Getting a bike at 17?

Swifty123

Swifty123

Swifty123

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13 Feb 2010
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Hi, I'm thinking about getting a bike at the moment mainly due to the fact that I would like some form of transportation, and I always have loved the idea of riding a bike.

Another reason being that the price of car insurance is ridiculously high and I've been told bike insurance for a 125cc for example would be a lot cheaper (If someone could confirm this).

I've currently got my eye on a 2010 YAMAHA YZF R125, thats selling close to me for just under 2k. Anyway, things brings me onto the question on what license I need to obtain in order to ride said bike.

Thinks,
 
Swifty123 said:
Hi, I'm thinking about getting a bike at the moment mainly due to the fact that I would like some form of transportation, and I always have loved the idea of riding a bike.

Another reason being that the price of car insurance is ridiculously high and I've been told bike insurance for a 125cc for example would be a lot cheaper (If someone could confirm this).

I've currently got my eye on a 2010 YAMAHA YZF R125, thats selling close to me for just under 2k. Anyway, things brings me onto the question on what license I need to obtain in order to ride said bike.

Thinks,
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You need a provisional license and then you'll need to do your cbt. Once you've got all that sorted you're good to go.
 
Well get you CBT done I did it on my 17th birthday last year and was riding my bike the day after :) I'm loving it my insurance was only £350 tpft, I don;t know how much it will be on that bike as mines was only group 4 (Honda Vt Shadow) and it is not at all slow, well maxes out at 65-70 but it will cruse at 55-60 depending on the wind =P Really nippy around the town tho and easy to control :) Currently in the process of doing my mod 1 and 2 to move up to somthing a bit more fun. factor in about 300-400 for clothes and thats the cheapest.
 
i would go for an older bike,a 2010 bike will cost a lot in insurance,plenty decent older bikes like the kmx125 and dt125 around
 
Swifty123 said:
Hi, I'm thinking about getting a bike at the moment mainly due to the fact that I would like some form of transportation, and I always have loved the idea of riding a bike.

Another reason being that the price of car insurance is ridiculously high and I've been told bike insurance for a 125cc for example would be a lot cheaper (If someone could confirm this).

I've currently got my eye on a 2010 YAMAHA YZF R125, thats selling close to me for just under 2k. Anyway, things brings me onto the question on what license I need to obtain in order to ride said bike.

Thinks,
Click to expand...

Yes. Car = ~£2k

For my YBR125 it was about £280.

Don't bother with the YZFR125. Yeah, it may look good but the body work costs a fortune to replace if you drop it (and believe me, you will!) and probably more to insure than a normal Honda CG125 or Yamaha YBR125 etc.

The YZF won't be much faster either, they basically use the same engine as the YBR125, but you'll get about 5-10mph more out, at a much higher purchase and insurance cost.

If you have any more specific questions, just ask. I got a 125 on my 17th birthday and kept it for 18 months riding in all sorts of weather for social/college/work so I could probably cover any question you require. Good thing about 125s is when you sell them, you probably won't even lose any money on it. I lost £200 when I sold my 125, and I bought it brand new and slid it down the road at 40mph, the YBRs barely take any damage, they're pretty decent!

I still want to get a 125 back for blasting around on, as I don't have to worry about it as much as I do with my SV650!
 
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or..get an Rd125Lc...thrilling.

May I suggest some boots, they're not the best looking, although look better in person but are incredibly comfortable, warm, and excellent bang for buck. Search FG Caronte on the bay, very well priced too.
 
Thanks for replies all!

Also as for getting all the gear needed, is it better to go to a shop so you can try them on etc... Or is it generally better/cheaper to get them online.

Thanks,
 
Shop. Trying stuff on is pretty important. If I hadn't had tried the helmet I bought today on I would have gotten medium as opposed to small when medium would have been too big. For example.
 
If moneys tight for kit, go to the shop, try everything on, find what sizes you are and what youd need, go home, look up prices and order. Or go back to shop with printed details and get them to match it or give you some freebies. :D
 
If you have a read of the "Sticky" at the top of the bike section it gives you all the details of the various stages you need to go through to get your licence.

It would be best to get an older bike for your first bike because, it's cheaper to buy, cheaper to insure and cheaper to repair when you drop it. Also, if you end up not liking riding a bike, you wouldn't have thrown a huge amount of money at it.
 
Vespasian777 said:
As a new rider, a word of advice. Always assume other road users are conspiring to kill you. It saved my neck a couple of times.
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Hahaha what an advice xD
Well, you do have to be careful but it's not worth being paranoid, you miss out on the joy of the ride.

Last summer when I was taking 700km round trip to my uncle/aunts house by the sea I had to watch my ass constantly, but I never forgot to relax and enjoy the ride & scenery. Otherwise, what's the point? ;)

All in all, my advice would be - don't go too fast until you master the cornering, watch out for wet/slick surfaces on the road and always make sure your bike is well taken care of and she will take care of you. ;)
Oh, and don't forget to use the mirrors every once in a while. xD
 
Thanks for all advice! Especially Scythe who has gave me loads on information.

At the minute just saving up some money, then when I turn 17 will be taking my CBT soon as hopefully!

Ill keep you updated :)
 
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