First motorbike looking to pass CBT

juno_first

juno_first

juno_first

Soldato
Joined
18 Apr 2003
Posts
2,677
Location
England
Hi folks, for the first time ever I'm interested in motorbikes. No idea why, Ive had fast cars in past but now happy with a 3cyl diesel. Maybe because just turned 50 & stopped taking social media so see green symbols everywhere :p. Thing is, 2 days ago I knew nothing about motorbikes.
Been watching Itchy Boots on YouTube & her adventures are awesome.

Passed car test 1990 & still use the paper license so don't know if needs updating for class A?
I've driven all sorts of cars/vans up to 7.5t & an avid gravel cyclist taking camera everywhere at 30miles per meal.
Off road motorbiking does not appeal to me unless it's in Timbuktu. More being one with the World like on a cycle -but with greater range :cry:

Someone said do the CBT to see if I like it before getting a bike -where hopefully they throw in the gear/bike.
As far as getting a bike, I've been advised go Japanese. I'd guess something not too big/fast at first.

Any advice would be appreciated.
 
The CBT then a 125 looks the way to go, not keen on a 2stroke & adding oil but hey. The roads aren’t too bad in Stoke on Trent. Didn’t think height came into biking but I’m 6ft tall. I’ll keep cycling & running an Audi A2, not like it will go rusty.
As far as an eventual bike, a dream is travel world like Itchy Boots, dream being key word.
 
Thanks yeah full gear is a priority. Enquiring about a CBT as have 2 days off next week. I did think about going straight into a full 'A' class but have never ridden a motorbike so better learn on a 125 as I'm not bothered about speed.
Doing some research on which 125 & saving hard.
I'm used to cycling up to 30mph in a t-shirt :rolleyes: but walked past a bike shop yesterday & they looked a bit scary :eek:
 
Can't believe the encouragement & advice here :D
My parents always steered me away from bikes & not allowed bring one home. As father had a head on bike crash+2 weak coma before I was born... Got a car & forgot about bikes. Else I'd have done a bike test decades ago as always loved cycling.
 
Update. Had a rear bump last week & just popped out bumper 1cm so sorting that mess now.
Had a look around a few bike shops & most 125cc are too small as I'm 6ft, that & a 125 being rare & overpriced for what they are I'm going direct access to class A2/A.
I really like Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. Its a pricy £5k or £3k s/h so going start with a CBT+gear £400 then save to pass class A, then bike.
 
Update Apr23. Bought all gear £680. Went for CBT and first time sat on bike where carpark handling was great but on quiet road needed too much coordination change gear and got worse and very nervous. Ended up pressing right foot to accelerate . To fix this every day for a week I decided sit on a cycle and pretended change up/down gears, start/stop.

Went back for CBT road ride and nailed it in the rain. Apart from leaving indicator on at first which didn’t train for on cycle . Was very nervous and tense but had the YBR125 up to 48 with no fear.

Looking at a new Honda CB125F £3k on road. S/H they’re nearly same price as new
Plod around on 125 the DAS but sat on a 600cc and they’re really heavy.

Deciding red or white to be seen better.
Searching for Insurance.
If my local Honda dealer in Newcastle under Lyme has a bike I’m anxious about riding home to Meir so saving up hard to get soon before forgetting.
 
Yeah I see what you’re saying. Learning on a 125 has a good chance of being dropped & god forbid a crash… Trying not think of negative possibilities else you’d never get out of bed & slob in front of World of Warcraft.

If someone local was selling a suitable bike I’d take my mechanic & have a look, so will be checking local sales for sure.

As a 2yr old CB125F is only a few hundred less than new (with warranty). I can’t see point of going through S/H hassle. Plus resale value is very good. Dropping old or new is still going cost.

Being as have L plates I’m going swallow ego even more & get a white CB125F. Purely for safety so can be seen better. Being hetro I think red would be better but I come first & may even wear a high vis vest -don’t care what ppl think.

My dream is eventually do what Itchyboots did & bike to Iceland.
 
Going local Honda dealer at weekend :) sit on a CB125F before pulling trigger. Mate is coming but he's after a Fireblade :eek:
Can anyone recommend an Insurer. Presume full no claims on car won't work. Previous accident question -do I have to mention recent car accident which just settled no blame full repair claim.
 
First quote from Lexham £375 TP, £675 TPFT, £975 comprehensive. My car Insurer don't do motorbikes but only £236 fully comp for an A2 TDI :)
Zero bike no claims & annoying rear car bump last year.
Looking at a shed & ground anchor as don't think can fit round corner of kitchen door. Measuring how much room in old coal house which is part of house so hmm.
 
