Bike or motor bike?

bloodline76

bloodline76

bloodline76

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I currently dont drive through choice and have got a new job that isnt suitable for the bus all the time so I was wondering what would be the best thing to get.

A normal bike or a motor bike?

If it was the latter then on learners licence I can ride up to 125cc isnt it?

And if I were to go that route how much do you think it would cost me to get setup.

My work distance is about 7 miles.

If it were a MB what type would you recommend. I am 6`2" so I dont fancy a scooter.

Thanks
 
I just sold my motor bike as it was far to dangerous,people getting killed all the time around hear or losing limbs ,still if you stick to a low powered bike you may be ok ,
You can spend as much as you like on bike gear mine ;

shoi raid 2 helmet £250
jacket /trousers £150
boots £80
gloves £100

with my full bike test and lessons think it came to about £1000

of course if your only doing your cbt and with cheaper gear you could do it for less than 1/2 that .

Your best bet is to visit a motorbike shop ,look at the gear and bikes and have a chat with them .

Also you may be better of asking for advice on a motorbike forum .

http://www.bikechatforums.com/
 
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If you are under 21, and you do your test on a 125cc then you can then ride anything up to 33hp (it can be a restricted 1000cc if you really want). Over 21 then you can do those direct access thingys and ride anything.

As for the choice between a motorbike or bike, I couldn't imagine riding 14 miles each day for work, would take a while and tire you out before work. Would keep you fit though.

As for the guy above about the safety of it (I don't ride motorbike as I'm only 16 but looking to start next year) I'd say if you are interested in motorbikes then it shouldn't deter you. I can understand if you have had some crashes and experienced some idiotic car drivers then you might be sceptical but don't knock it before you have tried it because others have had a bad experience.
 
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romperstomper said:
I just sold my motor bike as it was far to dangerous,people getting killed all the time around hear or losing limbs ,still if you stick to a low powered bike you may be ok
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You really sold bike for that reason ? :(

Bikes are as safe or dangerous as you want them to be, if you ride defensively they are very safe. I'd say about once every couple of weeks I avoid being knocked off by reading ahead...

I know bikers die every day, but so do car drivers and cyclists

7 miles is doable on a bicycle easy and think how fit you would be... just make sure you don't have to travel main / busy roads to get there as when the dark mornings / evenings get here it could be quite dangerous not being to keep up with traffic flow.
 
i do 10 miles each way on a bicycle, hadn't done much cycling before i started it and i really enjoy it. keeps me fit and wakes me up in the morning for work!!

i'd say give it a go on a bicycle on a weekend before taking the plunge though.
 
I dont think the danger side of it would put me off as I would have to cycle on the road anyway. Could off road it but it would get messy if it rained.

I am over 21 by the way.
 
I've just done this, it cost me £800 for the CBT, all the riding gear, bike and insurance. It's just a china bike but it's only a year old and runs really nicely. It's also extremely cheap to run getting around 90mpg.

Yep CBT will allow you to ride upto 125cc with learner plates for 2 years (+no motorway or carrying passengers). I'd strongly consider taking the A2 test or DAS though, the tests are changing in October and from the sounds of it they're going to become much harder. This is what i'm planning to do soon. The A2 is good because you don't need to take the test on a big high powered bike which might make things a bit easier if you're new to riding.
 
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As you say your job is not suitable for the bus does that mean late/early shifts? If so a bicycle wouldn't be so good in the winter dark morn/nights.

yak.h'cir said:
I'd strongly consider taking the A2 test or DAS though, the tests are changing in October and from the sounds of it they're going to become much harder.
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They are longer and have more maneuvers however that isn't the bad thing about them as realistically you shouldn't be out riding if you cant do them. Its the locations of the very few test centers.
 
Yep the locations are going to suck, with the new tests my nearest centre is about 2 hours ride away. Which of course will mean that for the road portion of the test i'll have very little knowledge of the area which makes things a bit harder. Thinking about it I might get the ball rolling tomorrow and book my theory test!

I read a review of the new test written by a couple of instructors and they are saying the pass rates are going to plummet. It sounds like they're going to be extremely fussy about small details that (imo at least) don't make you a bad rider. i.e. they measure your speed coming out of a figure 8 and then you have to do an controlled stop in a box, but the speed you have to reach for so high (50kph) that the instructor had trouble getting to it on a 500cc! You have to get the same speed even if you take the test on a 125cc.
 
yak.h'cir said:
I read a review of the new test written by a couple of instructors and they are saying the pass rates are going to plummet. It sounds like they're going to be extremely fussy about small details that (imo at least) don't make you a bad rider. i.e. they measure your speed coming out of a figure 8 and then you have to do an controlled stop in a box, but the speed you have to reach for so high (50kph) that the instructor had trouble getting to it on a 500cc! You have to get the same speed even if you take the test on a 125cc.
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Bloody hell, when I spoke to the local school they didn't mention any of the measuring speed in maneuvers, doesnt sound that good then.

Glad I've done mine now, not planning to ride until I find a new job though :(.
 
Flukester said:
You really sold bike for that reason ? :(.
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I was first on the scene to a guy that was dying and it was only a very low speed accident ,it was a real eye opener :eek:
Also it was a toy for me that I was getting a bit bored of ;)

Flukester said:
I know bikers die every day, but so do car drivers and cyclists.
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I cycle every day and very rare do I have a close one ,have also been in many car crashes and the worst I've had was a broken nose (no seatbelt)
anyone of those crashes on a bike would have seen me dead or short of a limb or two .
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Flukester said:
if you ride defensively they are very safe.
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yes you need to ride defensively to stay alive I don't think you could ever say a motorbike was very safe ,to many idiots on the road and your so exposed.

On the plus side ,very cheap on fuel and great for jumping traffic jams .:)
 
On the MB side which hasn't been mentioned yet don't get a full suspension. A decent one will prob be more than your willing to spend and will in fact be slower just to work. Get a hard-tail and don't spend less than £500 i would say. Also don't go to Halfords for it.
 
Thanks for all your advice. I wish people would stop mentioning the dying and losing limbs bit about motor bikes tho.

The bus that I take at the moment sounds very reassuring lol.
 
all three forms of transport have things in common

Cycle like an Arse, you'll crash and probably hurt yourself
Bike like an Arse, you'll crash and probably hurt yourself
Drive like an Arse, you'll crash and probably hurt yourself.

do any of the above sensibly and you'll probably be fine.

been cycling across london on average 100 miles a week for a year or two now and had one accident which left me with bumps and bruises, nothing more.

you are more protected in a car its obvious, but it shouldnt mean you are necessarily more or less likely to have an accident.
 
bloodline76 said:
Thanks for all your advice. I wish people would stop mentioning the dying and losing limbs bit about motor bikes tho.

The bus that I take at the moment sounds very reassuring lol.
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It never ends, there is always someone around to say that they are dangerous and that we are all idiots when riding them.
 
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