Any motorbike riders here? First time rider advice.

[diddylord]

Try on several helmets, each manufacturer will be a different shape so one may for you better that another.

 

If you can afford a helmet with a internal sun visor they are fantastic.

[MYK-IT]

Just echoing the rest, stay with the big names - Honda Yamaha Suzuki.

On the opposite end of the scale, if you have short legs rather than long legs, I absolutely love my little Honda MSX.

 

 

You may not be able to hire a bike on a CBT licence. Many require a full bike licence for bike hire.

 

Regardless of whether you have short, or long legs... the Honda Grom is a fantastic, fun bike to ride! Guaranteed to put a smile on everyone who rides one.

I know of bikers who have, or want one even though they own a 600-1000 sports bike!

 

 

But spending between £2000-£2800 on one, is a lot especially if you are going to upgrade to bigger bikes (subject to age, licence). If you're 24+ i wouldn't mess about; just go for DAS and obtain full bike licence.... For that same amount of money you can get good, selection of 600+cc sports bikes!

 

If <24 just go for a good, well looked after CBR, YBR etc... look after it for a couple of years, etc then you'll be able to sell it on for not much less than what you paid. if using in all weathers, ACF50 is your friend.

Edited July 8, 2016 by MYK-IT

[arwen]

I'll just add to the above post, I was 26 when I bought my MSX new. I bought it new as I know I am in the lucky position I can keep it, as well as get a 2nd hand bigger bike when I want one. I've only got MOD2 left to do so I can remove my L plates, but I don't see me buying a bigger bike any time soon.

The little MSX is absolutely perfect for zooming around town on 30-50mph roads and out on the back roads in the countryside. Of course, if you want speed, then it's not for you. It will get to 70mph on a good day however.

 

Writing off 125cc as a long term thing simply because you can ride a bigger bike is wrong imo. 125cc's are ideal bikes for many people.

[MYK-IT]

@arwen of course there's nothing wrong at all with 125cc if that suits your needs etc, In fact, i'd love to add a Grom as another bike

 

The reasoning was if anyone was 24+ and (starting) taking lessons etc, it would make (financial) sense to learn, and pass on a 600cc motorbike, to obtain a full A1 licence even if riding a 125cc afterwards.

[arwen]

Oh definitely do full A if you are over 24 and doing your full test. But having a 125 to practise on in your own time helps loads. You don't need your full licence to ride around on L plates for 2 years.

Once I have booked and if I pass first time my MOD2, it will have cost me £400 roughly for CBT+Theory+Mod1+MOD2+lessons/hire. Rather than the £600-£1k for a DAS course.

[bald_pig]

Thought I'd post a pic of my baby up as well

http://i.imgur.com/OCdWDhX.jpg

[SHimmer45]

firestorm, nice you will be a frequent forecourt visitor with one of them lol

[bald_pig]

firestorm, nice you will be a frequent forecourt visitor with one of them lol

 

This will be going on the bellypan once I've sprayed it!

MY BEST FRIEND PETROL JDM FUNNY CAR STICKER JDM JAP DRIFT BUMPER DECAL VINYL 206 | eBay

[FragglePete]

My current toy, a 2000 Honda VFR800Fi - not bad looking for a bike that is now 16 years old!

 

 

Pete

[gady]

As this is related here's a question for some of the more knowledgable members, If I obtained my CBT in late 2010 and passed my full UK driving license in early 2012 does that mean I can ride a 50cc scooter with people on the back and no L plates? I'm sure I read this was the case it's only if you want a 125 do you have to retake your CBT and you only retake your CBT every 2 years for a 50cc if you're on provisional driving license??? Any help?

 

Yeah you can ride a 50cc with no L plates and a pillion if you have a full license. You don't have to retake your CBT to ride a 50cc, 125cc or anything else if you already have a full license.

[MYK-IT]

Yeah you can ride a 50cc with no L plates and a pillion if you have a full license. You don't have to retake your CBT to ride a 50cc, 125cc or anything else if you already have a full license.

 

...if you obtained your Full UK Car Driving Licence before 1st February 2001 no CBT required (for 50cc) For 125cc your CBT will need to be renewed every 2 years (if required/not passed by then).

 

See https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/369984/routes-to-your-motorcycle-licence.pdf for full details.

Edited July 12, 2016 by MYK-IT

[flyinghaggis]

I did my CBT last week so I'm looking to get my hands on a 125cc bike of some variety. Sat the CBT on a Honda 125 CBF which seemed OK. I just really want something to commute to work on and maybe for a bit of fun at weekends. I don't plan on bothering with my DAS just now as my commute is mostly through city roads so would be happy with a 125cc. Honda seem to offer several models in that category. The CB125F, CBR125 and the MSX125. Or maybe a Yamaha 125cc model of some variety? The MT-125 looks really nice actually. There are obviously all the cheaper Chinese models but the reviews online on these seem pretty mixed?

