Interested in getting a bike, help?

[Snookums]

For a while now I've contemplated getting a bike, I feel like my car is such a waste most of the time. I'm usually driving on my own so might get a bike for the solo journeys to get down petrol etc. anyway I have no idea where to start, I could google it but easy to get a straight answer from you guys.

What test do I need to start with and what as a 19 year old a 125 will be the biggest I can have am I correct?

 

[Flack88]

I think you can do your A2 licence then wait 2 years and do the tests again then ride any bike.

Read this its all there in the 1st post.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18300467

 

[Snookums]

Thanks, I'll give that a read now.

 

[gcaster]

What car do you drive? Chances are you wont really save on petrol but you'll get places faster and it's a smile on your face. In the last year I've done approx 425 hours in my car and my trip computer says I've done an average of 14mph...

 

[Snookums]

I drive a Ford Fiesta, don't get me wrong the car is quite good but i only drive either motorways or country lanes so my average speed is quite high. From what I've read I have to do my CBT and a bike theory test then do my A1? Then I can drive a 125? Is this right? How much are the tests?

 

[tom_e]

If you only want to ride a 125 all you need is a day long CBT which costs around £100.

 

[Snookums]

Yeah just saw a post on the forum about pricing etc. but on a 125 I will always need l plates?

 

[tom_e]

Yeah just saw a post on the forum about pricing etc. but on a 125 I will always need l plates?

You will if you only stick with a CBT but you also won't be able to ride on motorways, although you will be looking at around 100mpg.

 

[Snookums]

So I would need to do my a1 to go on motorways and lose the l plates? Sorry for the stupid questions.

 

[NoNameNoNumber]

Honda reckon my CBF will do 125mpg... I still doubt that although even 100mpg is damn good when out of my 3 cars none of them average above 25mpg

 

[NoNameNoNumber]

So I would need to do my a1 to go on motorways and lose the l plates? Sorry for the stupid questions.

Yes but at your age you cannot do your A1

 

[tom_e]

You're 19 so you can go straight to A2, but yes you need a "full" i.e A1, A2 or A licence to remove your L plates and be able to ride on the motorway.
http://www.geton.co.uk/motorcycle-training-licence/

 

[wazza300]

Youll save by riding a 125,and youll get to places far far quicker on it than in a car,insurance might be high though not sure

 

[Snookums]

So to lose the plates and be allowed on motorways I have to go; CBT, bike theory then A2 and the A2 would cost? As well as allowing to ride a bigger bike?

I was meant to be saying a2 the whole time sorry.

Anyone recommend a decent 125? Also what should I be looking at paying wanna keep it as cheap as possible really but not be on a scooter style bike.

 

[Psyoletic]

Do you prefer sport bikes or naked? A sports bike will cost more on the insurance.

Have a look at a Yamaha YBR125 and the Honda CB125F/CBF125 both are great bikes.

If I was you, I would sit on both and see what felt right and most comfortable. Should budget around £150 for a helmet and consider the expense on gear as with British weather on a bike you will be exposed to the elements namely rain. Gear is expensive and you'll be looking on spending around £500 for reputable branded gear.

An A2 licence would require training which only an instructor could judge on how much training you would need, talking around £400+ for an A2 licence which consists of MOD 1 and MOD 2 tests.

A decent 125 that hasn't be dropped or slid on with low miles you're talking around £1500 at a guess.

Insurance for me quoted at 23, no driving licence and just CBT with a 2011 YBR125 was £310 annually.

The trouble you will have with an A2 licence is the restrictions, you will have to search far and wide for a bike that is A2 compliant otherwise you will have to restrict the bikes power to a maximum of 47BHP and a power to weight ratio of 0.2kw and the original power cannot be more than double the restricted power.

Take a look here, LINKY

 

[Snookums]

Probably more sports type. I don't mind the look of the CBF the cb and the Yamaha aren't my cup of tea. I really like the aprillia Rs it's just a tad out of my budget. Insurance is quite cheap for bikes then? Didn't think it was that much less than a car. Think I'll stick to the 125 on a CBT then and maybe do my a2 in a few years.

 

[Psyoletic]

Probably more sports type. I don't mind the look of the CBF the cb and the Yamaha aren't my cup of tea. I really like the aprillia Rs it's just a tad out of my budget. Insurance is quite cheap for bikes then? Didn't think it was that much less than a car. Think I'll stick to the 125 on a CBT then and maybe do my a2 in a few years.

At 24 you can sit a DAS or if you have held the A2 for two years. I honestly think the A2 and A1 licence's are backwards and unnecessary. They would be better off merging the A1 and CBT into one and make it so that you need to hold the CBT for two years before going in for the full licence.

 

[Flack88]

Probably more sports type. I don't mind the look of the CBF the cb and the Yamaha aren't my cup of tea. I really like the aprillia Rs it's just a tad out of my budget. Insurance is quite cheap for bikes then? Didn't think it was that much less than a car. Think I'll stick to the 125 on a CBT then and maybe do my a2 in a few years.

If you like the RS125 do not expect any sense of reliability. Imo there is no point even having one if it has to be restricted on CBT.

 

[wazza300]

Yamaha wr125 anygood? I rather like those

 

[Psyoletic]

If you like the RS125 do not expect any sense of reliability. Imo there is no point even having one if it has to be restricted on CBT.

RS125 is a 125CC bike, a CBT is restricted to 125CC...

Also, it's a single cylinder two stroke and it will sound like one of those chavs on a scooter otherwise known as hair-dryers.