hundred or a little over on my part was paid for my A2. I'd say save anything up to that and you should be covered on the funds side should a re test for either Module 1 / 2 arrise. Just look around at local training school prices and save what you think you'll need.

That's a lot. I did mine with a mate (so we got a good deal) but it was 700ish for both of us (365 each iirc). With experience on a 125 I'd expect the OP to need a 3 or 4 day course, probably £400-600 depending on the school etc.

King Tiddles wrote:

Yeah, I can see it's quite expensive, but my situation has changed slightly and it would make my life a lot easier if I could use the motorways and not be stuck at around 60-65mph the entire time.
I'm just trying to see if people think a smaller bike or a bigger, restricted bike will be more suitable once completing my A2 as I will almost definitely be making the investment.

If you're looking at doing your tests again yourself (for your A license), then it's definitely worth getting a bike you can use for those tests and restricting it in the meantime.

Insurance will be a mid-policy change, so they will charge you, probably £50-70 but not sure if A2>A will be less (than learner to licensed up). Utter bull$hit but can't be avoided really, unless by the time you're ready to take your A tests, you find an insurer willing to insure you until you get your A license.



Thank you so much, really useful information here!
I am definitely going to do my tests again when I hit 24 so it saves me buying a new bike altogether.
Thank you for your help, hopefully I'll find a place in London that isn't too pricey for the A2 course and tests.
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 16:51 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
You're shopping for a cart before you've got the horse to pull it, so to speak. Do your A2 training and tests first, see how you get on with the training bike.

However, I'd suggest that you get a 600cc+ 40-70kW bike like an ER6 or Bandit and restrict or "restrict" it down to 35kW.

Then the day you hit 24 you can go and do your A tests on it, knowing full well that you're capable of passing without further instruction. Fiddle under the seat and that's it as "derestricted" as it needs to be for the purposes of using it for an A test. Another £90.50 for mod 1 and 2, and that's you fully licensed.

If your insurer is one of the many cowers of shunts that only distinguish between "provisional" and "full" licenses, then exploit that. When you get A2, tell them that you've got "full" (because it's the most accurate answer), then don't get mugged for telling them that the bike is "restricted" (that's a performance modification, that is), or for telling them that you've upgraded to A or "derestricted" it. Least said, least pain.
____________________
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
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M.C
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Joined: 29 Sep 2015
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PostPosted: 17:00 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
King Tiddles wrote:
Thank you for your help, hopefully I'll find a place in London that isn't too pricey for the A2 course and tests.

Camrider are highly rated, I think even when people (on here) have had issues they've sorted them, rather than just shrugging their shoulders like a lot of trainers do. I think we're out of the winter sale season (I believe Cam Rider did have an offer this year).

I did mine at a place in S.London, cheap but you get what you pay for (so I'm not recommending them). I'd only suggest them if you're already at test standard, and can deal with their knackered old bikes... for A2 you'll probably use an ER5, which will put you off riding altogether Smile
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King Tiddles
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PostPosted: 17:26 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rogerborg wrote:
You're shopping for a cart before you've got the horse to pull it, so to speak. Do your A2 training and tests first, see how you get on with the training bike.

However, I'd suggest that you get a 600cc+ 40-70kW bike like an ER6 or Bandit and restrict or "restrict" it down to 35kW.

Then the day you hit 24 you can go and do your A tests on it, knowing full well that you're capable of passing without further instruction. Fiddle under the seat and that's it as "derestricted" as it needs to be for the purposes of using it for an A test. Another £90.50 for mod 1 and 2, and that's you fully licensed.

If your insurer is one of the many cowers of shunts that only distinguish between "provisional" and "full" licenses, then exploit that. When you get A2, tell them that you've got "full" (because it's the most accurate answer), then don't get mugged for telling them that the bike is "restricted" (that's a performance modification, that is), or for telling them that you've upgraded to A or "derestricted" it. Least said, least pain.


Ok that's awesome help cheers! I was actually looking between the MT07 (I have the 125 currently) and the Duke690, is there any particular reason you suggested the ER6 and the Bandit?
Yeah, I'll have to ring my insurer up and just get a quote and go with it, or use a comparison website and hope I don't get screwed if they do want me to tell them when I get it de restricted!


M.C. I'll check out Camrider online now, thank you!
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 21:44 - 29 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
King Tiddles wrote:
I was actually looking between the MT07 (I have the 125 currently) and the Duke690, is there any particular reason you suggested the ER6 and the Bandit?

Because I'm cheap. Nothing wrong with the MT or Duke if your budget stretches to them.
____________________
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
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King Tiddles
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Joined: 29 Mar 2016
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PostPosted: 10:40 - 30 Mar 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rogerborg wrote:
King Tiddles wrote:
I was actually looking between the MT07 (I have the 125 currently) and the Duke690, is there any particular reason you suggested the ER6 and the Bandit?

Because I'm cheap. Nothing wrong with the MT or Duke if your budget stretches to them.


Aha ok thank you.
Really solid advice though guys, much appreciate it as you've helped make up my decision Very Happy
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talkToTheHat
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Joined: 21 Feb 2012
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PostPosted: 00:27 - 01 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Motorway? Get a half faired bike or plan on bolting on a screen if you're going to be doing a lot of motorway miles.

Restricting a bike is a pain in ass, greatly complicating private sales. if you have an mt07 budget, consider getting an a2 beater for the duration and chopping it in for something nicer when you have an A. Of course then you can't carpark derestrict to do A on your own bike.

I did my 2 years on 33bhp. Was cheap. Should have gone with a cheap and practical bike rather than overpriced chrome.
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Bandit. does. everything.
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