Another new rider

TripleT

TripleT

TripleT

Soldato
Joined
24 Oct 2002
Posts
9,654
Location
Manchester City Centre
So I currently do 15miles each way in and out of the city centre which takes up to an hour as its solid traffic and this cost me around £180 a month. So that's perfect bike justification.

However I commute in with my wife which makes the cost ok and also she's pregnant. Which brings me on to my plan.

She finishes work mid July for 8months so I'm going to get a 125 to use for work in that time. Which will mean she can have the car too.

I know you'd probably say do my full test but it's a waste of money for just 8months and it'll purely be used for commuting.

Sobive got my cbt booked for next Saturday, never rode a geared bike so should be fun.

I'm looking at picking up a 2012 CBF, insurance is about 350, and gear is what I need advice on really. Waterproof textile jacket and pants?

Anyone recommend any shops in Manchester or Rochdale?

Cheers
 
Good luck, do you really need such a new 125 though (if only commuting)?

You may enjoy it so much that you chose to do your full test.. even a 125 is fun when you've never ridden before :)
 
I see your point but the way I see it the initial outlay is negligible as I'm going to see it in 9months time. The cost is going to be the difference between when I sell it.

if I do want to keep it then I'll provably do my full test after a year (collect my ncb).

although logistically it might not work commuting and dropping the kid off etc so I'm not envisioning keeping it tbh.

And a warranty would be nice with it being my first bike!
 
YarwoodUK said:
Usually the warranty isn't worth the paper it's written on, as it'll normally just cover electrics and not mechanical parts.
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If it's a 2012 bike it will usually have a 3yr Manufacture warranty as opposed to a third party one, so he will be entitled to whatever is remaining of that. The manufacture warranties are usually pretty comprehensive too.
 
I've seen one at my local Honda dealer too so should be ok. Think it's only 2yrs on the CBF.

So any advice on what jacket, pants, boots, gloves to get? How much to spend etc?

Cheers
 
I say this to everyone who comes here saying they are starting out on bikes.

Buy last years helmet and clothing at discounted prices where possible. Also look on eBay and see what you like then link it here for feedback.
 
ElliorR said:
I say this to everyone who comes here saying they are starting out on bikes.

Buy last years helmet and clothing at discounted prices where possible. Also look on eBay and see what you like then link it here for feedback.
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^^ Wise words.
 
I had a used CBF and it still had some of the honda warranty left its very good, think it even comes with road side (might be wrong)

The CBF is a lovely bike I commuted 25miles back and forth to work for almost a year on one, all year round and it was flawless.

Gear wise, It depends how you feel but I bought summer textiles and then got some thermals from lidl and a weise waterproof all in one

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/81577

Might look odd but it stops the wind so its great when it gets proper cold.
 
TripleT said:
So I currently do 15miles each way in and out of the city centre which takes up to an hour as its solid traffic and this cost me around £180 a month. So that's perfect bike justification.

However I commute in with my wife which makes the cost ok and also she's pregnant. Which brings me on to my plan.

She finishes work mid July for 8months so I'm going to get a 125 to use for work in that time. Which will mean she can have the car too.
Click to expand...

I like your thinking, the perfect justification for getting a bike.

There's a Hein Gericke in Manchester, maybe pop along there to try stuff on.
 
TripleT said:
I'm looking at picking up a 2012 CBF, insurance is about 350, and gear is what I need advice on really. Waterproof textile jacket and pants?
Click to expand...

Yes I'd recommend textiles with removable thermal liners. You could also consider kevlar jeans for the warmer weather.
 
eidolon said:
I like your thinking, the perfect justification for getting a bike.

There's a Hein Gericke in Manchester, maybe pop along there to try stuff on.
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Cheers I'll take a look.

There's a shop for http://www.bike-gear.com in Ashton which is closing down so has 20% off everything.

I'm assuming the store prices are the same as the web prices so with 20% off too does this look like a decent place?
 
TripleT said:
Cheers I'll take a look.

There's a shop for http://www.bike-gear.com in Ashton which is closing down so has 20% off everything.

I'm assuming the store prices are the same as the web prices so with 20% off too does this look like a decent place?
Click to expand...

There's also J&S in Northwich (where they started) which isn't too far from Manchester.
 
My friend did her CBT for commuting, said she would never bother with a big bike.

6 months later she goes on ride outs with the legion, and is doing her theory test next month.

It is so addictive, you will want a bigger bike.
 
Took a look at Bike Gear in Ashton today as it's the only chance I'm going to get before it closes down and have 20% off at the minute. Picked up:

RST Slice Jacket for £99 including discount. Didn't have my size in the jeans so will buy them off the site, no closing down discount for those though unfortunately.

HJC IS-17 Helmet for £110 (Same colour as http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/107061)

RST Adventure Gloves (yer they're winter one's but most of my riding is going to be over winter and I'm sure our Summer is over now :p)

So a decent saving and worth it I think. Need a bike now :p
 
i have just passed my cbt 2 months ago and now ride a honda cbr 125 :) i got a alpinestars jacket for under £70 brand new but lidsdirect dont seem to have it no more :( you should check out (http://www.lidsdirect.co.uk/) and (http://www.ghostbikes.com/) thats where i baught most my stuff from if you do find anything you like on there i have a discount voucher for both of them that you could use too :) happy riding
 
Loving the inbuilt shades, very topgun :p

1hour on the road done, just waiting to do my second hour (1 instructor, 3 riders) finding the road much easier than the carpark bit as much more open and having time rather than

Set off, up to second quickly, indicate, look, move etc all in 50yards.
 
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