Complete and absolute novice

Gilly · 19 Jul 2016 at 21:50

So I'm almost sure I'm going to be getting a bike in the next few weeks. I sat on one for the first time ever today but have wanted one for years. I've got a pre-CBT booked for next week with a provisional CBT booking for the week after and went to look around today scouted out the 125s the local garages (Craig's cycles and Padgetts) had in.

I looked at a KTM but wasn't that keen. Looked at a Yamaha race type bike and wasn't too keen on that either, I want to be a bit higher up than that to see what's going on around me but I don't like crosser type bikes. That led me to a Yamaha MT-125. This fit me like a glove, it's a weighty bike but felt planted (only sat on it, but the smaller ones felt a bit too lightweight).

It's mostly going to be used for commuting. Is there a reason I shouldn't buy it? The offer is £4.1k on a 0% deal that doesn't have penalties for early repayments. Seems like a good deal to me, I wouldn't want to buy second-hand really as I've no idea how to maintain them.

Any hints, tips and assistance appreciated

Gilly · 19 Jul 2016 at 23:41

Pre-CBT is offered by all local learning facilities round here. It takes you through the controls of a bike, etc. I didn't want to take anything for granted having never ridden a bike. They say that a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing. It's not free though, so if you honestly feel someone that's never been on a motorbike with the engine running could pass it... Hm.

The CBF125 looks ok. Seems I was in a Yamaha garage rather than a general one selling all sorts. Will go to the Honda one run by the same people tomorrow and compare

Gilly · 20 Jul 2016 at 16:26

Hm. So the only person to have done one thinks it was worthwhile, and everyone else says it's crazy

Gilly · 20 Jul 2016 at 19:47

That's my problem, none of my mates have motorbikes. If I had that then I wouldn't have even considered it.

Gonna find out if they do a flat fee CBT.

Edit:

If you do not wish to take up this training and subsequently fail to reach the satisfactory CBT assessment level, you would have to come back for a CBT Completion which would cost more than doing this initial introductory riding session.

Gilly · 20 Jul 2016 at 20:03

tom_e said:
How much are they charging for this pre cbt stuff and the actual cbt?

It's £45 for the pre-CBT.

They haven't given a price for the CBT but I've only just noticed it's a full day!

TallPaul_S said:
Where are you in the country? Someone may have a recommendation for school to do your CBT at.

I read that as 'when' not 'where' and got confused for a moment

I'm in West Yorkshire.

Gilly · 20 Jul 2016 at 20:29

I've driven manual and automatic, performance and tractor, cars for years. Fastest ones are hire cars

Been able to ride a bike since I was 4.

Maybe I should re-think. Especially now I know the CBT is an all-day event. I'm gonna have to wait a while for one of them. I thought it'd be a couple of hours.

Gilly · 20 Jul 2016 at 20:32

Weirdly, they're saying it's not teaching you how to handle a bike:

Please note: The CBT course is about teaching you what you need to know to be safe on the roads, not how to ride a bike. If you do not reach the satisfactory level of achievement then you may have to come back to complete your CBT at an additional expense to yourself.

Gilly · 20 Jul 2016 at 20:38

There's another place nearby that I'm going to call tomorrow

Worried the first place are just after £££. That £45 doesn't seem much but could easily buy the gloves I'll need.

Gilly · 20 Jul 2016 at 20:38

Done

Gilly · 21 Jul 2016 at 19:10

Christ, some teacher!

Gilly · 25 Jul 2016 at 16:53

Been invited to another place to go check out the bikes they use for the CBT and see what's what before I book. Will give me a bit of an overview of the day and the bikes, for no charge.

Gilly · 26 Jul 2016 at 15:21

Yeah, it's great saying 'just to your DAS' but I need it for commuting PDQ. I start my new job in less than 2 weeks, CBT will be difficult to fit in never mind DAS.

There are no decent second-hand 125s within a 50 mile ratio, at least that I can find.

[edit]I don't necessarily need it to start my commuting, but soon after would be good.

Gilly · 27 Jul 2016 at 11:15

tom_e said:
There's 915 125 bikes on AT within 50 miles of Leeds city center, they can't all be ****.

The vast majority are scooters though.

There's a CB125F not far from me, but second-hand and priced at £2,298 it seems daft. Even if I knock them down a bit the lack of warranty and so on afforded by a bike I actually want seems to make more sense to me?

TallPaul_S said:
I had to do the same when I started a new job 2 years ago, I did my CBT and grabbed a 125 not long after starting work. It was 125 or 3 trains at a cost of £150 a month to get to work and back.

Get your CBT done ASAP. Not sure if you're already said - how far is your commute? town or DC/NSL roads? I'd plan on spending the next few months on the 125 and getting your full test done before winter really kicks in.

My commute is about 15 miles and culminates in city centre riding.

Gilly · 27 Jul 2016 at 11:25

Just found this:

£2,399 Honda CB125 F Commuter 125cc

Being sold at that brand new. 2 year warranty, roadside assistance and 0% finance available. It's not as nice as the MT-125 but is almost half the price.

Gilly · 27 Jul 2016 at 22:45

Yeah, I'm a single parent at the moment with sole custody. Evenings are out. Going to be on a 125 for a while to come. I can't see DAS happening this side of winter.

Gilly · 4 Aug 2016 at 13:09

I've been to one of the local CBT centres, had a bit of a ride, quite happy with controls, etc. Just waiting on my new job starting so I can understand where I'll be and so on before I book my CBT