Commuting on 2 wheels

lukechad

lukechad

lukechad

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Joined
25 May 2004
Posts
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Burton-On-Trent
Hi,

Right, I am looking at getting myself 125cc to commute to and from work on.

My reasons are simple, moved into a first house in Jan and first baby on the way in 7 weeks time!

We currently run 2 cars but its so expensive! Currently spending £180/month to insure them, £100 to run them, plus tax and running costs its really proving a BIG expense.

So, going to hopefully run my car and sell the Mrs car.

I am 23 with 0NCB but have owned a 600 in the past which some insurers take into account.

I am really looking at something like the Honda Varadero 125, something cheap but not small.

Insurance wise, I dont know what is best, Comprehensive is around the £550 mark and TPFT only £150. Worth the risk for a £400 saving????

Also after suggestions of similar bikes, budget for the bike really is no more than £1500.


Cheers!!
 
depends how much your going to spend on the bike to be honest. ive got a few different bikes and have a honda dominator that i use for commuting that cost me a £1000 and thats tft and costs me 70 for the year. no point paying fully comp for it because short of it getting destroyed in a crash i can repair it for cheap from used parts.

honda cbf 125s are supposed be very economical as i believe they are based on the old cg125 engine where you can get approx 100 mpg.
 
I was going to say the Vara 125 before after I read your 2nd line. :D

You should get a reasonable Vara + Top box at that price, and at the money I'd be going TPFT for sure.

Good luck
 
I commute on a CBF125. I'm a bit older than you. I paid £60 quid for TPFT. This bike is very cheap to run. I get around 100mpg around town and 130mpg on a run. Servicing is easy to do yourself. A full set of tyres will cost you £100 fitted and last around 8k miles. Your budget is perfect for a CBF125 and if you decide to sell on at a later date you will not lose much money if any.
 
Never even seen the CBF as it happens!!! Cheers

I'm just getting quotes from the usuals, Bennetts, eBike, Carole Nash etc. Any other good bike insureres to consider?
 
lukechad said:
I'm just getting quotes from the usuals, Bennetts, eBike, Carole Nash etc. Any other good bike insureres to consider?
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Tesco, Compare the Market, Money Supermarket and Confused.com each have Bike Insurance sections.

Find the cheapest then go direct via Quidco :)
 
I spent a year on my Varadero 125., and really enjoyed it. It is a really big bike for a 125 - in fact it feels bigger than my current Aprilia 750. All that size, the fairings and the 4 stroke engine come at a price though - it isn't swift. If you have any substantial A road distance where you will have sustained national speed limit, forget this bike or indeed I'd venture any 125. In small doses though, it will be fine.

The Varadero is a very comfortable ride - good position and no vibrations. They also hold their value well - I had some luck with the exchange rates on mine and p/x'd it for pretty much what I bought it for new!
 
Just get TPFT, and ride sensibly. These bikes are so cheap for parts and you can easily rebuild them yourself if you crash into a ditch. ;)
 
Yay commuting on a 125 in the winter.

I used to commute in all weathers on a motorbike, thinking how clever I was, how much money I was saving etc etc.

Buts its a painfull, ball aching experience, be better to buy a cheaper to run and insure car.

If you have a car license, and a full time job, I would never recomend commuting on a motorbike.
 
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atpbx said:
Yay commuting on a 125 in the winter.

I used to commute in all weathers on a motorbike, thinking how clever I was, how much money I was saving etc etc.

Buts its a painfull, ball aching experience, be better to buy a cheaper to run and insure car.

If you have a car license, and a full time job, I would never recomend commuting on a motorbike.
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I have a car license and a full time job and I commute on a motorbike. Many people do. Commuting is fine if you have the proper gear.
 
RockLobster said:
I have a car license and a full time job and I commute on a motorbike. Many people do. Commuting is fine if you have the proper gear.
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Same. For the last 7 years. I don't think anyone enjoys commuting in the winter, it's just a part of life.
 
RockLobster said:
I have a car license and a full time job and I commute on a motorbike. Many people do. Commuting is fine if you have the proper gear.
Click to expand...


Good for you.

You are putting yourself through it for no good reason, but good for you.

I for one however cant really explain to the MD that I'm off for three months because I've skidded and fallen off on the the Ice and broke my pelvis.

Summer, in the dry, a nice treat.

As your means of getting to work all year round, not a great idea.

We having this discussion about biking all year round a couple of years ago, who was it who was showing us how easy it was to ride in the snow by doing a video? only for it to end him showing us a video of totaling his lovely sportsbike in the ice trying to get into his drive?
 
I don't really get your problem with it. If you have enough warm gear it's not particularly uncomfortable. If it's within you and your bikes abilities (We're talking 125cc here, not something with a large uncontrollable engine that weighs a tonne). I've always ridden my bike through winters and the snow, and I live in a pretty tough place to do so, we had almost 4ft of snow last year.

Some people can handle it I guess, others just moan about life. :rolleyes:
 
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