First Motor Bike advice

[Boggert]

Looking to buy my first Motorbike...

Going to do my CBT and then get something to commute to work on for a year or two to see how I get on. I cannot afford to do the full test at the moment so It will have to wait.

Any how... Have seen lots for sale on ebay, but there are lots of copies from companies I have never heard of and so I have heard of, The look good but I know all that glitters is not always gold!!

Any suggestions or recommendations??

[Daz800]

most motorcycles can be restricted to 33 bhp but as your first bike have a look at the honda cb500.

Daz

[The Ant Hill Mob]

If you're only going to do your CBT, you're restricted to 125cc or less.  Unless the law has changed, so won't be able to get anything bigger.  I'm sure there are bikers out there that know more than I do, though.

[shaun and co]

as above the cb 500 is bullet proof. the other two popular ones are the kawasaki er5 and the suzuki bandit 600. all come restricted and are as reliable as the rain this month. alot of the stuff that youve never heard of uses old engine designs from the big jap manafacturers but can be quite often badly put togeather and an electrical nightmare! if you need it to be reliable for commuting instead of it just being a toy then i'd personally steer clear. wrong time of year to be buying a bike though mate!

[SHERMAN TANK]

I did that about 2 years ago, but changed jobs a few months later, and got given a company car. So the bike just became a orniment in the garage. Its a CG125 X reg, by chance i'm going to MOT and service it tomorrow, to try and raise some cash. Let me know if your intrested, Its not sporty, but it does 60mph and is great in the city.

[SHERMAN TANK]

Yea thats a good point, a CBT will only allow you to ride up to a 125cc, and only lasts two years.

[wrecker]

hay mate,i have a honda varadero 125

i have a full bike licence but love riding it so much,its as big as a 1000 varadero and is a proper v twin motor :D

it sits on the motor way at 70,75 and will go up too 90 at a push,and yes that is a 125 :D

[att]

Looking to buy my first Motorbike...

Going to do my CBT and then get something to commute to work on for a year or two to see how I get on. I cannot afford to do the full test at the moment so It will have to wait.

Any how... Have seen lots for sale on ebay, but there are lots of copies from companies I have never heard of and so I have heard of, The look good but I know all that glitters is not always gold!!

Any suggestions or recommendations??

I can only suggest that you get the best that you can afford, you are already up against it with the dickhead drivers out there, so you want original, not cheap Chinese copies, same goes for helmet and riding attire, go for the best, it may save your life.
And as I recall you are in the Police force, you have the greatest resource known to the UK motorcyclist at your disposal, go and see them and they will give you the best advice and if you can, get on one of their 'bikesafe' courses..They will save your life at some point or another.
I have been biking for 27 years so may have a small idea of what I am speaking of.

[Highlander1]

Hi Boggart

I would suggest CG 125 not a copy on flee bay they have substandard components although copy the bikes general design.

You get 110mpg on the bike and they last for ever.
I would not recommend anything else if you want to potter for a while before going up a notch.

The smaller bike is easy to keep cheep on spares and when you want to go to next level you can go for a 500 upwards and have gained the experience to stay alive.

Welcome to the 2 wheel brigade.

Cheers H1

[Bulli]

Boggert,

IM sure if you have had your test long enough you dont need to do your CBT at all(unless the law has changed recently). The CG 125 is a good bet . To buy a bigger bike would require the full test anyway and i believe the 33 BHPrestriction applies to young riders not to older riders who can do direct access.
I must admit im not 100% sure cos ive had my licence 17 years so my knowledge is not as good as when i worked in the trade.

When did you pass your car test?

wrecker, you sure it will do 90...i had a aprillia 125 back in the day that made 30 bhp and that struggled to get to 90 and it was a hell of a lot more aerodynamic. Varadero is a good lookin bike though.

[skip]

What ever you do don't buy a aprilia RS125.

They're a great bike, but the engines have seriously limited life span, unless your prepared to have the engine out evey 10k.

 It will need new piston and rings, small end bearing and the best bit is new primary drive gears because they're made out of nylon. It really is a race engine!

CG125s don't like to be thrashed, but will last forever if treated with respect.

BTW you'll definiteley be resticted to a 125 on a CBT, and don't be SMIDSY!!!!!!!!!!

[lee celtic]

Hi All

Cbt only allows you to ride 125 for up to two years on L plates then you have to take  your test or your banned for a year after passing your first test you are restricted to 400 cc or 39bhp for two years then you can ride anything or you can go for your direct access and straight to the big stuff

The price of a 125 is always high because of demand for second hand learner bikes for young riders who can't afford a new bike and insurance. The best way and cheapest that I have seen is to do a crash course on a hire bike for the cbt and first test combined then buy a middle weight bike up to 400 cc as these tend to be a bit cheaper and safer as they have more power to keep up with traffic and a bit more weight for windy days and as you don't have to thrash a bigger bike to keep up the bills for fixing stuff are cheaper..
And also if you are a large person like me 6' 2" 17 stone you will look a prat on a 125...

