Choices of first bike considering the constraints?

zip · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Nov 2016 Karma :

Hi peeps, thinking about doing my CBT and getting a 125cc for getting to uni and back (5 mile journey) and just for fun too but I came across a problem..
I have no garage available so the bike would have to be put in the back garden and secured somehow there, maybe in a shed or using an anchor in the ground. The problem is that there is a narrow path leading to the back garden that the bike must be taken through. This path is approximately 10m long, and 85cm wide.
I was wondering if this limits my choices by a substantial amount? I would have preferred a supermoto if it was possible.

NJD · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :

zip · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Nov 2016 Karma :

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

What happens when you get to the end of the path? Do you need to turn a corner, or does it open up in to your garden?

I used to put my Zontes Monster in my back garden every day. I'd have to take it down between two houses, then turn in a very narrow spot. The alley wasn't the issue, it was the damned corner. I'd have to lift the back wheel completely off the ground and turn.

How high is the wall? Will the handlebars fit over the top?
Is getting a bike you like and then fitting different handebars an option? I don't think too many exceed 80cm in width, unless you're getting in to Varadero-sized territory.
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2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

85cm should be just about OK as long as it's a clear run in. I tend to fit narrower bars to my bikes anyway to aid filtering. They're pretty much universal.
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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

zip · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Nov 2016 Karma :

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

My exup is about 73 cm wide at the widest point (the bars) and is about average width-wise.

I'd probably be riding up there without slowing after a bit of practice...
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

zip · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Nov 2016 Karma :

NJD · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :

Here's one to try at home, just don't tell Broadmoor I wrote this because they'll probably think I'm as mad as the two kids that walked past while I was doing it did.

Measure the length of the piece of wood that your keyboard sits on. Mine works out at 78cm (same length as the ZR) and take it out the rollers down the alley and see what you've got to play with either side. Mine works out that the bar ends might take a beating here and there but it all go. Makes sense and is easy to try.

I'm not mad, honest.
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The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶

dydey90 · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2013 Karma :

I seem to remember I chose a CBR125 for the angled bars purely because the garage at my parents house was at the end of a single driveway down the side of the house and I had to fit the bike between a house and a car, with a drain pipe for bonus points.
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This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,~~ER6f~~ NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :