Newbie incoming. Questions

Soldato
Joined
17 Jun 2009
Posts
7,089
Location
Swansea
I’m in the process of arranging to do my bike licence. I’m a competent rider as I’ve spent many years riding dirt bikes and more often than not some naughty road riding on a mate’s bike.

To do the full direct access, CBT, Mod 1 and Mod 2 with lessons is £580. I’m currently saving and aim to do it in August.

So my question is as followed:

Plan was to get something like a bandit 6 for 1 – 2 years then step up. However, in fairness to the wife she’s quite open to me getting my dream bike of an MT09 (Realistic dream bike). My problem is I don’t want to over stretch our finances so just looking at where it’ll save me.

Sadly I still need a car to run the kids to school 2 days a week… I spend £60 on fuel getting back and fore work and general trips. Can I assume the fuel for the bike will be a fraction of that if I use my bike, if so how much roughly? Down side is insurance is quite a bit at £29pcm. If i'l save £29 in fuel it could be a goer.... I like to live within my means you see haha.

Advice welcome….
 
Larger engined bikes typically aren't that great on fuel, especially compared to modern diesel and small turbocharged petrol engined cars. Have a look at Fuelly for some real world economy figures for the MT-09. The MT-07 is significantly more economic.

That said without knowing what you drive it's impossible to compare, how far does your £60 get you?

Sorry should have said, diesel mondeo 2003 (rather buy a bike than a new car haha).

Thanks for the info will take a look. I wont be gunning it anyways, I notice the MT09 has an eco mode built in so will use that on commutes.

Age will play a factor in this as well. If you don't ride on the roads already I personally would shy away from a new bike at first. For much the same reasons when learning to drive...you don't want to make your mistakes in a brand new car.

Also what kind of commute do you have? Is it A&B roads or longer slogs on the motorway? Both of the MT's are naked bikes and give little wind cover in comparison to a faired bike.

I wouldn't be going brand new, be looking at £5000 for a 2013 MT09. It is mostly b roads and city riding. My job requires me to deliver notices, advice and evictions (housing officer).... So its not huge millage, which is why I think a bike would be far more economical that my current car.

I'd only want a naked bike :D

I'd definitely recommend getting a second hand bike.

I saved 30% by getting one just 3 months old.

I would never buy new, because I'd not be in a huge rush I'd have the money sat in the bank ready to purchases the right bargain price.
 
To be honest, looking at some of the prices of the GSR 600 I'd be more tempted to go with that Can pick one up for under £3000. Think I'd rather do that for 2 years then step up to an MT-09... Because wow, I love that bike!
 
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