When I was doing mine 18 years ago (I was lighter then ) I went for the TS100 suzuki as the insurance was half as much and the power was about the same..

[Mash]

Patrick

Do not whatever you do buy a Chinese thing ! like the crap you find on ebay..

Even though most of them are copies of common brands such as CG125's etc the quality is nowhere near the same..Remember you only pay for what you get...

Good 125's for commuting are Honda CG125, Suzuki GN125, Yamaha SR125 (if you can find a good one)  all are cheerful reliable and cheap to run.

Try and stay away from any 2 stroke as well..

I may know where there is an SR125 coming up for sale in good condition.. Also have a word with Maria she may know of something..

Tara

[spinkster]

ok Mr boring just  walked in the building but here goes...........choose the bike you like (as stated before avoid the copy cr4p on fleabay) get something you can sit on comfortably. As a first bike avoid going for anything "race rep" because as time goes by you'll end up thoroughly bored and looking like a gimp trying to wring its neck everywhere!!

But heres the boring bit (and i am amazed no one else has mentioned this)....................say for instance you have a grand to spend, I'd recommend, especially if you intend staying on two wheel for a long time, you but a cheap bike for now (about 600-650 mark) and spend at least 300 quid on the most important items.....A good quality, well fitting CE approved helmet (the more you spend the better you get) NEVER EVER wear a second hand helmet. good quality leather gloves with wrist protection. a good set of boots, they have to be strong and comfortable but don't bother with biker boots for now, just get a set of over ankle boots from the army surplus place. Remember in a spill when your tumbling down the road it'll hurt like a [!Expletive Deleted!] when your ankle bones get skinned and smashed. Good thick jeans. And lastly a really good strong jacket with some back protection as a minimum.

 As and when money allows you can upgrade your boots etc etc then you can start to buy the "toys" (anti mist visors, heated gloves, one piece leathers etc etc)

 However, as with any safety stuff, its only effective when your actually wearing it....you see way too many kids running round on thier scooters with an undone helmet and shorts and teeshirts on......i bet they wont look so cool to the girls with full length skin grafts on thier arms and bodies!

 this post may seem very ummmm boring i guess but as a biker of 20 years i think ive got a bit of experience and if i could change just one persons point of view towards safety gear it'd be a step in the right direction!
 Enjoy your bike, have fun on the open road but please listen to what i say and get home safe from every trip with your body intact....and if you do have an unfortunate spill (most bikers have at least one) do all you can in advance to minimize the effects!
 
 good luck and have fun!! (trust me i'm not a boring old fart.....i just like to see people being safe)

[Bulli]

Im in agreement other than 1 thing...jeans are crap! Many of the textile trousers available arent expensive and i speak from experience when i say your knees are very delicate! The only reason i can walk properly was armour in the knees of my old 1 piece...and that was at 30 mph nothing exotic.
Lids just buy something that fits properly, gold approval means [!Expletive Deleted!] all these days, the acu sell the stickers to manufacurers and give em away like sweets!

[spinkster]

the only reason i said jeans was because leather or textiles are a little expensive for the initial kit....ok they are useful but i'd rather spend the extra on a good helmet  jacket gloves and boots than leather trousers

[karlo]

the only reason i said jeans was because leather or textiles are a little expensive for the initial kit....ok they are useful but i'd rather spend the extra on a good helmet  jacket gloves and boots than leather trousers

Try http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/hermes/shop/1,1,100 there's usually some bargains to be had.

If your doing a fair bit of mileage go for a 4 stroke 125.

[Boggert]

Thanks guys for all the advice.

I think you are right about the "Protection" issue, I'll hold some cash for quality gear. I have my own a lid already, I got it when my wife had her twist and go only used 5 times and conforms to all the normal regs.

I think you are right, it will be a known brand. whilst the copies look great I'm not sure about quality and spares!

I passed my driving test in 1989 so can use a 50 with out CBT, however I want a 125 so have to do the CBT. Going to give it a go for a bit then if I get on ok will do my direct access.

[Highlander1]

That's the way to do it :D

[Tailendcharley]

:D  :D Patrick....I retired from the force 6 years ago having spent 24 yrs in Traffic...cars and bikes....I also own 14 motorbikes (Jap and old British)...every year I ride across Europe on long distance rides...I've been as far as Russia and Bosnia...........my only advice regarding buying a motorbike is simple.....get a Honda and you wont be disappointed...my preference is a trails bike...I prefer the riding position and you can always do the odd green lane on them....best of luck to you mate :D  :D


 :D  :D Smithy :)  :)

[Boggert]

Hi Smithy,

I like the Idea of a trials bike, have seen one or two good ones locally. I've been in the job a few years now and seen a few of nasty RTA'a with bikes including watching a young man go flying through the air after seeing us at the side of the road and not seeing the car in front!

Any hows chaps will let you know how I get on!