New to Motorcycles 3K to have it all, unreasonable?

Meloco · 5 Oct 2012 at 18:27

Evening!

I am all setup to be obtaining my full bike license towards the end of this year. I was wondering if having a budget of £3,000 is an unreasonable assumption to think I can have decent kit and bike (600cc?). This would not include the Insurance, Road Tax etc.

Looking online it seems that a motorcycle by itself might consume all of this cost, and decent kit to be around £1000?! Am I being a total novice and getting coaxed by daft equipment?!

Meloco · 5 Oct 2012 at 18:37

Many thanks for the replies, but where should I be looking? Most of the motorcycle garages seem to sell second hand bikes at a fair premium, and obviously online I am unsure of buying because of buying a bike at 1.5K but then spending an extra 1K for tyres, Chain, etc etc.

Meloco · 6 Oct 2012 at 11:44

Foxxy said:
Have a look at this forum post

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18447940

Thank-you very much for that link, I think I have a similar deal at my local bike garage at the moment as well for Spada gear.

I've passed my CBT last wedensday, and just passed my theory today! So I am still moving forward as planned with the full test by the end of the year.

In regards to the motorcycles, I really don't see me being able to find someone to go with me to the other ends of Britain where some of the bikes are advertised. As I said before my local bike garage seems to have bikes that are miles out of my affordability (average being 4K per bike over 250cc). I really want a 600cc/650cc Suzuki Gladius, but that may be too hard to come by on the second hand market it seems(ebay)!

Meloco · 10 Oct 2012 at 20:22

Thank-you very much for all the replies. I am constantly hunting on the above websites!

One theme that seems to be very common is that no matter what bike I may buy, to keep it locked up for the winter? Corrosion during this time will de-value any bike and possible ruin it, racking up a sizeable bill ?

Meloco · 11 Oct 2012 at 20:10

What about leaving the bike outside with nothing but a cover on top? Or at a minimal step up, shed with no insulating?

Would the condensation cause severe rust? Or for example leaving the bike in an open underground car park all day, to then be started up to come home?

Meloco · 25 Oct 2012 at 18:09

I have a bit of a dilemma at the moment. A lot of websites seem to be selling gear at a very good price/rate. I am thinking about buying at least a jacket/boots/gloves (maybe trousers) online and the Helmet in shop.

The only issue is... Am I being a bit too eager at buying kit first because it seems like a good deal? I understand you should try it in the shop etc, but good returns policies on the websites negates that. However, would a shop I buy a motorcycle from give me a better deal on kit? Or is that a dream to high in this economic time.....

Meloco · 25 Oct 2012 at 20:17

wazza300 said:
itll get even cheaper come christmas or january as they will be selling last season/old stock off

Part of me is holding off for that exact reason as well...

I have been desperately trying to convince myself that I can make a bike work this coming winter. But after going over and over with friends and the internet, I just don't see the cost benefit of getting a bike this side of 2012...

It would seem as though I would more than likely store the bike from December until March/April. At which point the maintenance factor of restoring the bike to being road worthy, and the maintenance to keep it in a garage is not cost effective for one months riding. I know the same problem will crop up next year, but at least I would have ridden the bike for 9 months.

The other problem is keeping the bike outside from March onwards, as taking it out of storage would mean it could only be outside my house (no garage). Will this be just as harmful and prone to condensation as the winter months? Would a cover suffice, as the bike will be used almost daily.