 

Any recommendations between the Honda models. The CBR125 looks pretty nice but I'm not sure whether it's really worth the extra monies above a CBF. Any other 125's worth considering as a first bike?

 

Kind of baffled at the selection on offer. Should I go for one of the urban/street, sports, or off-road models?

 

Any first bike suggestions would be appreciated!

Edited July 20, 2016 by flyinghaggis

[crc-ict]

I finished my DAS and passed Mod 2 last month. All in all, going back to CBT last year, and including a Mod 1 retake, it cost me about £700 start to finish.

 

I took just over a year between CBT and passing, and I'd recommend the 125 and then taking it slowly route. I put 2,000 miles on a Varadero 125 over the year, and I think the road experience was very helpful for the tests. I wouldn't buy a new 125 though, depreciation from new is a killer, and if you get a decent used bike, you won't lose much money.

 

And now I've passed, I've picked up this (yes, I like my Hondas)

 

Lovely bike. Heading off on Saturday for a 4 day tour of Devon and Cornwall with my camping gear.

[southhamster]

I finished my DAS and passed Mod 2 last month. All in all, going back to CBT last year, and including a Mod 1 retake, it cost me about £700 start to finish.

 

I took just over a year between CBT and passing, and I'd recommend the 125 and then taking it slowly route. I put 2,000 miles on a Varadero 125 over the year, and I think the road experience was very helpful for the tests. I wouldn't buy a new 125 though, depreciation from new is a killer, and if you get a decent used bike, you won't lose much money.

 

And now I've passed, I've picked up this (yes, I like my Hondas)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]38089[/ATTACH]

 

Lovely bike. Heading off on Saturday for a 4 day tour of Devon and Cornwall with my camping gear.

 

I'll wave if you go past my house!

[Oaktech]

I did my CBT last week so I'm looking to get my hands on a 125cc bike of some variety. Sat the CBT on a Honda 125 CBF which seemed OK. I just really want something to commute to work on and maybe for a bit of fun at weekends. I don't plan on bothering with my DAS just now as my commute is mostly through city roads so would be happy with a 125cc. Honda seem to offer several models in that category. The CB125F, CBR125 and the MSX125. Or maybe a Yamaha 125cc model of some variety? The MT-125 looks really nice actually. There are obviously all the cheaper Chinese models but the reviews online on these seem pretty mixed?

 

Any recommendations between the Honda models. The CBR125 looks pretty nice but I'm not sure whether it's really worth the extra monies above a CBF. Any other 125's worth considering as a first bike?

 

Kind of baffled at the selection on offer. Should I go for one of the urban/street, sports, or off-road models?

 

Any first bike suggestions would be appreciated!

 

Personally I'd steer clear of anything with a lot of plastic on it (CBR125, YZ125R, Hyosung GT). You are going to drop it, plastic is expensive to replace and you'll find if you claim on insurance that they'll write the bike off and your premium will go even further through the roof than it will be already as a new rider.

 

My personal advice would be to avoid anything 125 with a Suzuki badge on it, the built quality is shocking these days. Likewise anything chinese with the notable exception of the Sinnis Apache which seems pretty good. I'd consider a Hyosung 125, but they are an acquired taste to ride being a vtwin. My personal choice would be a CB125F or, as you say, the MT

[crc-ict]

Personally I'd steer clear of anything with a lot of plastic on it (CBR125, YZ125R, Hyosung GT). You are going to drop it, plastic is expensive to replace and you'll find if you claim on insurance that they'll write the bike off and your premium will go even further through the roof than it will be already as a new rider.

 

My personal advice would be to avoid anything 125 with a Suzuki badge on it, the built quality is shocking these days. Likewise anything chinese with the notable exception of the Sinnis Apache which seems pretty good. I'd consider a Hyosung 125, but they are an acquired taste to ride being a vtwin. My personal choice would be a CB125F or, as you say, the MT

 

That basically echoes what my instructor told me, even about big bikes. Suzuki build quality is sub-par these days across the range so I hear, Yamaha and Honda are where it's at for build quality. Kawasaki don't really do 125s, and a chinese bike you just don't really know what you are getting.

[bald_pig]

That basically echoes what my instructor told me, even about big bikes. Suzuki build quality is sub-par these days across the range so I hear, Yamaha and Honda are where it's at for build quality. Kawasaki don't really do 125s, and a chinese bike you just don't really know what you are getting.

 

Modern Yamahas are rubbish imo, I had an 09 XT660X and the build quality was awful!

 

I have a Honda now, and apart from a slight electrical issue on some of the older bikes, they are rock solid!