Confused.:) Insurance quote. Kept in driveway (back garden not listed) Hastings Direct quote is £229 TPFT inc business use & inc legal cover... Have do site visits for work & may eventually do this on bike -may get a quote with no business to check but doubt any difference as free on car.
Selecting a security device or factory fitted made no difference.
I think about £200 is ok & reasonable with 0 no claims on 33yr old provisional license.

Called Honda dealer today & they have CB125F in showroom so I'll go sit on it first. Boxed in stock which takes a week to prep/register with full tank petrol, taxed & 2yr warranty £3049.

Going put under a cover in back yard with maybe a ground anchor This is is not visible from street & no houses behind with just old neighbours at sides. Thinking of getting an alarm disc lock plus have a good D lock from cycle will stash under seat.
 
Yes, £200 does look cheap as next quote was £435. Hastings Direct are quite mainstream too & when take plunge with them I'll go through the details over the phone.
Quote includes a no fault car bump last year. Funny question was having a provisional bike license for 33yrs. Maybe having a clean license with no driver aware courses for 30yrs played a part?
I used Hastings years ago for sporty cars & were very cheap until getting a 3cyl diesel.
 
Went Honda dealer & they dropped price to £2900 on the road but the tyres looked like they belonged on a cycle.
Went KTM dealer & preferred this Husqvarna Smartpillen 125 & it felt way more substantial & heavier (146KG) than the Honda CB125F (117KG). Seat was harder & can easily flat foot it but leg angled a lot in position even with a high seat height of 83.5cm. Insurance £386 with Swinton so £156 more than Honda. Dealer was not bothered about speaking to me & just said £3826 on the road. Thinking about the cost now, but had to give the Husky a second look as I walked off. They sell for over £3k s/h.
Trying to look cool but can forget that with L plates :p
IKRDrdK.jpg
 
Last edited:
The heavier Husky is quicker at 15hp than Honda 10hp. Anyway, cash is an issue of the moment for Husky. Another KTM dealer sells 2021 model for £3500 so £200 cheaper but is 50mile away. Attitude of Burslem KTM dealer was poor & they didn't care about selling any bike. No point going 2yr old s/h as +£3k anyway or 10yr old Honda £1.5k -ignoring LexMoto / Chinese. May have wait a few months to save & so long as don't bin it the resale price will go towards a bigger bike next yr.
 
Looks like 2022 model at Burslem so £3826 is a good price. Good chance will put deposit down Sat & settle on payday 15th May with a week off in the sun hopefully :) Not had a holiday in 4yrs & that was first hol in 16yrs so this is deserved I reckon.
One mate said I'll drop it & every biker crashes which hurts.
Another mate (none biker) thinks I should save money & find a single mother settle down with.
 
Are people finding my experiences at all interesting? Or what's this drivel with noob questions.
Put down deposit today on I think a 2022 model based on price & colours, in fact he thought it was 2023, but deffo not 2021 as all blacked out. Takes 6 days prep but not ready until 17th because of the King. They had 1 bike left which had no exhaust & they said after I pulled the trigger they're not getting anymore Husky's. I thought the orange Dukes were ugly though everyones taste is different huh.

Bit anxious at riding from KTM dealer through town but rode all over town on CBT in rain with no issue a short while ago. Strange how I hated every second of CBT but can't wait ride my own bike with no instructor behind & practice at my own pace & trying white belt MotoJitsu moves on a carpark... trying not drop her so I'll shut up & practice.

Won't know reg until a few days before then can kind of insure as won't show on DVLA until purchase day as they won't fully register until I role up with the cash else risk a failed sale & already registered bike. Could do with finding bike only Insurance quotes not tied in with comparison sites.

Very little room under seat & concerned no room for Oxford Boss disc lock alarm so looking for something similar but smaller. Getting a good tracker. Figuring out a tank bag atm as only place easily put things -how does security work with these? Need check if can handle a generic top box but a bit late now.

Super stoked at getting a rolling sowing machine (not heard it yet).
 
I bought a small cheap rear seat bag the other day with a multitude of straps, for use with harder items I don't wish chuck in a backpack such as a camera. I'll checkout those tank bags you use iamtheoneneo.
Unsure atm how I'd feel with a tank bag due to being new to biking & being by the handlebars but suspect this hesitation will soon disappear.

Concreting some metal post loops as ground anchors in back garden this weekend & turning step to backyard into a ramp.
 
Last edited:
Picked her up today from Burslem & rode back through town 10miles but skipped dual carriageway. She's got some poke (don't laugh).
Practiced U turns on an empty carpark 10min then parked up & had lunch at Tesco let the clutch cool down.
My 2022 model appears to have Duke mirrors which work fine.
Hands were trembling when got home. Throttle is not twitchy but need learn ride more smoothly & just get out there.

eZDEjAf.jpg


zKUf81u.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom