Want a Motorbike - any bikers here?

[crammy69]

One of my friends has recently got back into biking and bought a lovely looking Triumph speed-triple.

I have never riden a motorbike on the road and have always been very, very wary of them after my cousin lost a kidney and broke most of his bones in a motorbike accident (not his fault). However, maybe its because I turned 40 a few weeks ago , or that the suns is out , or Im envious of my mates bike , but whatever the reason I really fancy learning to ride and getting a bike.

I understand that I need to do a 1 day CBT course and can then ride a 125cc on my full car drivers licence, but that if I want to ride anything quicker then I need to do a proper course and test.

Any suggestions from the bikers? will a 125cc be comfortable/powerfull enough for a 16 stone 6'1 bloke?

Cheers

 

[maddog]

Any suggestions from the bikers? will a 125cc be comfortable/powerfull enough for a 16 stone 6'1 bloke?

Cheers

Not really but ok for short trips at least it will show you if you want to continue or not

Mind you this guy seems to be ok

 

[Spinal]

I have 3 bikes - love them especially when it's sunny

A 125cc will be great for about a year... then you will either stop riding bikes or crave for something faster....

The year lasts even less if you ride a larger bike for a few minutes... the instant I rode the Ducati I knew I could never go back to a 125cc.

This is my advice:
- Take the CBT
- Buy a 125cc Honda CG125 secondhand
- Ride it until you are either bored with bikes or need something bigger
- Resell the CG, they retain their value extremely well (in fact, if you buy in winter and resell in summer, you may even make a quid or two)

M.

edit: I'm between 6'1" and 6'2"; and about 70kg and had no problems on my 125cc Cagiva roadster 521 custom

 

[Sp!ke]

I'd say go for it. :bannana:

I'm currently helping my wife to go down this path.

Long term, a 125 will not satisfy you. To slow, too small and not enough power to scratch that itch you're having. Short term though, between the time you take your CBT and complete your Direct Access, it will provide you with invaluable experience and confidence. You *should* buy a 125 and put some hours in before attempting to gain your full license imho.

The motorcycle test has just changed again (April 27th) making it harder still to pass. The test is so much more thorough than a car test that it will make you a much better driver so worth doing if for no other reason than to brush up your skills.

The test now comprises:

CBT (compulsary basic training)
Theory (two parts, one written and one video)
Module 1 – a specified off road manoeuvres test similar to CBT but with the DSA. (can be done on a 125) Video Here
Module 2 – a road riding test including an eyesight test and safety questions lasting aroun an hour. (needs to be done on a bike over 55hp or thereabouts if Direct Access)

When looking for a 125, dismiss any thoughts of buying one of these cheap Chinese 125's no matter how cheap or attractive they look. They are so badly made that they are deathtraps and few will ever pass their first MOT when they hit 3 years old.

Instead, go for something from the big 4 Japanese companies, use it for the few months you need it, then pass your test and sell it on again for little or no depreciation. Insurance will be around £100 for 3rd party only & road tax only £15pa.

I've just purchased a 2008 Yamaha YBR125 with 2k miles on it for £895 for mrs Sp!ke and I suspect I'll turn a profit on it when the time comes to sell it. That works out much cheaper than buying a new £700 Yamasaki thats next to worthless when you need to shift it 6 months later.

 

[Bill_33]

I think that it depends on your age whether you can do something called DAS and go straight onto "bigger" bikes
My advice is to skip the 125cc if you can
500cc Bikes and above are far better and in my view safer...........why not an old BMW Airhead...they are great.........I have several
Bigger Bikes are also easier to ride..especially with your weight (problems!) sorry

 

[crammy69]

I'd say go for it. :bannana:

When looking for a 125, dismiss any thoughts of buying one of these cheap Chinese 125's no matter how cheap or attractive they look. They are so badly made that they are deathtraps and few will ever pass their first MOT when they hit 3 years old.

Instead, go for something from the big 4 Japanese companies, use it for the few months you need it, then pass your test and sell it on again for little or no depreciation. Insurance will be around £100 for 3rd party only & road tax only £15pa.

I was going to ask about this as some of the cruiser/custom style bikes Ive seen on Ebay look really good value at around £1200 brand new. I looked at reviews on them and saw many people saying they loved them but were always having to re-tighten nuts and bolts and even supergluing them on to stop various bits dropping off!, also they do seem to drop their value very quickly!. One guy made a point that if you want to / enjoy tinkering with things then these chinese bikes will certainly give you that opportunity!. I guess its the old 'get what you pay for' situation.

Thanks everyone for some good advice!

 

[flango]

One of my friends has recently got back into biking and bought a lovely looking Triumph speed-triple.

