Considering moving to 2 wheels...

Invertigo · 9 May 2011 at 14:19

Although I might do my DAS over summer, I still think that, if I want to get a bike, I'd be best off on a 125 for a year or so, not least because the insurance on a Honda NSR125/Aprilia RS125 etc are significantly cheaper than my current car insurance.

Plus, I've talked to a few bikers who have been riding for years and they all seem to think a 125 is a smart move, as it lets you get used to riding before jumping on something that can have you flat on your arse before you know it should you get a bit throttle happy

After I get my license then, I can have the bike unrestricted up to ~30bhp, which will be a decent learning block I think, instead of going from a bike that struggles to hit 70 to one capable of double that straight away!

Sagalout · 9 May 2011 at 14:29

Being on a 125 gets you used to traffic if you've never driven a car and thats about it In terms of how they feel compared to a proper bike, its closer to a push bike! In many ways a big bike is actually easier to ride, as its much more stable, the flip side being they require more thought / effort to change direction.

All 125's are pretty rubbish, so if you spend £3k on one don't expect it to be any faster than an £800 CG125, but it will look a lot nicer for sure. They are extremely cheap to run though, hence why blokes started riding bikes in the first place - cheap transport for the masses before they became weekend toys

Morbius · 9 May 2011 at 14:43

Sagalout said:
Being on a 125 gets you used to traffic if you've never driven a car and thats about it In terms of how they feel compared to a proper bike, its closer to a push bike! In many ways a big bike is actually easier to ride, as its much more stable, the flip side being they require more thought / effort to change direction.

Being on a 125 has been a really useful experience for me. I've learnt a lot.

It also gives you the opportunity to make mistakes without killing yourself.

Kaeo · 9 May 2011 at 15:36

Morbius said:
Being on a 125 has been a really useful experience for me. I've learnt a lot.

It also gives you the opportunity to make mistakes without killing yourself.

Definitely this. Learn control and awareness first, then get yourself the power.

Invertigo · 9 May 2011 at 16:19

Kaeo said:
Definitely this. Learn control and awareness first, then get yourself the power.

Exactly why I'm tempted to go for a 125 that has a decent bit of power when unrestricted. It wouldn't be a huge increase, but would happily tide me over for a year or 2 until insurance on a 600 isn't near to £1000!

Had a quick scout around, and its about £500 for TPFT on a NSR125, which has 32bhp unrestricted...plenty to start with!

I'd still do my test as a DAS, giving me the option to move up sooner than 2 years if I wanted though

Morbius · 9 May 2011 at 16:36

Invertigo said:
Had a quick scout around, and its about £500 for TPFT on a NSR125, which has 32bhp unrestricted...plenty to start with!

Except that you're not allowed to ride an unrestricted bike.

Get a CG125 or a YBR125. It'll let you learn the ropes without being overwhelming. A four stroke will probably be more mechanically sound, as with a two stroke you have to mix oil in with the fuel. If you can get something that's got fuel injection then you won't have to mess about with carbs, which will make life much easier.

Invertigo · 9 May 2011 at 17:11

Morbius said:
Except that you're not allowed to ride an unrestricted bike.

I meant once I have my full license it can be unrestricted, which I'll be doing over the summer. It means I can start on a restricted, get used to riding, to my test and then get the bike unrestricted after passing. Gives me a gradual build up of power, which I think would be a smarter idea than going from a tiny, weak 4 stroke onto a 600cc machine.

Plus I love the 2-stroke engine sound, despite it being like a swarm of bees

Morbius · 9 May 2011 at 17:27

Invertigo said:
Plus I love the 2-stroke engine sound, despite it being like a swarm of bees

They do sound nice, but you can't guarantee how well looked after your bike was by its former owner.

You could go on to a restricted 600. Nowt wrong with that.

metbandit1 · 9 May 2011 at 17:47

Morbius said:
They do sound nice, but you can't guarantee how well looked after your bike was by its former owner.

You could go on to a restricted 600. Nowt wrong with that.

I had a restricted 600 until my restriction expired. Was really good, definitely worth considering. Although you cant ride a restricted 600 on a CBT

haz_pro · 9 May 2011 at 20:45

I wouldn't bother with the 125 if you think you will go for your full license.

But then i dont agree with 125's being safer to learn power control etc "without killing yourself", as you can kill yourself on any motorcycle, and its the rider that controls the bike, not the other way round

Sagalout · 9 May 2011 at 20:57

Morbius said:
Being on a 125 has been a really useful experience for me. I've learnt a lot.

It also gives you the opportunity to make mistakes without killing yourself.

For some reason lots of people assume that one slip of the throttle on a 600 and you're going to be in a tree! It's not like that at all. It's a very progressive power, with more stable handling and usually much better brakes.

