Decisions? (Bike related)

kvfb97 · 6 May 2008 at 15:20

Ok, a few weeks ago I bought an Aprilia RS125. I new this would be trouble but I had to have it. So far everything is fine other than the clutch and ignition. I'm bringing it into a mechanic tomorrow to see how much it will cost to fix. (Don't really want to try fixing the clutch, plus it may only need adjusting)

My bike test is in a few weeks however and I was going to take a trip over to Manchester or something with the GF, on the bike. Now the RS125 a) wouldn't cope very well with 2 of us on it, b) may not be reliable enough to drive way over there.

So, I was thinking on getting a new/bigger bike. I was looking around and got my eyes hooked on a Triumph Daytona 600. It is £3200, 8000 miles, 2004 reg and it looks absolutely mint! I cannot see any scratches at all. Also has a few extras and an aftermarket alarm system.

I could go and buy it now, however the cheapest and only insurance quote I have got is £3200

That is TPFT and is the same price as the bike itself! TPO was £1100, which isn't bad, but I don't want to get TPO with a £3k bike.

Do you think a RS125 could make it 1000 or less miles with 2 people on it without dieing, and would the speed be fine?

Any ideas of insurance companies who look at new riders with NCB?

Any 600cc bikes or so that would be capable of a pillion passenger, and be cheap to insure for a first time biker?

Thanks.

kvfb97 · 6 May 2008 at 16:21

I want to buy from a dealer so I know there is somewhere I can go when something is wrong, don't think there is any ZZR in this place though, and I only know of 2 places in NI (both Honda).

kvfb97 · 6 May 2008 at 16:37

Rilot said:
Are the bike laws different in NI?
I thought you could only ride up to 33bhp once you passed your test these days unless you take it on a bike of more than 33bhp and are over 21 years old.
Or are you looking at getting a 33bhp restriction kit fitted to the bikes you describe?

Restriction fitted. then have to ride that for 2 years, so in my case i'll be over 21. If i got my licence at 17 though, I could ride a fully restricted bike now.

kvfb97 · 6 May 2008 at 16:59

SKILL said:
Might be worth considering a 400, for me the difference between a 400 and a 600 is massive, and currently not worth it...

I've done a ~180 mile trip on a 125 (Yamaha TZR), wasn't pleasant at all, had to stop 3 times in all as my legs felt like they were about to fall off, wouldn't want to consider ~1000 miles on a 125

I've got 2 400's atm, a Yamaha FZR and a Honda VFR, both are damn good fun and a massive amount better than my 125, FZR slightly 'better' in acceleration terms, if only cause when it hits 10k there's a real surge which is addictive, but it's useless below 6k. On the other hand the VFR is much nicer to ride at lower rev's and it feels a lot more planted in the corners, so it's my favorite of the two, but it does feel slower in a straight line...

Yes a 600 would be quicker, but a 400 will be quick enough and should drop the insurance by a fair amount...

I'll look around for a VFR, and get some quotes. Looks quite tasty.

Bug One said:
I hate to say that if you're considering riding 1000 miles on a bike, then you obviously havent rode a motorcycle long enough.

Take your girlfriend for a 100 miles ride up and down a motorway and then ask her if she'd like to do that times 10.

Seriously dude. Use a car.

Fair enough, I'm planning on doing lots of trips with the bike however. Don't think I'll be too fussy with going long rides.

kvfb97 · 6 May 2008 at 21:55

Bug One said:
If you've got 3 something grand to spend, you'd be pushed to find a better bike than a 1 year old Versys.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...AKI&model=VERSYS&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=

£1800 to insure that.

kvfb97 · 6 May 2008 at 22:47

Cyanide said:
You're always going to be killed for insurance on anything over a 400 for your first year.

I understand that but I would have thought around £1k?

When I was talking about getting a CBR600 (before I knew about insurance) I was told by the guy in a Honda Dealership that insurance would but around the 800 mark :confused:

Cyanide said:
1000 miles on a 125cc is completely mad, I did a 500 mile trip on my 400 last summer and it killed it. Suspension wore out, engine struggled etc. There's no chance of a 125 managing it without needing some serious repair work doing after. Not to mention you not getting over 40mph the whole way

Old CBR600F?

I kinda gathered that

That is why I was looking into a bigger bike.

Cheapest insurance I can find for a CBR600F 2001 model is 2500. I don't have much luck.

May have to stick with the RS125 for a year or so.

kvfb97 · 7 May 2008 at 10:24

Bug One said:
Try eBike insurance.

Go 3rd party and make sure no one knicks it.

I've only been riding a year (well around 20 months) and I pay £120.

I'm tempted doing that, however, my scooter I had when I was 16 went on fire. Kind of scared me then, as we only had TPO. No fire and theft

kvfb97 · 7 May 2008 at 10:30

Flukester said:
I think at end of day your average sports bike is not comfortable, man I'd hate to do 200 miles in one sitting let alone 1000.. I can stand about 2hr's in summer before my nuts are roasted (dam those underseat exhausts) and have pressure sores.

Even on something like a Daytona 600?

Going back to see it today. My brother wants to get a Honda VT150 Shadow. He think's I know a lot about bikes so he wants me to look at it :O

Cheapest TPO insurance I've found is £1100. Not too bad, would be nice if it was under 1k though.

kvfb97 · 7 May 2008 at 10:40

I'm going to bring my RS125 in today at some point, and hopefully he'll tell me there and then what needs done, I can then go from there.

kvfb97 · 7 May 2008 at 10:42

Well Splattered said:
Can you carry a pillion on L plates?

As soon as you pass your test (hopefully next week for me) you can carry a pillion.

kvfb97 · 7 May 2008 at 15:06

Ok, brought the RS125 in today.

My friend there immediately said it was a race bike

He says it will not take much to get running as it is only the ignition changed and a few wires. Also a possiblity of the altenator gone as it reduces power in race bikes or something.

Says it has about 36bhp easy

(legal limit is 14 for learner, 33 for restricted)

Going to call him again tomorrow then take it from there..

kvfb97 · 7 May 2008 at 20:34

The RS125 does have everything fitted, however fairings and the bodywork isnt in the best of condition, thats why I sanded/painted it. The wiring is ballouxed as said above, but all the original cables are there, so should be fine. Lots of modifications too, 36mm carb.

I'm going to wait, get some experience with my super fast RS125

and then possibly next year buy a big bike.

After all, I wanted the RS125 as a project bike. I've already told the mechanic that I want to do things if possible. I've been doing good so far. Cannot wait to get going.

Rossmac: No idea why they are so high either. Probably because I've no experience and no NCB lol. Hopefully after a year of driving, and lots of money spent on my reliable RS125, they will come down a lot.

Can't wait either, love the Triumph Daytona 600. Pure sexual, yellow = awesome.

Maybe get out for a bike ride soon ross?

kvfb97 · 8 May 2008 at 12:20

area51_for_psx said:
To the OP. Who are you doing your lessons with? Any chance Its Sam out by allan's honda?

Nah, Its RDS at the Honda Dealership in Belfast.

kvfb97 · 8 May 2008 at 19:41

Ok, I rang earlier and he fixed it already

Says it will cost £45, Going to see it tomorrow. Slightly suspicious.

Ok, what now? I have a V5 but its SORN and I have done nothing about registration since I got it. Do I just register it (£25) then MOT/Tax?