I have never riden a motorbike on the road and have always been very, very wary of them after my cousin lost a kidney and broke most of his bones in a motorbike accident (not his fault). However, maybe its because I turned 40 a few weeks ago , or that the suns is out , or Im envious of my mates bike , but whatever the reason I really fancy learning to ride and getting a bike.

I understand that I need to do a 1 day CBT course and can then ride a 125cc on my full car drivers licence, but that if I want to ride anything quicker then I need to do a proper course and test.

Any suggestions from the bikers? will a 125cc be comfortable/powerfull enough for a 16 stone 6'1 bloke?

Cheers

Well as an ex biker (yes she made me sell it) you might want to have a read at THIS

Just remember the stark facts you are 4 times more likely to be killed on a bike than in a car (Common sense really). If you are middle aged (which I am) the stats increase to 6 times more likely. If you are middle aged and new to biking with little experience it's 10 times more likely.

As always I think common sense prevails and I liken it to the 17 year old who just passes his test and then takes his dad's Ferrari out for a spin yes legally he can do so but he has no experience and it will all end in tears.

My advice to mitigate the stats, is training, training and more training. Take your CBT and get comfortable with the bike, get a 125 and get to know the road, riding lines from a bikers point of view (very different to a car drivers view) again its the things they don't teach you when you are learning that will later possibly save your life, so get the experience on a 125cc and then upgrade if you wish, but when you do get some further refresher training, my local police force runs courses free of charge to people who are doing exactly this. If you want to stay very safe progress to advanced riding just as you would do with the car IAM , Rospa etc. I have rode on and off for the last 30 years and never been involved in an accident fell off a couple of times at low speed but that was down to my own stupid fault.

If you go this route I hope you enjoy it there is nothing like the freedom of the open road but stay safe , I can definitely say that at some point in the future I will be back on a bike it just gets you

 

[Sp!ke]

The concern is the shoddy manufacture on important things. It's no real worry if your indicator falls of but how about when your wheel bearings fail or your caliper seals go or worse.

Also note that the chinese bikes (because of their poor tolerances) generally put out less power than the Japanese equivalent. The legal limit for a learner on a 125 is 14.6HP. Most of the chinese bikes put out 8 or 9 HP.(in percentage terms thats huge). With 16 stone onboard, you'll struggle to reach 50.

Get a Honda Rebel instead if you must have a custom.

 

[Ted]

Spinal has summed it up (IMHO) perfectly.
The only advice I can give is make safety your primary concern - you simply cannot afford to ride a motorcycle in the same manner that you drive a car. Assume that no-one has see you.

And if you're into cruisers, I found that Mrs Ted's 125 Yamaha was pleasantly torquey low down, with, shall we say, adequate power at higher revs.
You will of course want something a little larger as you progress.......

http://www.budbrooke.com/mediac/bike/bikes3.jpg
http://www.budbrooke.com/mediac/bike/bikes2.jpg

 

[crammy69]

Spinal has summed it up (IMHO) perfectly.
The only advice I can give is make safety your primary concern - you simply cannot afford to ride a motorcycle in the same manner that you drive a car. Assume that no-one has see you.

And if you're into cruisers, I found that Mrs Ted's 125 Yamaha was pleasantly torquey low down, with, shall we say, adequate power at higher revs.
You will of course want something a little larger as you progress.......

http://www.budbrooke.com/mediac/bike/bikes3.jpg
http://www.budbrooke.com/mediac/bike/bikes2.jpg

I love the look of those bikes! Is the Black one a 125?

 

[Ted]

Yes, a 125 dragstar. Now unfortunately sold - I thought of keeping it for myself.
It will (just) do 70 with my 14 stone frame, and all of what little weight it has is low down which makes it easy to manoeuvre.

Edit - also looks a lot bigger than most 125s - very important for your street cred!!

More pics....
http://www.budbrooke.com/mediac/bike/bike1.JPG
http://www.budbrooke.com/mediac/bike/bike2.JPG
http://www.budbrooke.com/mediac/bike/bike3.JPG

 

[crammy69]

Thanks, I guess they dont make them anymore? cant see it on the Yamaha website, or is your modified i.e different seat?

 

[Bill_33]

I am a mature Biker.....have been riding for some time..have the IAM, car and Bike, have been an IAM observer and all that plus have been on a few safety and off road courses.

BUT when I was riding regularly I still managed to fall off once a year.....all relatively minor, thank god!

My point - Biking is dangerous...look at the stats

I am not saying Bikers are dangerous before you all jump in the air........just that no matter how careful you are Biking is dangerous.

