Where to buy first used bike?

[Trojan Horse]

Hey guys

I was thinking of getting the Yamaha MT 125 for my first bike

I went looking on GumTree, eBay and Autotrader. I’m hoping to get a (red) one in the 2-2500 range but I’m having trouble finding non Cat N bikes!

Where else should I look? I live in the north and find it difficult to locate these bikes.

Any advice? Is that a good first bike, it has ABS and looks the part

 

[Trojan Horse]

Not too clued up on 125s, so I wouldn't know if that's a good price to pay for an MT 125; personally I'd have my reservations about buying off gumtree or ebay - I'd hazard a guess that most of the results there, will have been thrashed/treated badly/nicked! Just my opinion though, and not based off experience or anything.

Buying from a dealership might be a better option, as you ought to be getting something better, and should get the backup of some form of warranty - you'll also get the protection from the Sale of Good act and whatnot. You'll probably have to stump up a bit more money, but it'll give you piece of mind.

As for the MT being a good first bike - well, it doesn't look as **** as most 125s, so that's a good start It will give you a good idea of what a proper bike feels like, albeit a much lighter version, which **** brakes and suspension (compared to a 'big bike'). Personally, I went from no experience to DAS and a 636 ninja - so gave the whole 'cut your teeth' on a 125 a miss - not sure on your age, but if you can, then maybe look at the options of going for a bigger cc license; as something like a restricted SV650 will probably blow the modern 125s out of the water in most aspects.

Whatever you do though, have fun, and keep at it

Cheers for the reply.

I'm 21 and not too clued up on how the system works... it says I have to be 24 for the DAS scheme? Do you know who I can talk to for some clear info, as I'm slightly confused by the gov.uk text.

What if the ebay / gumtree folk are dealerships?

I don't mind a solid 125 like the MT 125... I don't really know what difference upgrading the CC will make as the max mph is 85 on this and I don't intend to go over that. I just want a bike thats cheap to fuel, cheap to insure and good to ride for my daily commute which is only a 5 mile round trip.

 

[Trojan Horse]

I must admit I'm not 100% sure I'd buy a motorcycle on eBay either, maybe autotrader private, but as above probably just go to a dealer.

It really depends if I were buying a project bike I might.

I get that your excited about your first 125 and whilst they do hold their value I personally would not be looking to spend that much, you can get an older Japanese 125 for much less money. Something like an old honda CG 125, almost bullet proof. You'll lose out on ABS though, I dunno, maybe riding without on a 125 would do good for your skills but... To be honest I think ABS is a great thing to have (says the guy who doesn't have ABS on his bike!).

I'm planning on buying a bike once and holding onto it for like 5 years so I think it would be better to pay more now for ABS than regret it later

 

[Trojan Horse]

I believe it means that at 21, you could do the Category A Restricted I think - that means you can ride something restricted to 33 kw of power - most people I know, had an SV650 with a restriction kit fitted. There's a sticky at the top of this forum with all the updated details for licenses - I passed [thankfully] the year before they added all the extra layers to getting on two wheels.

If they are dealerships, then just do your best to gauge them really - I have brought cars in the past from dealerships, that have just turned out to be some backstreet yard - and the car has turned out to be ****. Fair enough, not all will be like that, and ones that look **** might be awesome.

As for 125 vs a 'big bike' - it's honestly a night and day difference! Fair enough, when I did DAS and jumped off a 125 to a Suzuki 500E, I was riding some cheap rotten Chinese 125 - so modern ones like the MT might be much better. But for me, a Big Bike just made the job of riding so much easier, and enjoyable.

I've said it before in posts, but a Big Bike will go better, stop better, turn better and feel better. It's not just about getting up to the speed limit, but how it gets there - I just found the 125 I rode was far too gutless, and influenced massively by the road contours and side winds. By comparison, the big Suzuki I jumped on, was just stable and planted. The difference was so extreme, that I personally could see how a 125 would put someone off of riding! The only thing a 125 might have over a big bike, is I expect they'll do 100+ mpg, versus 50+ from a big bike.

There's two (possibly more) schools of thought when it comes to bikes and their cc - some folk believe you ought to work your way up the ranks - 125/250/400/500/600/1000 and so on. Others, such as myself, believe you can ride whatever you like - provided you respect the bike and accept that you must be careful and have limits.

Riding is a process of constant learning regardless of where you start, you just need to do what you want, and what you believe is best for you

Thanks man.

I was looking at prices, and the local guys want £130 for a CBT - is this reasonable? The A2 training is £800 all inc and it would cost around £300 to do the full A license.

Do they sound like good prices?

