new to the forum and bikes

[raybay]

hi guys just found your forum and so far finding it very interesting.i am 40 and considering getting on 2 wheels for the first time.i have been looking at some of the chinese import bikes on ebay and was wondering if you have any experience of these machines.£1000 for a 125 sports bike complete with helmet and clothing.just waiting to find out what the insurance is going to cost.will be taking my c.b.t around easter time so need to get a bike..
thanks in advance

[stinkwheel]

Not sure of the quality but I can be sure of one thing, the depreciation on such a bike will be massive.

It might be a better bet to buy a half-decent, second hand Japanese 125 which are a known quantity and after a certain age, have virtually no depreciation.

Just thinking along the lines of if you get into it, you may well decide that you want to do your test and get something that wee bit bigger. You go for a second hand 125, then sell it after a fairly short time, you'll get your money back.

The 125 market is a bit funny because people tend to buy and sell the bikes very frequently. They get one, ride it for six months, pass their test, then sell it. I once had a 15 year old 125 that had 17 previous owners. The prices in this market stay fairly high because of this, there is a constant demand.

You can get a fairly low mileage 250 or 500cc bike for the same price as a 125. Strange but true. I payed £850 for my last GPZ500s with 12 months T&T and only 24,000miles on the clock.

The insurance will be next to nothing for a 40 year old on a 125.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Leggy_Girl]

[Ragdoll]

Having done my CBT last year (at 43) I would say try and borrow a bike cos I bought my 125 last October and I'm bored with it now and wish I'd done my DAS at the same time. I wouldn't have bought a brand new 125 either. I got mine for a good price as well (£850, 5k on the clock) as winter was well on the way and normal people don't buy bikes for the winter but I'd sold my car so had no choice!
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1st bike - Honda Rebel; 2nd bike - CBR125; next bike - husband's 'blade hehehehe
Lancashire Bikers Facebook Group

[Phil_G]

I have the following kit that has stood me at well under £1k

bike: 97 ER5 - 400 quid
AGV airtech helmet: £105
ce armoured jacket and trousers: £120
The insurance for me as a 26 y/o novice £170/fc with zero NCD (not yet paid this tho)
CBT£ 90

and out of the grand there is still enough to chip towards the DAS.

Dont get a 125 mate, if your anything like my build, the bike will feel lifeless and frustrating at higher speeds.
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1997 Kawasaki ER 500 A1:- Once again, Its merely crap