A new rider would bu much safer on a 80hp 600cc than a 32bhp peaky 2 stroke with crap brakes and knackered suspension!

metbandit1 · 9 May 2011 at 22:32

Sagalout said:
For some reason lots of people assume that one slip of the throttle on a 600 and you're going to be in a tree! It's not like that at all. It's a very progressive power, with more stable handling and usually much better brakes.

A new rider would bu much safer on a 80hp 600cc than a 32bhp peaky 2 stroke with crap brakes and knackered suspension!

woah 80bhp 600cc? what 600s are you riding?

Super sport 600s these days some with at least 110bhp.

but the rest of your point is still the same. all round much better bikes that leave A LOT of room for error. the only time they dont leave any error is when your riding on the limit. Which if your new to riding are not going to be doing.

Souleh · 9 May 2011 at 23:25

Biking isnt cheaper than driving ? You guys crack me up.

I ride a 636cc ninja daily and its cheaper to run by a country mile than my 1.8 astra coupe..

The only thing with biking is you need kit.. this is up to you how much you spend and if treated right will not need replaced often

Day to day running is massively cheaper on petrol, insurance, parts, servicing and you get to ride in bus lanes and park in multi storeys and underground for free ?

I save £16 a day in parking alone (£320 a month) not least the petrol wasted in traffic etc..

Sagalout said:
For some reason lots of people assume that one slip of the throttle on a 600 and you're going to be in a tree! It's not like that at all. It's a very progressive power, with more stable handling and usually much better brakes.

A new rider would bu much safer on a 80hp 600cc than a 32bhp peaky 2 stroke with crap brakes and knackered suspension!

100% Agree.

metbandit1 said:
woah 80bhp 600cc? what 600s are you riding?

Super sport 600s these days some with at least 110bhp.

but the rest of your point is still the same. all round much better bikes that leave A LOT of room for error. the only time they dont leave any error is when your riding on the limit. Which if your new to riding are not going to be doing.

Fazer / Hornet is around 80bhp - as is the sv650 and er6n

Glaucus · 9 May 2011 at 23:45

Surly something along the lines of cb500 would be perfect first bike rather than a 110bhp super sports.
Get it restricted and when you can derestricted it 58bhp, 120mph, 50mpg,insurance is pennies.

Agree if you want more power Hornet, xjr, sv

I hope it turns out this is the bike sitting in a garage.

metbandit1 · 10 May 2011 at 06:26

My friend rides an Sv650 restricted. i think its one of the easiest 600s to ride restricted just because of the V-twin, and good seating position.

BennyC · 10 May 2011 at 08:13

In a similar situation to the OP myself however I've just turned 22.

I'm very much putting the feelers out and thinking about doing my CBT/DAS in a couple of months should I find myself still wanting to ditch 4 wheels for 2.

I'll have 5 years car NCB in August *touch wood* but obviously 0 bike NCB and a total n00b in insurers eyes. I'd probably be after something like a ZX6R, I've yet to read up on all available bikes around the 600cc mark so just plucked this one for the purpose of getting some quotes. I've been horrified to the tune of £2500 or not been quoted at all.

Is there anywhere that specialises in new riders? or is it most likely because of the bike in question I've chosen?

Edit: Looks likes TPFT is the way to go coming in around half that...

Morbius · 10 May 2011 at 11:22

Sagalout said:
For some reason lots of people assume that one slip of the throttle on a 600 and you're going to be in a tree! It's not like that at all. It's a very progressive power, with more stable handling and usually much better brakes.

Perhaps I was exaggerating a little

Of course you can kill yourself on any bike, but the low power of a 125 does make it very forgiving. I guess my approach was that I wanted to be completely confident on the 125 before moving on and I don't think an intensive course would have provided that.

It's only really when you're past the stage of being overwhelmed by the bike that you become aware of its deficiencies.

Invertigo · 10 May 2011 at 23:56

Ok, so, just looked for insurance as though I was 21 and with a full license....

£375 TPFT for a 600cc Hornet....do want! My current car insurance is just over £1k, you can get a 2002ish Hornet for roughly what my car would sell for (£2000). My dad is even tempted to buy my car off me and sell his 5 series, so I could be a named driver for an extra £200ish, which still makes biking hugely cheaper! Plus I'd have the car if I needed to move something/people

Invertigo · 23 May 2011 at 14:13

Right, started looking at this seriously again now. I'm wanting to do my DAS in august, then ideally pick up a 5-600cc after.

I've dropped the idea of getting a daft supersports bike, as theres plenty of time for that when I'm older. My dad will be buying my current car off me, but keeping me as a named driver so I'll have a car should I need to transport anything.

Basically, I'm looking for recommendations as to what to look at. Assuming something along the lines of a Honda Hornet or CBR600F would be suitable?

kippermitten · 23 May 2011 at 14:43

The ubiquitous Suzuki SV650 is a must look at too, its a twin rather than a four and very suited to town and urban riding where the extra torque monkeys will save you treadeling up and down the gears!