 

[Trojan Horse]

When I did my course back in 2007 - it was about £800 all in, but the CBT alone was £80 then - so I would expect £130 is probably right for today, though you can shop around for that sort of thing; so just see what else is on offer in your area. If you've never ridden before, you should see if they still operate the 'Get On' campaign - it's a completely free CBT-like session with no certification at the end - designed to give you a taster.

Starting out riding is effin' expensive - you could be looking at easily a grand for training alone, maybe half of that for kit, a couple of grand for a bike and maybe a grand for insurance. But once you've ponied up though initial costs, it's pretty smooth from then on. So yes, those figures look about right to me - but again, have a ring around; I used a smaller independent guy for my course (and test re-take after failing )

NVM I was shopping around and realised if I do it in a city thats an hour train ride away it comes down to £400 all in (£350 14 hrs and £50CBT) so I'd rather do that lol

I tried going on the get on website but it was being redesigned which is a shame.

Do you know how easy it would be to sell on the bike? If I got a Yamaha MT 125 2015 for £2.5K do you think I could get £1.5K after 2 years or is that being too optimistic?

 

[Trojan Horse]

You won't want to sit on a 125 for 5 years I'll guarantee that.

I don't get it? What is the difference with more cc isn't it just engine power? I won't be going on the motorway much so will I notice?

 

[Trojan Horse]

That's why I was saying get an older 125 to learn ok, keep it a year, sell it, probably loose a lot less than paying 2.5k for a 125.

You could get a perfectly good one for a grand or less if you look hard enough, after a year of ownership give it a very good clean probably sell it for almost what you paid, if not potentially profit.

The older Japanese ones have little to go wrong the more basic the better.

I know it's difficult because it's your first bike, your excited etc, I get that, but I really wouldn't be wanting to dump 2.5k into a 125, I mean unless your minted or something.

I can get a Yamaha MT 125 for 2K (2016) or a Honda CBR125 (2014) for 1.25-1.75k there isn't a huge price difference relative to the age..

What 125cc bikes would you recommend and how old / max miles should I be looking at?

 

[Trojan Horse]

Damn... I've just realized the total costs for a first bike is a hell of a lot.. at this point I'm thinking about just getting a cheap car lol.

Bike: 2,000
Insurance: 400
CBT: 90
A2 Course: 500

I'm looking at least 3K for my first bike

 

[Trojan Horse]

Something like that:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903055563654?advertising-location=at_bikes&postcode=pe262uh&model=CG125&page=1&make=HONDA&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used

I dunno man... the Yamaha is 10 years newer, still hasn't even had its first MOT yet, has had roughly 20K less miles on it but it is Cat N with minor scuffs. It is £800 more but it does look a lot better... I'm just not convinced I'd really be saving much when it comes to sell time, looking at their older MT 125s they dont really go down much in value

 

[Trojan Horse]

Don't forget the kit! Don't want to scrimp on that - I'd budget at least 120 for a lid, 200 for a textile set, 30-50 for gloves and maybe 100 for boots.

Damn do you know where I should look for the gear? Do you need boots? How do people commute to work everyday do they have to change their clothes that often lol

 

[Trojan Horse]

What helmets did you guys get? How much did you spend?

That shop you linked to has 500 helmets lol

I am willing to spend a fair bit on a life time leather jacket that I can also wear out and about

Any recommendations for gear and pants? Any kind of jeans I can wear whilst at work

 

[Trojan Horse]

I've just been through all of this last week.

CBT - £125
2017 Yamaha YBR - £1250
Tax - £20
Insurance - £250
Breakdown - £30
Chain, 2x Disklocks, Cover - £230
Clothes - £460

Total = ~£2400

More expensive than I was expecting as well, but the kit will last ages.

For the helmet, I would say get something with an anti-fog coating, or have a Pinlock ready visor. I got an MT Thunder 3, but the Shark helmets look better for the price.

What do you think of this SHARK for £120 https://www.helmetcity.co.uk/shark-skwal-flynn-kab-sale/

I like the look of this better https://www.helmetcity.co.uk/shark-drak-stripe-mat-kwk-1-xs-left/

 

[Trojan Horse]

Each to their own, I don't like the look of that second one.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/237398
This seems to be well reviewed.

Or yeah any of the Skwal/D-Skwal look good as well.

Do you think its worth getting it second hand for half price? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHARK-Mo...916749?hash=item4694f6db8d:g:Fr4AAOSw7D9c0fC1

 

[Trojan Horse]

Should never buy a lid second hand - you don't know if it's been dropped. It's the advice my instructor always gave.

OK thats fine he says it hasnt but better to be safe. Also by dropped do you mean crashed? Can dropping it from ur hand make a difference lol

What kind of maintenance would I need to learn for my 125? Oil change, filter change, brake pads? Chain or sprocket change? Where should I look for parts and buying the right tools and motorbike centre.

What sort of things should I inspect on the bike? Oil level, chain sprockets?