Saying that it is worth it for many reasons which can be difficult to explain to some motorists, (probably more difficult to explain to a Merc driver)...........but one fact for you to consider, my 1985 BMW R80, (800cc) is as fast to 60 mph as my Porsche 911..........modern suprebikes are very very fast to 100mph then aerodynamics cut in

A 125cc is not a motorbike it is a moped.....OK for shopping and that is all.......You would never get me on anything smaller than a 500cc, maybe a 350cc, but not sure about that................OK all you 125cc supporters will give me examples of fast 125cc Bikes.....but these are screaming "rice burners"................keep off them

and there is, IMHO, nothing more ridiculous that a "grown" man riding along at 30 to 50mph on a 125cc underpowered Japanese imitation Harley - just silly looking

 

[Ted]

Hmmm looks like you can't get a new one any more - ours was a a 2004

This seems to be their current offering - not as nice (and not a v-twin from the look of it)

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/products/motorcycles/125cc/ybr125-custom.jsp#

 

[crammy69]

I am a mature Biker.....have been riding for some time..have the IAM, car and Bike, have been an IAM observer and all that plus have been on a few safety and off road courses.

BUT when I was riding regularly I still managed to fall off once a year.....all relatively minor, thank god!

My point - Biking is dangerous...look at the stats

I am not saying Bikers are dangerous before you all jump in the air........just that no matter how careful you are Biking is dangerous.

Saying that it is worth it for many reasons which can be difficult to explain to some motorists, (probably more difficult to explain to a Merc driver)...........but one fact for you to consider, my 1985 BMW R80, (800cc) is as fast to 60 mph as my Porsche 911..........modern suprebikes are very very fast to 100mph then aerodynamics cut in

A 125cc is not a motorbike it is a moped.....OK for shopping and that is all.......You would never get me on anything smaller than a 500cc, maybe a 350cc, but not sure about that................OK all you 125cc supporters will give me examples of fast 125cc Bikes.....but these are screaming "rice burners"................keep off them

Im sure the risks are there, to stand any chance of being allowed by SWMBO, to go out on one Im going to have to use it sparingly (sunday mornings etc).

As regards choosing a 125, it appears I have little choice as Im a learner. Of course should the bug bite and I go on to pass the full test, then no doubt the allure of a bigger bike will take hold!.

 

[crammy69]

Hmmm looks like you can't get a new one any more - ours was a a 2004

This seems to be their current offering - not as nice (and not a v-twin from the look of it)

2009 Yamaha YBR125 Custom Motorcycle

Yep saw that, nowhere near as nice, still maybe I can find a 2nd hand one, although its going to be at least 5 years old....

 

[Bill_33]

Im sure the risks are there, to stand any chance of being allowed by SWMBO, to go out on one Im going to have to use it sparingly (sunday mornings etc).

As regards choosing a 125, it appears I have little choice as Im a learner. Of course should the bug bite and I go on to pass the full test, then no doubt the allure of a bigger bike will take hold!.

Do a bit of reseach I think that if you are over 25 you can do a 3 day DAS course and then take a full Bike test, which then allows you to ride any Bike.
You train on a 350cc Bike

Rules may have changed - but have a look on a motor bike training web site

This was one of my "babies"

 

[Sp!ke]

have been riding for some time..have the IAM, car and Bike, have been an IAM observer and all that plus have been on a few safety and off road courses.

BUT when I was riding regularly I still managed to fall off once a year

I just have time served on my side, no training whatsoever. Apparently I ride like a hooligan, rain or shine, summer and winter *but* I haven't fallen off in many many years. (on the road)

Me thinks your IAM stuff didn't really serve you in good stead.

I also think your advice on bikes are out of date and highly questionable.

 

[bigyin1]

Two things i'd add are : Why do you want a bike and what are you going to do with the bike?

If you only want a bike for the odd occasion then i don't think it's worth it as since you'll be new to biking, you'll never settle into it enough and you'll be riding like you're made of cardboard all the time. If you're looking to go touring or track days then that would influence what bike you're looking to get.

Personally i've had the touring bike and commuted to work on it for 1 1/2 years through all weathers and emerged unscathed, but that was when i was in my mid 20's, i've also had a big bike (ZX9 '00) for 6 months and emerged unscathed. Since selling the ZX9, I occasionally rode our companys Fireblade and it would take me a couple hundred yards before i got back into my old habits, which is why I sold the ZX9!!

Since then my priorities have changed and nothing will be happening until either A - i come into some money or B - the kids leave home.

When I decided to get another bike, it'll be a tourer, something like a BMW 1150/1200GS which is very comfortable has loads of kit and is safe and releable. Having said that, i'd have a Ducati 996/998 in a heartbeat

 

[stumpy1]

Won't be long before you want something like this though :bannana: